Using an ATH-M30X, what to consider for the future?

[Murasaki]

I've owned these for a few years now and eventually the earpads degraded in such a way my ears started hurting. I did get aftermarket pads from amazon and that solved the problem for the time being but they're also going to face a similar fate sooner or later. From what I can tell the build quality and overall comfort is not really the best out there (some plastic has broken off). Can I get any recommendations for wired headphones around the same price range or higher that are built a bit better and/or are more comfortable? Ofcourse the audio quality can be in the same ballpark not an audiophile or anything.

[191x7]

Do you use them for gaming, music, on the PC, console, tv, mobile?

[Murasaki]

3 hours ago, 191x7 said:

Do you use them for gaming, music, on the PC, console, tv, mobile?

On my PC yeah for gaming and music

[191x7]

27 minutes ago, Murasaki said:

On my PC yeah for gaming and music

Are you connecting to the onboard audio (Realtek?) or using some other audio device (DAC, soundcard, ...)?

 

Are you familiar with the difference between closed back headphones and open back ones? Familiar with IEM-s perhaps?

[Murasaki]

2 hours ago, 191x7 said:

Are you connecting to the onboard audio (Realtek?) or using some other audio device (DAC, soundcard, ...)?

 

Are you familiar with the difference between closed back headphones and open back ones? Familiar with IEM-s perhaps?

Onboard audio yeah, nothing fancy going on! Yeah I know what close back/open back/IEMs are. I've always used close back ones for my PC setup as I prefer to not hear any outside noise so I don't see myself using open back ones.

[191x7]

16 minutes ago, Murasaki said:

Onboard audio yeah, nothing fancy going on! Yeah I know what close back/open back/IEMs are. I've always used close back ones for my PC setup as I prefer to not hear any outside noise so I don't see myself using open back ones.

How about IEM-s like the Truthear Zero or QKZ x HBB?

 

Might I recommend a $5 vast audio improvement over onboard?

This https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003955547612.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.5.187d1802Slxn9Z

paired with this if your motherboard doesn't have type-c https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000268671055.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.11.187d1802Slxn9Z

Sounds better than my Asus Xonar U5. I own a few, my friends also got a few, everybody loves those. Cheap but power all our headphones, IEM-s and headsets.

 

Something like a great yet cheap upgrade over the M30x would be the Blon B50 headphones.

And in a higher price range, the AKG K361. 

[Murasaki]

9 minutes ago, 191x7 said:

How about IEM-s like the Truthear Zero or QKZ x HBB?

 

Might I recommend a $5 vast audio improvement over onboard?

This https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003955547612.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.5.187d1802Slxn9Z

paired with this if your motherboard doesn't have type-c https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000268671055.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.11.187d1802Slxn9Z

Sounds better than my Asus Xonar U5. I own a few, my friends also got a few, everybody loves those. Cheap but power all our headphones, IEM-s and headsets.

 

Something like a great yet cheap upgrade over the M30x would be the Blon B50 headphones.

And in a higher price range, the AKG K361. 

I've never really been interested in IEMs, prefer regular headphones. Haven't heard of Blon before and stores in my country also havent LOL though the AKG K361 looks nice but is also not available...

As for the DAC I might try that out, not sure if I'll hear any difference. Thanks for the suggestions so far!

[191x7]

16 minutes ago, Murasaki said:

I've never really been interested in IEMs, prefer regular headphones. Haven't heard of Blon before and stores in my country also havent LOL though the AKG K361 looks nice but is also not available...

As for the DAC I might try that out, not sure if I'll hear any difference. Thanks for the suggestions so far!

Which country?

 

I would advise you to try the QKZH x HBB for $20 or the Truthear Zero for $50 or the 7Hz Salnotes Zero for $20. It's not a lot, and you might come to like IEM-s.

 

The Blon B50 are available on AliExpress too.

 

What are your (local) options?

[Guest]

10 hours ago, Murasaki said:

I've owned these for a few years now and eventually the earpads degraded in such a way my ears started hurting. I did get aftermarket pads from amazon and that solved the problem for the time being but they're also going to face a similar fate sooner or later. From what I can tell the build quality and overall comfort is not really the best out there (some plastic has broken off). Can I get any recommendations for wired headphones around the same price range or higher that are built a bit better and/or are more comfortable? Ofcourse the audio quality can be in the same ballpark not an audiophile or anything.

I would recommend Sony 7506 or beyerdynamic dt 770 pro 32 ohm version. Also I highly recommend you check for options at rtings.com

[Psittac]

Knowing your country will help a great deal as @191x7 mentioned.  That price range is very difficult to suggest in because most of the known headphones start higher.  Though I am personally open to suggestions myself in this price range.  But again the country will determine a lot based on what is available.  What website do you use to shop?

 

I know from first or second hand experience that brands like Sennheiser and Beyerdynamic are very sturdy and will last the test of time, however I know that soundMAGIC is F tier for durability.

 

I would recommend the Phillips SHP9600 but those are open back.  It's between those and the Koss kph30i that I recommend.

 

10 hours ago, Audiology said:

I would recommend Sony 7506 or beyerdynamic dt 770 pro 32 ohm version. Also I highly recommend you check for options at rtings.com

dt770 is going to be to high dollar.  Also 80 ohm should run just as well as 32 so far as I know.

 

I just did an amazon search and the AKG K361 came up above your price range but it's one I can recommend with first hand experience.  I would eventually upgrade the pads as stock are pretty thin.  The build quality, given your time scale might not be the greatest.

 

But knowing where you shop will help a ton

[Guest]

10 hours ago, Psittac said:

Knowing your country will help a great deal as @191x7 mentioned.  That price range is very difficult to suggest in because most of the known headphones start higher.  Though I am personally open to suggestions myself in this price range.  But again the country will determine a lot based on what is available.  What website do you use to shop?

 

I know from first or second hand experience that brands like Sennheiser and Beyerdynamic are very sturdy and will last the test of time, however I know that soundMAGIC is F tier for durability.

 

I would recommend the Phillips SHP9600 but those are open back.  It's between those and the Koss kph30i that I recommend.

 

dt770 is going to be to high dollar.  Also 80 ohm should run just as well as 32 so far as I know.

 

I just did an amazon search and the AKG K361 came up above your price range but it's one I can recommend with first hand experience.  I would eventually upgrade the pads as stock are pretty thin.  The build quality, given your time scale might not be the greatest.

 

But knowing where you shop will help a ton

I have no idea what kind of pc they are using, to that’s why I suggested the 32 Ohm btw. Also, you I got my Sony MDR-7506 for 99$ USD on Amazon (In the United States lol).  There’s a bit of a hump in the eq graph in the bass and sub region. But other than that it’s pretty good. I’ve been using my pair for about 4 months. The only complaint I have is that the headband doesnt have enough cushioning. So I’ll have to adjust the headband once in a while. Good luck finding a pair of headphones!