Looking for new Headphones

[sazrocks]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a new pair of high quality headphones for gaming/more bass-intensive music. I currently have a pair of Massdrop/Drop HD6xx's being driven by a Schiit Hel 2E, with a Modmic Uni for comms (plugged into the Schiit).

 

I'm open to headset recommendations but as I have the modmic which can be swapped between headsets there isn't any need for an integrated mic if it's going to compromise audio quality. I have the HD6xx's for more detailed listening, but with this new pair I'm looking for something that would give a better listening experience for EDM/sythwave, etc.

 

My initial budget is $200 or so but I'm definitely open to going higher or lower if its justified.

[saintlouisbagels]

The DT770 Pro 80 ohm

There is a 250 ohm version, but 80 ohm has more B A S S

[HAL90000]

When you say you want "more" bass, do you want like "It'll hurt in the morning" pounding ridiculous levels of bass or just "more"? If you just want more while mantaining most of the articulate features from the HD600 I really like the Shure 840A they're about $140 USD but they sound like they cost $350.

[Spuriae]

Have you already tried EQing more bass into the HD6xx? If so, what other aspects of the sound are you looking to change?

[Tigerleon]

Beyerdynamic DT 900 pro X. Tygr 300r. HE400SE from Hifiman or the Sundaras.

[HAL90000]

5 hours ago, Tigerleon said:

Beyerdynamic DT 900 pro X. Tygr 300r. HE400SE from Hifiman or the Sundaras.

He400SE and Sundara are actually below-neutral in some parts of the bass spectrum and are definitely not a fit for someone looking to listen to bass heavy music. They sound good, yes, but not for techno.

[Tigerleon]

4 hours ago, HAL90000 said:

He400SE and Sundara are actually below-neutral in some parts of the bass spectrum and are definitely not a fit for someone looking to listen to bass heavy music. They sound good, yes, but not for techno.

They can certainly sound good for techno. EQ works fine.

[sazrocks]

14 hours ago, HAL90000 said:

When you say you want "more" bass, do you want like "It'll hurt in the morning" pounding ridiculous levels of bass or just "more"? If you just want more while mantaining most of the articulate features from the HD600 I really like the Shure 840A they're about $140 USD but they sound like they cost $350.

Significantly more than the HD6XX’s, but I’m not trying to blast my ears. I have airpods pro and Wx1000xm4’s and those provide what I would consider an acceptable level of bass. The lack of bass in the HD6XX’s is my primary complaint about them. 
 

 

14 hours ago, Spuriae said:

Have you already tried EQing more bass into the HD6xx? If so, what other aspects of the sound are you looking to change?

I’ve tried, I can’t get the same kind of bass with the open back I guess.

[NinJake]

DT770 is my pick for you at that price point.

[Spuriae]

2 hours ago, sazrocks said:

Significantly more than the HD6XX’s, but I’m not trying to blast my ears. I have airpods pro and Wx1000xm4’s and those provide what I would consider an acceptable level of bass. The lack of bass in the HD6XX’s is my primary complaint about them.

 

I’ve tried, I can’t get the same kind of bass with the open back I guess.

The Airpods Pro and WX1000XM4 are both ANC headphones. ANC headphones use internal feedback microphones, which give them exceptional bass extension and control at high levels (more or less impossible to imitate outside of high-end planars) at the expense of mid and treble performance. Compare the bass response of the XM4 in passive mode (wired, powered off) vs. noise cancelling on.

 

If you don't listen too loudly, you should be able to get plenty more bass (at least quantity-wise) out of the HD6XX using EQ. Try a low-shelf filter, +15dB, at 60Hz for example. Increase the filter frequency to increase the bass quantity.

 

If bass control at high levels is an issue, get a planar and EQ in more bass. If you want something that performs well without EQ, the K371 is probably the closest thing to consumer ANC headphone-like bass that you can get in a passive dynamic headphone. Consider the planar Aeon Closed X as a possible step-up option outside your budget.

 

Do you wear glasses by any chance?

[Psittac]

The 6xx is certainly not a bassy headphone.  The DT770 250 ohm would be a bassier headphone but I wouldn't call it a bass focused headphone, it's more neutral but certainly has more bass due to it being a closed back headphone.

 

If you want something with a fuller sound and a bit more bass I would recommend the Rode NTH-100 or Meze 99 Neo, both are easy to drive and will sound excellent on your Hel.  They both have more of that "consumer" sound to them however it's done right.