Seeking advice

[gbbased]

I'm hoping to get a little more information before making a purchase. Currently I'm looking at the HD 558s, T50RPs, or HD 598s. I absolutely hate the stock look of the T50RPs, but I've briefly looked into their modding and seen some nice looking pairs. The main thing I want to know is if I should absolutely get an amp with these headphones or not. The 598s have been the headphones that I've wanted for nearly a year, but I'm just not comfortable spending more money on top of purchasing them. Am I better off get a less expensive pair and an amp, or will my onboard soundcard be enough to properly compliment the 598s or T50RPs? Please feel free to recommend other options or make suggestions!

[Thalandros]

I use my onboard soundcard on a Gigabyte B85 D3H and I love mine. I think the HD 598s are the level of headphones where you can get away without a soundcard and it still sounding amazing. I've been using these cans for about a year now, a little less, and I love them. So comfortable I don't mind (and sometimes want to!) wear them all day, they sound great (if you're a basshead, look at other brands though, these are all open models and better for mids/highs) Super clear and warm sound coming out of these. I personally love how they look (they don't fit in with my otherwise black colored system, but it doesn't matter, that's how great they are. It comes with a long cable (3m, 10ft) if necessary and a 3.5mm jack converter included. It's just the best you're gonna get if you don't want to buy an external soundcard or whatever, in my opinion. Love 'em.


Btw: I use them for listening to music (OC-remix, Metallica, Sum 41, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, but also game soundtracks that are very classical-like.) and gaming. They're not surround sound (Which is kind of a gimmick anyway imo) but the E.A.R technology in them, (however they brand it) is doing its job well for gaming. Not like positional sounds are very important for most of my gaming needs, but still.

TL:DR: If you've got the budget and cba to get a good soundcard, the HD 598's are the best. With and without these things will give you the best bang for your buck, I'm sure.

(That's not entirely true, the 558 has nearly or the same drivers, so if you want a cheaper model that's almost as good, just get it, it's essentially the same with a couple less bells & whistles & beautiful design. )


Also, welcome to the forums.

[ShearMe]

Some people need extra amping for the T50RP, some people don't. You wont for any Sennheiser.

[gbbased]

Thank you both for the replies. I've decided to go with the 598s, they are too gorgeous for me to ignore any longer.

[NannerBeans]

I personally think the T50RP blows the Sennheisers out of the water but I do quite like them with an amp. It sounds very good without one but I do feel like it's better with one. 

[creatip123]

The T50RP I think is planar driver, while the Senns are dynamic drivers. Planars usually need an amp to drive them properly. Depending on your onboard, perhaps it got a built-in amp that's enough to drive planars properly.

 

Just a comparison: I replaced my mobo today, and the onboard is the VIA VT1708S. While it's good for speakers (sounds a bit better than my xonar DG), it sucks with my planar HE400. Max windows volume and still far from my normal enjoying volume.