Headphone recommendations

[TryRestart]

Hello,

as my Title suggests i would like to get new headphones, as my DT 990 Pro has gotten uncomfy for my head after 4 years of having them (already explained what's up in another post by me).

 

In my last post one told me to ask in here for some recommendations but specifying a few things:

 

Country: Germany

Price: 250€ max (can be a bit more)

I am okay with used or new...

Currently got the headphones plugged into my motherboard with Realtek ALC 1220.

I do like the open design of the dt 990 pro but it has gotten a bit annoying for other things like discord as i also use them for regular stuff and my mic picks a lot of the noise from it up.

So i would prefer some Closed Backs probably - i will use them for gaming too but i just don't like the sound of gaming headphones with the overtuned stuff as i like to listen to music too with a great pair of headphones.

Getting an AMP or something is not what i currently have planned but might do in the future when i am done with my apprenticeship.

 

Thank you for your help, as i just can't decide.

[Cocococo]

For closed you have a few good options, AKG K371 and Shure 840A are my personal favourites, if you think you want a mic in the future Rode NTH-100 has a great add on mic you can buy down the line. For open frankly i'd look for a used HD600, 580 or 650/ 6xx, i've seen 580's sell for startingly low amounts of money considering how great they sound, just don't go for a 660 because they're pretty mediocre compared to the other 6x0 chassis headphones

[191x7]

For open back, I'd get the HD 560S from Sennheiser.

For closed back, the AKG K371, K361.

 

Have you considered IEMs? For the price, you can get some quite good ones.

[TryRestart]

20 minutes ago, 191x7 said:

For open back, I'd get the HD 560S from Sennheiser.

For closed back, the AKG K371, K361.

 

Have you considered IEMs? For the price, you can get some quite good ones.

I have considered IEMs for sure, i have done a bit of research but i couldn't really tell if they were also great for gaming - like valorant and stuff because steps you already know.

[191x7]

40 minutes ago, TryRestart said:

I have considered IEMs for sure, i have done a bit of research but i couldn't really tell if they were also great for gaming - like valorant and stuff because steps you already know.

Some IEMs are extremely good for gaming. Fresh Reviews tests them in Apex and Valorant.

 

The Simgot EM6L (about 130€) should beat the DT 990 you're used to.

But if that's too much for you to spend on the first IEMs you'd use for gaming, you can go with something like the QKZ x HBB (25€) or the Truthear Crinacle Zero (50€).

Both should be good enough for competitive play. Good directionality, distancing, elevation, soundstage, etc.

 

Here's what Freshy recommends:

[saintlouisbagels]

3 hours ago, TryRestart said:

I have considered IEMs for sure, i have done a bit of research but i couldn't really tell if they were also great for gaming - like valorant and stuff because steps you already know.

Pro players wear IEMs during competitions.

If you're not good at a game, it's a skill issue not a headphone issue. It's about hearing the nuances of how the game itself processes sound. Not the raw ability of a headphone to let you hear things.

[TryRestart]

32 minutes ago, saintlouisbagels said:

Pro players wear IEMs during competitions.

If you're not good at a game, it's a skill issue not a headphone issue. It's about hearing the nuances of how the game itself processes sound. Not the raw ability of a headphone to let you hear things.

No no, i am pretty good at both valo and cs, i just kinda forgot the fact pro players actually wear them in pro matches as they wear headsets over them cause of blocking the noise.

 

I will consider both options, but i have not tried IEMs for longer gaming sessions as i only got airpods 3 and they're quite unusable on pc.

[TryRestart]

On 1/22/2024 at 4:06 PM, 191x7 said:

Some IEMs are extremely good for gaming. Fresh Reviews tests them in Apex and Valorant.

 

The Simgot EM6L (about 130€) should beat the DT 990 you're used to.

But if that's too much for you to spend on the first IEMs you'd use for gaming, you can go with something like the QKZ x HBB (25€) or the Truthear Crinacle Zero (50€).

Both should be good enough for competitive play. Good directionality, distancing, elevation, soundstage, etc.

 

Here's what Freshy recommends:

So i now got the Simgots and they sound insane... yes better than the DT 990, but i've noticed that as my ears are now completely shut i can now hear my whole body a lot more like breathing, bones crackling and stuff. Is there anything i could do about it or not? Cause that does annoy me a lot as i notice that even when i just watch a video or listen to music and it breaks the experience a bit.

[191x7]

6 hours ago, TryRestart said:

So i now got the Simgots and they sound insane... yes better than the DT 990, but i've noticed that as my ears are now completely shut i can now hear my whole body a lot more like breathing, bones crackling and stuff. Is there anything i could do about it or not? Cause that does annoy me a lot as i notice that even when i just watch a video or listen to music and it breaks the experience a bit.

Different ear tips, maybe a different size or material.

[TryRestart]

7 minutes ago, 191x7 said:

Different ear tips, maybe a different size or material.

Have tried different ones, don't really help sadly and it starts to hurt wearing them for longer

[191x7]

3 hours ago, TryRestart said:

Have tried different ones, don't really help sadly and it starts to hurt wearing them for longer

Then smaller tips? Foam tips?

 

Maybe you need to adjust to using IEMs? Or maybe you need a different model...

[Rousbe]

I have had MMX300 mk1 for 6-7 years. they still look like new(everyday use) I also have ALC 1220, works good enough with it, but with dac amp you can get alot more out them. i have asus phoebus  pcie soundcard and cambridge audio dacmagic plus dac amp. 

 

mic never pics noise around. level 80% in windows and auto settings on dc. (depends if you speak silently or loud, some settings need little tuning.

edit: i play mainly fps games like cs2 etc. i tried many "5.1 or 7.1" headsets.. they are crap against stereo positioning in games and music
 

[TryRestart]

On 1/22/2024 at 2:30 PM, Cocococo said:

For closed you have a few good options, AKG K371 and Shure 840A are my personal favourites, if you think you want a mic in the future Rode NTH-100 has a great add on mic you can buy down the line. For open frankly i'd look for a used HD600, 580 or 650/ 6xx, i've seen 580's sell for startingly low amounts of money considering how great they sound, just don't go for a 660 because they're pretty mediocre compared to the other 6x0 chassis headphones

I now got the Shure 840A and damn, couldn't be happier with it. Great isolation, better sound than before, the headstrap is very nice and the cups actually hold up pretty well without it pressing into my skull all the time. Build quality is also great and the detachable cable is also a nice addition.

I sadly couldn't stand the pain with the IEMs - definitly on me and my ears but they do sound very good too, but for me the fact that i heard my heart and bones while wearing them was a big meh for me...