Wireless Open-Back Headphone recommendations for gaming? Currently using Sennheiser HD6XX

[Koastie]

Hi,

 

I'm currently using a pair of Sennheiser HD6XX with a Mayflower Electronics DAC/AMP combo. I've loved these headphones and have used them constantly for over 6 years now. The reason I'm in the market, is that I'm looking for a new pair of headphones that has wireless capability. I don't care what type of mic it comes with (if it's equipped with a mic) as i'll be using an external mic. Does anyone have any recommendations for headphones that fit these requirements?

 

1. Wireless

2. Open-back

3. Great sound stage for gaming specifically

 

My budget is flexible.

 

I appreciate any feedback and/or reocmmendations anyone may have. Thanks,

 

Koastie

[BobVonBob]

Wireless open backs are a vanishingly small niche. You've basically got three options:

1. Sennheiser RS 120 at about 85 USD. Uses RF instead of bluetooth and needs a big base station for that. I'd also consider them closer to semi-open than open.
2. Hifiman Deva Pro. Not technically wireless, but comes with a bluetooth receiver that attaches directly to the input jack. Currently available around 200 USD.
3. Grado GW100x. Stock pads are on-ear, around 275 USD.

And that's it. That's the whole wireless open back market. It's worth noting that you can do something similar to the hifiman deva with any open back headphones and a bluetooth receiver. I personally have a pair of Philips SHP9500s with a bluetooth receiver stuck to the headband.

[Cocococo]

Closest you're going to get to sound anywhere near as good as you 6XX's is heavily modded bluetooth KOSS KSC-75's. Hifiman Deva has super mediocre soundstage and imaging, Grado GW100x are Grados and sound terrible, imaging is better than Deva if nothing else. Bluetooth receivers are the smart play if you insist on using open backs, If you're okay with really good closed backs than the Audeze Maxwell is an easy recommendation as it fits everything you're looking for, and is one of the absolute best sounding closed back headphones out there (Only pair of closed backs i 100% think sound better are Aurorus Australis, that's some crazy high praise) 

[Psittac]

5 hours ago, BobVonBob said:

Wireless open backs are a vanishingly small niche. You've basically got three options:

1. Sennheiser RS 120 at about 85 USD. Uses RF instead of bluetooth and needs a big base station for that. I'd also consider them closer to semi-open than open.
2. Hifiman Deva Pro. Not technically wireless, but comes with a bluetooth receiver that attaches directly to the input jack. Currently available around 200 USD.
3. Grado GW100x. Stock pads are on-ear, around 275 USD.

And that's it. That's the whole wireless open back market. It's worth noting that you can do something similar to the hifiman deva with any open back headphones and a bluetooth receiver. I personally have a pair of Philips SHP9500s with a bluetooth receiver stuck to the headband.

I have the Sennheiser RS120 and the Deva Pro, both utter garbage and I use that classification sparingly.  The RS120 is used by my parents to watch TV and for that it's fine, my dad has poor hearing so something that can turn up loud is perfect.  Being that they're RF you're going to be fighting it being "in tune" like a radio station that you can't quite pin down, static and all.  The Deva Pro has virtually no redeeming quality, it lacks ALL bass sub mid or high and not even much mids from what I remember.  I'm not sure they're buried in my room under some clothes and I see them on occasion and grimace at their sight and refuse to dig them out.  *edit: oh and every time you turn them on there is a not so quiet pop.  Garbage design.

 

I would give up on open back wireless, given the information that @BobVonBob has given, if you're going from freaking 6xx on a mayflower?  yeah I doubt the last option the grado will touch it.  Either try the closed back Audeze Maxwell or stay wired.

 

45 minutes ago, Cocococo said:

Closest you're going to get to sound anywhere near as good as you 6XX's is heavily modded bluetooth KOSS KSC-75's. Hifiman Deva has super mediocre soundstage and imaging, Grado GW100x are Grados and sound terrible, imaging is better than Deva if nothing else. Bluetooth receivers are the smart play if you insist on using open backs, If you're okay with really good closed backs than the Audeze Maxwell is an easy recommendation as it fits everything you're looking for, and is one of the absolute best sounding closed back headphones out there (Only pair of closed backs i 100% think sound better are Aurorus Australis, that's some crazy high praise) 

I wouldn't put the beautiful Koss family against a 6xx in any way shape or form.  There is a reason I own every koss product under $40, but this IS the 6xx we're talking about.

[BobVonBob]

Apparently others dislike the existing wireless open back products (admittedly I haven't used any of them, just listing off the three things out there), but I stand by the bluetooth receiver stuck to the headband. A bluetooth receiver (I'm a fan of the Qudelix 5K, the Fiio BTR15 is similar, don't let anyone know I said this but the cheapo receivers are probably fine if you don't choose hard to drive headphones) and some blu-tack equivalent or mounting tape can turn wired headphones into great wireless ones. Works best with headphones that have a detachable 3.5mm because you can get short right angle wires for those.

[Koastie]

Hi Everyone, thank you for your responses. I've decided to order an Audeze Maxwell to give that a try. I have a feeling I'm so used to the 6XX/Mayflower combo, that once I try something else i'm going to realize how much I'm taking my existing setup for granted. The convenience factor of wireless is so attractive. I hope these Audeze Maxwells will perform well enough to justify the switch.

 

I'll update once I get them tomorrow.