New audio setup help?

[IBIubbleTea]

Hey, I have been wanting to upgrade my audio setup for quite a while now and I need some help. Currently I'm using a pair of stock Apple earbuds with a broken pair of Corsair Vengeance 2000 as the microphone. The headphones I plan on getting are the AKG Q701s. For microphone I'm still a bit confused if I should get a USB microphone or a XLR. If I get a USB microphone I would get a o2 + odac for my headphones but if I get a XLR microphone, I thought about getting the something like the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (recommended by a friend) as both a amp/dac (I think) for headphones and a recording interface for the XLR microphone. The microphones I have been looking at are the AT2020USB, AT2020USB Plus, AT2020 XLR and the AT2035 XLR. These headphones are relatively all priced under $150. I don't really have a budget at the moment, maybe under $650.

My current options.

1

AKG Q701 $150-200

O2 + Odac $270

AT2020USB (plus) $140-$150

 

~Maybe~ a Rode PSA1 Microphone Boom Arm $120

 

2

AKG Q701 $150-200

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 $160

AT2020 XLR or AT2035 $100-$150

Rode PSA1 Microphone Boom Arm $120

 

 

 

[ShearMe]

 I don't really have a budget at the moment, maybe under $650.

 

Alpha Dogs

 

cuz dat sexy mayne

 

+ blue snowball

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jokes!

 

What're you using the mic for? What will you mostly be listening to with the headphones?

[IBIubbleTea]

Alpha Dogs

 

cuz dat sexy mayne

 

+ blue snowball

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jokes!

 

What're you using the mic for? What will you mostly be listening to with the headphones?

The microphone I plan on doing audio voice recordings, YouTube and Twitch maybe in the future, I know it's quite overkill but I want it to last me a long time. I really hate upgrading. For music I'm really different from the others. 15 year old who plays competitive FPS, Listens to country like Nickel back, Dubstep, Top hits, hip hop, Some k pop, and some rock here and there. But I don't heavy bass, I don't like feeling it, if that made any sense. Currently using the apple earbuds and when I listen to some of these songs, I can just feel the bass, hate it. Also while gaming I want to be able to hear footsteps and what not.

[ShearMe]

The microphone I plan on doing audio voice recordings, YouTube and Twitch maybe in the future, I know it's quite overkill but I want it to last me a long time. I really hate upgrading. For music I'm really different from the others. 15 year old who plays competitive FPS, Listens to country like Nickel back, Dubstep, Top hits, hip hop, Some k pop, and some rock here and there. But I don't heavy bass, I don't like feeling it, if that made any sense. Currently using the apple earbuds and when I listen to some of these songs, I can just feel the bass, hate it. Also while gaming I want to be able to hear footsteps and what not.

 

Okay, so for the mic I'd get an upper-tier USB mic. It'll be overkill at first, but if you start getting professional it'll still be good for awhile. No need to get anything else until the sound guy you hire wants new toys. Blue Yeti and audio-technica AT2020 are the top dogs. There is an XLR version of the AT2020 - you might be able to save some money going that route with a Scarlett 2i2 and losing the O2/ODAC. Also, get a stand or boom arm of some kind. I use this as it's cheap and works, but there's higher quality ones out there if you like spending money.

 

For the headphones, I'm gonna say AKG K702. If that has too much bass for you, you're crazy. 

O2/ODAC will be good for it.

[IBIubbleTea]

 

Okay, so for the mic I'd get an upper-tier USB mic. It'll be overkill at first, but if you start getting professional it'll still be good for awhile. No need to get anything else until the sound guy you hire wants new toys. Blue Yeti and audio-technica AT2020 are the top dogs. There is an XLR version of the AT2020 - you might be able to save some money going that route with a Scarlett 2i2 and losing the O2/ODAC. Also, get a stand or boom arm of some kind. I use this as it's cheap and works, but there's higher quality ones out there if you like spending money.

 

For the headphones, I'm gonna say AKG K702. If that has too much bass for you, you're crazy. 

O2/ODAC will be good for it.

I actually save a bit by going with the 2i2 and a xlr setup because I lose the o2 + odac which normally cost about $270.  Well the only reason why I lead a bit more on the At2035 over the AT2020 is that stock mount compared to the clap holder that comes with the AT2020. The microphone arm I have been looking at is the RODE PSA1, not quite fond of the $99 + shipping to Canada but I like the flexibility of it. 

[NannerBeans]

I feel like Audio technica AD500x or AD700x would be right up your alley if you want to spend a little less. 

[ShearMe]

Well the only reason why I lead a bit more on the At2035 over the AT2020 is that stock mount compared to the clap holder that comes with the AT2020.

 

That's fine. I missed the 2035 of the second part of your OP. 

[IBIubbleTea]

I feel like Audio technica AD500x or AD700x would be right up your alley if you want to spend a little less. 

Seen the AD700x, I don't quite like the headband from reviews and such. I think I will be sticking to the AKG Q701 or the K702. 

[NannerBeans]

Seen the AD700x, I don't quite like the headband from reviews and such. I think I will be sticking to the AKG Q701 or the K702. 

I recommend the K702 for no bumps on the headband but some people seem to not mind them while others can't stand them. 

[IBIubbleTea]

What about the AD900x? How does it compare with the Q701 or the K702?

[NannerBeans]

What about the AD900x? How does it compare with the Q701 or the K702?

Not entirely sure how they compare to the AKGs but they sound very similar to the 500x and 700x so not really worth it imo. Also they have the same design that you said you didn't want earlier. 

[MayflowerElectronics]

The scarlet has a terrible headphone amp. I believe it has somethign like a 75 ohm output impedance and it has NO power. Logan had one at his house and I tried it and it was trash. Onboard was much better.

[IBIubbleTea]

The scarlet has a terrible headphone amp. I believe it has somethign like a 75 ohm output impedance and it has NO power. Logan had one at his house and I tried it and it was trash. Onboard was much better.

Would maybe the 2i4 be better? If not, do you know which one Logan uses or do you have any recommendations? 

[MayflowerElectronics]

Would maybe the 2i4 be better? If not, do you know which one Logan uses or do you have any recommendations? 

 

I'm not sure what model he uses but I'd venture to say none of it is any good. If you plan on getting a USB mic there's no need for an interface.

[ShearMe]

The scarlet has a terrible headphone amp. I believe it has somethign like a 75 ohm output impedance and it has NO power. Logan had one at his house and I tried it and it was trash. Onboard was much better.

 

Oh shoot that's good to know. Gotta tell us these things mayne. 

 

 

What about the AD900x? How does it compare with the Q701 or the K702?

 

The audio-technicas are "prettier" and the soundstage is larger. The AKG's are more accurate, and despite the more narrow soundstage, positioning within is more defined.

 

If you can't understand the lingo, the audio-technicas are somewhat airy sounding, great for female vocals and the like. The AKG's will make bad recordings sound terrible and good recordings sound amazing. 

[IBIubbleTea]

I'm not sure what model he uses but I'd venture to say none of it is any good. If you plan on getting a USB mic there's no need for an interface.

Also, I'm not quite sure what you mean by an amp sound worse, don't amps make headphones sound louder? A dac changes the sound, yes? Sorry, still new to this.

[Mattyc]

The scarlet has a terrible headphone amp. I believe it has somethign like a 75 ohm output impedance and it has NO power. Logan had one at his house and I tried it and it was trash. Onboard was much better.

 

It's advertised as <10

[ShearMe]

Also, I'm not quite sure what you mean by an amp sound worse, don't amps make headphones sound louder? A dac changes the sound, yes? Sorry, still new to this.

 

Normally, an amp should not change the sound. However, there is  something called dampening factor which if too low, can reduce the performance of a headphone.

 

Amplifiers have an output impedance, and headphones have an "input" impedance. The general rule of thumb is, the output impedance of the amplifier should be at most 1/8th that of your headphone's impedance. The lower the ratio, the higher the dampening factor.

[IBIubbleTea]

It's advertised as <10

Well my friend has the HD598 and he is able to run them with no problem.