Looking for headphones (WARNING AUDIO NOOB)

[Husky]

Hi, 

 

So I'm looking for a pair of headphones (never owned headphones neither earphones in the past)

 

I know I'm gonna prefer open-back, over-ear headphones with a lot of bass. (I like bass) But I don't want headphones that sound like *vomit* Beats *vomit*.

 

I looked into the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x's but they are closed back (which isn't bad, just prefer open) and they have a "flat" sound signature with limited bass according to most people.

 

I've also looked at the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Premium 250 Ohm headphones but heard that they need a powerful amp (using onboard ASUS crystal sound) and that the treble might be "ear-piercing" and "shrilly" for some people.

 

I'm going to use these headphones for basically everything from watching videos, listening to music, playing games (Battlefield, Witcher 3 etc...) and whatever.

Headphones that require separate amps are welcome to suggestion, I'll most likely get the Schiit Vali 2 amp if I have to get an amp.

 

Basically I want headphones that are:

 

Over-Ear

Preferably Open Back (closed is fine)

Comfortable

Wired (NOT wireless)

Have good bass + mids and treble (but not too loud treble)

Good quality

Not "gaeming" branded with "EXTRA 99999.9 SURROUND OMG BUY NOW !11!!1!11!!!"

 

Under $250

 

Thanks for any help! 

[spark12072001]

Sennheiser HD598 

If you don't like the color, buy the special edition of the HD598's

[Husky]

1 minute ago, spark12072001 said:

Sennheiser HD598 

If you don't like the color, buy the special edition of the HD598's

Is there any difference between the two colors besides the color? The "Noctua" edition looks like it has softer ear cups.

[spark12072001]

1 minute ago, Husky said:

Is there any difference between the two colors besides the color? The "Noctua" edition looks like it has softer ear cups.

Yes, they also have different materials on the earcups.

[Wiflare]

14 minutes ago, spark12072001 said:

Sennheiser HD598 

If you don't like the color, buy the special edition of the HD598's

I personally can't stand how little bass the sennheiser HD series has. just IMO though.

[Husky]

2 minutes ago, Wiflare said:

I personally can't stand how little bass the sennheiser HD series has. just IMO though.

Well then, Sennheisers are out.

[Wiflare]

4 minutes ago, Husky said:

Well then, Sennheisers are out.

I used to have a pair of audio technica m40 headphones, they were pretty great and the cable is nice and thick. I suppose the m50's are even better, too. Just don't accidentally drop textbooks onto them, they might crack. 

Edit: they're closed backed though, if that makes much of a difference.

[Husky]

I'm actually going to get the Schiit Vali 2 tube amp as well as headphones, so go ahead and suggest headphones even if they are hard to drive.

 

P.S. I like warm sound.

[StormEye]

Its a bit over your budget, but I would like to recommend AKG K712 Pro. (USD 310 on Amazon at the moment)

 

Its got nice amount of bass and it is also very comfortable. It is good to use for everyday driver as it is not very tiring to hear for long sessions.

[Husky]

24 minutes ago, StormEye said:

Its a bit over your budget, but I would like to recommend AKG K712 Pro. (USD 310 on Amazon at the moment)

 

Its got nice amount of bass and it is also very comfortable. It is good to use for everyday driver as it is not very tiring to hear for long sessions.

Will look into it, Thanks!

[Dackzy]

Why does a Husky want headphones  

 

 

Oh and the HD 558 sounds 95% the same as the 598 and you can just remove a piece of foam in them and they sound 100% the same and the K712 is also pretty good.

[Husky]

15 minutes ago, Dackzy said:

Why does a Husky want headphones  

 

 

Oh and the HD 558 sounds 95% the same as the 598 and you can just remove a piece of foam in them and they sound 100% the same and the K712 is also pretty good.

I need them to keep warm in the snow and I like music! 

 

Still confused as to what I should get. Leaning towards the Beyerdynamics DT990's or the Sennheisers. Could always use an EQ to calm the treble down a bit and bump up the bass.

 

Also, would I need a DAC for the Schiit Vali 2 or could I just use the onboard because the ASUS onboard is pretty good already. Maybe I can just plug the Vali 2 Amp into my non-amplified speaker output at the back of my PC?

[Dackzy]

1 minute ago, Husky said:

I need them to keep warm in the snow and I like music! 

 

Still confused as to what I should get. Leaning towards the Beyerdynamics DT990's or the Sennheisers. Could always use an EQ to calm the treble down a bit and bump up the bass.

 

Also, would I need a DAC for the Schiit Vali 2 or could I just use the onboard because the ASUS onboard is pretty good already. Maybe I can just plug the Vali 2 Amp into my non-amplified speaker output at the back of my PC?

 

[Husky]

5 minutes ago, Dackzy said:

 

Thanks, maybe I'll save my money and get a DAC + AMP later. (Still getting it even though I don't need it at all because I'm that type of guy who cares about that 5% better quality and tubes have that warm sound + they look sick lol)

[Dackzy]

1 minute ago, Husky said:

Thanks, maybe I'll save my money and get a DAC + AMP later. (Still getting it even though I don't need it at all because I'm that type of guy who cares about that 5% better quality and tubes have that warm sound + they look sick lol)

Just get a tube amp then and drop the dac

[Husky]

16 minutes ago, Dackzy said:

Just get a tube amp then and drop the dac

So I don't need a DAC if using the normal SPEAKER output, NON-amplified, but just let the tube amp do the amplification work theb?

 

So on my PC I have 2 outputs, normal non-amplified speaker output and amplified headphone output. So if I connect the Vali 2 tube amp to the non-amplified speaker output using a 3.5mm to RCA cable and set Windows volume to max while just using the Vali 2 instead to control volume, it will work fine? Sorry I'm noob at this audio stuff.

[Dackzy]

1 minute ago, Husky said:

So I don't need a DAC if using the normal SPEAKER output, NON-amplified, but just let the tube amp do the amplification work theb?

 

So on my PC I have 2 outputs, normal non-amplified speaker output and amplified headphone output. So if I connect the Vali 2 tube amp to the non-amplified speaker output using a 3.5mm to RCA cable and set Windows volume to max while just using the Vali 2 instead to control volume, it will work fine? Sorry I'm noob at this audio stuff.

what kind of speakers are we talking?

[Husky]

3 minutes ago, Dackzy said:

what kind of speakers are we talking?

I mean plug the Vali 2 into my non-amplified speaker out on my mobo, Then plug headphones into the Vali 2.

 

So like this:

 

PC non-amplified speaker output > 3.5mm to RCA cable > Vali 2 input > Headphones plug into Vali 2.

 

Set Windows volume to 100% and let the Vali 2 do the amplification work.

[Dackzy]

1 minute ago, Husky said:

I mean plug the Vali 2 into my non-amplified speaker out on my mobo, Then plug headphones into the Vali 2.

 

So like this:

 

PC non-amplified speaker output > 3.5mm to RCA cable > Vali 2 input > Headphones plug into Vali 2.

 

Set Windows volume to 100% and let the Vali 2 do the amplification work.

Oh Yeah just plug the vali 2 into the back of the mobo.

[Husky]

1 minute ago, Dackzy said:

Oh Yeah just plug the vali 2 into the back of the mobo.

OK thanks for your help!

[SuicideAnomaly]

I would suggest keeping an eye on Massdrop for the next AKG-7xx offering.

 

Although I find the DT 990s incredibly comfortable, the treble is simply too much for me.