Headphone recommendations?

[SeanAngelo]

So I'm looking to 'up' my audio listening experience for my setup. I have been looking at the Beyerdynamic DT770 or DT990's (I can't decide if I want open or closed yet.) I mainly listen to any type of music, whether it be hip-hop/r&b/rock/pop etc etc. My only problem is, I don't really have a new-ish motherboard and it might not be able to drive them so I was wondering if I would benefit in getting a soundcard or amp/dac. So, thoughts on this? Can you provide any decent headphones that match the DT770/DT990's? What DAC/AMP would you recommend?

 

Thanks in advance,

Sean.

[Thony]

For DTs u would need an amp. Cheapest I would go is probably this combo "Fiio E10". The main difference between 770 and 990 if im not mistaking is the bass (less bass on 990s).

I upgraded from SS V2 headset so difference was insane in bass department, night and day. Havent really noticed much of a difference in speech. Treble is lot more noticeable for sure.

Its was an improvement nevertheless, I just expected too much from it since I was getting hyped for years so my expectations were unrealistic. Compared to a gaming headset the sound is like 10x more crisp.

[Superspeed07]

if you get the high ohm version you will need an amp, as for headphone suggestion, I got the dt770's and love them, very comfy and really balanced sound.

[LeechFilcher]

I can also recommend the dt 770's they are great at work I use them very often. 

[SeanAngelo]

39 minutes ago, Thony said:

For DTs u would need an amp. Cheapest I would go is probably this combo "Fiio E10". The main difference between 770 and 990 if im not mistaking is the bass (less bass on 990s).

I upgraded from SS V2 headset so difference was insane in bass department, night and day. Havent really noticed much of a difference in speech. Treble is lot more noticeable for sure.

Its was an improvement nevertheless, I just expected too much from it since I was getting hyped for years so my expectations were unrealistic. Compared to a gaming headset the sound is like 10x more crisp.

alright, ill definitely get an amp then. i was looking at the amp you linked and it says it only goes between 16-150 ohms but i will be getting the 250 ohm version so will that be a problem?

 

back on to the difference between the two, i think i'll order the DT770's off Amazon now since I like some bass and don't really want to hear any external sounds.

 

35 minutes ago, Superspeed07 said:

if you get the high ohm version you will need an amp, as for headphone suggestion, I got the dt770's and love them, very comfy and really balanced sound.

My brother has them and I put them on and listened to music and they were really good. Hence why I'm going to order one now

 

 

[johnt]

45 minutes ago, SeanAngelo said:

-snip-

I use the DT770-250ohm version almost all day at work. You're looking at a really good time, I must say. I generally see this version drop down between $120 and $150 over Thanksgiving/Christmas. I second any recommendation for this pair of headphones. They are comfy and they look okay... without being overly ridiculous.

 

Okay. I don't feel like you NEED a dedicated DAC/AMP for these headphones. But I still recommend you get one anyway. The problem is always the same with these smaller amplifiers. The lower frequencies are either muted or hard to produce. A dedicated amp really helped clean up the bass to my ears. I purchased the Micca OriGen. It's worth the money. Plus it comes with a DAC. And it's all powered off one USB.

[SeanAngelo]

4 minutes ago, JohnT said:

I use the DT770-250ohm version almost all day at work. You're looking at a really good time, I must say. I generally see this version drop down between $120 and $150 over Thanksgiving/Christmas. I second any recommendation for this pair of headphones. They are comfy and they look okay... without being overly ridiculous.

 

Okay. I don't feel like you NEED a dedicated DAC/AMP for these headphones. But I still recommend you get one anyway. The problem is always the same with these smaller amplifiers. The lower frequencies are either muted or hard to produce. A dedicated amp really helped clean up the bass to my ears. I purchased the Micca OriGen. It's worth the money. Plus it comes with a DAC. And it's all powered off one USB.

They're £118 right now on Amazon UK whereas the DT990's are £115. I'm going to be ordering the FiiO E10K like suggested above  Unfortunately, the amp/dac you mentioned is not available in the UK

[SeanAngelo]

56 minutes ago, Thony said:

For DTs u would need an amp. Cheapest I would go is probably this combo "Fiio E10". The main difference between 770 and 990 if im not mistaking is the bass (less bass on 990s).

I upgraded from SS V2 headset so difference was insane in bass department, night and day. Havent really noticed much of a difference in speech. Treble is lot more noticeable for sure.

Its was an improvement nevertheless, I just expected too much from it since I was getting hyped for years so my expectations were unrealistic. Compared to a gaming headset the sound is like 10x more crisp.

 

9 minutes ago, JohnT said:

I use the DT770-250ohm version almost all day at work. You're looking at a really good time, I must say. I generally see this version drop down between $120 and $150 over Thanksgiving/Christmas. I second any recommendation for this pair of headphones. They are comfy and they look okay... without being overly ridiculous.

 

Okay. I don't feel like you NEED a dedicated DAC/AMP for these headphones. But I still recommend you get one anyway. The problem is always the same with these smaller amplifiers. The lower frequencies are either muted or hard to produce. A dedicated amp really helped clean up the bass to my ears. I purchased the Micca OriGen. It's worth the money. Plus it comes with a DAC. And it's all powered off one USB.

any thoughts on this AMP/DAC combo?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Decoder-DIR9001-PCM1793-OPA2134-Headphone/dp/B00A2QLPJM/ref=sr_1_11?rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1478122060&sr=8-11&keywords=headphone%2Bamp&th=1

[KaminKevCrew]

23 minutes ago, JohnT said:

I use the DT770-250ohm version almost all day at work. You're looking at a really good time, I must say. I generally see this version drop down between $120 and $150 over Thanksgiving/Christmas. I second any recommendation for this pair of headphones. They are comfy and they look okay... without being overly ridiculous.

 

Okay. I don't feel like you NEED a dedicated DAC/AMP for these headphones. But I still recommend you get one anyway. The problem is always the same with these smaller amplifiers. The lower frequencies are either muted or hard to produce. A dedicated amp really helped clean up the bass to my ears. I purchased the Micca OriGen. It's worth the money. Plus it comes with a DAC. And it's all powered off one USB.

haha, I just bought a Micca Origen +. Should be coming tomorrow. I can third any recommendations for the DT770! I have a pair that I listen to frequently (even if my PM-3 has been getting more love lately.)

 

 

[Thony]

50 minutes ago, SeanAngelo said:

alright, ill definitely get an amp then. i was looking at the amp you linked and it says it only goes between 16-150 ohms but i will be getting the 250 ohm version so will that be a problem?

 

 

 

I said its the cheapest solution. And E10K is rated for 150ohm but reviews say it drives 250ohm with no problem. Ohms dont matter much really. They are not a metric for headphone audio quality.

I just did my research and this amp with BEyer heapdphones came up the most often so I went for it since I didnt have more money to spend really.

3+ weeks till black friday. U might wanna hold on and wait for discounts. If im not mistaking last year these headphones (both versions) were for £80 and I was so mad that I didnt  have money for it

[SeanAngelo]

6 minutes ago, Thony said:

I said its the cheapest solution. And E10K is rated for 150ohm but reviews say it drives 250ohm with no problem. Ohms dont matter much really. They are not a metric for headphone audio quality.

i just ordered it along with the DT700's, arriving tomorrow. yeah, i read a review saying it can power up to 300 ohms no problem. Can't wait to test both of them out!

 

Thanks all for the help/input!

[Thony]

1 minute ago, SeanAngelo said:

i just ordered it along with the DT700's, arriving tomorrow. yeah, i read a review saying it can power up to 300 ohms no problem. Can't wait to test both of them out!

 

Thanks all for the help/input!

Hah ! Super impatient  hopefully u like it. It took me a week to get used to the different sound signature (in games it was so different !).

[johnt]

40 minutes ago, SeanAngelo said:

They're £118 right now on Amazon UK whereas the DT990's are £115. I'm going to be ordering the FiiO E10K like suggested above  Unfortunately, the amp/dac you mentioned is not available in the UK

 

36 minutes ago, SeanAngelo said:

 

any thoughts on this AMP/DAC combo?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Decoder-DIR9001-PCM1793-OPA2134-Headphone/dp/B00A2QLPJM/ref=sr_1_11?rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1478122060&sr=8-11&keywords=headphone%2Bamp&th=1

Hmmm do you have any friends in the US that can help you out?

 

The SMSL SD793 should be pretty good. The FiiO E10K is like one step up in terms of price, but not really sure if there is an improvement in quality (build or sound). I'd go for the SMSL between them because it has 6.3mm headphone out instead of 3.5mm. It's preference more than anything else... stronger connector.

[johnt]

30 minutes ago, KaminKevCrew said:

haha, I just bought a Micca Origen +. Should be coming tomorrow. I can third any recommendations for the DT770! I have a pair that I listen to frequently (even if my PM-3 has been getting more love lately.)

 

 

Whaaaaaaaaat I thought you were considering the Jody!

[SeanAngelo]

1 hour ago, Thony said:

Hah ! Super impatient  hopefully u like it. It took me a week to get used to the different sound signature (in games it was so different !).

hahah, you can call me that  I wouldn't disagree either  hopefully it'll be good enough!  

[SeanAngelo]

1 hour ago, JohnT said:

 

Hmmm do you have any friends in the US that can help you out?

 

The SMSL SD793 should be pretty good. The FiiO E10K is like one step up in terms of price, but not really sure if there is an improvement in quality (build or sound). I'd go for the SMSL between them because it has 6.3mm headphone out instead of 3.5mm. It's preference more than anything else... stronger connector.

uhmm I do but I'd rather save them the hassle

 

I've read reviews for the SMSL and from the reviews, they say it's somehow better than the FiiO E10K. It's wall powered compared to USB, don't know if that makes a big impact though. And the FiiO has a higher output at 32ohms compared to the SMSL, again, I don't know if that makes a difference.

 

But I can order the SMSL and compare it with the FiiO and see what I like best then I can return it. The plus for the SMSL is it is £20 cheaper than the FiiO

[nicobombai]

2 hours ago, SeanAngelo said:

uhmm I do but I'd rather save them the hassle

 

I've read reviews for the SMSL and from the reviews, they say it's somehow better than the FiiO E10K. It's wall powered compared to USB, don't know if that makes a big impact though. And the FiiO has a higher output at 32ohms compared to the SMSL, again, I don't know if that makes a difference.

 

But I can order the SMSL and compare it with the FiiO and see what I like best then I can return it. The plus for the SMSL is it is £20 cheaper than the FiiO

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO im late to the party

 

I got my dt770, love em for music and gaming, not the largest soundstage but everything sounds clear, awesome smooth bass, nice highs and nice almost clear mids (coming from SHP9500 owner).

On the amp tho, im also deciding on fiio e10k or smsl 793, if you can do a comparison, it would be great

[KaminKevCrew]

19 hours ago, JohnT said:

Whaaaaaaaaat I thought you were considering the Jody!

Indeed I still am! But I bought a pair of CIEMs for the time being, since those 535s weren't really doing it for me (and one of the drivers in the left ear has started to fail...)  So the Jody is out for now. I also don't like that the Jody pre outs don't turn off when I plug in a pair of headphones... In that way, the Magni 2 Uber is actually better than the Jody, since they will actually turn off when I plug in headphones.

[jreid]

There are few brands which provide free trial for 30 days. I think you should look for it.