Which headphones?

[unknownmiscreant]

What would you choose?

 

Any comments also appreciated.

Thanks.

[minibois]

It would highly depend on your use case, which I assume is some kind of (studio) monitoring thing?

Also, I hope you mean the M50X, because the M40X for 230 USD is a bad deal.

 

Also, damn.. Beyerdynamic is expensive.. Where ever you live. I can get them for 150 euros where I live.

[Karl Sven]

Hi there!

My myself have the Astro's A50 Gen3.

 

But that's actually not what I would recommend in a daily basis to anyone.

The thing (imo) is that a headset for the computer is very but very personal. I explain.

The thing is that in terms of sound (talking myself with a proffesional in music recording about it some months ago, also trying various of the best headset he had in the studio) what matters the most is the source and not the cans you buy. And with a computer, even if you put money on a sound card... well the reality is that the source still gonna be poor.

Which let us with the rest of product details. Such as battery life, wired or not, comfort etc. That is imo the actual things you need to be comparing off to choose the right ones for you.

I add something here, as long as I've been making tons of testing with 7.1 surround virtual etc. It's a gimmick. Period.

If you want to pin point anything use regular stereo mode. Because 7.1 virtualized will only mix all the sounds in a mess around your head which will result in you not being able to tell from where they come from (I have one of the best headset in the market, and even this cannot do the job they promise).

So taking in count all of them will sound more or less the same, in case of doubt, go for the budget ones  

If you want a personal opinion about good budget headset that will do the job the HyperX Cloud 2 are an extremely good option.

So this are my overall tips to choose a good pair of headsets

[SomethingOrOtherThing]

I'd get a used pair of Beyer 770. They are tough so even used they retain good value.

[unknownmiscreant]

30 minutes ago, Minibois said:

It would highly depend on your use case, which I assume is some kind of (studio) monitoring thing?

Also, I hope you mean the M50X, because the M40X for 230 USD is a bad deal.

 

Also, damn.. Beyerdynamic is expensive.. Where ever you live. I can get them for 150 euros where I live.

Just music listening. Dubstep, techno, electronic, rock, dance. Don't do anything studio related.

 

I live in New Zealand. Prices are in NZD, as stated in the poll. 230NZD = 160USD.

https://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=21707

https://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=21539

I don't want the M50(x) as I do not want a V-shaped frequency response without a sound stage. I know the DT770 Pro also is V-shaped, but has a good sound stage for closed headphones. @FIXXX I know its really tough, thats one of the reasons I was considering it. Any other thoughts/opinions about it?

 

@Karl Sven Thanks for the info. However I am looking for wired headphones not a (wireless) headset. I have a desk mic which I use very rarely ( I could count on one hand the number of times I have used it) for voice chat and some audio recording, it serves its purpose just fine.

I have an Asus strix Soar sound card, and will be primarily using the headphones off this, but may use my laptop/phone (oneplus 3, which has a very poor quality DAC and headphone amp.) I might try sort out an amp later if required.

I know the surround is a gimmick, just the way its marketed is enough. Enabling virtualized surround on my sound card with my stereo speakers makes everything sound worse.

 

The Hyper X cloud 2 is $140NZ, so just under the SRH440.

 

Also, @BryceJonathan what would you recommend given you voted for "Something else (say below)".

[Karl Sven]

7 minutes ago, unknownmiscreant said:

Just music listening. Dubstep, techno, electronic, rock, dance. Don't do anything studio related.

 

I live in New Zealand. Prices are in NZD, as stated in the poll. 230NZD = 160USD.

https://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=21707

https://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=21539

I don't want the M50(x) as I do not want a V-shaped frequency response without a sound stage. I know the DT770 Pro also is V-shaped, but has a good sound stage for closed headphones. @FIXXX I know its really tough, thats one of the reasons I was considering it. Any other thoughts/opinions about it?

 

@Karl Sven Thanks for the info. However I am looking for wired headphones not a (wireless) headset. I have a desk mic which I use very rarely ( I could count on one hand the number of times I have used it) for voice chat and some audio recording, it serves its purpose just fine.

I have an Asus strix Soar sound card, and will be primarily using the headphones off this, but may use my laptop/phone (oneplus 3, which has a very poor quality DAC and headphone amp.) I might try sort out an amp later if required.

I know the surround is a gimmick, just the way its marketed is enough. Enabling virtualized surround on my sound card with my stereo speakers makes everything sound worse.

 

The Hyper X cloud 2 is $140NZ, so just under the SRH440.

 

Also, @BryceJonathan what would you recommend given you voted for "Something else (say below)".

Ok, now that I have more info I might have a good cans for your Dubstep sessions (I also like that kinda music) 

http://v-moda.com/crossfade2-wireless/

 

They're pricey. But for electronic music listening... Well, just try them out, is the best on the market right now They also have a wired cheaper version so check it out.

If you still wanna go budget I insist with the HyperX. They're wired, have a great stereo sound, have a detachable mic (so no problem if you're not using it)  and at least in Sweden are 50€ (don't know if that's 140NZ ) 

[unknownmiscreant]

2 minutes ago, Karl Sven said:

Ok, now that I have more info I might have a good cans for your Dubstep sessions (I also like that kinda music) 

http://v-moda.com/crossfade2-wireless/

 

They're pricey. But for electronic music listening... Well, just try them out  

If you still wanna go budget I insist with the HyperX. They're wired, have a great stereo sound and at least in Sweden are 50€ (don't know if that's 140NZ ) 

I generally run my subwoofer with flat response all the time, even with dubstep, it can over accentuate, which gives a really solid bottom end, but I prefer flat. However it is fully equalized (linkwitz transform circuit,) so its flat to 30Hz. Not sure how the corssfade 2 compares, but I tried a pair of crossfade M-100 the other day (on my strix soar) and didn't like them much, too much bass and voices didn't sound right (not confident enough with the fancy terminology ,) but they definitely suffered from laid-back mid and treble as a few reviews state. I also noticed alot of the high bass/low mid range was lost compared to my stereo setup. Also $330USD is a bit out of my price range, its gotta really be worth it.

 

I will definitely do some more research into the hyper X.

 

Thanks for the help.

[Karl Sven]

1 minute ago, unknownmiscreant said:

I generally run my subwoofer with flat response all the time, even with dubstep, it can over accentuate, which gives a really solid bottom end, but I prefer flat. However it is fully equalized (linkwitz transform circuit,) so its flat to 30Hz. Not sure how the corssfade 2 compares, but I tried a pair of crossfade M-100 the other day (on my strix soar) and didn't like them much, too much bass and voices didn't sound right (not confident enough with the fancy terminology ,) but they definitely suffered from laid-back mid and treble as a few reviews state. I also noticed alot of the high bass/low mid range was lost compared to my stereo setup. Also $330USD is a bit out of my price range, its gotta really be worth it.

 

I will definitely do some more research into the hyper X.

 

Thanks for the help.

Check this out from partners of Linus tech tips channel.

Is a brand new model of the HyperX cloud.

Worth check it out. Cause the Cloud 2 were already very good.

[Karl Sven]

By the way. And leaving behind overhead headsets....

I honestly prefer (just for music listening wise) inside ear headphones much much more than over head in terms of punch bass and clear voices... so take that in count, there's also in ear headphones  

[unknownmiscreant]

1 minute ago, Karl Sven said:

By the way. And leaving behind overhead headsets....

I honestly prefer (just for music listening wise) inside ear headphones much much more than over head in terms of punch bass and clear voices... so take that in count, there's also in ear headphones  

Okay, what would you recommend? I currently have a pair of sennheiser cx3.00. I also had a pair of CX-300-II that broke. 

 

The CX-300-II had a bit too much bass for my liking and the CX-3.00 have a bit too little. But the voices are definitely good.

[Karl Sven]

3 minutes ago, unknownmiscreant said:

Okay, what would you recommend? I currently have a pair of sennheiser cx3.00. I also had a pair of CX-300-II that broke. 

 

The CX-300-II had a bit too much bass for my liking and the CX-3.00 have a bit too little. But the voices are definitely good.

Well, for what you say you're not a bass head.

And I still will go with the new Hyper X with double chamber for bass and voices. They sound like what you need right?

Anyways, which country are you from? Do you have open buy? Can you buy something, try it out and take it back in 15 days after the trial? Cause then that's what you should do.

Headsets is something you need to try yourself. Even if I would put here all the specifications and teckie stuff you would be after... maybe they're not comfortable for you or does not have the sound you want....

So that's my best advice. Try them out  And still recommend the Hyper X. The Cloud 2 or the new Alpha 

[seduce_me]

Ignore everything above. Get the HD6XX, it's the best value for $200.

[GamerDude]

For gaming, the HyperX is alright, but for music, well, I don't think it's up to scratch. Don't get me wrong, it should sound better than most (if not all) gaming headsets (other than those made by Audio Technica and Sennheiser). I have the DT770 250 Ohm (heard that the 80 Ohm version has slightly better bass) and it has that Beyerdynamic house sound characterized by a V-shaped sound....meaning accentuated bass and treble.....mids is not forward sound due to the emphasized bass and treble. Beyerdynamic has sparkly treble that some may consider a tad hot (or too bright). I recently snagged a used but in very good condition HD6XX (owners of more premium cans tend to take better care of their cans) and I must say, for that 200USD price, it certainly hit above its competitors in similar price range. Certainly, if you can find one in the local garage section of the tech and/or audio forums, it might prove to be the best alternative route for you given that budget range.

[unknownmiscreant]

7 hours ago, seduce_me said:

Ignore everything above. Get the HD6XX, it's the best value for $200.

Bit out of my price range new. I'll see what I can find 2nd hand. Also not sure I want open back cans.

https://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=18092

https://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=18093

 

@GamerDude I generally play games muted and I very rarely play games anyway. Music is the primary use. I have been looking at the 2nd hand market for a while and theres not alot of high end headphones up for sale in my country, most of its beats, my brother has a couple of pairs and they sound like something that came of a dogs backside.

 

I'm not sure the beyerdynamic has the sound signature I am after. I only added it to the list as it has a good soundstage for a closed back headphone. Do the 80ohm and 250ohm DT770 Pro have different signatures? I originally veered on the side of the 80ohm as it will be easier to use off my phone and laptop, but I am open to either.

 

I'm currently thinking either the SRH440 or ATH-M40x, as they are a bit more budget friendly and most of the reviews I have found indicate they have the frequency response I am after. I have found multiple comparisons of both to the M50(x) and the comments for both are very similar, but I have not yet been able to find a decent comparison between the two.