New Audio Set Up.

[TheDigitalRealm]

Okay, so the current audio set up I have is an Asus Xonar D2X sound card, some Sennheiser HD 595's and a Snowball ICE microphone from blu microphones. I'm thinking of upgrading my headphones, I'm wondering what a decent upgrade from Sennheiser HD 595's. After watching Logans' Video on Audio, I'll be selling my internal sound card to get an external one. Here's the video in-case you haven't seen it yet. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1rXcJuEsy0

 

I was looking at Sennheiser HD 600's?

 

*Budget is around £300 ($450 U.S.D)

[EmoRarity]

Budget would be moderately helpful, in the meantime SR009 and HEV90.

[mr moose]

don't sell your sound card until you know what headphones you are getting.  It is possible with some headphones that you won't necessarily hear an improvement with an external.

[TheDigitalRealm]

don't sell your sound card until you know what headphones you are getting.  It is possible with some headphones that you won't necessarily hear an improvement with an external.

 

Watch Logans' Video. Any external solution is better than an internal one. That's basically the conclusion they came to. Internal Sound Cards don't do very much.

[EmoRarity]

Watch Logans' Video. Any external solution is better than an internal one. That's basically the conclusion they came to. Internal Sound Cards don't do very much.

But any solution is only useful if you make use of it, so we might as well come to a conclusion on the headphones before worrying about source. 

[mr moose]

Watch Logans' Video. Any external solution is better than an internal one. That's basically the conclusion they came to. Internal Sound Cards don't do very much.

No,  the reason they say that in the video is impedance mismatch. because majority of headphones are 32 ohms and majority of sound cards are 10 ohms they are too high to give a good FR.  If the OP ends up settling on headphones that are 250ohm or higher then the sound cards impedance is no longer is an issue.

 

The reason we say don't buy a sound card is because if you are going to spend money there are better options, but the op already has a card, and if the reasons there are better options become null and void then he will be spending money for no audible gain.

[TheDigitalRealm]

No,  the reason they say that in the video is impedance mismatch. because majority of headphones are 32 ohms and majority of sound cards are 10 ohms they are too high to give a good FR.  If the OP ends up settling on headphones that are 250ohm or higher then the sound cards impedance is no longer is an issue.

 

The reason we say don't buy a sound card is because if you are going to spend money there are better options, but the op already has a card, and if the reasons there are better options become null and void then he will be spending money for no audible gain.

 

Oh, okay. I think I understand. Well okay, lets talk headphones. I'd like to still go for open headphones over closed. So if you guys could fire some options at me within my price range, that'd be great! I'll hold fire on selling my D2X for now.

[EmoRarity]

HD600, SRH1440, K701, MA900, and.......what ever moose comes up with.

[TheDigitalRealm]

HD600, SRH1440, K701, MA900, and.......what ever moose comes up with.

 

Do these headphones differ in sound reproduction at all? e.g one produces warmer sound than the others. 

[EmoRarity]

Do these headphones differ in sound reproduction at all? e.g one produces warmer sound than the others. 

Each one is as different as the countries that make them. 

The Sennheisers have a even signature, but the lows are undercut by the highs.

The American Shures, are probably the flattest of the ones listed, though I can't be bothered to check.

The AKG's are treble heavy, but are "the best for gaming" out of the bunch.

The Sony's are bass heavy, yet maintain their highs and mids well enough to hold to their price point.

[LinusTech]

I unfortunately haven't heard any of the other headphones recommended here, but I've heard the 595s and I'm wearing some 600s right now.

 

If you *like* 595s and you're looking for "more of that good stuff", then I think you'll be quite happy with an upgrade to HD 600s.

 

Others may have differing opinions though.

[mr moose]

just wrote up a nice post, then hit backspace and lost it all....  never mind, EMO has it covered there.  I haven't listened to the senns or shures but if they are anything like there lower grade counterparts you will be happy.  If possible, once you have narrowed down what you are after, try to get to a shop and listen to them yourself.  I always recommend taking a portable music player with a track you know really well for comparison.

[EmoRarity]

just wrote up a nice post, then hit backspace and lost it all....  never mind, EMO has it covered there.  I haven't listened to the senns or shures but if they are anything like there lower grade counterparts you will be happy.  If possible, once you have narrowed down what you are after, try to get to a shop and listen to them yourself.  I always recommend taking a portable music player with a track you know really well for comparison.

Control Z brah. 

[LinusTech]

Control Z brah. 

 

He means backspace like "back" in the browser.

 

Unfortunately our forum doesn't maintain whatever you typed if you navigate away from the page temporarily (yet)

[TheDigitalRealm]

I unfortunately haven't heard any of the other headphones recommended here, but I've heard the 595s and I'm wearing some 600s right now.

 

If you *like* 595s and you're looking for "more of that good stuff", then I think you'll be quite happy with an upgrade to HD 600s.

 

Others may have differing opinions though.

 

Okay, thanks Linus. To be honest I think that's where I'm at, I was just curious as to whether the difference is great enough. I have a pretty sensitive noggin and these are the first headphones I've found comfortable. I'm headed in the direction of the 600's.

 

I should probably explain my user case. It's gaming and music that I use them for, leaning more towards music nowadays.  

[mr moose]

He means backspace like "back" in the browser.

 

Unfortunately our forum doesn't maintain whatever you typed if you navigate away from the page temporarily (yet)

 

Ain't that the truth, big arse sausage fingers here have undone countless hours of work over time.

 

 

Okay, thanks Linus. To be honest I think that's where I'm at, I was just curious as to whether the difference is great enough. I have a pretty sensitive noggin and these are the first headphones I've found comfortable. I'm headed in the direction of the 600's.

 

I should probably explain my user case. It's gaming and music that I use them for, leaning more towards music nowadays.  

 

Even when gaming, headphones with a good soundstage are much more enjoyable than some of the mud you here from "gaming" headsets. From most reports you won't hear a great difference between the 650 and 600 so I'd go the 600.

[EmoRarity]

Then in your position the HD600's and SRH1440's are your best bets, I would go SRH1440 for their universal compatibility and laid back signature. I feel like the "higher end" Sennheisers tend to be classically German, which means up tight and "You will ENJOY! ze music zis way! And LIKE IT!" 

[TheDigitalRealm]

just wrote up a nice post, then hit backspace and lost it all....  never mind, EMO has it covered there.  I haven't listened to the senns or shures but if they are anything like there lower grade counterparts you will be happy.  If possible, once you have narrowed down what you are after, try to get to a shop and listen to them yourself.  I always recommend taking a portable music player with a track you know really well for comparison.

 

 

I plan on it, I'll be heading down to my local Hi Fi shop to have a listen. I think I have a track in mind. The other pair that looked interesting were the AKG's. I think I'll stick to what I know though. Thanks for the help everyone.

[TheDigitalRealm]

Then in your position the HD600's and SRH1440's are your best bets, I would go SRH1440 for their universal compatibility and laid back signature. I feel like the "higher end" Sennheisers tend to be classically German, which means up tight and "You will ENJOY! ze music zis way! And LIKE IT!" 

Liked for the comedy.

[EmoRarity]

Liked for the comedy.

Then again, I like one headphone in the world, and its a 15 year old studio monitor, so take my advice with a large bucket of salt, and go try some out for yourself. 

[TheDigitalRealm]

He means backspace like "back" in the browser.

 

Unfortunately our forum doesn't maintain whatever you typed if you navigate away from the page temporarily (yet)

 

Linus, on a side note it would be nice to see a video with your take on the Internal vs External sound solution debate, possibly a video?

[EmoRarity]

Linus, on a side note it would be nice to see a video with your take on the Internal vs External sound solution debate, possibly a video?

I entertained the thought of getting the heavy hitters, (Moose, Tyler, h264, maybe ShearMe, and myself) to do a video with Linus. Wouldn't matter though, would lead to a lot (more) fighting and solve little. 

[Vague]

I entertained the thought of getting the heavy hitters, (Moose, Tyler, h264, maybe ShearMe, and myself) to do a video with Linus. Wouldn't matter though, would lead to a lot (more) fighting and solve little. 

That would be a interesting video to watch.

[MayflowerElectronics]

I unfortunately haven't heard any of the other headphones recommended here, but I've heard the 595s and I'm wearing some 600s right now.

If you *like* 595s and you're looking for "more of that good stuff", then I think you'll be quite happy with an upgrade to HD 600s.

Others may have differing opinions though.

Unfortunately it would be a giant waste with no real improvement. Basically everything from the hd518 to the hd650 all sound the same. I've tested everything from the 555 to the hd600 and they all sound the same. I would show you the graph but I'm on mobile.

More or less, the hd558 has nearly identical response as a hd650.

[ShearMe]

He means backspace like "back" in the browser.

 

Unfortunately our forum doesn't maintain whatever you typed if you navigate away from the page temporarily (yet)

 

It does for me.... 

 

Unfortunately it would be a giant waste with no real improvement. Basically everything from the hd518 to the hd650 all sound the same. I've tested everything from the 555 to the hd600 and they all sound the same. I would show you the graph but I'm on mobile.

More or less, the hd558 has nearly identical response as a hd650.

 

^Coming from someone who doesn't like the Sennheiser sound in the first place.

 

The 600 series is supposedly more of the same, but still slightly better. I'd advocate starting out with a 600 series, but if you've already got a 500 series you should really try something different.