is the ATH-A900 the best for movies/games

I need something that is closed (or pretty quiet) I watch movies in bed while my wife is sleeping, she is a deep sleeper but it still needs to be relatively quiet

I have been looking at the ATH-A900, but I bought the Senn HD280's instead because I didn't think i could spend the money on the others... now i am doing a really good job of talking myself into paying more.. but since this is my first really high end purchase i want to make sure its the right choice.

so ATH-A900? or something in a similar price range for almost 100% movies with some games... i do not do FPS so positional is important but not crucial, especially I really want these for a great movie experience.

any idea's?

I think you would enjoy something like the DT770Pro's with a portable amp such as an Ibasso Boa or Nuforce etc.

The Beyers can be had for around $150 on ebay. The amps through either of the online shops.

The 770Pro's are good for movie's and impact, you would enjoy them

If you dont want to go that way, then there's the Ultrasone HFI-780's to. I prefer them over my old A900's by a fair bit.

I am very new at this and do not know anything about amp's... but i know that combo would be out of my price range. I can get the a900's for just under 200 and I can not go over that (my wife would kill me, as I already built a new computer last month that was also over budget.)

why did you like the HFI-780's more any reasons, and do they need an amp?

A900 is great for movies and games. They offer comfort and decent isolation and sound good for those specific purposes. For music however, you can do better. The A900's have a closed HP sound in the mid range, and its slightly honky,thin and nasal sounding. Also a bit recessed. The bass extends very well but doesnt have great body.

So if your primary purpose is to use them for gaming/movie watching, then its a good buy.

The HFI-780's dont need an amp, they will run fine out of your soundcard. I gotta say the A900's are more comfortable, but they do have slightly recessed mid's and the bass isnt as full bodied as the 780's.

Basically the 780's are a little bright and forward sounding, with fairly good bass. You will want this for movies, as the bass will play good for explosions etc.

They dont sound to good straight out of the box, so give them a couple of week's burn in while being used and they do open up to be a good pair of cans for the price. I definately like them over my previous A900's for SQ.

I would think the 780 should be your safest bet or some of the PRO series . I have experience with the A900, DT 770 PROs, Ultrasone PRO 750/900/K81 DJ for closed headphones. I find the Ultrasones superior to mentioned headphones in just about every regard. A900 may have a wider sound stage but they don´t beat the Ultrasones in term or 3d soundstage so to speak... Depends on what is more important here.

I usually say surround speakers is unbeatable but I finally got some more time with movie watching as of late... Watched a gun fight in Hellboy 2. With my 5.1 setup you got the bullet impacts all over. With the headphones you got the bullets wissing by your head accurately but not the actual impacts as much more then it was in front or behind.

But really for me there is not a valid comparison to compare the 750s to the DT 770/900... Different price range and different leagues no matter if you talk music or movies I feel. I am quite booring I must admit I preferr headphones that has a natural tone and somehow sounds real

One more point about the A900 is that they do have really quite poor isolation. I don´t think your wife would enjoy it that much. K81 DJ are the best here, then I would say DT 770 PRO just ever so slightly ahead of the Ultrasones with the A900 definiatly last. Well together with the markl modded Denons but I suppose they are out of your price range Maybe D2000 with it´s plastic casing is better in term of isolation? They surely are popular around here.

I'm gonna say the kindest thing i can say about the ATH-A900.

"No."

x2

Ok, the HFI-780's are in my price range and should be one of the best all around for this price range but the DT770PRO would be even better but needs an amp to get its full potential.

you mentioned the K81 DJ, but they are only 60$ so i am assuming they are not the best as far as audio just good isolation.

so if the DT770PRO is the best, or at least up there as this is all somewhat subjective. what would be a good amp to get with this and my budget is very tight is there even such a thing as a decent amp in the 50-70 range?

also i found the DT770PRO for 115 used but was noted as the 250ohm version... is this the same one we were talking about and what amp is needed with that version in mind. (and if this is a good deal, i can spend a little more on an amp maybe 100-115)

thanks again, I have been leaning a lot... I think this may be quickly turning into my next very expensive hobby

Just buy the HFI-780's and run for the hill's Seriously.... You honestly dont want to get caught up buying an amp/dac etc. Since you are new, just buy the closest thing within your price range with the best SQ and leave it at that. My only advice to save your soul.

wouldn't the DT770/80's work well for this purpose?

you can get them off ebay for $108 shipped.
beyerdynamic DT 770 Dynamic Studio Headphone 80 OHM - eBay (item 110364934183 end time Mar-23-09 12:09:45 PDT)

also, don't forget 9% cashback

How to use Live.com search cashback program with eBay « Beta Buzz Network

i use the 770 pro for gaming and movies excellent comfort ok sound un-amped, killer sound amped.

So far the 780's are better then both the A900 and 770Pro in everyway My opinion anyway.

DT 770 PRO shouldn´t be in the same league as the 780 from my Pro series experience anyway... Since the 750 walks all over the DT 770 PRO on exactly ever regard regarding SQ the 780 really have to be quite bad not to be better than the DT 770 PROs... Doubt it since it´s mentioned that with mods it get quite close to ED 9.