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Unamped: AKG K 701 vs Ultrasone PRO 750 vs beyer DT 880

post #1 of 42
Thread Starter 
Hi, I'm going to get a headphone for competitive PC gaming (no LAN, just my quiet room), which I will hook up to a Auzentech X-Fi Prelude. For gaming clarity, soundstage and positional sound is important I imagine. I narrowed my options down to the AKG K 701, the Ultrasone PRO 750 and the beyerdynamic DT 880 Edition 2005 (I would also add the Denon AH-D2000 thats also in this price range, but I read too little about them).

As the headphones plus the soundcard is expensive enough as it is, there's no money left for an amp, but I will probably get one down the road (could take up to a year before I get one).

I'm currently using Plantronics DSP-500 with the integrated USB soundcard, and I don't really think its bad, though positional sound could be better and the sound could be more clear. I imagine even unamped the above mentioned headphones in addition to a X-Fi Prelude will still be a major upgrade to my current Plantronics.

What headphones would you recommend to me and why?

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post #2 of 42
this seems like an easy choice, especially without an amp: the proline 750. the pl750 are known to be good at positional audio such as in games. the k701 and dt880 are definitely no slouches either; the k701 most likely has the biggest soundstage, but that doesn't necessarily mean better for gaming. at this point, without an amp, the dt880 and k701 wouldn't sound their best anyways, however, the pl750 with its high sensitivity and 40ohm impedance will easily be driven by the prelude (which has excellent stereo opamps btw).
post #3 of 42
k701/dt880 unamped is not a great choice.
post #4 of 42
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by vcoheda View Post
k701/dt880 unamped is not a great choice.
For a real audiophile, or for anyone? Like I said, I'm coming from a Plantronics DSP-500 USB headset
post #5 of 42
Without amp, they may give "muffled" sound... The PL750 is only 40 Ohms, and would definitly sound good even without amp.
post #6 of 42
Thread Starter 
So I should get the Ultrasones, or save up some money for an amp and get the K 701 or DT 880?
post #7 of 42
I say stick with your Plantronics. They are gaming headsets.

Where are you gonna get your mic from?!
post #8 of 42
Quote:
Originally Posted by ocean` View Post
For a real audiophile, or for anyone? Like I said, I'm coming from a Plantronics DSP-500 USB headset
i would say all headphones sound better with an amp, but some sound better than others without one. headphones such as the DT880, K701, and HD650 more so than other headphones require amplication. i would look at a grado, or audio technica, and i think most prolines can also pass without an amp.
post #9 of 42
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mofonyx View Post
I say stick with your Plantronics. They are gaming headsets.

Where are you gonna get your mic from?!
I also play 1on1 (Unreal Tournament 3), so a mic isn't always needed. And if I need one, I will just use a Zalman clip on mic.

The Platronics are decent, but if they were good, a lot more people would be using them

Anyway, judging from all of your replies, I think I'll save up some money for an amp, and then get the AKG K 701. (Or is the DT 880 better for gaming?)

Quote:
Originally Posted by vcoheda View Post
i would say all headphones sound better with an amp, but some sound better than others without one. headphones such as the DT880, K701, and HD650 more so than other headphones require amplication. i would look at a grado, or audio technica, and i think most prolines can also pass without an amp.
I see in your signature that you have the K701 and the DT880, which would be more suited for gaming (soundstage, positional sound, clarity?)?
post #10 of 42
Quote:
Originally Posted by ocean` View Post
I also play 1on1 (Unreal Tournament 3), so a mic isn't always needed. And if I need one, I will just use a Zalman clip on mic.

The Platronics are decent, but if they were good, a lot more people would be using them

Anyway, judging from all of your replies, I think I'll save up some money for an amp, and then get the AKG K 701. (Or is the DT 880 better for gaming?)


I see in your signature that you have the K701 and the DT880, which would be more suited for gaming (soundstage, positional sound, clarity?)?
I had the 701's & still have my DT880.. For gaming The DT880 best the 701's.. The 701's have a bigger sound stage, but it feels artificial & hollow. Audio can get lost in there, for positional sound. The DT880 have a big sound stage, but feels more intimate & better at positional sound. Clarity? Both have excellent clarity..
post #11 of 42
sound stage and probably imaging is better on K701. both have good clarity. DT880 has more bass impact and a bit more sparkle to the highs. the 880 is also more comfortable. overall i would say the 880 is better or more suited for gaming and movies.
post #12 of 42
Thread Starter 
Another question, which one should I get, the DT 880 PRO or the DT 880 Edition 2005, whats the difference?
post #13 of 42
IMHO, the K701 just doesnt quite cut it for gaming. Too airy and not enough 'boom'. (the K701's definitely one of the BEST cans for classical music.. not Pop/Rock/R&B etc)

The DT880's great. Less detail compared to the K701 but definitely suffice for gaming needs.

Also, you'll definitely need an amp to drive the Beyer Pros. The Beyers come in 32ohms as well
post #14 of 42
Ultrasone's S-Logic make 3d imaging a bit weird. K701's have a huge soundstage, almost artificially big. DT880's are very lean on bass, and absolutely need an amp.

I say go for HD595's or DT770/80's.
post #15 of 42
Uh...you are really going overboard here if you are using these headphones only for "competitive PC gaming." Unless you are buying these just for bragging rights, just go with the Koss KSC75 and they'll suit your needs more than enough.

It does not matter if you can hear a crisp explosion or not; the point is, it is an explosion, and you better run for cover.
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