Headphones for gaming DH headphone rig?

Hi all.

After finishing my setup a while ago (thank you Head-Fi! ), I've decided to get a separate "surround sound" setup for my XBOX 360 & Oppo DV-983H (no music). I already have a full 5.1 THX system which I also use... I've done A LOT of research & I'm considering either the HFI-780s or Edge GX400s (same as the Etymotic E4P) plugged into a Victor (JVC) SU-DH1 Dolby Headphone processor (no amp). Directional "accuracy" (to my ears) at low volume counts for a lot more than bass (to me)...

I know some believe IEMs are rubbish for this, but check out this link (I managed to download the file) and try any headphones you have... Holophonic Sound - 2Loop.com I found my Westone 3's small soundstage boasted "pinpoint" accuracy, compared to my K701's famously huge soundstage which made things feel vaguer at the "rear center" point (I had to strain & concentrate more which isn't always possible), although obviously still accurate & in some ways easier to "track". Note: this was without the SU-DH1 as I haven't bought one yet.

From my tests, I seem to be able to track sounds easier the "closer" they are to "me" (although a closed headphone with K701 soundstage would be an experience and a half...). In the usual Head-Fi way, these are MY findings & opinions. I accept many will find the opposite, but that's what makes life so great...

Anyhoo, do you guys recommend any other sets in a similar price range? If so, why over the above? Or should I just give my choices a try?

Cheers,



miT


P.S. Due to living in the UK Edge Acoustics aren't over here so if anyone was interested, I have a brand new set of Shure SE530PTH I'd be willing to swap for a new set...

Pretty much. I don't know what else would work as well (according to all the opinions I've seen) & in many ways, this place leaves you more confused until you ask.

Can you think of any that might be worth looking at?

I've seen Beyerdynamic DT770 & DT880 spoken about a lot (although oodles of bass doesn't appeal), but I've not seen a good answer as to what would be best choice for directional accuracy...

After getting replies in other threads, I thought I'd come back to this one with my shortlist that I'm still stuck on.

My set up will remain the same (XBOX 360 > Victor SU-DH1 > headphones) as I can't afford a Smyth Realiser (at the moment anyway... ) so I really need help to choose which headphones will work best with games via Dolby Headphone, rather than have to buy all of them to compare myself (I've already had to order the Ety ER4Ps to do this)...

1. Ultrasone HFI-780
2. Beyerdynamic DT880, 2005

Which one?

Your help would be most appreciated!

So I've heard, but I've also heard that when you throw DH into the mix they don't work as well.

Thanks for the link. I've just read through it, along with Kool Bubba's blog (Kool Bubba Ice's Base). The DT880s seem to be the best for gaming with DH (which confuses some of the more conventional sets), something I've heard from a few HeadFiers who have compared all of the main contenders.

In fact, after reading the blog, especially the "review", it appears the DT880s may be the winner...

Really? I'm not expecting great things from IEMs with DH but I found that in that (Binaural?) recording, they felt easier to track due to the isolation. The only reason I'll be trying Etys is because there aren't many people who've tried them on here & as I managed to sell my SE530PTHs, I'll (technically) get them for free... Someone has to try them out for the others I've spoken to on hear but are unsure.

My AKGs did well with it. I just felt that to me they were a little vague in the extreme rear (as I said, I had to strain to pinpoint it's position). I don't mind at all because I didn't buy them for that. They are my music only headphones & as such, to my ears & from my (limited) experience with high-end headphones, are all I could want.

Don't get me wrong, I know DH is different. I just used what I had available as a reference point, namely that demo (which I came across on the E.D.G.E. website). As I've finally ordered my SU-DH1, I'll be able to have a definite answer & (hopefully) help anyone else who gets stuck on the same choice.

I value your reply though. My threads rarely get replies so it's nice to finally get some help from the HeadFi community! & thanks, the Beyers do seem to be the way to go...

Cheers Bubba. In that case she'd probably be right though wouldn't she? In general the high-end HeadFiers spend more to get natural, uncoloured headphones, correct? It was a shame she didn't have any other suggestions for me.

From what I've read more recently (including your IGN blog), I think she was right. Using my K701s as my reference point, the HFI-780s would be "bassy" in comparison? I don't want games or films to sound like games or films; I want them to sound "real"! My best friend used to be in the special forces & he never referred to gun fire & explosions as sounding "fun"...

I have to admit, the HFI-780s caught my eye originally (aside from the stunning silver) because of their claims & because not enough people had tried them. Call it a test to compare & learn what "wrong" headphones are...

I've read enough now to discount them over the DT880s & not waste money though, so it looks like I'm going to be stuck with yet another "good" choice.

Thanks for your other reply. It was actually your & Foe-hammer's posts that encouraged me to reconsider the DT880s! Are they worth the extra expense of getting the 600ohm version with an amp though (just for games & maybe films)? I don't really want to spend more than I need to, but if it's a big difference...


By the way, in your blog you rated the HFI-780s as **1/2, which obviously throws Ultrasone's claims out of the window. Any particular reason why?

LOL! That's funny!

Obviously this is different to each individual but to me, the K701s have a natural amount of bass compared to your average boy racer with bass shockwaves coming out of his car...

Once again everyone's different but I feel more involved/engaged with an analytical listen compared to an assault on my senses. When I want the assault, I go for a ride on my motorbike.

Don't get me wrong I appreciate both sides of the coin but to me, audiophile = raw, natural crispness, not tuned to excite. Not that I've heard them, but I would assume that's what STAX products sound like... Is there higher-end than their high-end?

And HELL NO! When I'm watching a film with my surround sound on, I like the sound to go through me, hang the neighbours! But that isn't what I clarify as High Fidelity which, to me, audiophile headphones should be... Aren't you supposed to pay more for a "purer" specimen (of anything)?

Plus, these headphones are mainly going to be used for games in which case if I had that bass experience, I'd probably get stabbed in the back because I didn't hear them walking up behind me...

Thanks mate. The thing is, I'm being difficult in expecting them to be good with DH as well.

Sometimes I wish I could have the best from each brand just for that sake of comparisons...