Mad Lust Envy's Headphone Gaming Guide: (8/18/2022: iFi GO Blu Review Added)
May 29, 2015 at 6:23 AM Post #30,857 of 48,559
Hi,
 
i have the adg-1 headset, but sadly dont have the ad700, i do have many other headsets and phones though, like the k701, dt880, hd800 and tons of others.
 
the mic gets nowere near your mouth so you dont need to worry about pop or breathing on it which is nice but it does give a slightly more open sound, like you are using a desk mic.
 
it is pretty good though, i prefer ones i can shove right in front of me. i use mic monitoring and like to be able to move the mic where ever i think it sounds best the adg-1 is more of a, "this is where it should be deal with it" approach.
 
the sound of them is slightly crispier sounding than the k701 that i have, it does have amazing levels of seperation and air and truely do sound like detail monsters. i assume this is like the ad700.
 
id say the best headsets i have:
 
open:
 
 
 
pc360 (warm)
adg-1 (cold)
qpad qh the open ones (quite closed sounding, grado style)
 
 
closed:
 
mmx 300 (open sounding and GOOD isolation)
qpad qh the closed ones (also closed sounding but detailed and fun)
kraken pro (haha very closed and stupidly bassy, just use them for fun!)
polk 4 shot (absolute suprise! very good isolation and pretty fun sounding, the boom mic is good, kind of magic sounding like the denon dxxxx line of headphones were)
 
May 29, 2015 at 10:43 AM Post #30,858 of 48,559
Just a heads up for my gamers here:

Massdrop Sound Blaster X7 $299.99

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/creative-sound-blaster-x7-amp-dac-combo?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Community%20-%20Audiophile%20-%20MAU%20%28Active%29&utm_campaign=Audiophile%20A%20Product%20Announcement%202015-05-29&mode=guest_open&referer=APYT6E
 
May 29, 2015 at 11:05 AM Post #30,859 of 48,559
Just a heads up for my gamers here:

Massdrop Sound Blaster X7 $299.99

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/creative-sound-blaster-x7-amp-dac-combo?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Community%20-%20Audiophile%20-%20MAU%20%28Active%29&utm_campaign=Audiophile%20A%20Product%20Announcement%202015-05-29&mode=guest_open&referer=APYT6E

 
Is it possible to use the X7 as a Dolby 5.1 converter DAC only and then run the rear line out to another amp? Or is that Dolby Headphone jack in the front the only way to get the 5.1 signal?
 
May 29, 2015 at 11:14 AM Post #30,860 of 48,559
Is it possible to use the X7 as a Dolby 5.1 converter DAC only and then run the rear line out to another amp? Or is that Dolby Headphone jack in the front the only way to get the 5.1 signal?


Not at this point, I believe from what I read they're working on this feature. Can anyone confirm or deny this?
 
May 29, 2015 at 11:25 AM Post #30,861 of 48,559
  Is it possible to use the X7 as a Dolby 5.1 converter DAC only and then run the rear line out to another amp? Or is that Dolby Headphone jack in the front the only way to get the 5.1 signal?

 
Not at this point, I believe from what I read they're working on this feature. Can anyone confirm or deny this?

 
Last I read the 5.1 DSP was only processed from the headphone out. That may have changed but it's still my understanding.
 
May 29, 2015 at 11:42 AM Post #30,863 of 48,559
Last I read the 5.1 DSP was only processed from the headphone out. That may have changed but it's still my understanding.


Can anyone confirm this as I don't yet have another amp to test it myself? I am still trying to decide between the vali, Asgard, Valhalla and O2 for my hd800 and my future fostex th600/900.
 
May 29, 2015 at 12:37 PM Post #30,864 of 48,559
 
Ah interesting and not surprising. It will do for now while I contemplate what to use for actual VSS. It annoys me that the MixAmp is apparently crap and costs as much as it does.

It's not as bad as people here make it out to be. And it has some useful features (game/chat balance knob, answering calls on smartphone while in-game), just buy a used one
 
May 29, 2015 at 1:14 PM Post #30,865 of 48,559
 
Last I read the 5.1 DSP was only processed from the headphone out. That may have changed but it's still my understanding.


Can anyone confirm this as I don't yet have another amp to test it myself? I am still trying to decide between the vali, Asgard, Valhalla and O2 for my hd800 and my future fostex th600/900.

 
No contest there. Get the Valhalla 2 for the HD800. OTL all the way. Or build a Crack/Speedball, if you're up for it. You've already invested in the HD800. Don't hold it back now (no offense to those other amps, this is all about synergy).
 
You can worry about the Fostex later.
 
Or you can opt for the Lyr to run both (but you'll need to upgrade the tubes on Lyr to get the best out of it... and that can get quite pricey).
 
May 29, 2015 at 1:52 PM Post #30,866 of 48,559
   
No contest there. Get the Valhalla 2 for the HD800. OTL all the way. Or build a Crack/Speedball, if you're up for it. You've already invested in the HD800. Don't hold it back now (no offense to those other amps, this is all about synergy).
 
You can worry about the Fostex later.
 
Or you can opt for the Lyr to run both (but you'll need to upgrade the tubes on Lyr to get the best out of it... and that can get quite pricey).

I am trying to purchase the TH600/900 within the next month or 2 :) though I would assume that it will be quite a bit easier to find an amp for those headphones.
 
May 29, 2015 at 2:51 PM Post #30,867 of 48,559
 
   
No contest there. Get the Valhalla 2 for the HD800. OTL all the way. Or build a Crack/Speedball, if you're up for it. You've already invested in the HD800. Don't hold it back now (no offense to those other amps, this is all about synergy).
 
You can worry about the Fostex later.
 
Or you can opt for the Lyr to run both (but you'll need to upgrade the tubes on Lyr to get the best out of it... and that can get quite pricey).

I am trying to purchase the TH600/900 within the next month or 2 :) though I would assume that it will be quite a bit easier to find an amp for those headphones.

 
I tend to agree. It really depends on what you want out of them, since those phones have extremely different needs and both scale up to infinity. Most of the best options for amping both with a single device are over a grand. I've heard people love the Eddie Current Four45 with both phones... if you're willing to drop $4k on it. :wink:
 
May 29, 2015 at 11:02 PM Post #30,868 of 48,559
Long time since I've posted on this thread. Looking back through the last few pages I see a few familiar names (three counts as a few right?).
 
I must admit, I'm not looking to do a load of research as last time I developed option paralasis. I'd appreciate it if someone that is up to date on the current scene could throw a suggestion or two my way.
 
I'm currently using AKG 240mk ii's, a Modmic 4.0 and a a Mixamp Pro for my PS4. I'm not sure if it has been discussed or not but the Mixamp has issues with the mic output. I've since found out there is a solution in the form of using a PS4 chat cable to output from the port on the Mixamp designed for the XBOX 360 chat cable to connect to the PS4 controller. There is a problem however. When the USB cable is connected to the controller it creates noise (fairly loud and noticeable). I personally prefer to keep my controller plugged in (and if given the choice would buy wired controllers), so for me this is a problem.
 
The whole idea of using headphones with a separate mic of some description has become more trouble than it is worth for me. I must admit that I am reluctant to read back through the thread to find out if there is anything on the horizon to change my mind (such as a new version of the Mixamp or an alternative from another company).
 
Basically, I think I'm going to go for a dedicated headset. My main concerns are sound and build quality. Sound leakage and noise cancelling are of no concern and to be quite honest, I personally prefer the idea of open back headphones.
 
Unless there is a promising alternative to the Mixamp on the horizon that will make me reconsider, I'd love to hear your suggestions for a headset. I know from experience that this subject can be... well, subjective. I would however appreciate some suggestions on what you'd buy if it were your money in my position.
 
Just for reference:
 
PC Sound card: Sound Blaster Omni
Relevant consoles: PS3 and PS4
Headphone amp: Mixamp Pro (latest version)
 
PS:For a while I was considering getting a decent headphone amp and set of cans. Problem was 1) I started thinking that a decent headphone amp and set of cans deserves a decent DAC. 2) Console gaming would have to be double amped with the headphones I was looking at, which I didn't like the idea of. 3) I was a danger to my wallet everytime I browsed the web, so I had to step away for a while.
 
May 30, 2015 at 12:46 AM Post #30,870 of 48,559
 
would it be pointless for me to get the fidelio x1/x2 if i was just going to go amp-less and plug it into my ds4 for gaming?

im curious about this myself though i myself would be using the astro mixamp to go with it


The Fidelios don't need an amp to sound good. They'll work just fine out of the Mixamp. You will want to get a replacement cable if you get the X1 however... The cable they include with it is absolute gabage. It looks good, but the sound is trash. You can grab a Monoprice cable for $10 or so, which will upgrade the sound considerably. I believe the X2 cable is much better, but you may want to ask someone who owns the X2 to be sure. If you do get an amp, I've found the O2 is a great match with the fidelios. The bass tightens up a bit and the soundstage gets a little more dimensionality. The Micamp works just fine on its own though.
 

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