Mad Lust Envy's Headphone Gaming Guide: (8/18/2022: iFi GO Blu Review Added)
Jul 29, 2015 at 4:35 PM Post #31,550 of 48,559
  Thanks!
 
My main problem is that in windows when I am connected via USB I have difficulty controlling the volume via applications. So far I have the option of SPDIF Out and Speakers.
 
When it is set as default to Speakers (all controlled by Sound Blaster X7) it will only control the volume via the speaker itself.  When I have it set to SPDIF OUT it sometimes will or sometimes wont. IT seems there are 2 defaults (Default Communication Device, and Default Device).
 
Is the dongle a better option than utilizing the USB cord?

I see where the problem lies. The Speakers output controls all outputs (both speakers and headphones, You can switch between the two in the control panel) as well as Line Out. Tr reinstalling the driver/application because I had literally zero problems with what You're describing.
 
The dongle is a good idea only when: The X7 is placed really far away from the PC, when You want Chat support for the PS4 and when You want/need to use the X7 with two PC at once. In all other cases it's more viable to use regular USB connection.
 
Jul 29, 2015 at 4:37 PM Post #31,551 of 48,559
They both have their strengths, I forgot how open the akgs are. I think I'll have them on for iron banner this week.

 
Yeah, the K7xx definitely has the edge on soundstage. There are only 3 planars that had really impressed me with their soundstage: HE1000, Ether, and Alpha Dog.
 
Jul 29, 2015 at 4:43 PM Post #31,552 of 48,559
Yeah, it's amazing how open the AKGs are, and their elite soundstage, especially since they're a semi-closed design! I found them to not isolate me from sounds in my house, but they leak less than my other open headphones and aren't attenuated by objects close to the earcups at all.
Meanwhile, the older HE400 model I got to demo was the most open design I've ever heard. The leak was basically as strong as what was directed at my ears, but even more fascinating was how a hand or something within a foot of the earcups would reflect and change how I heard the sound. Not necessarily a bad thing, but interesting nonetheless!!
 
Jul 29, 2015 at 7:20 PM Post #31,554 of 48,559
Yeah, it's amazing how open the AKGs are, and their elite soundstage, especially since they're a semi-closed design! I found them to not isolate me from sounds in my house, but they leak less than my other open headphones and aren't attenuated by objects close to the earcups at all.
Meanwhile, the older HE400 model I got to demo was the most open design I've ever heard. The leak was basically as strong as what was directed at my ears, but even more fascinating was how a hand or something within a foot of the earcups would reflect and change how I heard the sound. Not necessarily a bad thing, but interesting nonetheless!!

you should listen to the SHP9500, those things leak out alot of sound compared to my other headphones. And I mean alot lol
 
And yes, just by covering the ear cups with your hands, the sound would change. For the SHP9500, the change that was most noticeable was the bass, had more punch to it and a bit deeper. I wonder what would happen if I were to mod the headphones and cover it up with something. What to use and how to do it is the real question though....hmm.
 
SHP9500 are so dirt cheap right now that it should probably be the next T50rp
 
Jul 29, 2015 at 10:46 PM Post #31,556 of 48,559
I'm looking for closed headphones that have an in-built volume control. Somehow it seems like there is none that gets favorable reviews, whether for music or for gaming.
 
Is that too much to ask, really? The MMX 300 doesn't have one (would have been perfect with it), the DT 770 M is usually destroyed in reviews (the extra isolation ruined the EQ) and lets face it the high end of Sennheiser's gaming line still uses drivers that were already mediocre 10 years ago, most with really poor isolation as well.
 
My idea is getting one, then attach a mic to it (modmic 4.0 in my case) and use it for gaming in general, including retro gaming (analog). Also could be one that has the mic included, but in any case it has to include volume control in the actual cable (no USB DAC).
 
The price range could be from $100 to $400 (maybe a bit more tho) and hopefully that it doesn't require an amp. After all the idea is getting something nice and with good "passive" isolation (so starting from $100), that uses a 3.5mm cable (analog) and the volume control on the cable makes them compatible with every old console and every system out there.
 
Sounds complicated but in the end I just want a good closed headphone (with good isolation) that comes with analog volume control, so that it doesn't require an accessory to work or to "drive" them. A mic would be nice but it's not needed.
 
Thanks.

 
I believe the reason that built-in volume controls are something of a rarity is that more often than not, they're usually a little potentiometer/rheostat that just adds more resistance to the signal to attenuate it more, and they tend to be cheap, crappy little ones with balance issues. You're usually better off adjusting the volume at the source most of the time.
 
But of course, going through system settings to get to the volume controls (or reaching for the amp's volume knob) can be a total pain, so I understand why you'd want it built-in.
 
Perhaps if I could find a good, compact pot that'll keep the channels balanced nicely throughout its entire range, I could consider adding one to my MMX 300 recabling project whenever I get around to it.
 
Jul 29, 2015 at 11:22 PM Post #31,557 of 48,559
...And yes, just by covering the ear cups with your hands, the sound would change. For the SHP9500, the change that was most noticeable was the bass, had more punch to it and a bit deeper. I wonder what would happen if I were to mod the headphones and cover it up with something. What to use and how to do it is the real question though....hmm.

SHP9500 are so dirt cheap right now that it should probably be the next T50rp

Well, first of all the T50RP was a modder's choice base because the drivers could way outperform the earcup shells, and planar magnetic drivers were kind of a neato semi-rare thing and had caché.

Idk how much more potential SQ could be squeezed from the SPH9500 (most mods I've heard of so far about limiting treble rather than uncovering and releasing their potential). Also, while many headphones are affected by putting your hands over the cups or pressing the drivers closer... That's still mild compared to the HE-400. Is it possible to use the mobile IMG uploaded on here to upload 10 seconds of video? I'm really not exaggerating, put your hands past your shoulders or have someone sit next to you an it'll change the sound!
 
Jul 29, 2015 at 11:52 PM Post #31,559 of 48,559
Well, first of all the T50RP was a modder's choice base because the drivers could way outperform the earcup shells, and planar magnetic drivers were kind of a neato semi-rare thing and had caché.

Idk how much more potential SQ could be squeezed from the SPH9500 (most mods I've heard of so far about limiting treble rather than uncovering and releasing their potential). Also, while many headphones are affected by putting your hands over the cups or pressing the drivers closer... That's still mild compared to the HE-400. Is it possible to use the mobile IMG uploaded on here to upload 10 seconds of video? I'm really not exaggerating, put your hands past your shoulders or have someone sit next to you an it'll change the sound!

hmmm I am intrigued by this.
 
Its obvious that acoustics play a big part in a headphones sound, so the design of the headphones internals contributes to its sound. Therefore, an open back headphone should get its sound changed by just putting your hand over the ear cups but you saying that you can just put your hands at shoulder length and its changes sound? I never tried an HE 400 but that means that thing leaks alot of sound then. Probably is meant for a quite room with almost no noise but the headphone itself.
 
Makes me want to buy a pair of HE400 or HE400i......
 
Stop EV....
 
dont make me spend more money lol
 
But yeah, you are right of the T50RP. Cant really compare to the SHP9500. The reason I mentioned this is because I feel that the SHP9500 was also meant to be a closed back as well, kind of like the Audio Technica A700x and AD700x. Two similar designs, two slightly different sounds, with a reduced soundstage of course.

But of course, the drivers that the T50RP have are much better.
 
Jul 30, 2015 at 2:57 AM Post #31,560 of 48,559
Any open-back headphone sounds noticeably different when you cover the earcups, but it probably affects planar drivers more (both electromagnetic and electrostatic varieties) because of their even dipole dispersion, with the back wave being reflected back by your hand obstructing the rear. It's one of the reasons why placement relative to the back wall is so critical with planar/electrostatic loudspeakers, according to those who use them, and I'd imagine smaller headphone drivers to be no different.
 
Even so, there's little details to the housing designs that could affect even open-back headphones, most notably the bass port mods on SR-007 variants. I can only imagine what kind of detail and engineering has to go into creating closed-back headphones and their earcups, between the material of the cups (note all the fancier sets with wooden cups as a selling point), the placement of any bass ports, so on and so forth. All the T50RP driver-derived headphones are proof enough of that.
 
Oh, and about spending more money? Well, there's a reason we greet people with "sorry about your wallet" here. I even had to take a break for a long while just to keep my curiosity from getting the better of me, and it still does, considering I bought the K7XX and all. Gotta thin down my headphone collection once my latest score arrives and I verify it as working...
 

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