Hi! Sorry if it may seem like I'm replying to a random post of yours MLE. I've read countless numbers of pages of this specific thread in this forum in regards to headphones as I'm considering purchasing a nice pair myself. I do both PC as well as Console gaming (PS3) and have just recently purchased an Astro Mixamp which sounds amazing thus far in combination with my PS3. Currently I'm using them with some relatively expensive bose in ears priced at around 100+€. I don't know the exact model as they belong to my brother, but needless to say they're amazing. However I'd like myself some over the ear headphones to which I can attach a seperate mic. should I ever need it for gaming. I'd be using the headphones on my PS3 via the Astro Mixamp via my Laptop using the Astro Mixamp (just purchased a USB Micro II from Turtle beach to enable USB to optical) so that I can connect the included TOSLINK cable of the Astro Mixamp to my laptop. 
 
My first question here is, does using a USB to Optical connection sacrifice sound in anyway? (I believe the device itself is/has a soundcard) and I'm unsure of how it will respond in connection to the Mixamp.
 
As for the Headphones I've read countless countless threads and yours was the most helpful of all! Congrats on all the information, the entire world learns to depend on you in regards to headphones and general know how as to what to do!
 
I've narrowed my list down to:

AKG Q701 at 259€ = 317 USD
AKG K701 at 209€ = 255USD
Beyerdynamics DT 990 Edition at 209€ = 255USD <----I think editions are so called premiums on your end of the world!
(32 Ohm version as I read that you recommended it for it's everyday versatility, I don't currently have an AMP/DAC asides from the Mixamp, but SOMEDAY I would definitely look into purchasing one that can cost up to 150€ Max. Someday being within the next 6 months.
 
I'd like a Headphone I can use outside with my MP3 player or phone. Should I someday purchase an amplifier/dac I'd like it to be portable. And from all the reading I've done, the most spoken of seems to be the Fiio E17. Since I'll be getting an amp/dac SOMEDAY, should I look into higher Ohm DT 990s or are the 32 Ohms just fine.
 
Does anything set these headphones apart? My music varies for Rap to RnB to some melodic metal as well as some classical. Just a little bit of everything. A decent amount of K-pop and J-pop as well! I'm not a proffesional gamer by any means, so 100% PRECISION EXACT LOCATION OF THE ENEMY is not necessarily important as I've never played this way in the past. Primarily because I haven't been able to. Perhaps this will change once I get a good set up and a good pair of headphones going. I can't answer that now. I'd like the headphones to have a high fun factor. So. What do? I'd love your input! And it'd be nice if you could recommend an affordable amp to go with the headphones as well (perhaps a microphone too) 
 
I'm living in Germany, just btw
 
Another offtopic question would be, my brother is looking for nice sounding headphones for Music purposes only when he takes walks to work priced at up to 75 Dollars. And they should only have a single cable coming from the headphones. I'd be forever grateful if somebody or you (MLE) could answer me these questions!
 
Kind Regards!

Ok, so wow!! I just received a new pair of AKG K-240 MK II and ok, I'm hooked!! Now they lack the sub base of any of my Ultrasone's but the clarity is amazing!! Now I know AKG fan boy is somewhere cussing me out saying I told ya so!! Well fine you were right, these things are amazing!! The overall sound detail is off the charts and I used them with my 5.8 mix-amp, e11, and MacBook pro I played BF3 while using combo of mix-amp and e11. At 55 omh I figured it wouldn't hurt and my first impression was shoot I forgot to turn the mixamp on.. Little did I know that it was already on and the sound was so clear and detailed I thought it was my surround system!! They are "Semi-open" but come on buddy you aren't fooling anyone they're open, and offer little to no seal so sound is all over the place and the only con so far is that they are very loose and I wish the fit was a little tighter but outside of that I'm good. But back to the sound.. So while playing bf3 (best sounding FPS ever created hands down) I was hearing details that I'd never heard before and even though the bass lacked during my first attempt at Dub but it was literally my first attempt (I'll try it again later tonight) but for gaming the bass was exactly what it was supposed to be, tight, quick, and didn't get in the way of the rest of the sound. I was more impressed the moment I put on my HIFI 780's and was disgusted by how muddy everything sounded compared to the 240 mk II. I'll be doing a lot of different test to see how they compare in different music generes and more BF3,but I'll tell you what, my wife and wallet better hope I don't find a better pair of AKG's that have a punchier bottom because I'm very intrigued at what I've heard so far.

If anyone out there knows of such a pair please let me know!

FYI I wrote this from my iPhone so if it's a little wonky I apologize..

Thanks,

D

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lelouchleonhart said:

Hi! Sorry if it may seem like I'm replying to a random post of yours MLE...
[House cleaning]
...Kind Regards!

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I myself have done the Micro II to Mixamp to headphones from my laptop. It works quite well. I also have an Asus Xonar U3. It's a USB sound card that does Dolby Headphone. The issue with it is low power, so you'll need an amp to get the same volume that you can on the micro/mixamp combo. An important note, install the drivers for the Micro II, it can't do 5.1 output until they're installed, it'll only be stereo using windows drivers. Get yourself a short optical and USB to USB Mini cable, under 1m if able (I have a ~.4m length on both). It's bulky, but it's a nice sounding setup. And the mixamp adds a nice bit of power into the equation to drive phones. Going through USB will not degrade sound quality over most stock integrated sound cards. Plus it's kinda required for most laptops to get optical out. There are several with the connection built in, but not many.
 
As for the headphones you listed, I'd get the Qs, but I'm biased towards their sound

Hi thanks for the response! Really informative information on the Micro II that I appreciate! You mentioned the Asus Xonar U3. Are they both on par with eachother? Or should I purchase the Xonar U3 over the Micro II? I really don't know much about either of these products. What's important to me is that the sound is ideal and that it'll run through a Mixamp. Do I NEED a shorter optical cable? or is using the (pretty long) one that came with astro just fine? Thanks in advance! 
 
I'd still appreciate answers, especially from MLE to my first post (2 posts above this)
 
So far it seems like Q701 vs D990 Premium Editions (the latter unsure of 32 or 250 ohm)
 
EDIT: I'd like to mention I'm a metal construction fan boy as well >_<

EDIT 2: It seems this review puts the Qs in the forefront. IDK which LOL Qs, Ks, or the Beyers dear lord!

http://www.head-fi.org/t/592630/akg-q701-vs-dt990-600-ohm-comparison-review

Both can do optical out. The U3 can do Dolby Headphone without the Mixamp, but then for many cans you'd need an amp to drive them fully. Quality wise, they're close. The U3 has more features, which is nice. The Mirco II is cheaper. Here in the US, the Micro II is $25, the U3 is $40, so for me there's a difference in price, but you do get what you pay for. If you have headphones that don't need an amp, having the U3 will be portable with a laptop. I don't consider my mixamp portable, but that's why I have both. As for needing a shorter cable, no, it's not a need. But for about $5 I got both cables and having the short cables help keep things organized. I keep the longer ones that came with the mixamp connected to my xbox. The included ones are far too long to use with a computer if you ask me.
 
So in a nutshell, if it's not for portable use and since you already have the Mixamp, I'd say the Micro II. If you want to go mobile at some point, spend a little more for the U3. It'll allow you to use the mixamp at home, and Dolby Headphone when on the go as well. I'm still trying to find a good pair of folding headphones that I can use when traveling. Still kinda eyeing Ultrasone Pros.
 
Edit. Should point out that the software that comes with the U3 gives you more control over the output as well. So if you plan to EQ anything, need any kind of effects, or just like having the option to do so you'd want to go U3. The software with the Micro II is nice and light, but doesn't really offer much in the way of options.

Well I've already purchased a Micro II already actually, but it hasn't been shipped yet. There are auctions on the U3 Ending soon on ebay and I'm sure I can get them at around 30 Euros at most where they usually go for around 40 here. If the sound quality is better, I don't mind spending a little more to get the U3. So basically if laptop-> U3-> mixamp-> Headphones sounds better than doing the same with a Micro II I'm definitely for it. Can I get some confirmation on this? Is the fact that both the U3 and the Mixamp produce virtual surround a negative thing because they would be doing it at the same time? And since the U3 already has sort of an amplifier, is it okay to one day be able to connect a Fiio Amplifier after the Mixamp. Basically  laptop-> U3-> mixamp-> Fio Exx-> Headphones
 
Any more opinions on the Q701s vs the Beyer DT 990s Premium editions. (read above posts for full story)

lelouchleonhart said:

Hi! Sorry if it may seem like I'm replying to a random post of yours MLE. I've read countless numbers of pages of this specific thread in this forum in regards to headphones as I'm considering purchasing a nice pair myself. I do both PC as well as Console gaming (PS3) and have just recently purchased an Astro Mixamp which sounds amazing thus far in combination with my PS3. Currently I'm using them with some relatively expensive bose in ears priced at around 100+€. I don't know the exact model as they belong to my brother, but needless to say they're amazing. However I'd like myself some over the ear headphones to which I can attach a seperate mic. should I ever need it for gaming. I'd be using the headphones on my PS3 via the Astro Mixamp via my Laptop using the Astro Mixamp (just purchased a USB Micro II from Turtle beach to enable USB to optical) so that I can connect the included TOSLINK cable of the Astro Mixamp to my laptop. 

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I have no idea how all that works for your laptop setup, so others should definitely chime in to help you out.

My first question here is, does using a USB to Optical connection sacrifice sound in anyway? (I believe the device itself is/has a soundcard) and I'm unsure of how it will respond in connection to the Mixamp.

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they're both digital, so other than possibly adding jitter (which I have no idea how jitter even sounds like, you shouldn't noticeably hear any negative effects. I'm more worried whether you can keep a 5.1 Dolby signal to go to your Mixamp in this setup.

AKG Q701 at 209€ = 255USD
Beyerdynamics DT 990 Edition at 209€ = 255USD <----I think editions are so called premiums on your end of the world!

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I personally prefer the DT990 as my all rounder. The Q701 is amazing, but doesn't have as much bass as I'd personally like. Overall, the Q701 is more balanced, and less polarizing, as the DT990's treble can be an issue to many people.

(32 Ohm version as I read that you recommended it for it's everyday versatility,

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Actually, I believe the 32ohm is about as hard to drive as the 250ohm, and definitely needs an amp, though a portable amp like the Fiio E11 may power it better than the 250ohm. Keep in mind, I have only heard the 600ohm DT990s, and 250ohm pros, which sounds a bit different due to more prominent bass. All in all, none of the main Beyers are easy to drive. The 32ohm beyer I ownbed was the DT880s. They were seriously not like any other 32ohm headphone I owned. They needed an amp. DEFINITELY.

I don't currently have an AMP/DAC asides from the Mixamp, but SOMEDAY I would definitely look into purchasing one that can cost up to 150€ Max. Someday being within the next 6 months.

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I believe in your side of the world, Epiphany Acoustics sells the O2 pre-made, which should fall in your budget, and is very highly regarded. That's be the amp I'd get. It's small, but I don't think it's portable... more like transportable.

I'd like a Headphone I can use outside with my MP3 player or phone. Should I someday purchase an amplifier/dac I'd like it to be portable. And from all the reading I've done, the most spoken of seems to be the Fiio E17. Since I'll be getting an amp/dac SOMEDAY, should I look into higher Ohm DT 990s or are the 32 Ohms just fine.

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The DT990s are OPEN, and I highly not recommend them for portable use. Open headphones just are not meant for portable use as they leak a ton of sound, and let a lot of external noise in.

Does anything set these headphones apart? My music varies for Rap to RnB to some melodic metal as well as some classical. Just a little bit of everything. A decent amount of K-pop and J-pop as well! I'm not a proffesional gamer by any means, so 100% PRECISION EXACT LOCATION OF THE ENEMY is not necessarily important as I've never played this way in the past. Primarily because I haven't been able to. Perhaps this will change once I get a good set up and a good pair of headphones going. I can't answer that now. I'd like the headphones to have a high fun factor. So. What do? I'd love your input! And it'd be nice if you could recommend an affordable amp to go with the headphones as well (perhaps a microphone too) 

Click to expand...

The Q701 does justice to every genre except bass heavy ones, like EDM, which will sound amazing off the DT990s. The DT990s however don't have forward mids/vocals, so stuff like classical and acoustic, doesn't sound as great as with the Q701.

Another offtopic question would be, my brother is looking for nice sounding headphones for Music purposes only when he takes walks to work priced at up to 75 Dollars. And they should only have a single cable coming from the headphones. I'd be forever grateful if somebody or you (MLE) could answer me these questions!

Kind Regards!

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To be honest, I personally do not remember any of the portables I owned being single sided. Even the Creative Aurvana Live/ES7 are double sided. I honestly wouldn't know.

Firstly, thanks for the super speedy response! I really appreciate getting some help with this!
 
Well since all I have now is the Mixamp, would it still be okay to opt for the DT 990 Premium? Like, is the sound THAT much worse than using it unamped (it will only get better when I decide to amp it). And since they are all difficult to amp, which would you recommend if I have to get an amp someday anyways? Can your recommended 02 Amp properly amp the 250 Ohm and the 600 Ohm versions? I probably won't be using these outside, so disregard me mentioning that!
 
How would you rate the Q701s and the DT 990s for gaming then? You said as an all-rouder YOU recommended the 990s however in another thread I read (in the link I postet above) that it's rather the other way around. I'm not going to be running a professional system by any means, for a while at first, all I will have is the Mixamp from Astro. Will be using it for gaming 60% of the time, and for music 40%.
 
I'll respond again once I get home (1 hour or so), I just wanted to quicky respond asking these few things. I'll look deeper into your recommendations when I'm back home from work! If you have any other setups or recommendations I'd be happy to accept any! My music genres have already been listed, and they'll be used quite a bit for FPS gaming as well! Really thankful again!

Well, for the purpose of gaming, the Mixamp will be perfectly fine, if you're not using a mic. Meaning, leave the game/voice knob, fully on game. For MUSIC, you'll want a better amp later on.

I gave you my ratings, lol. They on the first page. All the scores on this thread ARE for gaming. I don't rate the music side, as there's plenty of reviews online.

Hi, you're right, sorry for confusing the music aspect of the headphones then! Well I realized, since I'm using these primarily at home, I suppose it would be ok to have an actual Headset that has a mic.
 
The place where I ordered the mixamp from (roxxgames.de) offers the mixamp in a bundle with the Beyer MMX 300 (which has 32 Ohm I think)...I would be paying around about 220 for the MMX300 where the going price is around 300 or more here. Asides from that pair (which is based off of the DT 770 if I'm not mistaken) they also offer the Sennheiser PC360. Do you have any comments in regards to these two? I remember reading somewhere that you took a liking to the PC360 but Im not sure if I can still find that thread. Anything you could tell me about these two? I'd be saving a decent amount of money if i were to opt for the Sennheiser, the website sells them for about 160. And I may be able to get them elsewhere for cheaper. I think the both of these would require little to no external amping? Would be primarily for gaming, but indoors for music too. I'm just not sure about the sound quality, and if its worth paying about 60 more for the MMX300 (a dt770 with a mic slapped on)

Perhaps you know other good Headphones with mics?

Lol, you're on the thread! It's on the first page. The MMX300 should be quite stellar for gaming, though the PC360 will have a better soundstage. The MMX300 might be more lively than the PC360, which are well balanced, but aren't exactly exciting.

Well thanks a lot! I'd like some clarification on the following, I strolled around the forum some more and read somewhere that you HIGHLY recommended getting the PC360 together with the WIRELESS Mixamp from Astro as there would be an added Bass Booster which could iron out any of the perceived deficiencies. Does this sound like a solid package for gaming? I'd be able to save A LOT more money vs. getting the MMX 300 which may just be overkill in my particular situation. And I take it I won't NEED another dedicated amp to be able to enjoy this headset combination properly. 

That should be fine. The only thing is that the bass booster on the wireless Mixamp sometimes distorts when there are really heavy bassy parts in games. Some games it's a rare occurence, some games it happens a lot. In any case, this doesn't harm the headphone, so you can just turn off bass boost if a game is too bassy for the Mixamp's bass booster.

Quote:

lelouchleonhart said:

Well I've already purchased a Micro II already actually, but it hasn't been shipped yet. There are auctions on the U3 Ending soon on ebay and I'm sure I can get them at around 30 Euros at most where they usually go for around 40 here. If the sound quality is better, I don't mind spending a little more to get the U3. So basically if laptop-> U3-> mixamp-> Headphones sounds better than doing the same with a Micro II I'm definitely for it. Can I get some confirmation on this? Is the fact that both the U3 and the Mixamp produce virtual surround a negative thing because they would be doing it at the same time? And since the U3 already has sort of an amplifier, is it okay to one day be able to connect a Fiio Amplifier after the Mixamp. Basically  laptop-> U3-> mixamp-> Fio Exx-> Headphones
 
Any more opinions on the Q701s vs the Beyer DT 990s Premium editions. (read above posts for full story)

Click to expand...

 
Both devices produce surround sound, but you'd want to only have one device doing so in your setup. So just leave a U3 in DD output mode and you're golden. Like I mentioned before, the Micro II is great if you're planning to use this only at home. The U3 is better if you want DH while traveling without adding much bulk. With the mixamp, they'll be acting the exact same.

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axelcloris said:

 
Both devices produce surround sound, but you'd want to only have one device doing so in your setup. So just leave a U3 in DD output mode and you're golden. Like I mentioned before, the Micro II is great if you're planning to use this only at home. The U3 is better if you want DH while traveling without adding much bulk. With the mixamp, they'll be acting the exact same.

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I think I'll try my luck bidding on the U3 then thanks! And I'll be using it in conjunction with the Mixamp or the Mixamp 5.8 at home, presumably this should have a better sound. And since you said I should only have one device doing so, am I able to turn of DD from the U3 (since I only really want this dongle to work as an optical passthrough at home) so I can rely on the DD from the Mixamp, and when I want DD I'll switch it on for when I'm on the go. Sounds about right, right?
 
EDIT: People seem to recommend devices such as the Fiio E17 and the X-fi HD for gaming/music purposes. It bumps up the price a bit, but portability isn't THAT important to me really. Mostly I'd like to just get what I'm paying for sound quality wise. Since I would be relying on DD from the Mixamp, it's just important that I have a good optical passthrough to my laptop, ideally with some settings.
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mad lust envy said:

That should be fine. The only thing is that the bass booster on the wireless Mixamp sometimes distorts when there are really heavy bassy parts in games. Some games it's a rare occurence, some games it happens a lot. In any case, this doesn't harm the headphone, so you can just turn off bass boost if a game is too bassy for the Mixamp's bass booster.

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Well, wired/wireless isn't an important factor for me by any means. Seeing as I already have the wired Mixamp, do you think I should just keep it too use with my future PC360, or are the advantages (+ occaasional disadvantages) so big that you would definitely recommend the 5.8 over the standard wired Mixamp. Basically is the bass boost THAT good keeping gaming and music in the back of your head. This should be my last question I think > Sorry, I feel like I'm hassling all you guys
 
EDIT for MLE: By not getting the 5.8 I wouldn't need to spend more on buying another seperate optical cable, and I wouldn't need the PC/PS3 connector. Though I'm not sure about the latter, if the wired Mixamp works with chat with my pc or ps3. I thought it may do so off the bat, but I may still need that cable. PS3 chat isnt important, but I would like PC chat 
 
EDIT: Figured out how to quote things