Sennheiser HD 650 for PC = Overkill?

Not an overkill

I dont think you would get worth just gaming out of a card on the hd650's. Maybe Hd 558 - 595 would better for your uses. I have both and I honestly prefer the 558 for gaming over the 650 due to low power source of signal

You need something decent to drive them...

I use my HD 650's with my PC every day so they're definitely not overkill. I'm planning on buying LCD2's or HD 800's to use with my computer, actually.

You do need decent amplification to drive them, tho. They still sound better unamped than HD 595's for example, but it's a bit of a waste of potential. If you're dead set on not buying a DAC/Amp, I'd spend my money on something that's easier to drive. The Denons are a bit of a mess without an amp too, IMO.

You should read the thread about headphones and gaming someone posted they review a ton of different cans.

In all honestly you will not be getting what your payed in the hd650's out of a xfi card.  I have an auzentech xfi prelude which is much better than the creative cards, and it doesn't even make my ad700's sound as good as my hrt musicstreamer II+ does.  I've been converted and will no longer be buying soundcards.  Getting your DAC out of your computer is the only way to go.  

Get the Essence STX. It drives them nicely. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by dzonylan 

Firstly, thanks for the response, Secondly, I was not planning to buy separate AMP/DAC for my PC for 2 main reasons:

1) Good ones cost A LOT (I'm thinking about the SCHIIT series for example),

2) It's really hard for me to decide which one would suit me the best; as the subject "AMP/DAC for HD650" is just endless (!) and don't bring any answers for me.

 

So, what would you say to me: buy HD650 and it the nearest 6 months save some money for some good stuff (like SCHIIT), or just go for HD 598 (which can be found here where I live for the price of 180$)? [Just for comparison: I have available new HD650 for about 400$]

Actually, acquiring a good DAC/amp for the HD650 is not quite as expensive as you might expect.  How, you ask?  Fiio's E7 and E9 can be had for just over 200 dollars.  The E9 is an excellent desktop amplifier with the power and refinement to match more expensive desktop amplifiers and the E7 is a very competent DAC.  Together they will really bring out the potential of the HD650.  Now if this combination is still outside of your budget then by all means go for the HD598, an excellent 'phone in its own right.

I have the fiio E7 & E9 combo and if you go down that route then defo get the hd650's. Big bang for a small buck the fiio's!!

You wouldn't regret that choice as a great starter set up!

Don't get the HD650 unless you are buying an amp/dac or unless you like really slow and boring headphones

I have creative sound card in my laptop and it's not great. My cheap DAC/AMP sounds pretty darn good though. It's not worth it without some kind of external source. The HD 650's aren't boring or slow.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Satellite_6 

 The HD 650's aren't boring or slow.

Straight out of a computer?  They're not that bad, but they aren't great either.