AD700 gaming sound card - Page 3

Have you seen this thread? While they seem to be speaking in regards to using the headphones with Dolby Headphones mode, it seems like a good starting point to learn about sound characteristics of a few headphones.

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/534479/mad-lust-envy-aka-shin-cz-s-guide-to-headphone-gaming-particularly-with-dolby-headphone

I'm just getting back into read about headphones myself, so I can't be of much help :P But I have read that the AD700's are phones people love for gaming. It seems like you are looking for more of an "immersive" sound experience, rather then the "positional" sound experience you receive with your current head phones. You rather hear better booms then people reloading from 3 houses away?  I'm torn between the two styles myself right now. I think I'm going to buy a few headphones with different attributes and test them out, then sell the ones off not for me. 

I was a top player in Crysis Wars, but in my opinion it doesn't matter. Headphones that are good enough for music will have a large enough sound stage for games as well. I think it's ridiculous that someone would spend $90 on AD700s for only one purpose when you could pay $30 for HA-RX700s and use them for nearly everything.

I did go out and get AD700s because of the gaming hype and although they did have a larger sound stage than the RX700s, the RX700's was already big enough for me so I got no extra benefit. I'm currently waiting for Amazon to process my return. I'm gonna put that refund together with money from my sold Titanium HD towards the new headphones I was talking about.

Obviously I love music too. My Pandora station is currently built off Pink Floyd, Tupac and Paul Anka (not really a big fan on Anka but he brings good music to the station). In addition I like classical such as Chopin's etude no. 3, anything with cello or horns and a couple old broadway tunes like Old Man River.

I'm looking at Ultrasone PRO 550s and DT770s (maybe DT 880s too?) cause they seem like they could be good all-arounders like my RX700s are, only better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vires 

Yep, Roller actually linked the same post so I asked the OP what he thinks I should get.

 

I'm pretty much in the same boat as you, I can't decide whether I want to keep my AD700's or switch them out for more "immersive" headphones. I guess when my Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium PCI Express Sound Card come in tomorrow I'll test them out with my AD700's and see what I think.

I already told you that the Creative Aurvana Live! could be a good compromise, specially when taking in account that its drivers are made by Denon. Less expensive than AD700 or any Beyers you might be considering, and balances both the fun and the competitive sides of gaming audio.

Not sure about those Creative cans. They were $60 and for that price I would try them. They look a bit thin and flimsy too. For $100, I have no doubt they are ok for that. However, I would just try the JVC 700s for a change of pace from the AD-700s you have.

If you want an upgrade, good for everything w/ decent bass, get either a Beyer 880 or Denon D2000. Do not be afraid to buy used. The Beyers are built like a tank btw. Probably the best all around headphone when you factor in price to performance. The 770s are very much bass heavy and will drown out the rest of the sound usually.

Minor correction on those headphones. They don't share Denon drivers but Fostex drivers.

@spacemanspliff: You would recommend the D2000 for gaming? Do you feel they have good positional accuracy? Because the main focus of the OP is gaming first, even though an all rounder is good, I don't think it should sacrifice gaming potential.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vires 

How do the 990's compare to the 880's? I was thinking of buying a used DT990 32 ohm with a FiiO e5 amp and a Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium. Never heard of the D2000 but I'll check them out too.

I don't have experience with Beyer headphones, but the DT990 seem to be slightly better for what you look for. They are a step up from the Creative Aurvana Live in both price and performance. Though, I'd recommend you drive them through a better amp, like a PA2V2 or a Fiio E11.

In the end, it's all about how much your want to spend