I've been seriously considering getting an Astro mixamp 5.8 and a nice set of headphones (up to $550). I don't have a lot of experience in high end headphones, but I have owned Westone UM1's and currently have a set of Westone 3's. In addition I have also looked into purchasing a portable headphone amp (emmeline p-51 mustang for example), but I always seem to have other things that are more important to spend my money on.
This is my current receiver:
http://nadelectronics.com/products/av-receivers/T-747-A/V-Surround-Sound-Receiver
In addition I have a PS3 to play games such as modern warfare/bioshock/MK9, and I use PS3 media server to stream music from my laptop. I am also moving all of my movies and music to an eternal harddrive enclosed in a thermaltake case that will run through my oppo bdp93 http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-93/ via Esata.
Musically I mainly listen to electronica, industrial, rock, metal, mixed in with some Madonna, Roger Waters, Floyd, Beck, Phish
Now...for the future.
My current budget is around 350$, but I may have a way to get a pair of $550 headphones at the same cost so I need a few opinions at both price levels.
I plan on using a clip on mic for gaming rather than getting the beyerdynamic mmx300.
I would like to be able to listen to movies, and music with the astro mixamp while doing other projects in the house, but if I can't get the most out of the headphones because of the limitations of the Mixamp (which I have read in a few threads) I would much rather have it wired to my NAD reciever. I will more likely be stationary, but the idea of moving around the house while listening to music is a plus.
The ability to produce positional effects will also be important for Ps3 gaming, and computer gaming (Counter-strike Source)
The reason for the title of this thread is that I want these headphones to be able to handle the explosion at the end of the song. I have the album via vinyl rip and the Gold cd pressing in FLAC.
I would prefer that the sound not leak from the headphones so I don't disturb others if I use them in public or around family members, but if that will degrade the audio quality i'm willing to be "forever alone"
Someone please point me in a few directions. If there are some reviews/websites that people have used to make a decision I would love to see them.
***one of the other reasons that I would prefer to go wireless is that I have two 100 lb. dobermans that get to running around downstairs where the home theater is and I don't want them running through the cord that is extended from the reciever, thereby damaging the wired connections. I know that some have detachable cables (that could be replace) but I'm leery of possible problems with loose attachment/connection***
Leaning toward Beyerdynamic dt880, but i've seen opinions that it doesn't work well with the Astro Mixamp.
Edited by MustangVxD - 12/12/11 at 2:25pm
