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About to buy my first pair of audiophile cans.. need advice.. unique requirements sort of (please!!)

post #1 of 17
1/22/12 at 8:47pm
Thread Starter 

I listen mostly to trance, hip hop, and inception type music, with some metal in there.

 

I'm looking for closed headphones, with good bass (not basshead amounts), good soundstage for gaming (I play BF3/CS a lot), movies, and regular gaming such as Skyrim.

 

The unique aspect of my requirement is that I want to wear these to the gym; only for lifting weights, not for cardio. I don't do any lifts that make me move around a lot, so for the gym the important requirement is that they isolate noise.

 

I'll be using my iphone and my onboard audio from my Z68 motherboard.

 

My budget is $200.

 

I'm planning on ordering today (1/23), and so far my choices are split between Ultrasone HFI-780 ($155), and  Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro ($200).

 

I'm heavily leaning towards the 780's because they're nearly $50 cheaper with what seems to be similar bass levels, good enough soundstage for gaming, and good noise isolation. I don't see the point in paying an additional $50 for the DT 770 Pros.. is there any reason to?

 

And if there's a better option out there, can you guys please let me know? I'd prefer options that have a lot of reviews and are widely renowned for their performance.. instead of people's individual experiences with less popular headsets.

 

Thanks.

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post #2 of 17
1/22/12 at 10:52pm
Thread Starter 

On second thought I just looked at the V-Moda M-80 - How would this be for fps games and my other requirements?

 

Seems like it's a really comfortable portable headphone with balanced sound, good bass, ok noise isolation, and good soundstage? Anyone have experience with fps gaming with the M-80?

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post #3 of 17
1/23/12 at 7:13am

 

Quote:
I'm planning on ordering today (1/23), and so far my choices are split between Ultrasone HFI-780 ($155), and  Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro ($200).

 

Imo, i prefer the HFi780 to the DT770pro, but if you want a big soundstage for gaming, the DT770pro ll be better.

 

In Europe, the HFi780 is more expensive than the DT770pro and i find that 200$ is expensive for the simple DT770pro. 155$ for the HFi780 is an excellent price imo.

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post #4 of 17
1/23/12 at 9:50am

Went Beyer DT770 Pro 80. I was that close to buy the HFI780/PRO900, and tried them both. Unless you want a surreal representation of literally anything, don't go Ultrasone. If not, DT770 Pro, never regret that choice when shooting zombies up with it.

 

*lol one missing word and all messed up


Edited by AlfredWong - 1/23/12 at 10:45am
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post #5 of 17
1/23/12 at 10:07am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlfredWong View Post

Went Beyer DT770 Pro 80. I was that close to buy the HFI780/PRO900, and tried them both. Unless you want a surreal representation of literally anything, go Ultrasone. If not, DT770 Pro, never regret that choice when shooting zombies up with it.



Don't really understand your review.. unreal representation of anything with the Ultrasones? Doesn't that make them better than the DT770's? Why did you pick the DT's?

 

How is the M-80 in comparison to both of these?

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post #6 of 17
1/23/12 at 10:41am

Basically he is saying if you want something to be ACCURATE, do not buy Ultrasone.

 

Honestly I think you need to upgrade your source first.  I'd rather spring for a good amp/dac first.  Depending on what you want USB ones can be found for cheap, Mobos are the worst offenders for static and i/o noise.

 

You'd be surpised how well a $20 soundcard can sound in comparison.

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post #7 of 17
1/23/12 at 10:51am

lol added back the missing word. However I love to plug my Ultrasone DJ-1 into anything, and since the surreal representation is so crazily awesome everythings sounds good in some way (though HFI780 is definitely too much of it). One thing to bear in mind, DT770 Pro act as a pro monitor headphone from time to time and would be much more sensitive to your source. Yet it's definitely worth it.

 

Another factor you must consider is comfort. Unlike the Pro line, the HFI line uses cheaper leather ear pad and the clamp force is much less than pleasant, forcing you to take some rest every half an hour. It's also annoyingly moving 'round whenever I tilt my head. With the Beyer I can shoot zombies up for a straight 4 hrs session without any fatigue or fuss, and it's made in Germany. Das ist German Engineering in da haus.


Edited by AlfredWong - 1/23/12 at 10:58am
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post #8 of 17
1/23/12 at 11:00am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by skeeder View Post

Basically he is saying if you want something to be ACCURATE, do not buy Ultrasone.

 

Honestly I think you need to upgrade your source first.  I'd rather spring for a good amp/dac first.  Depending on what you want USB ones can be found for cheap, Mobos are the worst offenders for static and i/o noise.

 

You'd be surpised how well a $20 soundcard can sound in comparison.



I plan on getting the 80 ohm version of the DT770 if I get it.. can't afford a soundcard yet, the tax on the DT770 makes it $215 :(



Quote:
Originally Posted by AlfredWong View Post

lol added back the missing word. However I love to plug my Ultrasone DJ-1 into anything, and since the surreal representation is so crazily awesome everythings sounds good in some way (though HFI780 is definitely too much of it). One thing to bear in mind, DT770 Pro act as a pro monitor headphone from time to time and would be much more sensitive to your source. Yet it's definitely worth it.

 

Another factor you must consider is comfort. Unlike the Pro line, the HFI line uses cheaper leather ear pad and the clamp force is much less than pleasant, forcing you to take some resr every half an hour. It's also annoyingly moving around when I tilt my head. With the Beyer I can shoot zombies up for a straight 4 hrs session without any fatigue or fuss, and it's made in Germany. German Engineering in da haus.


Seems like the DT770 pro is the top choice..

 

However, my only other choice of headphones was the vmoda m-80.. it looks really good, has the portability, bass, etc, but I just don't know how it is for gaming.. does it have a good enough soundstage for fps games?

 

 

 

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post #9 of 17
1/23/12 at 11:10am

Was comparing the DT770 with the T1, and I say at $215 that's a steal. Heck you're getting it cheaper than I do.

 

I am curious on the V Moda too. Yes it's an on ear phone which is more portable, but would probably result in a less comfy feeling than over ear phones.

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post #10 of 17
1/23/12 at 11:16am

You're going to love the dt770 pro 80's, they are undoubtedly incredible headphones for your genres of musical taste. They'll need a damn good amp though, because without one they'll sound good to the average Joe, but they can get so much better overall.

- From your iPod, you're not going to be very encouraged with the sound output, they'll get about as loud as a stern talking voice, the iPod simply doesn't have enough power to make the headphones decently loud.

Ultimately, your unique requirement of using it at the gym would make them utterly ridiculous in my opinion.

Not only would the velour cushions on the ears get quite disgusting with any/all sweat, they Beyers you have in mind have a cord that you and a friend could probably do jumping jacks with. 

My 2 cents would favor you getting two pairs, instead of a do it all.

Maybe koss portapros for gym (with a lifetime warranty).

 

And the Beyers for some incredible gaming/at home listening.

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post #11 of 17
1/23/12 at 11:19am

Wow I've skipped the gym part. I am using DTX100 for that and I'm doing all cardio. Heck I kinda feel like a Beyer salesman, and they should hire me.

 

Before all those Beyer I was loyally using Sennheiser MX580/HD595/HD650/PX 200 ii =)

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post #12 of 17
1/23/12 at 11:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlfredWong View Post

Wow I've skipped the gym part. I am using DTX100 for that and I'm doing all cardio. Heck I kinda feel like a Beyer salesman, and they should hire me.

 

Before all those Beyer I was loyally using Sennheiser MX580/HD595/HD650/PX 200 ii =)



Haha, you're going from German to German!

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post #13 of 17
1/23/12 at 12:19pm
Thread Starter 

How would the m-80's be? The only thing I'm worried about is that they won't have enough soundstage for fps gaming.

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post #14 of 17
1/24/12 at 9:36am

You are really giving a lot of credit to the makers of sound systems in gaming.  Personally most games have a relatively flat sound (thanks to the move from Wav's to MP3's about 10 years ago).  Really most of those effects (EAX whatnot) will not be noticed based on the cans on your head.  The best cans I had with an AMAZING soundstage was the K701's (which might be a good choice after an amp), and I couldn't tell you gaming sounded any different over the HD600's or my KSC75's for that matter.

 

 

 

 

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post #15 of 17
1/24/12 at 9:39am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by skeeder View Post

You are really giving a lot of credit to the makers of sound systems in gaming.  Personally most games have a relatively flat sound (thanks to the move from Wav's to MP3's about 10 years ago).  Really most of those effects (EAX whatnot) will not be noticed based on the cans on your head.  The best cans I had with an AMAZING soundstage was the K701's (which might be a good choice after an amp), and I couldn't tell you gaming sounded any different over the HD600's or my KSC75's for that matter.

 

 

 

 

 

Interesting.. BF3 is the only FPS I'm concerned about.

 

I have 3 uses for the headphones I want to buy: FPS gaming, regular gaming & movies, and gym usage.

 

I was considering getting the D2000's for FPS/gaming/movies and trying them out in the gym. $285

 

OR

 

I was considering getting the AD700 for FPS and the M-80 for gaming/movies/gym. $310

 

 

Which would be the better option? I'm just worried that the D2000's are too big for the gym and that they have that screw problem, and the pair I'm buying might not be under warranty as I'm buying them from a seller on Amazon. Amazon is a listed dealer for Denon, but I'm not sure about their sellers.

 

Furthermore I'm not sure if I could use an E5 for the AD700 to boost bass a little, and whether or not the M-80 is good enough for movies/games/gym.


 

 

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