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Need setup upgrade recommendation

post #1 of 13
2/7/12 at 6:32am
Thread Starter 

Currently using a laptop with onboard sound card (Realtek ALC272) with Fiio E10 with Superlux HD668b. I'm thinking to upgrade my current setup so it will sound better at music and gaming and perhaps at movie also. Games I play are mostly shooter games either  first person shooter or third person (lots of gunshots, explosions, correct 3D imaging of footsteps, etc.).

 

As for the music, mostly I listen to Rock, Metal, Post-hardcore, Progressive, Acoustic, Pop, and sometimes electronic music (e.g. Pink Floyd, Ottmar Liebert, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Thrice, Thursday, Rise Against, DJ Tiesto, Deadmau5, the list goes on).

 

As I'm studying overseas and will come back to my country once I finished my studies, I need something that's easy to carry in case I'm moving back. My current room is also limited in the term of space.

 

What should I purchase or improve assuming that I don't want to spend more than $300?


Edited by ivantoar - 2/7/12 at 12:09pm
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post #2 of 13
2/7/12 at 10:24am

Going from the SuperLux to something like the Audio Technica ATH-M50 may be a good option.  It is a cheap way to improve on your listening experience.  The SuperLux is an open can which is not always the best for gaming especially FPS.  A sealed can will give you better detail due to the prevention of outside noise like your CPU fan or other environmental factors.

 

For slightly less you could go with the Sony MDR-ZX700 which come in around $120 or less.

 

Both are a great choice and are a simply, but affective way to improve on the sound.

 

Best of luck!

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post #3 of 13
2/7/12 at 10:45am
Thread Starter 

Sound isolation is not a problem since my house is really quiet and I can compensate noise, if any, by turning up the volume. So if there's any open type headphones that suits my need, you can list them in please :) Because I heard that open type headphones will give me wider sound stage for the trade of isolation quality (CMIIW). I'm willing to sacrifice isolation for sound stage as I'm in a quiet environment :)

 

So, is there no need to purchase any amp, DAC, sound cards, or any other sound related gear? Do I just need to buy better headphones to get "easy/effective" sound quality improvements based on my setup and needs?

 

Thank you for your suggestion.

 

Anyway, updated the first post with the music genre that I usually listen to.


Edited by ivantoar - 2/7/12 at 10:50am
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post #4 of 13
2/7/12 at 12:05pm

I think a good addition would be the Sennheiser HD-518 paired with the FiiO E7 DAC.  You already have a decent headphone amp, the FiiO E9, so pairing it up wit the E7 DAC is a natural choice.  The DAC should definitely improve the sound over your soundcard and mate very well with the E9 already in use.

 

Cost:

$130 HD-518

 

$75 FiiO E7

---------------------

Totals: $205 which is only $5 more than your budget and the increase in audio quality should be noticeable.

 

 

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post #5 of 13
2/7/12 at 12:11pm
Thread Starter 

I'm so sorry I mistyped E10 to E9. I didn't own Fiio E9, I owned a Fiio E10.

 

4 AM here that's why I'm making mistakes.

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post #6 of 13
2/7/12 at 4:20pm

I would spend as much as you can on a good set of headphones.  That will make a really big difference for you going from the SuperLux to something else.

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post #7 of 13
2/7/12 at 7:12pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by NA Blur View Post

I would spend as much as you can on a good set of headphones.  That will make a really big difference for you going from the SuperLux to something else.



Now I get it. Headphones comes first then. How about the law of diminishing return on headphone, how much is my optimal spending for headphone assuming that I don't really have sensitive ears? Because if a $500 can only has minimal difference with $300 can, I'd just go for $300...

 

Do I need better sound card, DAC or headphone amp after all?


Edited by ivantoar - 2/7/12 at 7:33pm
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post #8 of 13
2/7/12 at 8:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ivantoar View Post
Now I get it. Headphones comes first then. How about the law of diminishing return on headphone, how much is my optimal spending for headphone assuming that I don't really have sensitive ears? Because if a $500 can only has minimal difference with $300 can, I'd just go for $300...

Do I need better sound card, DAC or headphone amp after all?

The Superlux HD668B (64-Ohm) are bassy headphones, at least that is how i remember them before mine stopped working.

Sennheiser HD598s (50-Ohm) may have slightly less bass, but should be an over all improvement over the HD-668Bs,

The E10 should do fairly well powering the HD-598s.

Fischer Audio FA-011 (160-Ohm) have good feedback and I'm guessing will work with the E10.

Wonder if the AKG Q701s (62-Ohm) will work with the E10?
 

 

 


Edited by PurpleAngel - 2/7/12 at 11:07pm
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post #9 of 13
2/7/12 at 9:46pm

I think for your needs stay under the $350 range for headphones.  There are many great headphones in that range.  Anything from the Beyer DT880, DT990, Denon AH-D2000, AKG Q701, and the Sennheiser HD-598 to name a few.

 

I think the Sennheiser HD-598 is a great headphone, but you may want to get away from Sennheiser just to experience a different sound signature.

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post #10 of 13
2/7/12 at 10:27pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by NA Blur View Post

I think for your needs stay under the $350 range for headphones.  There are many great headphones in that range.  Anything from the Beyer DT880, DT990, Denon AH-D2000, AKG Q701, and the Sennheiser HD-598 to name a few.

 

I think the Sennheiser HD-598 is a great headphone, but you may want to get away from Sennheiser just to experience a different sound signature.

Quote:
Originally Posted by PurpleAngel View Post

The Superlux HD668B (64-Ohm) are bassy headphones, at least that is how i remember them before they stopped working.

Sennheiser HD598s (50-Ohm) may have slightly less bass, but should be an over all improvement over the HD-668Bs,

The E10 should do fairly well powering the HD-598s.

Fischer Audio FA-011 (160-Ohm) have good feedback and I'm guessing will work with the E10.

Wonder if the AKG Q701s (62-Ohm) will work with the E10?

 

Does Sennheiser HD598 have similar sound signature from Superlux HD668b? I'll compare them and do some searching for 598 and FA-011. Thanks for your suggestions.

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post #11 of 13
2/8/12 at 12:47pm

You can see for yourself what will change going from the 668B SuperLux to the 598 below.

 

668B Charts

http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/SuperluxHD668B.pdf

 

598 Charts

http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/SennheiserHD598.pdf

 

The big differences being the 598 having a smoother transition into the mid range from the bass, the 598 will have less bite in the treble and not sound quite as harsh, and the 30Hz square wave reveals that the 668B struggles with bass harmonics.  The 598 also does better handling harmonics of 300Hz seen in the 300Hz square wave response.  The 668B has a ton of wiggles in the function, while the 598 is much cleaner.

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post #12 of 13
2/8/12 at 6:43pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by NA Blur View Post

You can see for yourself what will change going from the 668B SuperLux to the 598 below.

 

668B Charts

http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/SuperluxHD668B.pdf

 

598 Charts

http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/SennheiserHD598.pdf

 

The big differences being the 598 having a smoother transition into the mid range from the bass, the 598 will have less bite in the treble and not sound quite as harsh, and the 30Hz square wave reveals that the 668B struggles with bass harmonics.  The 598 also does better handling harmonics of 300Hz seen in the 300Hz square wave response.  The 668B has a ton of wiggles in the function, while the 598 is much cleaner.



I see, so the 668B is "brighter" than HD598? What's harmonics by the way? How do I compare headphones using those graphs?

 

I've been reading a lot of good praise of  SRH840 or Audio Technicas which is usually recommended here. How about them?

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post #13 of 13
3/8/12 at 2:53am

I haven't tried any grado's before but from what I've seen around here, it seems like people tend to especially appreciate grado for rock.  I'd suggest looking into reviews and info on some grado headphones as well since they might be a viable option.

 

edit: Whoa, somehow landed on this post and didn't realize it's a month old.  Sorry for the necro-res.


Edited by drgnclwk - 3/8/12 at 2:54am
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