Quality open air headphones for gaming and other media - Page 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Incrementum 

Here's what I have so far:

 

Sennheiser HD 598 - http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-598-Headphones-Accents/dp/B0042A8CW2/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1351033170&sr=1-1&keywords=hd+598

 

Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Sound Card - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102043

 

FiiO E11 Portable Amplifier - http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier-Accessory/dp/B004QVPGXK/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1351033116&sr=1-2&keywords=fiio+e11

 

I'm guessing I will be able to get 5.1 surround sound with the sound card and it should also be sufficient without an external DAC.  Will I be able to play all games in 5.1 or do only certain games that support that feature?

Looks good to me.

If you're not completely sold over on the look of the 598, just get the 558 and open them up and remove the tape on the inside of the grill..  There are a few reviews stating this brings them up to sounding quite similar to the 598.   I've never A/Bed the two, but it's a definite improvement over an already decent headphone in the 558.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Incrementum 

I actually happen to love the look of the 598.  That's probably half the reason I want it lol.

 

Not to be paranoid here, but am I missing anything?  Is there anything I need to be aware of in my build (couple posts up) that will lower the sound quality?  I really just want to get the best out of the 598s for gaming and movies.

If you got the Fiio E17 (Wolfson WM8740 DAC) and plugged it into the Titanium's optical output, sound quality should be better, but that's $80 more then the Fiio E11

The SMSL SD-793II comes with the PCM1793 DAC chip and is about the same price as the E11.

But you should be fairly happy with the choice you have already made.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Incrementum 

This is probably a nooby question but why do you recommend the SMSL SD-793II over the E11?  Is the DAC better than my sound card?

The SMSL SD-793II comes with the PCM1793 DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) chip that should be better then the Titanium (non-HD) DAC chip.

and the SMSL 793II is AC powered, so no battery issues.

But chances are the Fiio E11 headphone amplifier is a better amp. then the 793II amp.

Also no matter what you have settled on, I'll always will throw another idea at you for something else, that's just me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Incrementum 

Is there a noticeable difference between the normal Titanium and the Titanium HD?

 

Also am I going to be able to get some decent bass out of the HD 598?  Obviously not sub-woofer style but at least a little oomph when listening to electronic music.  Something that's at least a little satisfying and not a disappointment.

May not be a full heavy bass, but it will come across as a quality bass.

The over all sound quality of the HD598 should override any minor imperfections you "might" have in the bass.

I like the bass on my HD558 just fine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Incrementum 

Is there a noticeable difference between the normal Titanium and the Titanium HD?

 

Also am I going to be able to get some decent bass out of the HD 598?  Obviously not subwoofer style but at least a little oomph when listening to electronic music.  Something that's at least a little satisfying and not a disappointment.

HideousPride: "The lack of bass described by some of the members is (in my opinion of course) exaggerated. I enjoy a touch of bass to my music and blast bass in my car when I want to groove while driving, so don't think I'm a treblehead. It was my fear when I bought the headphones as well that there'd be a huge lack of bass and that I wouldn't be able to listen to hip hop/EDM out of the phones and enjoy. This was not the case. Lupe Fiasco and Brave Brothers on the 598s hit hard and get the point across. I won't say it has an abundance of bass if that's your thing, but it's certainly not excessively lacking." 

The HD-598 reproduces bass quite accurately for the most part. The subbass could have been more emphasized, since headphones by design only affect the ear and not the whole cavity of the body (in real life you can feel the rumble, not just hear it). Otherwise, it is an extremely neutral headphone, which is hardly what most dynamic headphones can boast regardless of price range. The midrange and soundstage/ imaging on the HD598 are unsurpassed from all the cans - which include all major dynamic headphones - I've auditioned. The bass and treble are amazing in their own right. 

If you want quality open air headphones with good bass then you owe it to yourself to check out the beyerdynamic dt 990 pro. Suits what you're looking for right down to the ground and it's within budget.

As far as the amp goes, you don't really need much more than the Fiio E7 alone but if you're going to get a sound card I'd recommend thee Asus Xonar Essence. It has the 3D stuff, is a very good DAC and it's got some great features like 24bit 192khz upscaling playback.