Okay, so the Soundblaster Z is a bad choice? As I've mentioned, even with the stock motherboard sound card the volume is way louder than I need it to be. I keep it under 10, and usually turn it down in applications too. Does that have anything to do with impedance? EDIT: Okay I just reread your...

Thanks for the response. Well, in terms of impedance and the headphones, I've actually noticed that my headphones are already really loud coming straight out of the motherboard. I have to keep the volume down at like <10, or else it gets too loud. Also, I tried the Razer Surround software, and...

Hi all So after some struggles, I got these headphones to be comfortable for me. Now I'm wondering about improving their sound quality. I'm a big gamer, and of course I love to listen to music as well, so I'm wondering if I should get a DAC or a sound card. I need to have surround sound ability...

I've got a questions about a getting a DAC for these headphones. I have the k551, and so it has a microphone, and I'm wondering if the microphone would still work with a DAC. Are there any that can do that?

Wow. Okay. I am extremely impressed. So I was quite skeptical of this mod when I first read about it. I guess I'm a bit of purist, so the idea of "tainting my headphones with a non-typical mod" frightened me, haha. I'd also started to discredit the headphones in my head, because I figured that...

Alright, I'll try both the things with the rubber bands and the headband in the pads. Until then, though, I'd like to mention that at this point I'm okay with getting open-back as long as they are comfortable.

Okay, thanks. I guess I'll not bother with those then. Any more suggestions? As I mentioned, I'm interested in the Philips Fidelio X1. I have less than a week left until I can return these, so I'm getting a bit anxious. EDIT: I think the main thing is depth. The other day I was staying up late...

Unfortunately it appears that those are all closer to $300 than I would prefer. I've been eyeing the Philips Fidelio X1, can anyone compare? Especially ear pad measurements?

Wait, I'm not talking about the sound of the AKG k551; I'm quite happy with their quality. The fit and comfort is what I'm concerned about.

Bumping once again. The last date I can return these is April 10th, so I'm getting a bit anxious on what to do.

So I'm bumping this again; I was reading some more, and according to this comment, the LCD-2 or LCD-3 ear pads fit the k550/551 perfectly. However, once again, with the $80 price tag I have to wonder if I would be better off returning my pair for $200 and getting something better for about $280...

Apparently they are the kind that wrap around the earpad, so to remove them you have to kind of push them out from the inside of the ear pad. The OP of the AKG K550 thread shows what I mean: http://www.head-fi.org/t/613707/the-akg-k550-appreciation-discussion-thread

Bumping this for more opinions. I've fallen victim to that thing people do where they over research and then become a mess of conflicting feelings. The more I look around, the more I feel like for my needs the AKG 551/550 is pretty much perfect. It's just a pity because, as I said, my ears are...

Actually, I haven't gotten any of those yet. I plan on it, but I'm somewhat lost when it comes to DAC/amps and sound cards. I don't want to spend too much on an accessory as well, but of course I do want to be able to harness the full ability of whatever headphones I decide to settle on...

Alright, thanks. I just did one of the most unusual things I've ever done in my life and actually measured my ear, which is a very numerically convenient length of 7 centimeters; this is from the top down to the earlobe, at the natural angle (as in, not straight up and down).  hope that...