[Sugi]

I am looking into a pair of open back headphones, but I don't mind looking at close can as well. I listen to techno, trance, dance, and softer vocal music.  I just want something that good within my price range, I am quite unsatisfied with my past purchases Razer Megalodon and Nokia BH-905i. I also have the Koss Portapro.
 
Currently, I am looking at Grado SR80i and Sennheiser HD 598. Quite a difference in price and I am not too sure which one has better audio quality for my taste in music.
 
It will also be used with my computer, so I'll just add a mod mic by AntLion soon after I buy a pair of headphones.  I am also interested into a sound card, PCIx interface for my computer as all I have right now is the onboard audio. I like RTS, RPG/MMOs, and some FPS type games. Do I need an amp for this setup, it would be nice to have a small portable one for my phone, Galaxy S II.  I can spend around $100 on the sound card and amp. I believe anything more just wouldn't be worth it for me.
 
I am really excited over the HD 598 for it's sound quality and well, it's design. However, I rather get my money's worth then a nice design.
 
Edit: I do have some background noise, but it's not loud at all. My setup is in living room with my girlfriend that watches TV about 30 feet away with a wall of computer stuff between us. How clear will it be for her to hear my music and games sitting next to me? Would I bug her with my sounds?  I used to use my Koss Portapro with my computer and that wasn't a problem at all.
 
 
Need:
-Headphones for $200ish
-Listen to techno, trance, dance, and softer vocal music
-What sound card should I get & AMP [within $100]
 
Thank you for reading this wall of text.

 

[PurpleAngel]

For a low cost setup.
Technical Pro HPT990 (Takstar Hi2050) headphones, $50
Asus Xonar DGX sound card, $40

 

[fabio-fi]

I'd consider the Ultrasone Pro550 + the Xonar dg mentioned previously. 
(the takstar look almost like beyers, but i dont know much about them)

 

[MalVeauX]

Heya,
 
Sounds to me like you better go closed-back, not open-air. It will be very clear to everyone within 2 rooms of you that you're listening to something. They're small speakers that just blast into the room when there's no isolation. Also, based on your music genres, I would not touch the HD598 unless you just enjoy electronic music with a thin bassless sound. Personally I don't; but just throwing that out there in case you like some good bass.
 
Suggestions:
 
Brainwavz HM5
Beyer DT770 PRO 80ohm
AudioTechnica A900X
Denon D2000 (used)
Ultrasone PRO 750
 
On an Asus Xonar DG soundcard, or if you can, a simple Fiio E10 USB DAC/AMP instead.
 
Very best,

 

[Sugi]

Thanks for the suggestions guys!  I am also interested in watching movies on this headphones, does this change the recommendations at all?  Also, if I get a sound card, then I would not need a AMP? It's one or the other right?
 
I think I'll go with a close back then to not disturbed others. I am thinking about buying the DT 770 Pro.
 
Edit: After reading some reviews over these headphones, I am a bit worried the bass is going to be a bit weak. I think DT 770 80Ohm or the new 600Ohm would be the best. I heard the new 600Ohm has the same bass as the 80. Does this mean the 600Ohm would be a better buy then?  Could someone provide a link to the new 600Ohm? Please advise if I am mistaken.
http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-770-PRO-80-ohms/dp/B0016MNAAI/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1348851194&sr=1-1&keywords=DT+770+PRO+80
 
Claiming the new 600Ohm has the same bass as the 80Ohm
http://www.head-fi.org/t/513393/guide-sonic-differences-between-dt770-dt990-models-more

 

[KCxSmacker]

Quote:

Heya,
 
Sounds to me like you better go closed-back, not open-air. It will be very clear to everyone within 2 rooms of you that you're listening to something. They're small speakers that just blast into the room when there's no isolation. Also, based on your music genres, I would not touch the HD598 unless you just enjoy electronic music with a thin bassless sound. Personally I don't; but just throwing that out there in case you like some good bass.
 
Suggestions:
 
Brainwavz HM5
Beyer DT770 PRO 80ohm
AudioTechnica A900X
Denon D2000 (used)
Ultrasone PRO 750
 
On an Asus Xonar DG soundcard, or if you can, a simple Fiio E10 USB DAC/AMP instead.
 
Very best,

+1 to the dt770s and d2000s if you can. I would say Asus Xonar DG for the 3d software for gaming purposes. The fiio would be an amazing pick if you find yourself getting more into music. I know I did as soon as I found head-fi asking the same question you are today. 

 

[PurpleAngel]

There is a Beyerdynamic DT770 Premium 250-ohm for sale in the "Headphones for Sale" thread for $115 + Paypal and shipping costs.
The headband is worn out and needs replacing.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/628455/beyer-dt-770-premium-250-still-available-sennheiser-hd-25-ii-sold
 
Maybe get the Asus Xonar Essence STX sound card also.

 

[Sugi]

PurpleAngel, I am interested in good bass. Wouldn't the 80Ohm version or the updated 600Ohm be a better purchases for me?
 
KCxSmacker, Is the PCIx version an ok alternative? I think the Asus Xonar Essence STX is a bit out of my range for now.
The Asus Xonar DGX?
 
http://www.amazon.com/Xonar-DGX-PCI-E-GX2-5-Engine/dp/B007TMZ1BK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1348860368&sr=8-2&keywords=Asus+Xonar+DG+soundcard

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

PurpleAngel, I am interested in good bass. Wouldn't the 80Ohm version or the updated 600Ohm be a better purchases for me?
 
KCxSmacker, Is the PCIx version an ok alternative? I think the Asus Xonar Essence STX is a bit out of my range for now.
The Asus Xonar DGX?
 
http://www.amazon.com/Xonar-DGX-PCI-E-GX2-5-Engine/dp/B007TMZ1BK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1348860368&sr=8-2&keywords=Asus+Xonar+DG+soundcard

The DT770 Premium 600-Ohm is over you budget.
($300 budget for headphones and sound card).
I like the sound of the DT770 250-Ohm a little better then the 80-Ohm.
The Asus Xonar DGX's headphone amplifier is almost maxed out using 250-ohm headphones.
I

 

[Sugi]

PurpleAngel,
Excuse me if this is a simple answer, but how do I tell if something is backed out by a sound card? Would the 60Ohm max out that sound card?

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

PurpleAngel,
Excuse me if this is a simple answer, but how do I tell if something is backed out by a sound card? Would the 60Ohm max out that sound card?

"backed out", guess you mean maxed out, like when you turn the volume knob all the way up to hear the sound decently.
Unless you have a second amplifier to compare, or are really familar with the headphone, guess you can not really tell.
A 60-Ohm headphone would not max out the Xonar DGX.

 

[Sugi]

PurpleAngel, would you recommend another sound card with the 250Ohm? Does you prefer a lighter bass then? I read the 60Ohm has the best bass out of all of them? Would you explain why you prefer 250Ohm over the 80Ohm? 600Ohm better then all of them? Is this why the price tag is higher?

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

PurpleAngel, would you recommend another sound card with the 250Ohm? Does you prefer a lighter bass then? I read the 60Ohm has the best bass out of all of them? Would you explain why you prefer 250Ohm over the 80Ohm? 600Ohm better then all of them? Is this why the price tag is higher?

There are lots of 60-Ohm headphones around, are you referring to the Technical Pro HPT990?
The DT770 250-Ohm to me has a little more clarity then the DT770 80-Ohm
The 600-Ohm versions (Beyer) are slightly better all around then the (Beyer) 250-Ohm.
The Essence ST & STX are about the best in sound cards for driving headphones.

 

[Sugi]

Excuse me for the confusion yesterday.
80Ohm version
http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-770-PRO-80-ohms/dp/B0016MNAAI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348930134&sr=8-1&keywords=dt+770+pro+80
250Ohm
http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-770-PRO-250-ohms/dp/B0006NL5SM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1348930134&sr=8-2&keywords=dt+770+pro+80
 
This is the information regarding 600-Ohm version of DT 770 Pro.
Quote:

[size=10.0pt]- 600Ohm[/size]

This is the best model of this headphone available. It has very smooth treble in comparison to the other Ohm models and is even more extended and detailed. The treble also no longer seems to trample over the other frequencies, but is more integrated with them. The midrange on this headphone is far better than the other Ohm DT770 models. Because the treble has been smoothed out and toned down a little bit, the midrange has made a nice appearance and is also very transparent sounding with lots of detail. The mids are just right in my mind on this phone and the best of the DT770 line. Now the bass on these is full, has nice texture, and has more weight to it. It’s definitely more pronounced than its 250Ohm counterpart. Also the bass is much faster sounding on this model and is also deeper sounding as well. The soundstage is also bigger than the other three models and possesses nice depth, width, and height.
 

Also there seems to be another variation of the 600Ohm model floating around which has just as much bass as the 80Ohm model. I have heard the new 600Ohm model first hand and it sounds incredibly similar to the muddy sounding 80Ohm version. The new version is very tight in the bass and does not have that overly boomy sound to it's bass, well it does bu not as bad. The treble is no longer smeared and the mids don't sound as cluttered.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/513393/guide-sonic-differences-between-dt770-dt990-models-more
 
 
 
Edit! Everyone, Thank you so much for the help. I have learned so much in the past week! I went ahead and bought the 250-Ohm version of the DT 770 PRO and also got the Xonar DGX 5.1 sound card. Hopefully, I will see it this friday or so.
 
Thanks again everyone!

 

[KCxSmacker]

Quote:

Excuse me for the confusion yesterday.
80Ohm version
http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-770-PRO-80-ohms/dp/B0016MNAAI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348930134&sr=8-1&keywords=dt+770+pro+80
250Ohm
http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-770-PRO-250-ohms/dp/B0006NL5SM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1348930134&sr=8-2&keywords=dt+770+pro+80
 
This is the information regarding 600-Ohm version of DT 770 Pro.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/513393/guide-sonic-differences-between-dt770-dt990-models-more
 
 
 
Edit! Everyone, Thank you so much for the help. I have learned so much in the past week! I went ahead and bought the 250-Ohm version of the DT 770 PRO and also got the Xonar DGX 5.1 sound card. Hopefully, I will see it this friday or so.
 
Thanks again everyone!

some good choices. If you dont see the sound card work well enough to power them you can always send the sound card back and get a better one. That or send the 770s back for the 80 ohm version. I would go for the better sound card. But hopefully the soundcard you got will work wonders. Grats to getting some amazing sounding headphones !