Best Headphones for Music listening and gaming ($200)?

[PacMac]

Hey Guys, this is my first time posting here on Head-fi and I need your guys opinion on what headphones should I buy for under $200.

• Will be using them mostly for gaming, watching movies and listening to music. (FLAC, Spotify)
• I already have a DAC/AMP (Fx Audio Dac-X6)
• I am currently using the SHP9500S and Hyper x Cloud
• If it helps, I mostly listen to Pop, J-pop, Electro swing, EDM
• Open or Closed doesn't really concern me because I mainly be using these at home.

I tried the DT990, DT770, M50X/40X, AKG K240, V-Moda LP, and the Sony MDR7506 at my local Guitar Center.

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

• DT990: They sound really good. They have a V- Shape Sound Signature to them which makes them a "Fun to listen" Headphone. I didn't really find them strident on the highs ( I'm 15 and have good hearing), in fact I actually find them quite clear and transparent. Sound stage is Superb, way better than my SHP9500S.
• DT770: Similar to the DT990's, they have a strong V-shape sound and a punchier, deeper bass than the DT990 but they don't really sound natural to me. I guess its because the Low end seeps in to the low-mids like Kool-Aid man.
• M50X/40X: These headphones sound Very similar to each other, in my ears anyways. They both sound good but the M50X I.M.O. has NO sound stage to them. M40X on the other hand they sound rather balanced and has sound stage (Shp9500s are wider IMO) than the former. But then again they sound really close to each other.
• AKG K240: Mid-centric. A meh IMO
• V-Moda LP: Dropped them for the 1st 15 seconds of listening to these BASS monsters. Too much bass for my taste.
• Sony MDR7506: Clarity of these are great. They emphasize on the mids and highs and they have good sound stage for a closed back.

Other headphones that I'm considering

• HD598
• AKG K612

I only listened to them for 30 minutes and I genuinely want a second opinion on them before pulling the trigger. I'm leaning towards to the DT990. But then again I've only listened to them for a short period of time. I'm curious about the AKG K7XX but I kind of don't want to gamble and getting them because the AKG's are massdrop exclusive and I'm not really sure about their return policy if I didn't like them.

Or do you guys recommend a different set of cans? Lemme know my dudes!!!

Thanks guys In advance for posting and Happy Halloween

 

[YJX94]

Honestly if the DT 990 is what you like the most and the treble doesn't hurt your ears then I say go for them, they're fantastic all-rounders and they're fun.

My number 1 recommendation for someone with a Mid-Fi budget will always be the AKG K712 Pro but that's outside of your chosen budget. The HD 598 is great for the reasons you listed as well, it's Neutral and it has a big soundstage with accurate imaging and it's also a great all-rounder.

I also recommend that you take a look at the ATH-AD900X, big soundstage with accurate imaging but it's very bass-lite so it doesn't really make for a fun headphone for music and movies so it's heavily suited towards competitive gaming because of this.

Also take a look at the X2, it's V-shaped like the DT 990 again with a big soundstage. It's more expensive than the DT 990 but if they were price matched I'd take the X2.

If you can find the AKG K712 Pro for around your budget then DEFINITELY go for it, you'd be getting an absolute killer deal.

As for the K7XX, they are similar to but not quite as good as the K712 but the $200 price tag is really nice, get those if you don't mind going through the whole Massdrop thing.

 

[cossix]

I agree with YJX94 above, the Beyers sound like they're great for you if you don't mind the treble! I use the 598 and absolutely love the Soundstage. It's not the most exciting headphone but it's very comfortable, both in build and sound. The X2 is great from what I've heard. Arguably better for immerse gaming because of the extra bass compared to the bass-light 598, and the soundstage is also great. Neither need an amp but the X2 may be over budget.

 

[PacMac]

Thanks guys for your suggestions.
After a couple of hours shopping for headphones, the X2 looks like a really good option. But thanks to the QC problem going on at the moment, it's kind of a hassle to get my hands on one and the price is really up there.
As for the K712 pro and the K7XX, they should sound very similar to each other but what do they sound like?

 

[YJX94]

Thanks guys for your suggestions.
After a couple of hours shopping for headphones, the X2 looks like a really good option. But thanks to the QC problem going on at the moment, it's kind of a hassle to get my hands on one and the price is really up there.
As for the K712 pro and the K7XX, they should sound very similar to each other but what do they sound like?

I'm confident that the X2 QC issues have all been resolved. There are 2 models out there, the original X2 and the updated X2HR. The X2HR is exactly the same as the original X2 except they changed the material of the pads and the headband to make it more breathable. The X2HR is also a lot more expensive than the X2 for reasons I simply don't understand considering they're the exact same headphone with the only difference being the material change on the pads and the headband.

The K712 is a reference/analytical headphone with a nice flavourful colouring to the sound, very pleasing. It's a Neutral-ish headphone that's not boring. Very nice bass response, ever so slightly distant mids and amazing treble detail and clarity along with a wide but realistic sounding soundstage and amazing imaging and separation. The K7XX is very similar except it's bassier than the K712 but I much prefer the bass response of the K712.

 

[PacMac]

I'm confident that the X2 QC issues have all been resolved. There are 2 models out there, the original X2 and the updated X2HR. The X2HR is exactly the same as the original X2 except they changed the material of the pads and the headband to make it more breathable. The X2HR is also a lot more expensive than the X2 for reasons I simply don't understand considering they're the exact same headphone with the only difference being the material change on the pads and the headband.

The K712 is a reference/analytical headphone with a nice flavourful colouring to the sound, very pleasing. It's a Neutral-ish headphone that's not boring. Very nice bass response, ever so slightly distant mids and amazing treble detail and clarity along with a wide but realistic sounding soundstage and amazing imaging and separation. The K7XX is very similar except it's bassier than the K712 but I much prefer the bass response of the K712.

I see, Thanks for your Input bruv!!!

 

[YJX94]

I see, Thanks for your Input bruv!!!

Lol no problem.

 

[dougan]

Quick question about the AKG K712 pro.
I have read that you need a amplifier to get the best out of them, as I would be using a A&K AK70 on its own, would they be too quiet?

 

[PacMac]

Quick question about the AKG K712 pro.
I have read that you need a amplifier to get the best out of them, as I would be using a A&K AK70 on its own, would they be too quiet?

From what I have heard, If you are referring to your onboard, you can make the headphones produce sound. Albeit not a sufficient one and most likely "bottleneck" your headphones.
If you are set on the AKG K712 pro, you probably want a DAC/AMP combo.
I use the Fx audio Dac-X6 and they work pretty well for the price ($65). I have only use this DAC/AMP with the shp9500s and the hyperx cloud with usually 9'oclock to 11'oclock on the dial. Anything past
that will just pop your ch- I mean your ears.
This is a good DAC/AMP combo but it has its quirks.
For example on Foobar2000, when I play a couple of songs and over there and switch to playing youtube videos, It produces static and garbled sound but you just need to restart the video or the amp itself to fix it. and also if I set my audio preference in foobar2000 to 24bit, it just produces that garbled garbage, but it you set 24/96HZ on windows and leave fb2000 alone (16bit) then it works fine.

Good luck fellow head-fier and have a good day

 

[PacMac]

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[dougan]

Many thanks for your reply!

 

[YJX94]

Quick question about the AKG K712 pro.
I have read that you need a amplifier to get the best out of them, as I would be using a A&K AK70 on its own, would they be too quiet?

The K712 Pro doesn't need an amp because it's too quiet without one, it needs an amp because it does not perform at its full potential without one. Without an amp you are seriously bottlenecking what the K712 can truly do.

 

[dougan]

Thanks, thought this might be the case, not for me then!