HD 580 vs DT880 vs AKG k501

[smittysan89]

I am stuck between these phones. I am still looking to get best bang for buck and will not be using an amp but a ipod and audigy sound card out of my computer. I will use these ALOT for gaming which requires some good positioning. I own a pair of HD 280 pro at the moment but i want a little better pair that is open. What do you guys reccomend?

 

[sonic32]

You really NEED an amplifier with any of these headphones.

 

[crazyfrenchman27]

Go for HD595.

That's what a lot of pro gamers use (for headphones without a mic).

For serious counterstrike, you need something with a mic like Sennheiser PC 160 SK.

-Matt

 

[smittysan89]

serious counter strike? why does having a mic on your headphones serious? plus headphones with mics dont even start to compare to the headphones that i listed. Alot of top teams including Team 3D and CoL use HD650 with a standalone mic or a crapy headset with mic around their neck. At the moment i use a stand alone mic and it works fine for me. I wanna use these on other devices besides gaming so i dont want a mic on my headphones.

Hmm, i need an amp for all of these even with a Ipod and audigy sound card? How good of an amp? I really dont want to use an amp, i just want an open phone that sounds a little better than my 280 pro.

 

[smittysan89]

i will be using these for gaming yes and alot, but the 280 pro worked fine for gaming, i just want an open phone that will work as good or not better in the gaming department, but sound better on my ipod and in my soundcard.

 

[J-Pak]

Unamped I'd say HD595 or HD590. My 590 give me some amazing positioning in games (I do play a lot of CS:S)

 

[crazyfrenchman27]

Well, if you have a mic and don't need isolation/won't be using an amp, then HD595 or HD555 all the way.

-Matt

P.S. Most game audio sucks, so you're not gaining anything by using HD650 over usb PC 160 with mic...you don't have to worry about bypassing onboard sound at gaming cafes, either.

 

[smittysan89]

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyfrenchman27 Well, if you have a mic and don't need isolation/won't be using an amp, then HD595 or HD555 all the way. -Matt P.S. Most game audio sucks, so you're not gaining anything by using HD650 over usb PC 160 with mic...you don't have to worry about bypassing onboard sound at gaming cafes, either.

yes i know this i just wanted to mention that i will be gaming in them alot...Just out of these 3! I dont want to get the 595(not enough money) or the 555(not good enough). Thanks for your input though but what out of these 3. I might end up getting an amp eventually but for now i wont be using one.
As i said i just want something that is as good or better in gaming as my 280 pro. Not looking for a specific gaming phone, but one that is also preetty good.

 

[Duncan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by smittysan89 yes i know this i just wanted to mention that i will be gaming in them alot...Just out of these 3! I dont want to get the 595(not enough money) or the 555(not good enough). Thanks for your input though but what out of these 3. I might end up getting an amp eventually but for now i wont be using one.

The HD595 is cheaper than both the HD580 (short of bargain basement) and the DT880...

You really do need to look at something that has an low impedance, both the Beyers and DT880 have 300ohm (sorry, can't quote off of the top of my head what the impedance of the AKGs is), which means its quite a pain for the output of the Audigy / iPod to make these headphones sound convincing...

Maybe you need to look for something along the lines of the Audio Technica A900 / BeyerDynamic DT250-80 if you're determined to go unamped... the ATs definetly have a good soundstage, but to me sound a little hollow in the midrange, the Beyers are the opposite, so - pick your poison, and take a shot...

 

[crazyfrenchman27]

What is your price range?

We might be able to offer you better advice if you provide us with a limit.

-Matt

 

[smittysan89]

alright thanks guys!

my price range is around 120-220$. I guess i sort of get hypnotized by the DT880

i still need to sell my pair of 280 pro(hoping to get around 60$ shipped) as well

i guess i could use that 60$ towards an amp but do you think i could find a good pair of DT880 + an amp for 220$?

 

[gshan]

how about an upgrade to audigy 2zs ?

 

[smittysan89]

mmm that would cost about 80$....and i dont think its worth it that much to me, maybe if i didnt have a sound card but my audigy1 works fine for me

 

[J-Pak]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gshan how about an upgrade to audigy 2zs ?

Is there a big difference between an Audigy 1 and 2?

 

[smittysan89]

hmm i just got 60$ ripped from me that was gonna go to my budget....SUCKS

but im still thinking that i might get the DT880 then eventually get an amp for christmas

Do you guys think this would be ok? I want to get phones that are high end so i wont have to keep upgrading, since i already have an ipod and good soundcard, and all of my listening will come from those 2 sources pretty much...

i like all kinds of music but i do like bass but also fast treble

trance
nu-metal
hiphop
house
techno
alternative
electronica