Headphone help

[L337]

Hi 

Trying to keep this as short as possible...
 
I've being using some cheap Senheisser HD 202 headphone for a long time and am finally upgrading. I just purchased some Audio-Technica ATH-M50 but am trying to send them back because I am not getting along with them. For a start i don't find them comfortable and pleather ear cups are terrible and around my ears gets very warm and sweaty within only a few minutes. The sound quality has not impressed me either but I am trying to decide whether it is the headphone or my PC (which is what they will be used for). I built the PC myself and only has an on-board soundcard. The music out of the headphones sounds too bass heavy to me (does sound pretty awesome on DnB songs though!) even when I'm listening to metal songs which is the mainly genre I listen to, and the volume sounds quiet and a tiny bit like I'm listening to the music in a bubble.
 
Are the headphones like this or is it due to my PC?
 
If and when I get a refund I am thinking of getting some Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro headphones but would like to know what they are like sound quality like compared to the M50s, and whether I should get the 80ohm or 250ohm version.
 
 

1. The headphones are expensive enough... I'm only a student so I prefer not to have to buy an amp or soundcard on top of the headphones.

 

1. I mainly listen to metal 

 

1. Use them for long periods of time because I use them all the time when on my PC instead of speakers.

 
Thanks alot for any help!
 
 
 
 

 

[obobskivich]

Alright, let me qualify this: I have not owned/heard either the M50 or the DT770. 
 
Now, the headphones you've picked usually appear on "bass-head" or "bass-lover" lists (both of them, the DT770 usually being near the top). So I'm not surprised to hear they produce a lot of bass. They measure like it, and that's how most people regard them.
 
Getting entirely away from that, and to the question at hand:
 
- Do these headphones need to be closed-back?
 
- What kind of budget do you have? (I'm guessing around $200).
 
Given what you've mentioned for music and the kinds of usage you want, I'd probably look at much different headphones. The Sennheiser HD 280 Pro if you have to stay closed-back, the Grado SR-225i or Ultrasone HFI-2400 if you can deal with an open-back (the two open-backs are superior). Between the Grado and Ultrasone, it's basically a question of soundstage and bass - the Ultrasone has more. Nothing else I would want to suggest is still in production, sorry.
 
 
 

 

[KG Jag]

The Beyer (at least the Pro version) is more comfortable and has a bit less (but still has some) "V" shaped EQ signature than the the AT can. 
 
No one can accurately tell you about what will work or how well with your self built computer based sound system--based on the description offered to date.  However, I would not be surprised if its potential would improve with an affordable amp/dac, such as a Fiio. 

 

[Kukuk]

Definitely look into getting a new sound card or DAC. I'm currently using a Sound Blaster Audigy 2, and it's so good I've felt no need to upgrade (though maybe one of these days I will!). Naturally I have to recommend it, especially considering how absurdly cheap you can get one on eBay. I've seen them go as low as $5, and it blows away any on-board sound I've ever heard.

 

[L337]

I want headphones that cover my ear and not ones that rest on you ear (sorry, not sure on the correct terms).
closed-back isn't essential but as long as the headphones don't leak out a lot of sound and block out a little noise would be ideal. Just not pleather 

 
My budget is about $200 (I live in the Uk so prices may vary).
 
I do listen to bands like Pendulum and Prodigy as well as metal which I guess finding headphones to match both those needs will be a problem. 
I may see if I can go and try some DT770s in a store somewhere but trying headphones before you buy is very rare here in the UK and stores that do put headphones out to try don't sell any good ones.
 
Getting a good soundcard or DAC would be ok just as long as I could get one cheap.
 
It's just that the M50s don't seem to handle metal very well, some metal songs do sound good though. Not hard to beat the £30 HD 202s though 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

[MattTCG]

I would also suggest the Beyer line for you. The dt880 are more neutral and will have less bass than the m50. It is VERY comfortable and once you've owned Beyers you will always enjoy them for the comfort. They are German made=think BMW. Quality top to bottom. You can find them for about $250 NIB but they are floating around on the used forum here for about $200.
 
GL!!

 

[L337]

Sounds good, the dt880s are out or my price range new though.
The dt770s come in the 80ohm and 250ohm versions. Is there much of a difference between them?. The 250ohm versions are supposed to be less bass heavy but I have seen people saying they are not, are there any other differences?.
 
Also I don't mean to be hating on the M50s so much. They are good and fairly close to what I am looking for but personally I find them uncomfortable and the sound they produce is not quite there for the songs I listen to.
 
Thanks for all replies. 

 

[Kukuk]

I think you might like the DT770 Pro's. If running unamped, they lose a little bit of bass control over the M50's, but you gain better comfort, better mids, bigger soundstage, and smoother treble.
 
Definitely check into the 80 Ohm version though. Compared to my other headphones they are a little tough to get up to volume, so I'd imagine the 250 Ohm version would be even harder.
 
And like I said, also look into that sound card. It really is a fantastic value. My CD900ST's are absolutely brutal on poor signal quality, and this card has me happy as can be.
 
Also: It's okay to hate on the M50's, they need to be knocked down a peg every once in a while.

 

[L337]

Would I need a soundcard and an amp? Just worried about how much that would cost.
I could get the 'Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2' soundcard off Ebay (probably used) because they are pretty damn cheap and I think is would make a noticeable sound difference compared to the onboard. Not sure if I would need an amp at the moment.
 
I'm going to try my best to find somewhere to test out the headphones before I buy, but that will be extremely hard. Just don't want to make a mistake in buying them like the M50s.
 
The M50 wouldn't be too bad if it wasn't for the poor comfort and stupid pleather 

 
 
 
...Did I mention i hate pleather 

 

[Kukuk]

You could hold off on an amp, they still sound excellent without one. Even unamped I'd take them over the M50's any day of the week.
 
And I don't think you'd need to worry about comfort being an issue with the DT770 Pro's. Beyerdynamic uses some of the softest velour I've ever felt, and the ear cups are so big they don't even touch my ears (and I have huge ears!).

 

[Kukuk]

I feel I should mention that the DT770 Pro's may or may not be bassier than the M50's. My pair isn't very bassy, but I've heard a lot of people say theirs are absolute bass monsters. I don't know if there are just different production runs, different gear, or we're just perceiving different amounts of bass.

 

[2000impreza]

I have both the M50 and DT770-250ohm. In terms of bass, the M50 has more bass quantity. The quality of the bass is much better on the DT770's. This is my experience anyways. I have also heard Beyerdynamic headphones may vary between production runs.

 

[L337]

I have both the M50 and DT770-250ohm. In terms of bass, the M50 has more bass quantity. The quality of the bass is much better on the DT770's. This is my experience anyways. I have also heard Beyerdynamic headphones may vary between production runs.

How do the 2 headphones compare sound quality wise?

 

[KG Jag]

Quote:

How do the 2 headphones compare sound quality wise?

The Beyer wins on accuracy, sound quality and comfort.  That said; it's not a neutral can, but is more so than the AT.
 

 

[RobustOrange]

Have you tried messing with the equalizer setting on your computer? They can help bass issues a lot.