Headphone questions and reccomendation

Sep 11, 2020 at 4:41 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 17

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Hi guys!

I'm new to audio and I tried on a pair of 660s and liked them a lot because of the "spacious" sound that came out of them. I descovered that good gear totally changes the way music sounds. Now I want a hifi setup for myself.
I found a pair of 6xxs (the dropified 650s) at a really good price, and was wondering if the realtek chip in my computer is powerful enough to drive them? They have an impedance of 300 ohms.
If it isn't, how much can I expect to spend on a budget dac (preferably under $100). If this is going to be too cheap for those headphones, what would you recommend as an alternative? I want the open back design, and preferably a thicker ear pad (I have to wear my current headphones above my ears because otherwise my ears hurt).

Thanks!!

Edit: I probably should include that I listen to all music, but trend towards more acoustic music/rock.

More edits: I'm buying these used so I'm also looking at the 58x, what would be the major differences between these headphones? And would I need an amp for the 58x? Any headphone reccomdations would be appriciated as well.
 
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Sep 11, 2020 at 5:20 PM Post #2 of 17
You don't need a DAC so much as an amp. Your PC's DAC is far from ideal, but the built in amp is the bigger issue. The HD6XX are high impedance as you said and require more "oomph" than your motherboard can provide. Many people prefer tube amps with the HD6xx series, but that's probably outside your current price range. If you're in the US something like the Schiit Magni 3 or Magni Heresy would be a good choice at $100.
 
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Sep 11, 2020 at 11:01 PM Post #3 of 17
You don't need a DAC so much as an amp. Your PC's DAC is far from ideal, but the built in amp is the bigger issue. The HD6XX are high impedance as you said and require more "oomph" than your motherboard can provide. Many people prefer tube amps with the HD6xx series, but that's probably outside your current price range. If you're in the US something like the Schiit Magni 3 or Magni Heresy would be a good choice at $100.


Thanks! I'll look into those amps.
 
Sep 11, 2020 at 11:38 PM Post #4 of 17
Thanks! I'll look into those amps.

You might be able to find a Little Dot MK2 tube amp around $100 used. Maybe post a WTB thread in the for sale forum once you have enough posts / time?
 
Sep 12, 2020 at 8:54 AM Post #6 of 17
The iFi Zen DAC is great for both HD6XX and HD58X and is both cheap and great sounding with more than enough power for both.

As for the differences between them, I found the 6XX ever so slightly more resolving in the high frequencies but with even less bass which for me, both are severely lacking but are capable of with EQ and iFi's almighty xbass boost. I have a pair of HD58X myself.
 
Sep 12, 2020 at 4:29 PM Post #7 of 17
The iFi Zen DAC is great for both HD6XX and HD58X and is both cheap and great sounding with more than enough power for both.

As for the differences between them, I found the 6XX ever so slightly more resolving in the high frequencies but with even less bass which for me, both are severely lacking but are capable of with EQ and iFi's almighty xbass boost. I have a pair of HD58X myself.

Is the reason the ifi Zen is preferred for you because it boosts the bass?
 
Sep 12, 2020 at 4:49 PM Post #8 of 17
An alternative to the HD6xx series would be the Audio Technica ATH-R70X. They're pretty flat without eq, with more bass than the HD6XX from what I remember listening to a friend's pair (I own the R70X but not the HD6XX). They're just as hard to drive, however, if not a little harder. An amp would be completely necessary. They're also likely more expensive, even used, as there are a ton more HD6 Sennheisers out there than ATH-R70X. Still something to be on the lookout for, and audition if you can.

A potential third route to go would be a pair of used HiFiMan / Drop HE-4XX, a Schiit Magni or similar, and a copy of Sonarworks headphone edition for your PC. Cost would likely be around the same as the HD6XX + amp, but the HE-4XX has a slightly more "fun" stock should signature and handles EQ well, so you could still get a fairly flat response when needed / wanted.
 
Sep 12, 2020 at 4:58 PM Post #9 of 17
Is the reason the ifi Zen is preferred for you because it boosts the bass?

It's part of it yes, having a very good sounding bass boost on demand help with some music genres if you like deep and impactful bass. It's the overall package at the price point that made me recommend this to you. I still recommend it even if you don't want to boost bass at all.
 
Sep 13, 2020 at 9:51 PM Post #11 of 17
An alternative to the HD6xx series would be the Audio Technica ATH-R70X. They're pretty flat without eq, with more bass than the HD6XX from what I remember listening to a friend's pair (I own the R70X but not the HD6XX). They're just as hard to drive, however, if not a little harder. An amp would be completely necessary. They're also likely more expensive, even used, as there are a ton more HD6 Sennheisers out there than ATH-R70X. Still something to be on the lookout for, and audition if you can.

A potential third route to go would be a pair of used HiFiMan / Drop HE-4XX, a Schiit Magni or similar, and a copy of Sonarworks headphone edition for your PC. Cost would likely be around the same as the HD6XX + amp, but the HE-4XX has a slightly more "fun" stock should signature and handles EQ well, so you could still get a fairly flat response when needed / wanted.
Thank you! I'll keep my eyes out for those.
 
Sep 15, 2020 at 3:39 PM Post #12 of 17
It's part of it yes, having a very good sounding bass boost on demand help with some music genres if you like deep and impactful bass. It's the overall package at the price point that made me recommend this to you. I still recommend it even if you don't want to boost bass at all.

Although I shouldn't say this as a manufacturer rep, hip-dac is a lot of a product for its price.
 
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Oct 10, 2020 at 2:04 AM Post #14 of 17
Hi guys!

I'm new to audio and I tried on a pair of 660s and liked them a lot because of the "spacious" sound that came out of them. I descovered that good gear totally changes the way music sounds. Now I want a hifi setup for myself.
I found a pair of 6xxs (the dropified 650s) at a really good price, and was wondering if the realtek chip in my computer is powerful enough to drive them? They have an impedance of 300 ohms.
If it isn't, how much can I expect to spend on a budget dac (preferably under $100). If this is going to be too cheap for those headphones, what would you recommend as an alternative? I want the open back design, and preferably a thicker ear pad (I have to wear my current headphones above my ears because otherwise my ears hurt).

Thanks!!

Edit: I probably should include that I listen to all music, but trend towards more acoustic music/rock.

More edits: I'm buying these used so I'm also looking at the 58x, what would be the major differences between these headphones? And would I need an amp for the 58x? Any headphone reccomdations would be appriciated as well.

I got the FX Audio DAC-X6 amp for $65 off of Amazon and they run my 6XXs very well. Highly recommend for an entry level setup! If you want something more midrange, maybe look at FiiO K5 pro for ~$150?
 

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