Headphones For Music, Gaming & Films [Anything Better Than My DT990 Pro - 250 OHM?]

[jUsT2eXy]

Hey guys!
 
My Beyerdynamic DT990 PRO Headset - 250 OHM has developed a fault so Amazon UK have kindly refunded me what I paid for the headset in 2013. So now my quest begins to find new headphones. Two years is generally a long time in the world of technology so I am wondering what new headphones are out there that will suit my needs better than the DT990's.
 
The DT990's sounded fantastic paired to my computer with a Creative XFI XtremeMusic SoundCard.
 
Moreover I believe that an open headset rather than a closed headset is better but I'd love to hear from the professionals in regards to this ,especially with what I use my headphones for.
 
What I Use My Headphones For:
 
-Listen to Hip-Hop/RnB/Rap via downloaded content [Mostly 320kbps] (Good Bass & Treble)
 
-Watch BluRay/1080p Films/TV Series (DTS/Dolby Digital)
 
-Play games (Battlefield / Americas Army)
 
Headphone Requirements:
 
-Punchy Bass/Treble
 
-Good for gaming (DT990 was absolutely fine in this respect)
 
-Price must be under £130 / $200 / 180Euros
 
-Must be able to order them from Amazon UK
 
-I will most likely buy a ModMic 4.0 (Microphone) for VOIP in game.
 
 
 
 
 
So is there anything out there better than the DT990 Pro for my needs?
 
I really appreciate your help guys.
 

 

 

[PETEREK]

The 990 is already really great for those things in that same budget, but if you absolutely wanted to try something different the Phillips Fidelio X1/X2 would be another great option. They have a similar sound signature to the 990 but are supposedly a tad more bassy/warm. Another plus to the X1/X2 is that they have a 3.5mm input on the headphones already, so instead of using the ModMic you could use the more convenient V-Moda Boom Pro (I've had both and sold the ModMic, I don't need that many wires running to my head while gaming.) 
 
Another option would be the AKG Q701. They are great for FPS games like Halo, COD, and Battlefield (I can vouch for Halo and Battlefield personally). The soundstage is accurate for pin pointing where enemies are and grenades, and aren't too sharp in any area really. If you are using them for anything other than gaming you might become a little bored with them on your head though, they have a very dry boring sound, IMO. They do a lot of things well, but they aren't very exciting.

 

[alynx]

Give the Superlux HD 681 Evo a listen. They are super affordable, come with velour earpads and they are very similar sonicwise to the 990.

 

[Youth]

Sounds like you need a new pair of DT990

 

[BigJoe]

I did a lot of research myself before buying the DT990 250's, and I found there really isn't much to compete at that price range for an all round listening experience. I'd definitely get another pair if I was in your position.

 

[serman005]

I'll pile on with the DT990--seems as though that is your best option. That said, there is certainly nothing wrong with a choice of Fidelio X2, either. An excellent can.

 

[Jodus]

I have DT990's myself and i can't be happier with them. Pare them with an amp and you got yourself a great desktop setup for gaming, movies, and music. I am not quite sure how they sound with rap but i can say they sound great with metal, rock, and jazz. The treble has a nice extension. The bass is nice too but i personally think the treble is more pronounced then the bass. It has the classic v shape witch i can't imagine to be the best with r&b/rap.

 

[BigJoe]

  I have DT990's myself and i can't be happier with them. Pare them with an amp and you got yourself a great desktop setup for gaming, movies, and music. I am not quite sure how they sound with rap but i can say they sound great with metal, rock, and jazz. The treble has a nice extension. The bass is nice too but i personally think the treble is more pronounced then the bass. It has the classic v shape witch i can't imagine to be the best with r&b/rap.

 
What amp do you use with them?

 

[Jodus]

   
What amp do you use with them?

I personally use an small sAp II Pro with them and it sounds great. The sAp is designed to be used with high impedance headphones like a dt990 250ohm. The sound is very clean and transparent, i especially like the dual input (RCA and 3,5mm jack) and of coarse the great price. Bought it on eBay for 60 USD from SMSl eBay account. The delivery took about 2 weeks from china to Belgium.
Z-Review - O2 Vs SMSL sAp II Pro Headphone Amp

 

[Jodus]

I use an sAppII Pro from SMSL. Bought it on eBay for 60 USD + Transport cost. Very clean transparent sound. It powers them with ease as it was made to power high impedance headphones. For the price you can't go wrong. Dual input: RCA and 3,5mm jack.

 

[jUsT2eXy]

Hey guys! Thanks for all your insightful replies.
 
So from the general consensus, most people are saying that I should buy the DT990's again as they cover all my requirements. I could also buy the Modmic 4.0 and pair it with the DT990 to create a gaming headset.
 
However, some people have mentioned that I should buy the Phillips Fidelio X1/X2 and I could utilise the 3.5mm input by adding a V-Moda Boom Pro to create a gaming headset.
 
Decisions Decisions.
 
The Phillips Fidelio X1/X2 are out of my price range unfortunately. They are £90 more which I don't think I can justify as I could buy a Modmic with that money and still have plenty of change left over.
 
Are the Phillips Fidelio X1/X2 worth £90 more than the DT990's? Will the Phillips meet my requirements any better?
 
Ps. Sorry for my ignorance but does my sound card (Creative X-Fi XtremeMusic) count as an AMP/DAC? Will they get the best out of my DT990's / any future headphones?
 
 
I look forward to reading your replies.

 

 

[Jodus]

I can't comment on the Fidelio x1 as i have not heard them but i can say that your sound card ain't going to give you the quality you could get. A sound card usually brings a lot of noise in the signal. But this is something to worry about when you actually have the cans. If you are happy with the sound it gives you then there is no need to spend more money. It will however sound better if you upgrade to an external amp and dac. But focus first on the headphones you get.

 

[382921]

Is there a noticeable difference between the Dt880 250 ohm and the Dt990 250ohm?

Or are the 990 just open instead of semi-open?

 

[Youth]

Is there a noticeable difference between the Dt880 250 ohm and the Dt990 250ohm?

Or are the 990 just open instead of semi-open?

 
The DT990 has more treble, more bass quantity, less mids, more soundstage.

 

[382921]

Is there a noticeable difference between the Dt880 250 ohm and the Dt990 250ohm?

Or are the 990 just open instead of semi-open?

 
The DT990 has more treble, more bass quantity, less mids, more soundstage.

would you say the 880 are more "professional" and that the 990 are for fun?
how would you explain the price difference then?