simlesuperlol
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2014
- Posts
- 9
- Likes
- 11
Hi guys, I need help choosing a pair of over-ear headphones, mostly for gaming, but also for metal, rock and grunge listening.
After a lot of research, I can't come to a satisfying conclusion about which headphone I should buy. The problem mainly takes its origin in the price point of the headphones.
I'm mainly going to use the headphones for first person shooter gaming so sound stage is probably the main buying point. The only thing is, I would prefer buying a better-rounded headphone for "future-proofness". Bass isn't a major selling point for me, but I'd still like it to be balanced in comparison with other frequencies. Comfort is quite important since I wear headphones for long sessions (maybe 5 hours+).
My current setup doesn't have a dedicated amp and dac and I don't want to buy one immediately, but it would be something I'm willing to invest in in a couple of months. If you think the sound signature of the future amp and dac has a significant impact, I’ll probably buy an Objective2 + ODAC combo from JDS Labs since these seem to have a minimal impact on the sound. I don’t plan to buy multiple desk amps and dacs so a neutral one seems to be the best choice if I want to change headphones or have multiple pairs, please feel free to correct me if I’m wrong. Even without an amp, I shouldn't have trouble driving headphones to about 300 ohms.
Now I’ve read a fair bit of reviews, threads and guides in the last few weeks to get a better understanding of the headphones that might be appealing to me. These are the ones I've encountered that would be interesting with their price points and their characteristics (from my understanding, please feel free to correct me). If you have other suggestions please contribute.
Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X - CAD 160$
These seem to have the best characteristics for gaming with their excellent sound stage and positional accuracy, but the bass seems to be overly anemic. The main aspect of these headphones that "turn me off" is the physical design: the plastic construction seems weak and the 3d wing support system seems misadapted to people with medium/small heads which is what I have. The earcups not pivoting would probably annoy me. The elastic mod doesn't really do it for me since it would pull on my hair. I also use the headband from my headphones to keep my hair back and away from my face so I don't think this would work for me.
AKG K702 – CAD 320/410$ (220 USD on amazon.com…won’t ship to Canada :’( )
This is probably my first choice but it is the most expensive headphone on this list…by a lot. From what I’ve read the frequency response fits me well (bass isn’t too strong mids and highs are crystal clear) and the soudstage is amazing. I also like the design and detachable cable. If you think this is the best for the job and will last a long while, I probably would shell out the bills. To note: I found it shipped for 320$ on Ebay (specific link: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/AKG-K702-Headphones-Black-Brand-New-Sealed-FREE-SHIPPING-/171367747928?pt=US_Headphones&hash=item27e6505158&_uhb=1 ) which is a us import. Or I could buy it from a reputable store at 410$...yeah, which one would you go with if you recommend this one?
Beyerdynamic 990 pro – CAD 160$
Bass might be too strong and the mids too recessed for gaming. Also read that the treble has a tendency to be sibilant which is something I notice easily and annoys me. If I’m worrying for nothing and this isn’t the case or if EQ helps with this, please enlighten me. The price is the main attraction for this headphone and, all around, it seems quite good. Well rated on Mad Lust Envy's Headphone Gaming Guide. I also like the aesthetics and the design which seems comfortable (I don’t really mind strong clamping force).
Sennheiser HD558/HD598 - CAD 170$ / CAD 260$
Seems like these are pretty similar. Seems like they have good but not amazing soundstage, with the 598s edging the 558 by a bit (but does it justify 100$ more?). Frequency response looks very similar to the k702 until treble territory, which is good (I think). Don’t really care for the design, looks comfortable; dislike the colors of the 598.
With this info, which one would you recommend considering the qualities of each headphone and the price for which it would be available? Thank you greatly.
Simon
After a lot of research, I can't come to a satisfying conclusion about which headphone I should buy. The problem mainly takes its origin in the price point of the headphones.
I'm mainly going to use the headphones for first person shooter gaming so sound stage is probably the main buying point. The only thing is, I would prefer buying a better-rounded headphone for "future-proofness". Bass isn't a major selling point for me, but I'd still like it to be balanced in comparison with other frequencies. Comfort is quite important since I wear headphones for long sessions (maybe 5 hours+).
My current setup doesn't have a dedicated amp and dac and I don't want to buy one immediately, but it would be something I'm willing to invest in in a couple of months. If you think the sound signature of the future amp and dac has a significant impact, I’ll probably buy an Objective2 + ODAC combo from JDS Labs since these seem to have a minimal impact on the sound. I don’t plan to buy multiple desk amps and dacs so a neutral one seems to be the best choice if I want to change headphones or have multiple pairs, please feel free to correct me if I’m wrong. Even without an amp, I shouldn't have trouble driving headphones to about 300 ohms.
Now I’ve read a fair bit of reviews, threads and guides in the last few weeks to get a better understanding of the headphones that might be appealing to me. These are the ones I've encountered that would be interesting with their price points and their characteristics (from my understanding, please feel free to correct me). If you have other suggestions please contribute.
Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X - CAD 160$
These seem to have the best characteristics for gaming with their excellent sound stage and positional accuracy, but the bass seems to be overly anemic. The main aspect of these headphones that "turn me off" is the physical design: the plastic construction seems weak and the 3d wing support system seems misadapted to people with medium/small heads which is what I have. The earcups not pivoting would probably annoy me. The elastic mod doesn't really do it for me since it would pull on my hair. I also use the headband from my headphones to keep my hair back and away from my face so I don't think this would work for me.
AKG K702 – CAD 320/410$ (220 USD on amazon.com…won’t ship to Canada :’( )
This is probably my first choice but it is the most expensive headphone on this list…by a lot. From what I’ve read the frequency response fits me well (bass isn’t too strong mids and highs are crystal clear) and the soudstage is amazing. I also like the design and detachable cable. If you think this is the best for the job and will last a long while, I probably would shell out the bills. To note: I found it shipped for 320$ on Ebay (specific link: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/AKG-K702-Headphones-Black-Brand-New-Sealed-FREE-SHIPPING-/171367747928?pt=US_Headphones&hash=item27e6505158&_uhb=1 ) which is a us import. Or I could buy it from a reputable store at 410$...yeah, which one would you go with if you recommend this one?
Beyerdynamic 990 pro – CAD 160$
Bass might be too strong and the mids too recessed for gaming. Also read that the treble has a tendency to be sibilant which is something I notice easily and annoys me. If I’m worrying for nothing and this isn’t the case or if EQ helps with this, please enlighten me. The price is the main attraction for this headphone and, all around, it seems quite good. Well rated on Mad Lust Envy's Headphone Gaming Guide. I also like the aesthetics and the design which seems comfortable (I don’t really mind strong clamping force).
Sennheiser HD558/HD598 - CAD 170$ / CAD 260$
Seems like these are pretty similar. Seems like they have good but not amazing soundstage, with the 598s edging the 558 by a bit (but does it justify 100$ more?). Frequency response looks very similar to the k702 until treble territory, which is good (I think). Don’t really care for the design, looks comfortable; dislike the colors of the 598.
With this info, which one would you recommend considering the qualities of each headphone and the price for which it would be available? Thank you greatly.
Simon