Looking for Comfortable Headphones Under $200

Aug 7, 2013 at 5:07 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 15

LycceaTV

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Hey everyone!  I am a pretty hardcore gamer and live streamer and I am currently looking to buy new headphones.  I play a lot of different games such as World of Warcraft, Call of Duty, Skyrim, and many others.  My gaming sessions can be very long, 8-12 hours at a time sometimes =D.  I am needing very comfortable headphones with excellent sound quality that I will be able to wear for these sessions without killing my head/ears.  I have looked at several - Beyerdynamic DT 990, a few Sennheiser and a few more.  I would like to get headphones only without messing around with amps or any of that so any headphones you guys can list under $200 that will work for this will be a huge help!
 
Aug 7, 2013 at 5:31 AM Post #2 of 15
I happen to love the Audio-Technica line for comfort. The ATH-A700(x) should fit the bill. If you want to splurge, you can use the ATH-A900(x). They are super comfortable (especially for larger noggins) and adjust easily. Very low clamping force- the "wing" design isn't just for show. Beyer's tend to want smaller ears and heads- that's the problem. The beyer's you mention also sound pretty awful without amping- that's my experience.
 
For gaming, you probably want a large soundstage, which the ATH-A700(x)/A900(x) line do well. They are easy to drive without dedicated amps (very important). They are closed, so they do have some isolation. Also, since they don't clamp hard, they won't stick on your head for head-banging stuff. 
 
Drawback: Their bass impact and reach isn't great (large-soundstage headphones tend to emphasise treble), and they won't stay on your head for head-banging. You won't want to throw them around, but they aren't fragile (just not beyer indestructible).
 
Bass can be improved by lining the inside of the cups with a thin layer of Blu-Tack or equivalent, but it will add weight. I wouldn't recommend doing so for comfort reasons. 
 
You can use the open versions if you are worried about having hot-ears, as all closed phones will do. But you won't have any isolation. 
 
Does that give any ideas? And sorry about your wallet. Welcome!
 
Aug 7, 2013 at 5:51 AM Post #3 of 15
I checked those out, they don't look too bad.  I'm looking at the DT 990 Pro's again and reading about amps.  I see the 990's on Amazon for $159 but they definitely need an amp to drive them right.  I really like the way the DT 990's look and the material the earcups have are quite nice with great reviews. What amp would be best for these without having to spend a fortune. These headphones will be used only on my PC for gaming, music and movies.  I may be able to spend a little more but I don't want to empty the wallet haha. Looking at the 250 ohm model headphones.
 
Aug 7, 2013 at 6:06 AM Post #4 of 15
Hmm... I'm not an expert at budget amps, but lots of people recommend the stuff by Fiio. Well priced and with good distribution, and designed with hi-fi (well, mid-fi) in mind. Go to other hi-fi oriented makers will quickly be more expensive, and I'm not a huge fan of Xonars, unless you really need the gaming features- that's what they are for.
 
Just a word of caution: But, small, round-topped noggins only. I have a larger had that is, embarrassingly, slightly flat-ish on top, and the beyer DT990's hurt. Also, the cups only fit smaller ears than I have (though mine are large). That made me sad as they sound great with proper amping, and are really good bang for the buck when treated right. 
 
If you have smaller ears and a smaller head, they can be quite comfy, though. Also, very durable and light. A nice choice. The earpads, especially, are nice. And they are reasonably cool. 
 
Make sure you are  getting the 32 ohm version. The 600 ohms and probably the CORRECTION:250 ohms ones will make Fiio's choke. High Z ones have more potential, but lower priced (<$500 IMHO) amps will be very sad.
 
Aug 7, 2013 at 6:16 AM Post #5 of 15
Looking at a few amps here.  C&C, Schiit Magni, Bravo V1 Deluxe, and O2.  the Bravo V1 Deluxe is a Tube amp that is $80, Schiit Magni $99, C&C $100 and O2 is $120.  Would any of these be good for the DT 990's or is one of these better than the others for them?
 
Aug 7, 2013 at 6:32 AM Post #6 of 15
Schiit... I'd certainly go with them instead if Fiio, and they'd have more power. I don't know if the Magni will drive the 250 ohm ones fantastically, but there is a good chance that they will. I didn't know the Magni was within your budget. I haven't tried it myself, but Schiit has a great reputation, makes stuff built to last, and a good return policy. Also, Made in USA, which adds to their coolness factor. 
biggrin.gif
 I'm not very familiar with the other brands, but Bravo's quality hasn't been great, and I'm not comfortable about mass production of an open-source amplifier design (personal opinion), but I'd myself go with the Magni for its support, cool physical design, and non-disposable build attitude.
 
Also, The Magni is a desktop amp. It will have more power than equivalently priced portables, which have compromises that desktop amps don't need to make (like size and power consumption). Portables also spend some of their money on charging circuits and batteries, and have to spend less on the actual amp sections. Batteries have a limited lifespan, and some amps may not work without a functioning battery, and inexpensive ones may not be serviceable. Ones that cannot be used while charging are also a terrible idea if you want to use them for an extended period of time. If you don't need portability, I'd usually recommend not getting one.
 
Unless you -really- want to start with tubes, I'd not recommend it for your application. They have a certain sound signature that, IMHO, doesn't work with games well. They are meant for, generally (YMMV), more relaxed music listening attitudes. I think games require more precision and impact, which match solid state better, especially in your price range. They also have maintenance, warm up time, are sensitive to vibration, and a less silent background, but those are minor issues. But ones to know about. And Bravo doesn't have a particularly good reputation for build quality. 
 
Aug 7, 2013 at 7:02 AM Post #7 of 15
Also... Lyccea, I think it's really cool to find a new member who is so thorough and thoughtful 
smily_headphones1.gif

 
You'll be a great contributor to Head-Fi! Yay!
 
Aug 8, 2013 at 6:04 PM Post #9 of 15
Dumb question here but how exactly do these amps work? Do I need a dedicated sound card with RCA L & R inputs for these amps to work? Like say the DT 990 Pro with the Schiit Magni what else would I need to hook all this up to my computer as far as cables and such go. My computer has a soundcard but it does not have rca inputs just small 3.5 inputs.
 
Aug 8, 2013 at 7:43 PM Post #11 of 15
Quote:
Hey everyone!  I am a pretty hardcore gamer and live streamer and I am currently looking to buy new headphones.  I play a lot of different games such as World of Warcraft, Call of Duty, Skyrim, and many others.  My gaming sessions can be very long, 8-12 hours at a time sometimes =D.  I am needing very comfortable headphones with excellent sound quality that I will be able to wear for these sessions without killing my head/ears.  I have looked at several - Beyerdynamic DT 990, a few Sennheiser and a few more.  I would like to get headphones only without messing around with amps or any of that so any headphones you guys can list under $200 that will work for this will be a huge help!

DT990 Pro 250-Ohm headphones would be a fine choice, if you were willing to spend another $60-$100 for an amp (or DAC/Amp) to drive them.
 
Sennheiser HD558.
Sometimes Amazon or eBay has used HD558s for just over $100, not a bassy headphone,
more like just enough bass to be able to say it has bass. I would think they would be a good choice for long term (12 hour) listening.
 
An Asus Xonar DG sound card is $30, with a $10 mail in rebate, so for $20 your getting a basic headphone amplifier and it's DAC might be better then the one built in the motherboard.
 
Aug 9, 2013 at 12:57 AM Post #12 of 15
Dumb question here but how exactly do these amps work? Do I need a dedicated sound card with RCA L & R inputs for these amps to work? Like say the DT 990 Pro with the Schiit Magni what else would I need to hook all this up to my computer as far as cables and such go. My computer has a soundcard but it does not have rca inputs just small 3.5 inputs.


There are no dumb questions :)

You would connect the analogue output from your existing sound card into the amplifier's input. L/R RCA To 1/8inch TRS (most headphone jacks) adapters are eady to find.

By using an external amp, you are taking the headphone load off the tiny 10 cent sound chip. That's the basic idea here. So.

Computer sound output (speaker or headphone)--->amp---> headphones ---> ears.

Some of us with larger budgets add other steps. We entirely bypass the internal sound chip and add another external box, a DAC, so...

Computer USB (instead of the sound output) ---> DAC ---> Amp ---> headphones--->ears

In my signature, I have a slightly more complex chain, but the basic principle is the same.


Fun fact: that cheap 10 cent sound chip is actually, technically, a DAC and tiny amp all in one, but when we use the term "amplifier" on HeadFi, we are usually meaning a dedicated external box.

Imagine that poor little chip as a child carrying a large backpack. She can continue to do so, but won't be able to hike a tough trail with it with any grace. The external amplifier is like us giving that child a pony to put the bag on. Now the child only has to lead the pony, where the pony is doing the muscle work now.
 
Aug 9, 2013 at 4:53 AM Post #13 of 15
Alright so basically if I got the setup I'm looking at I need to go Computer sound input -> RCA to 3.5mm adapter -> Schiit Magni -> DT 990's then later on I can replace the sound input and adapter with a DAC if I want to in the future.
 
Aug 9, 2013 at 5:10 AM Post #14 of 15
Quote:
Alright so basically if I got the setup I'm looking at I need to go Computer sound input -> RCA to 3.5mm adapter -> Schiit Magni -> DT 990's then later on I can replace the sound input and adapter with a DAC if I want to in the future.

A Xonar DX or D1 sound card comes with a CS4398 DAC chip.
Sometimes used Xonar DX or D1s sell used for $50, on eBay.
 
The Creative Labs Sound Blaster Titanium (non-HD) also can sell used for around $50, on eBay.
Think it comes with the CS4382 DAC chip.
 
Both cards would work with the Schiit Magni.
 
Aug 9, 2013 at 6:41 AM Post #15 of 15
Alright so basically if I got the setup I'm looking at I need to go Computer sound input -> RCA to 3.5mm adapter -> Schiit Magni -> DT 990's then later on I can replace the sound input and adapter with a DAC if I want to in the future.


You got it!
 

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