Mad Lust Envy's Headphone Gaming Guide: (8/18/2022: iFi GO Blu Review Added)

[Mad Lust Envy]

It's insane how many people refuse to read where it says USA ONLY.

 

[NiGHTS4EVA]

Mericuh! I did notice they had an EU spec amp on there though

Dang, y’all cleaned house! I wonder if those were my R’s for sale?!

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

Nah, I think your R was sold as soon as you returned it.

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

I got the KPH40 in!

No comparisons yet, but I was wrong.

It's NOT the same driver cover! This is the first time they've changed from the old KSC35, Sportapro, Portapro driver cover. Looks similar, but it is definitely different.

Left one is KPH40, right is PortaPro X.



Interesting. I'll have to put them through their paces.

 

[NewCoke]

I got the KPH40 in!

No comparisons yet, but I was wrong.

It's NOT the same driver cover! This is the first time they've changed from the old KSC35, Sportapro, Portapro driver cover. Looks similar, but it is definitely different.

Left one is KPH40, right is PortaPro X.



Interesting. I'll have to put them through their paces.

Good catch. Are they different sizes? If they are different sizes, I wonder if Yaxi pads would be compatible or not then.

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

The photo makes the KPH40 look bigger, but it's the same dimensions. Yaxi pads would 100% be compatible. Not that I like them. (I think Yaxi pads ruins the sound, IMO)

 

[RitzyBusiness]

There is new spatial software, Immerse Hive. You take a picture of your ear and it employs an AI algorithm. Its probably the best spatial audio i've ever heard, in CoD Cold War i've never had such accuracy in positional cues.

https://embody.co/pages/gaming-hive

I learned about them during a FF14 live letter, but their hive software is top notch. Only downside is its subscription based, $40 for 7 year sub.

 

[duranxv]

There is new spatial software, Immerse Hive. You take a picture of your ear and it employs an AI algorithm. Its probably the best spatial audio i've ever heard, in CoD Cold War i've never had such accuracy in positional cues.

https://embody.co/pages/gaming-hive

I learned about them during a FF14 live letter, but their hive software is top notch. Only downside is its subscription based, $40 for 7 year sub.

Very interesting indeed. @Mad Lust Envy - can you check it out if you have time?

 

[illram]

I wonder if I did something wrong when I tried it because it sounded absolutely terrible. The audio quality sounded like there was some electrical issue with my cabling, like when you don't plug your headphone cable in all the way but you're still getting sound. (But everything was fine.) I couldn't even get past that to judge the positional accuracy, it was that bad.

 

[VirtuaVillain]

You could just buy these, or the Retrospekt P/21, and snap on the KSC75 to them. The Retrospekt saves you $10, and you can just toss the crap drivers on them and keep the headband. Or the KPH40, keep the drivers as spares.

That's what did guy did:



I don't like what the Yaxi pads do to the sound though.

Oh, that would be perfect but I'm in Euroland tho so the shipping kills it sadly. I saw the Z Review on the KPH40, he said it sounds different/better than the Porta Pros so definitely interested in getting one even more now. I don't think he talked much about how it compares to the KSC75 sound though.

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

I have to wait until my other Portapro comes back from a repair to test the KPH40 and the Porta both with clips to see if they truly sound different.

I don't wanna compare one with a headband and one with clips.

Right now IF the KPH40 sounds better, it still sounds like a Porta to me, but we'll see. I certainly wouldn't throw my Portapros away just because of this.

As for immerse, eh, if it has a free trial. Embody and Audeze made Reveal together, so maybe I can just ask for a license of Immerse.

I'm too busy this weekend, so it won't be now.

 

[Chastity]

I wonder if I did something wrong when I tried it because it sounded absolutely terrible. The audio quality sounded like there was some electrical issue with my cabling, like when you don't plug your headphone cable in all the way but you're still getting sound. (But everything was fine.) I couldn't even get past that to judge the positional accuracy, it was that bad.

I didn't care for it either, even after the ear pictures. Did not work very well with my high-end headphones, no specific profiles. Still prefer Redscape.

Also not a fan of their sub.

I did try their Beyerdynamic package with my DT-1990, and that was ok. But if you have multiple headphones, you will need separate packages, which require their own subs. No thank you.

 

[illram]

Speaking of Reveal, I'd never heard of it until I checked the Audeze holiday sale. Does the plug-in only work with DAW's? Or is it like any other VSS that you can just select as an audio out? (Is it just an Immerse license variant?)

 

[Paysen]

Hey, currently use a K712 Pro with an Objective2 Amp and a Modmic wireless which died on me today. Is there an open headset that is comparable? If not, is there a better Headphone in the same price range (200-300) for mostly competitive gaming? Or a wireless headphone that is compatible since I could use my Modmic wireless and go fully wireless without losing mic quality.

Tried the ADG1X but it was very uncomfortable(for me), tried modding it but it still was not comparable to the AKG.

 

[ronfifer]

Paysen, K702 is marginally better headphone (no mic) for competitive gaming and lies on the higher end of your budget. Not recommended for single player gaming.

On the lower end of your budget, consider the Senn+Drop 38X. It is a headset with mic on sale at $130 now.

$200-$300 I would also consider the Monolith 570 which is good all rounder that shines more in open world and competitive gaming. I own both the K702 and the M570.

Proper upgrades to the K712 start at the $700+ range. There is an empty gap for open cans in the $300-$600 range*, so with your budget you can only fine tune or sidegrade based on your application.

*(senn 660s lies in this range @~$500 but i dont recommend it for open world competitve gaming due to its great positioning but small soundstage. E.g: Battlefield? NO. TC Siege or CS? Yes. Overall Verdict: Not recommended for its price)