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

[Cente]

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HD-598, costs the most but will have the best sound.
The price has come up about $50 in the past few weeks.
 
 

So with the HD598 I'll have better sound quality both in music and in gaming than the others?
I found them at 155€ by the way.
 
 

 

[obazavil]

Need the mic? PC360
 
otherwise HD598

 

[Cente]

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Need the mic? PC360
 
otherwise HD598

Yeah well, I'm going to use a table mic so I don't really need it.
It would just be an "extra", but if I have to sacrifice audio quality, forget it.

 

[Evarin]

I have the PC360's. They sound very good, but I guess I was still expecting better in the long run. What I HAVEN'T done with them yet is use the mic, but i've a feeling it will be quality as the whole setup is rock solid, light, and comfortable. I believe the first 2 require clip on mics and additional hardware (A mixamp, or can you get away with less?) in order to use it. The PC360 has a built in mic that has been consistently well reviewed.
 
Honestly, I would go with the PC 360's for gaming, and once you get a sense of mid/high end headphones, make a separate purchase for music listening. Short of that, I would go with the HD598's. I think I will be going the DT990 +amp route once my finances are in order for pure music listening.

 

[Triggerfish]

Ok, going with the Senn 360s and figuring out the consequences from there.  Any recommendation on sound card?  I want an Asus Xonar, but which is recommended?  Was primarily considering the Asus Xonar line due to the included amp and generally good reviews as I'm looking for a mix of excellent music, great rumbling explosions, and good positional audio, all likely at the same time.

 

[PurpleAngel]

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Ok, going with the Senn 360s and figuring out the consequences from there.  Any recommendation on sound card?  I want an Asus Xonar, but which is recommended?  Was primarily considering the Asus Xonar line due to the included amp and generally good reviews as I'm looking for a mix of excellent music, great rumbling explosions, and good positional audio, all likely at the same time.

You could try getting the Asus Xonar DG (PCI) for now, $20 after $10 mail in rebate.
The headphone amplifier is rated up to 150-Ohms and the Senn PC360 is only 50-Ohms.
Best prices for higher end sound cards would be Feb to May.
 
Creative Labs cards would be a better choice for FPS 5.1 surround sound gaming
The new Creative card the Recon3D PCI-Express (SB1350) is expected out on Dec 16th,
comes with a headphone amplifier rated up to 600-Ohms and priced around $100.
 
The Xonar Essence STX would be almost as good at FPS gaming and would (should) have better sound quality.
 
 

 

[Triggerfish]

Hmm.. couldn't find any preliminary tests of the Recon3d.  Kind of torn if I should get the stx or wait for the $70 cheaper recon.  The obvious choice would be to wait for the tests on the recon...... darn impatience.  Why would you believe that the stx should have better sound quality?

 

[Evarin]

You could also go with an Astro mix-amp and run it from your computer to your headphones. I got one and actually liked the way it handled Skyrim. Didn't try an FPS, but it sounds just as good as my Yamaha's Silent Cinema.

 

[PurpleAngel]

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Hmm.. couldn't find any preliminary tests of the Recon3d.  Kind of torn if I should get the stx or wait for the $70 cheaper recon.  The obvious choice would be to wait for the tests on the recon...... darn impatience.  Why would you believe that the stx should have better sound quality?

Someone saw the specs on the Recon3D, was not impressed. and i believe there are no replaceable chips on the Recon3D.
Where as the STX can be upgraded with the latest op-amps.
 

 

[Evarin]

I'm having trouble getting true Dolby digital to my receiver via my computer. Anyone else playing Skyrim? It doesn't seem to have Dolby Digital, or any sound options that I could see. Nothing on the box, either.

 

[Vonx]

Can anyone elaborate a considerable upgrade from the Tritton AX720's?
 
I am itching to buy this christmas season but I dont want to jump unless the upgrade is worth it.

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

Can anyone elaborate a considerable upgrade from the Tritton AX720's?
 
I am itching to buy this christmas season but I dont want to jump unless the upgrade is worth it.

If you need a mic: PC360. I own the PC360, while my old longtime roomie owns the AX720. The PC360 is a clear step up. The bass is a little stronger on the Ax720 (due to it's closed design), but the PC360's bass is good and isn't lacking compared to the mids and highs. It's well balanced, with better details than the AX720, much better soundstage, and better DH positioning.

BTW, words can't express how much I miss audiophile headphones. Oh, my dear D7000 and HE4.... sacrificed for the better good (in this case a 65" Panasonic Plasma, lol).

 

[obazavil]

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BTW, words can't express how much I miss audiophile headphones. Oh, my dear D7000 and HE4.... sacrificed for the better good (in this case a 65" Panasonic Plasma, lol).

When you come back to audiophiles world, skip D7000 and jump straight Edition 8, They rock
 
I want a TV of that size ...
 
Welcome back MLE
 

 

[klopow]

I have a pair of PC360's, but I'm torn with the choices for internal sound cards.  I'm strictly using them for games.  I bought the ASUS Xonar DG and it sounds great with Dolby surround, but the 3.5mm mic jack refuses to work in the sound card.  The only thing I can do is plug into my case's front panel (which uses the HD Audio from the Xonar).  I want a sound card that functions correctly and is ideal for gaming with the PC360's.  Any suggestions?

 

[MunchyGut]

Hello everyone, first time poster, long time lurker
 
I wanted to share my little journey I went on in the world of headphones.
 
This is written from the perspective of someone who always appreciated audio, but never really knew what was good sounding (until recently)
 
I would like to start with the tl;dr - If you are considering getting a pair of dt 990s, (and I would assume 880s, 770s etc), you NEED NEED NEED an amp.  Also, if you are just starting out into the world of audio, (not DH, just hifi phones in general,) the ax720s will fit the bill very nicely.  It is all you should need.  If you want more, you can very easily upgrade later.  
 
Anyways, My world of DH audio started off with the ax720s.  I did some research online on sites other that head-fi, and decided that the astro a40s were overrated, and I was not impressed with any of the TB headsets I had heard.  720s sounded like the best bet to me.
 
Got them and loved them, for a while that is.  Maybe a year.  Then the upgradeitis set in.
 
I started looking around for alternatives, and what would give me the absolute best directional positioning available.  I then looked into the ax Pros.  I figured, 5 drivers in each ear (or w/e it it) must sound better than a simulated experience, right?
 
Wrong.  They turned out to be flashy, but not really good at what they were supposed to do.  It sounded like there were six or so spots around me, and sound only came from those spots.  It did not sound like a full 360 degree sound field.
 
So after they broke (took them a day and a half btw, and to be fair, they were used), I decided that I would do research into the astros.  Found this thread, and was blown away.  Never considered using the 3.5mm inputs in the puck of the 720 amp.  I then ordered a pair of ad700s, and a dealextreme mic.
 
I love the Ad700s, and I think they are awesome for when you really want to soundwhore.  I play a lot of shooters, just like most other people out there.)
 
I ordered a Mixamp to try it out (wireless), and was not impressed enough to justify the ~$150 price tag when I already have the 720 decoder box.  I sent it back. Don't get me wrong, it is awesome, and I would recommend it to anyone who has nice cans already, but wants DH.  Get that over the 720 amp.  But if you are working from scratch, the 720 amp is better value for money imo.
 
I still love the AD700s, but the other day, I really decided that I wanted to try something with any bass at all (i.e. not the ad700s.  Seriously, I figured that you all just had really high standards from listening to flagship cans, and that the amount of bass was blown out of proportion.)  From what I can tell, people on this site like to blow EVERYTHING out of proportion, describing small to medium differences as night and day.  The word "amazing" is so taboo here it's not even funny lol!
 
Back to the point, my journey took another turn the other day when I on a whim ordered a pair of dt990/250 pros for $175 US with a Behringer ha400 microamp included.  Decent price from what I can tell.  The amp I can consider a throwaway once my e9 comes tomorrow.  
 
Just want to share my experiences and opinions with anyone else who has just entered this world of hifi cans, and wants a more utilitarian, realistic review of these cans (i.e. from someone who really can't tell the difference between a lot of these things)
 
 
SUMMARY:  ALL REVIEWS ARE MY OPINION, and are with DH!
 
AX720 - If you have never heard a pair of decent headphones (and I mean more than maybe $50), these will be perfect for you.  They provide upgradeability for the future through the decoder box, and you get a pair of headphones with an attached mic.  Do not underestimate these.  If you have little headphone experience, and you want to get started, this is what you should buy, especially if you are not ready to drop over $100 just on the headphones alone.  Overall, I would give them a 6/10, when compared to the other cans I own.  When compared to stereo gaming on tv speakers, it is a whole different world.  9/10.  Directional positioning is about on par with the dt990s, maybe a 7/10.  Fun factor is a 7/10 as well.
 
Ad700 - These cans offer the best positional audio of any pair I have ever heard.  With a DH source, they are perfect for gaming in Multiplayer environments, when your objective is to gain an advantage over your opponents.  If you are looking to be immersed in the environment, they both greatly succeed and fall short at the same time.  You will hear every small detail that the game gives off, and know exactly where your opponents are.  This however, does not mean that you will hear the footsteps of your opponents on the complete other side of the map.  It means that if someone is close enough to kill you, you will know it if you pay attention.  These come highly recommended from me.  They look dorky, but are very comfortable imo, and I have an average sized head.  They will move a bit if you whip your head, but when gaming, who does that?  You are staring straight at the screen the whole time.  Overall, compared to the 720s and the DT990s, I would say that they are a 10/10 for positional accuracy, and about a 4/10 for just having fun while playing.  You will not hear explosions, or the rumble of gunfire or anything like that.  It will be there, sure, but it will not make you **** your pants in excitement.  Music wise, stick to classical only.  I can not exaggerate this enough.  Look elsewhere if you want one pair of headphones for both gaming and music, or SP gaming and MP gaming.
 
DT990/250 ohm Pro - Just got these today.  My first pair of nice headphones btw.  Initial impressions:  They are awesome for both SP and MP gaming WITH AN AMP.  I bought these thinking, "Everyone on head-fi must over-exaggerate the need for an amp.  It will probably be fine without one.  So when I first fired these up, I plugged them into the line out on my onboard audio of my pc, and was a little underwhelmed.  So I tried it through the 720 decoder box, and it was a bit better (with DH off of course.)  Next test was in MW3.  With the volume all the way up, it was still underwhelming.  Still more bass and immersion the the AD700s, but not to the level expected.  I had my volume all the way up, and it was only a medium volume.  Then I decided that I would try out the HA400 that came with them.  It is a ton better for everything that I listed, but I can tell they are still underpowered, hence the e9 in the mail .  These cans are going to provide you with top notch directional positioning, but it is somewhat harder to find people around you.  You can still hear people's footsteps clearly, thats not the problem.  If you wanted these for 100% competitive mp, then the AD700s are a better choice.  If you play comp.  mp about half the time, and the other half you play serious, but with your friends on XBL or PSN, then these are PERFECT.  They provide plenty of clarity and directional positioning for soundwhoring, but at the same time they make the game very fun to play.  Directional positioning 8/10, fun factor 10/10.  Musically, they are good for genres with bass and subbass, where clarity is also a key factor (dubstep etc.)  Keep in mind, this is from the perspective of someone who has heard about 10 pairs of headphones, and these were easily the most expensive.  If Skullcandy and Beats are all you know, then these will be well beyond what you would want.  If I had to pick one pair to use, and that was it, these would be it no question.  AD700s are only useful as a tool, and are not really that fun to game with.  720s are like the minor league variants of these.  If you don't know any better, then the 720s will sound fine.  BTW, this is all with the DT990s AMPED.  You will not be happy with them without an amp.  If you do not have the budget to get an amp, then just pass.  No questions asked.
 
My .02  (actually more like $1.50 

) on the world of headphone gaming, from an entry level perspective.  My apologies if this post is way too long for the forum, or if anyone feels offended by my opinions.  They are my opinions, and that is that.  Once I start writing, I just don't stop.  I could go on and on about this even more, but that should sum it up fairly well.  Most of this stuff has been said in the 164 pages of this thread (all of this I read)
 
Most people just have not enough time to read the entire thread.  This is my attempt to provide an analysis by someone who hasn't spent thousands of dollars on cans (yet )  
 
Thanks all!!