[PhuFighters]

I'm definitely sure that the king of the C range(500-1000) is going to be the T1 2nd Generation(or the DT1990). A great all-rounder even for RPG games, versatile for most music genres, easy to drive, and has become the bang for the buck in 2021 at the moment. Some even prefer this for competitive games over the HD800s.

Totally agree! I might not have good ears for audiophile nuances but I can clearly hear the directional cues the T1 2nd gen offers compared to the HD800S.

 

[JES]

I'm definitely sure that the king of the C range(500-1000) is going to be the T1 2nd Generation(or the DT1990). A great all-rounder even for RPG games, versatile for most music genres, easy to drive, and has become the bang for the buck in 2021 at the moment. Some even prefer this for competitive games over the HD800s.

Totally agree! I might not have good ears for audiophile nuances but I can clearly hear the directional cues the T1 2nd gen offers compared to the HD800S.

Why not the 3rd generation?

 

[illram]

We should do this exercise where we identify the little brother of the HD800S in terms of competitive gaming in lower price brackets.

Who is the HD800S's little brother between:

A. $150-$300 ?
B. $300-$500 ?
C. $500-$1000 ?
D. $1000-$1500 ?

I'm gonna answer this with the caveat of applying a VSS DSP, since this is a gaming thread. This obviously makes a big difference with headphones and can totally change the sound.

A. Hifiman HE 400i
B. Koss ESP950
C. Hifiman HE 560 (MSRP)
D. ??

(I haven't looked at pricing in a while, may flip B and C. Same answer though).

Hifiman's 400i and 560, (particularly now that SXFi has a specific 400i setting) really expand their (not normally large) stage with a DSP and their imaging remains excellent. The Koss also will perform whatever tricks you ask it to perform since it is so detailed and accurate. I will go between these 4 (HD800S, 400i, 560, Koss) and find them all excellent for virtual surround accuracy. My two cents.

 

[PhuFighters]

Why not the 3rd generation?

I haven't heard these yet but seems like from some reviews, they're really close to the 2nd gens at a lot lower impedance making these very easy to drive without a headphone amp. Also, a lot easier to find than the 2nd gens haha

 

[JES]

I'm gonna answer this with the caveat of applying a VSS DSP, ...

Forgive me, but what is VSS?

 

[Chastity]

Forgive me, but what is VSS?

Virtual Surround Sound, otherwise known as HRTF-embedded stereo for headphones. HRTF will use psychoacoustics to embed audio cues in a stereo feed to have it sound like a multi-speaker source.

 

[JES]

Virtual Surround Sound, otherwise known as HRTF-embedded stereo for headphones. HRTF will use psychoacoustics to embed audio cues in a stereo feed to have it sound like a multi-speaker source.

Thank you. The acronym threw me.

 

[motorwayne]

Totally agree! I might not have good ears for audiophile nuances but I can clearly hear the directional cues the T1 2nd gen offers compared to the HD800S.

I'd go for something like the T1 2nd gen's they sound good, I've just gotten used to the PC38X with a mic attached. Wonder how the staging compares between the two?

 

[jincuteguy]

Anyone knows if a Dekoni earpad is worth the price? $80 for a pair of earpads

 

[JES]

I'd go for something like the T1 2nd gen's they sound good, I've just gotten used to the PC38X with a mic attached. Wonder how the staging compares between the two?

I also just started using the PC38X and am curious of that as well.

 

[motorwayne]

Other thing: I'm using an SB X-Fi HD (Burson Op's)/Atom amp combo..would the Hel 2 add to my setup or are the Burson amps already doing the job?

Cheers

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

Anyone knows if a Dekoni earpad is worth the price? $80 for a pair of earpads

Look very carefully. Pads can make or break a headphone's sound. It depends on the material, and the headphone.

 

[PhuFighters]

I'd go for something like the T1 2nd gen's they sound good, I've just gotten used to the PC38X with a mic attached. Wonder how the staging compares between the two?

Curious myself! You don't see these two being compared, atleast i haven't ran across any. It may come as a surprise but i haven't even tried the PC38X before haha. The last pair of Sennys i've owned were the PC363D and till this day is the most comfortable pair of headsets i've ever wore. PC38X is an upgrade to those but i wouldn't know if they are against the T1 2nd gens.

 

[Chastity]

Anyone knows if a Dekoni earpad is worth the price? $80 for a pair of earpads

As for quality, their pads are top notch. Memory foam is just right, breathes yet has some density for comfort. Quality materials.

As MLE pointed out, changing from stock pads will alter the sound signature. Dekoni has FR charts comparing their models vs stock so you can get an idea of what will change. I use EQ to restore original signature elements using Elite Hybrids on my DT-1990.

 

[UrsusMajor]

The only person in the whole universe that can tell you if the difference is worth the price is you.

Diminishing returns? For shure. I would even argue that you can find diminishing returns between HD 598 and HD 800S for gaming. The gaming experience is not 10 times better. Is it worth for me considering the price. Yes (since I like them for music). Is it worth for someone else? I really can't tell that and nobody can. For most of my gaming friends I would guess it is not worth it but we are not like the most of people here in Head-Fi.

Ahh certainly, for music, they blow my X2HRs and K712s out of the water. Well-mastered tracks with a high dynamic range, I can't listen to if not with the HD800S.

Though testing them with Modern Warfare, I was very surprised at how well the HD598s stack up. The difference was more subtle.

I will likely get the HDV820 at some point. I just really hope Sony update the PS5 to support UAC2, so I could at least use it directly.
Currently using the 800s with SXFI dongle, the volume output of which seems to really bug out.