[Eric_C]

Nooooo but I'm...so...prudent.

Yes the K271 is a little bass light. I A/B'd them with the HFI-580 and the AKG's bass was much milder.
Another time I compared them to Beats Pro and M50--in that instance the K271 felt a little warmer in the mids, and overall more "right" in the treble and bass.

Demo-ing 770 and 550 in store now, unamped and with music.

[Update:] 770 really does have some fantastic bass and soundstage, but I think it comes at the cost of the mids. They feel very recessed. Highs are a bit rolled off too, though that's not necessarily bad. MLE's spot-on: I expect these to be GREAT gaming-for-fun only. Not so great as all-rounders.
K550 looks and feels excellent, but I think I'm hearing the "plasticky" mids AKG is infamous for. Voices sounded a bit unnatural and the highs were a tad peaky. Jazz at the Pawnshop did not sound good at all. Classical violin was perfect. Fit was a bit finicky.

 

[chicolom]

I've had the K 240 which was not bass light.  I can't remember the soundstage too well - I think it was medium sized, but not large enough for my tastes (I like 'em rreeal big).
 
 

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

That treble peak seems so out of place, considering how everything is up until that point.

 

[moppelh]

so, after months and months of researching im finally about to pull the trigger on the DT990 premium (32ohm).  problems is this recon3d thing...  is it good enough to drive the dt (at least to a similar level as the mixamp)? which one would be better: e7 or e11? ill be playing and watching movies on the PS3.
 
the recon3d has a feature to EQ via PC software, and thats tempting...

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

I dunno how strong the internal amp is on the Recon, but the 32ohm Beyers do want power.

 

[moppelh]

which would be a better pairing for the them, the e7 or e11?  or any other good options in the price range?   ($50-70)
 
(how surprising... there is no information on the soundblaster site about the internal amp on the recon3d...)

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

E11 for sure. The E7 has a very weak amp.

 

[moppelh]

Thank you for all the information MLE and everyone.  I've been checking this thread for a few months now and its been very awesome to become familiar with the audiophile world.
 
now for the long wait...  order in place but its going to be a while until everything arrives here in Brazil.

 

[I95North]

Quote:

Thank you for all the information MLE and everyone.  I've been checking this thread for a few months now and its been very awesome to become familiar with the audiophile world.
 
now for the long wait...  order in place but its going to be a while until everything arrives here in Brazil.

If your getting the e11 and you listen to your headset for long sesions you might want to get a second battery becasue you can't play n charge the e11 at the same time if your battery goes dead..
 
I have that amp and made that mistake of not getting a second battery but it is a very good amp none the less

 

[Mrniceguy633]

If your getting the e11 and you listen to your headset for long sesions you might want to get a second battery becasue you can't play n charge the e11 at the same time if your battery goes dead..

I have that amp and made that mistake of not getting a second battery but it is a very good amp none the less

Thats actually very good to know. Are the Fiio all like that? I'd rather not have to deal with batteries dying if there are other options just as good amp wise

 

[ruuku]

Quote:

Thats actually very good to know. Are the Fiio all like that? I'd rather not have to deal with batteries dying if there are other options just as good amp wise

Do you need the amp to be portable? If not then a desktop amp like the O2 or E9 would be a good choice in terms of power/price. Or you could go for something higher end like M-stage, Schitt Lyr/Asgard. 
 
For Fiio's portable amps the E11 is the current top of the line in terms of power output, but doesn't have the DAC capability like the E7, or E11 (which you shouldn't need for gaming). The lower end of the line (E1-6) may not have enough power output to really be worth it. 

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

For Fiio's portable amps the E11 is the current top of the line in terms of power output, but doesn't have the DAC capability like the E7, or E17 (which you shouldn't need for gaming). The lower end of the line (E1-6) may not have enough power output to really be worth it. 

Fixed.

 

[chicolom]

Quote:

Do you need the amp to be portable? If not then get a desktop amp like the O2 or E9 would be a good choice in terms of power/price. Or you could go for something higher end like M-stage, Schitt Lyr/Asgard. 

 
x2
 
If you don't need a portable amp, don't get one.  Get a desktop amp.  The M-stage and Schiit amps are probably overkill for gaming, but E9s are cheap on the FS forum (~$80), and the O2 isn't that bad either.

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

Since he's aiming for the 32ohm DT990, I'd say go for the O2 instead of the E9, due to the output impedance which may make the treble even more prominent off the E9.

 

[chicolom]

Quote:

Since he's aiming for the 32ohm DT990, I'd say go for the O2 instead of the E9, due to the output impedance which may make the treble even more prominent off the E9.

 
With the DT990 I'd actually be fine with recommending the E17 for the EQ options.