xanderwolfe,
Yup, your "setup" is correct
[Headphone] --> [DAC/AMP] --> [Sound Card/Processor] --> [Laptop]
If you use a laptop, you can't put a soundcard inside... instead you need an external USB surround processor. Some options are the Asus Xonar U3 or U7 (if you like Dolby Headphone), Creative X-Fi Go! Pro (if you like CMSS-3D), Creative Recon3D USB (if you need something that works Windows, Mac, or console, and you like THX TruStudio Pro), or Creative Omni (Win+Mac, SBX ProStudio). I have a pretty extensive review of the Recon3D USB in my signature, and it's still my go-to device for the sake of flexibility (I prefer it over a Dolby Headphone device), but I bought an Omni for comparison and hopefully for a hardware upgrade. I hope to make a pretty comprehensive review of the Omni too.
Speaking of upgrades, the Omni and U3 have optical outputs if you want to later add an external DAC that has optical input. The U7 may also... but I haven't read as much about that model, sorry, but you can feel free to explore and share your findings. If you get the U3, you would more than likely want to upgrade the DAC right away, and if you get a DAC then you need an Amp either integrated in (FiiO E17) or a separate component. You
can attach the same extra add-ons to the Omni... but the Omni has a better DAC and amp integrated inside than the U3, so you may not need anything else between your headphones and the laptop (or just leave the special upgrades at home). I'll test out my Q701 with my Omni on Saturday night, if I don't spend the night with my girlfriend. I expect the Q701 to sound better with at least an external amp plugged in, but if the Q701 doesn't sound harsh straight out of the Omni I'll let you know.
...
As for cables, the best monoprice one is the "designed for mobile" one. DO NOT get the premium cable. That cable is huge and inflexible, and it will destroy your jack. I like to call that cable "Jack the ripper" as it rips up headphone jacks
...
2x what Chico said, mobile cable GOGOGO!
I don't think anyone really asked them. :\
FiiO has it's own forum, maybe we could do a little petition thing there for one:
http://www.head-fi.org/f/180/fiio
FiiO Reps:
http://www.head-fi.org/u/715/joe-bloggs
http://www.head-fi.org/u/148324/JamesFiiO
If it only took 7 people (on Head-Fi) to convince FiiO to change their E12 amp, it probably wouldn't be hard to convince them of a surround processor (DH or otherwise...) with a few loud voices and someone pointing to all the traffic to this thread WHICH IS DEDICATED TO headphones that work well with VIRTUAL SURROUND!
MORE GOGOGO!!!!!!!!!
Hi,
I am gonna pull the trigger on a new set of headphones this weekend and I have been going back and forth between two different ideas and I am not sure which is the better long term investment. I currently wear headphones for about 15 hours a day between work and gaming and my current setup is:
PS4 > Mixamp Pro 2011 > ATH-AD700s
or:
PC > Creative SBZ > ATH-AD700s
My question is given a budget of $400-$500 is it worth it to have 2 separate pairs of headphones and get something like HD6XX's and switching over to the ATH-AD700's when playing FPS's or should I just retire these and get another pair of large stage headphones like the AKG 702.52/712's and be happy with a single pair.
I do plan on eventually (few weeks after getting the headphones) investing in a matching amp and my music tastes are pretty varied from 80s pop/electro/jazz and I play 100s of games a year not just FPS's.
OMGGG!!!
That's a TON of listening hours my friend! The longest single session I ever could stand was 9 hours with MY ATH-AD700, mostly because (after I bent the headband to a good shape) it was really lightweight and that weight was evenly spread around. I often had 5+ hour single sessions with it. Personal comfort varies, BUT you're gonna need a very light, low clamp, soft-padded, and heat dissipating headphone to not have irritation develop beyond tolerances if you want to wear headphones so long!
The HD650/600 will not meet the bill. Right away they are heavier, and have strong clamping force. Your taste/mileage may vary (YMMV), but from all reports the HD650/600 have a relaxed sound (look up how many people say they have a "laid-back" character) that may cause less listening fatigue... but also won't give you the sense of punch and urgency you probably find lacking in the AD700 you already have. Sonic tastes are opinion though...
The only headphone I can think of (that I've tried) that comes close to the marathon comfort of a well-adjusted and broken-in AD700 would be Sony's MA900. It's also light and dissipates heat well (better than the AD700), improves on the midbass, still has great soundstage and imaging, but the headband will dig into your cranium after an hour and would need extra padding IMO. It could be a good replacement for the AD700 if you want just one headphone.
Personally, an AKG was the next step that appealed to me, and I haven't been swayed away from that yet. My Q701 adds the excitement and euphoria I was looking for, fair bit better bass extension and treble refinement, and I just love listening to it (FPS and RPG games, Sci-Fi and Fantasy movies, pop/rock/electro/orchestral are my tastes). I would recommend you get one of those or one of the new AKGs without headband bumps, and I think you'll be very happy. HOWEVER, if you've already got the AD700 into a shape that sits the earpads evenly against your head and you have a rubberband between the wings to keep them at the right elasticity to keep the headphones from sliding down, I think you should keep it for when another headphone makes your ears/head tired. The AKGs are very comfortable, and the larger Circumaural earpads are a treat, but after 4 hours it would be nice to switch to the lighter weight and lesser-bass AD700's. I don't have the freedom to have marathon sessions like before, but for a while I kept the AD700 alongside my AKGs just because of their comfort and simple amping requirements.
)
