[chicolom]

Quote:

Just to update this post.
 
I have returned and replaced the entire chain besides the Xbox itself and the problem persists.
 
Short of returning the Xbox, the last option I see is to bypass the Xbox Slim's optical port altogether and get a A/V Optical adapter.  Maybe the problem lies in the optical port.  Opinions?
 
The best way I can describe the noise is an intermittent "psssssst."  Like someone is whispering for you to come over.

I sort of doubt the optical port was damaged.  Unless the jack has popped out of either the xbox or the AX720. 
 
The CALs are low impedance, you may be able to hear the hissing on the AX720.  It wouldn't be intermittent though, it would be constant low level hissing. 
 
AD700s (32 ohms + lots of treble) were pretty bad combination with the DSS. Annoying hiss if you were at a quite part of the game.  Q701s are great with their darker-and-harder-to-drive-ness.  They're dead quiet when the game is also quiet. 
 
 
 
You could try moving the setup over to a DVD player and testing it out on the DVD players optical jack. 

1. If the problem is fixed, it may be the xbox's optical jack is screwed up.
2. If the problem persists (and you already tried using another optical cable) it's probably in the AX720 somewhere. 

 

[NinjaSushi2]

Quote:

I sort of doubt the optical port was damaged.  Unless the jack has popped out of either the xbox or the AX720. 
 
The CALs are low impedance, you may be able to hear the hissing on the AX720.  It wouldn't be intermittent though, it would be constant low level hissing. 
 
AD700s (32 ohms + lots of treble) were pretty bad combination with the DSS. Annoying hiss if you were at a quite part of the game.  Q701s are great with their darker-and-harder-to-drive-ness.  They're dead quiet when the game is also quiet. 
 
 
 
You could try moving the setup over to a DVD player and testing it out on the DVD players optical jack. 

1. If the problem is fixed, it may be the xbox's optical jack is screwed up.
2. If the problem persists (and you already tried using another optical cable) it's probably in the AX720 somewhere. 

 
 
Hmm.. He's using an Xbox Slim correct? I myself am using an XBOX 360 Elite. Bought it back in 07/08 whenever it came out. So could my problem be that my xbox is just too old or outdated? It doesn't actually have a TOS cable jack on the xbox itself. I have to use the AV/RF adapter or w/e it is, that cable has the TOS port on it. 
 
 
This is my setup at the moment.
 
XBOX 360 Elite > XBOX 360 "Audio Adapter" > TOS cable > Astro Mix Amp > 3.5mm male to male > Object 2 Amp > AKG Q701 headphones.
 
I think maybe the mix amp is miss wired because no matter my setup, I have better position when my Dolby Headphone is turned off then when it is on.

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

Thanks guy. It was the audio settings on the xbox and game, I forgot to set it all over to surround effects, etc/whatever. I was playing on stereo and on surround headphone/headset. 

Using a TOS cable btw. Which youtube test should I use? 5.1 surround test? Maybe a dolby HP test?

None. Youtube videos won't properly work on the Mixamp. The vids I posted were already pre-mixed with Dolby Headphone, and don't need any amp.

 

[NamelessPFG]

Quote:

Planar Magnetics also need some really strong amping, aside from the HE400 which seems to have found a way to be easily driven.
Try using the HE-4, 5, or 6 without an amp. They'll spit on your face...quietly.

 
Can't say I've ever used an orthodynamic/planar-magnetic headphone before, though the Fostex T50RP tempts me every now and then (especially in its modified incarnations).
 
However, at least you can plug those headphones into most audio equipment and hear something, so the barrier to entry is still a bit lower in a sense.
 
Actually, now that I think about it...if the FiiO E9 and Objective2 live up to the hype, competent dynamic/ortho amps are a hell of a lot cheaper too. I don't think I've seen an electrostatic amp for less than $300, even DIY designs like the ExStatA, unless you count the lucky gits scoring SR-Lambda Pro + SRM-1/Mk2 Pro setups for just $400 shipped.

 

[NinjaSushi2]

Quote:

None. Youtube videos won't properly work on the Mixamp. The vids I posted were already pre-mixed with Dolby Headphone, and don't need any amp.

Oh.. ok. So your best advice would be to let my headphones have a full burn in and then test it in a private game with a couple of buddies?

 

[PceLuvnSloMo]

I'm also thinking about getting the Denon D2000 since the D7000 are a bit expensive. Ive seen that the differences in D2000 vs D5000 are subtle, and that from D5000 to D7000 is even subtler (is that a word ?.)
 
I have to say the only reason I'm a bit hesitant on buying the D2000 is because I don't get the awesome-looking wooden cups

 

[Mehdi]

Quote:

 
 
Hmm.. He's using an Xbox Slim correct? I myself am using an XBOX 360 Elite. Bought it back in 07/08 whenever it came out. So could my problem be that my xbox is just too old or outdated? It doesn't actually have a TOS cable jack on the xbox itself. I have to use the AV/RF adapter or w/e it is, that cable has the TOS port on it. 
 
 
This is my setup at the moment.
 
XBOX 360 Elite > XBOX 360 "Audio Adapter" > TOS cable > Astro Mix Amp > 3.5mm male to male > Object 2 Amp > AKG Q701 headphones.
 
I think maybe the mix amp is miss wired because no matter my setup, I have better position when my Dolby Headphone is turned off then when it is on.

You're sure you turned on Dolby Surround on the Xbox? Astro Mix Amp with DH sounds AMAZING for, even when using crappier headphones. 

 

[Mehdi]

My Q701s and Titanium HD should be arriving tomorrow. 

I've additionally decided to order the following:
* Beyerdynamic DT990 Premium - ~$200 *amp needed*
* Ultrasone Pro 550 - ~$150 *no amp needed*
* Headphone Amplifier ( need a suggestion here, preferably something sold directly by Amazon.com ... I wanted to get the E9, but its only fullfilled by Amazon, making returns potentially hard? )
 
So, my reasoning is quite simple. Given I'm a noob, and frankly after reading a billion threads and getting tons of advice from folks, I really just want to take what I believe are the "best" suggestions... and try them myself. 

I will use the Q701 as my "baseline" along with my MixAmp. 
I will then follow this up with the Q701 plus a dedicated Amp. I will then note the improvements I see.
I will then try the DT990s with the dedicated Amp. I will compare how it sounds to the Q701s, in relation to games, movies and music. Is the more "bassiness" of these worth it over the Q701s? We'll see.
I will then try on the Ulrasone Pro 550s to answer the question -- compared to the "better" headphones that require amping, how does this thing compare? This will help me understand whether I can justify a few hundred extra dollars for better equipment.
 
 
I will be testing with the following:
 
Games
Bioshock - Perhaps my favorite sounding game when it comes to "mood"
Counter Strike Source - When it comes to positional cues, this is probably the best game to test with I would figure
Battlefield 3 - Position cues mixed with BASS from all the carnage taking place in the game
 
Movies
Inception
Iron Man
 
Music
Dub Step
Vocal Trance
Modern Rock (various)
Hip Hop (various)
 

I will then proceed to turn the two headphones that don't fit the bill, along with the amp. If my headphone of choice requires an amp, I'll invest in a quality one that I'd expect to last few years. 
 
This is all with the assumption, based on other threads, that Amazon is pretty lenient with return policies. 
 
tldr: After getting my Q701 tomorrow, I'll be ordering two more mics and an amp to test how they compare to it. 

 

[NinjaSushi2]

Quote:

My Q701s and Titanium HD should be arriving tomorrow. 

I've additionally decided to order the following:
* Beyerdynamic DT990 Premium - ~$200 *amp needed*
* Ultrasone Pro 550 - ~$150 *no amp needed*
* Headphone Amplifier ( need a suggestion here, preferably something sold directly by Amazon.com ... I wanted to get the E9, but its only fullfilled by Amazon, making returns potentially hard? )
 
So, my reasoning is quite simple. Given I'm a noob, and frankly after reading a billion threads and getting tons of advice from folks, I really just want to take what I believe are the "best" suggestions... and try them myself. 

I will use the Q701 as my "baseline" along with my MixAmp. 
I will then follow this up with the Q701 plus a dedicated Amp. I will then note the improvements I see.
I will then try the DT990s with the dedicated Amp. I will compare how it sounds to the Q701s, in relation to games, movies and music. Is the more "bassiness" of these worth it over the Q701s? We'll see.
I will then try on the Ulrasone Pro 550s to answer the question -- compared to the "better" headphones that require amping, how does this thing compare? This will help me understand whether I can justify a few hundred extra dollars for better equipment.
 
 
I will be testing with the following:
 
Games
Bioshock - Perhaps my favorite sounding game when it comes to "mood"
Counter Strike Source - When it comes to positional cues, this is probably the best game to test with I would figure
Battlefield 3 - Position cues mixed with BASS from all the carnage taking place in the game
 
Movies
Inception
Iron Man
 
Music
Dub Step
Vocal Trance
Modern Rock (various)
Hip Hop (various)
 

I will then proceed to turn the two headphones that don't fit the bill, along with the amp. If my headphone of choice requires an amp, I'll invest in a quality one that I'd expect to last few years. 
 
This is all with the assumption, based on other threads, that Amazon is pretty lenient with return policies. 

 
All that is dandy and all but all you need is this set up.
 
AKG Q701
Object 2 Amp (Order with AC adapter)
Mix Amp Pro from Astro
Ant Lion Mod Mic
3.5mm male to male cable
 
Set up, let them burn in, enjoy.

 

[Mehdi]

Quote:

 
All that is dandy and all but all you need is this set up.
 
AKG Q701
Object 2 Amp (Order with AC adapter)
Mix Amp Pro from Astro
Ant Lion Mod Mic
3.5mm male to male cable
 
Set up, let them burn in, enjoy.

I agree, "academically" based on what I've been reading on this site. However, I want to be sure about that fact which can only be done if I experience the difference myself.

 

[Eric_C]

Quote:

I agree, "academically" based on what I've been reading on this site. However, I want to be sure about that fact which can only be done if I experience the difference myself.

 
NinjaSushi2: also don't forget that Mehdi is gaming on PC. Not every soundcard will be able to output the surround sound optically for a MixAmp to use (in fact, I've heard that most on-board sound chips won't) so it's not as simple as getting a MixAmp and some headphones.

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

Items fulfilled by Amazon is like buying straight off Amazon, as they hold the seller's stock in Amazon's warehouses.

I have had zero issues returning items that weren't directly sold by Amazon, but fulfilled by them.

 

[ChileConCarney]

Got my CAL a week or two ago and I thought I would share my first impressions (still waiting on my new laptop, 7970 backorders and whatnot so nothing about gaming yet) 
 
As far as comfort goes- they're great and don't leave my ears sore after long use. While they do trap heat and will make your ears sweat with heavy activity or warm weather, you won't really notice it until you take them off.
 
Sound is great- This is my first pair of "quality" headphones and I now hear a clear difference in quality between HD and regular Definition videos when using youtube to find music (I did not before).*
*note i've noticed some sort of distortion sound in a couple different instances. It sound like a cross between a rainstick and lightly scratching velcrow (seems to only affect smartphone so most likely not a problem or shortcoming of the headphones but rather limitation of device.)
 
Build Quality/Durability-I am a bit concerned about not being able to change out the headphone cord as it looks to be not much (if at all) better than ipod earbuds in durability, and i would need to send the whole thing to be repaired if something happened rather than receiving a replacement cord. Also I often fully extend them so i can carry them around my neck ( just barely but still comfortably) and i have to be careful when doing so because i feel like they would effortlessly snap if i tried to extend them not knowing they are already extended as far as possible.
 
So far seem to be great entry level headphones that can be used on the go THANKS ENVY

 

[chicolom]

Quote:

 
 
Hmm.. He's using an Xbox Slim correct? I myself am using an XBOX 360 Eli

te. Bought it back in 07/08 whenever it came out. So could my problem be that my xbox is just too old or outdated? It doesn't actually have a TOS cable jack on the xbox itself. I have to use the AV/RF adapter or w/e it is, that cable has the TOS port on it. 
 
 
This is my setup at the moment.
 
XBOX 360 Elite > XBOX 360 "Audio Adapter" > TOS cable > Astro Mix Amp > 3.5mm male to male > Object 2 Amp > AKG Q701 headphones.
 
I think maybe the mix amp is miss wired because no matter my setup, I have better position when my Dolby Headphone is turned off then when it is on.

 
An old xbox don't matter.  All of them do Dolby Digital 5.1.  If you have an old one, you use this,which I assume is what your already using.
 
Dolby Headphone should sound like this > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9ApNLMmeAs
You have to listen to that on your computer, in stereo, with headphones.  It's already premixed.
 
If it doesn't sound like that ^, something is wrong.  If it does sound like that, but you still have bad positioning, your screwed

  
 
 
The mixamp only works when it's receiving a Dolby Digital 5.1 signal over optical (disregard coax for the moment).  No other combination will give you correct Dolby Headphone sound. 
 
It will screw up if:

1. Your not using optical
2. You have the xbox set to output anything other than Dolby Digital 5.1 (such as digital stereo)
3. The xbox starts outputting a signal other than DD 5.1, such as watching stereo video streams on the dashboard. 

 
It will switch to Dolby Pro Logic, which is a 2 channel -> 5.1 interpolation, whenever it doesn't have a 5.1 DD signal. 
 
Quote:

Oh.. ok. So your best advice would be to let my headphones have a full burn in and then test it in a private game with a couple of buddies?

 
Burn in has absolutely nothing to do with whether the surround sound is working, so I wouldn't worry about it. 

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

Yeah, I don't believe in burn in. I believe in you yourself adjusting/getting used to the headphone's sound.