Hmm I might be back to the drawing table then. I would be using these for gaming/movies pretty strictly. Yes music would be played but through a L9 on the mixamp so the quality would be degraded. I am going to look at more reviews of Phillips X1 and DT770pro (Since I think the 600ohms are grossly overpriced in Canada.). Maybe a Mad Dog but I am like you in the fact I realllllly dislike pleather. I know my HM5 pads are pleather but they are on my CALs. Since they fit I might order some Shure 940 pads for fun. If anything I can put them on my HM5s and hope to hell it fixes the weird sound signature on them. Next to my other headphones I think they are pretty horrid.
HM5s I could never recommend to anyone. The bass doesn't extend as far and as deep as the CALs, They don't have the overall clarity of the CALs or the DT990. The mids are the most present thing yet feel distant. So you can imagine what the rest of the sound signature sounds like. I think they are awful for the price. If you were using the Jaycar branded ones for 70 bucks then maybe they are worth the price but again why would you get them when you could wait for a sale on the CALs and spend a couple extra bucks on some pads if they are to small for your ears. Again this is strictly my opinions.
You're overthinking how much the 990s are better than the HE400. They have an edge on positional cues, and air. That's it. The HE400 blows the DT990 away in every other way, and gives them a run for their money in those areas anyways. You'd be making a mistake by choosing the DT990 over the HE400 if you can spring for the HE400. The sound quality is in another league.
Remember, anything I give an 8 to is GREAT. Meaning you won't be gaining much in positional cues by going with the 990s over the HE400, but gain a big leap in SQ by going with the HE400.
[SIZE=10pt]The question is DT 990 seems to be more gaming-friendly than HE-400 due to its one sided cable, velour pads for comfort, positional sound, etc. but the need for amplification is an against. I'd what to leave an external amplifier.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]However MLE says the HE-400's comfort is better than one of DT 900 and that both are very similar in terms of competitive gaming.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]If he is right, so HE-400 would be better because it doesn't need an external amp when we have got SB Z. Is it right?[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]My doubt falls over which from them is a better buy for gaming (not what is simplistically best for gaming in terms of competitive games).[/SIZE]
Uhh, people who buy the HE400 here ALWAYS buy the hifiman velour pads as well, as it adds sound quality AND comfort. I don't know anyone who uses the pleather on the HE400.
And yes, the HE400 is easier to drive than the DT990/600 by a LOT, but they still need amping to get the best out of them. Planar magnetic headphones love amping.
The question of which one is better for gaming is taken too strongly. Both are GREAT. You ONLY need GREAT. One great headphone for gaming isn't going to outdo another GREAT headphone for gaming by a significant amount. Only when I directly compare would I be like "Yeah the 990 has a slight advantage". In reality, both will be well suited. The 990 might be slightly better for gaming use, but the HE400 is a very noticeable leap in sound quality over the 990.
It's not like 990 would help me get a kill that the HE400 couldn't. They both would perform the same duties. The 990 just has more soundstage and air, due to a thinner sound. For example, remember, the AD700 is a very dry, thin sounding headphone. So would you choose the AD700 over the HE400? I sure as hell wouldn't. Yes, the AD700 is a competitive gaming beast, but the enjoyment factor is far below that of the HE400. The same could be said of the 990 to a lesser extent. It's thinner, and dry compared to the very natural, and engaging tone of the HE400.
I initially chose the 990 over the HE400 lasyt time, because the DT990 had a bigger bass presence. But I lost a lot of SQ by downgrading that way. Now that I have the HE400 again, I have no idea what I was on when I made that decision. The HE400 is an honest to goodness, amazing headphone suited practically for all purposes.
