[b1gs341]

I'm looking for some decent headphones to use for comp gaming, DVD playback, and some music. It will be driven from a chaintech sound card. They need to be comfortable for long periods of listening and hopefully somewhat closed (I would consider open if they are an amazing sound quality gain). My first question is I have some old bookshelf speakers and an old stereo reciever that I intend to hook up to my computer. Is there anyway to use this as an amp for my headphones that I can switch back and forth? Some headphones I am considering now are Audio Technica A500 and Senn HD-555. What headphone would you recommend for my sittuation?

*edit* I meant sound card

 

[Helter Skelter]

Didn't know you could get audio out of a video card...

Anyway, you should be quite happy with the HD555, I think. Using your reciever will be just fine. Maybe not quite as good as a dedicated headphone amp, but just fine fo the purposes you describe, and certainly better than just plugging them directly into the card. As long as your reciever has some way to mute/disable the speakers while keeping the headphone output (it should), you'll be just fine.

 

[brandoj]

I agree with Helter Skelter. You would be rather happy with the 555's, but you would end up paying like $10-$20 more than you want to, so if you want to go cheaper than that you can pick up the 497's for like $50.

 

[infiskik]

555 are average what $150?
he wants sub 100
so
ATH - a500s
or
hd280

555s are open both the 290s and a500s are closed and the 280 isolate very well, and i assume the a500s do as much as my 900s and they good but slightly less then the280s in isolation.

both are comfortable(i speak owning 900s, but basically same as the 500s)

some people find the 280s wierd but say they are comfy i though they very nice. my friend loves his for all comp useage.

 

[Jonas]

aint the senn hd515 a good choice?

 

[Helter Skelter]

Sure, but if he was already considering the HD555 as he said he was, I don't see any reason not to stick with it, unless price is that huge a concern (the HD555s are only ~$120 at Amazon right now).

 

[Jonas]

How big is the difference in sound quality of hd515 and hd555.

 

[Fishy]

I thought the difference was big enough that I spent the extra $50 (at the time, because of course i bought mine like 3 weeks before the amazon sale...!!!). I was really suprised at how much better the 555 sounded because on paper, the specs don't really look much different between the 515 and the 555. But on your head, it's really noticeable. In my opinion.
In terms of comfort, the shape is the same but the 555's have velour ear pads as opposed to foam/cotton-y stuff.

 

[b1gs341]

Whats the difference between the senns and the Audio Technica. I have heard people saying the senns give a mellow sound. Would this be good for games and DVDs?

 

[Helter Skelter]

I use my HD595s for games and movies quite frequently, they are more than suitable for the task. I imagine the HD555 would also do quite well. I can't really speak for other brands.

 

[b1gs341]

So I take it everyone recommends the senns over the ATs.

 

[infiskik]

i use my a900s for movies, and they give a very nice sound stage and feeling over immersion.

ive used my friends 555's also while i dont think the lows are as nice as my a900s they are by all means great sounding for their price range. very comfortable too, not like my 900s but 555s come with velour pads which i love.

problem with the 555s and movies, is they are open and leak sound both in an out. while out isnt that big of a deal, the sound leaked in take away the immersion factor, but if your alone and have a fairly quite room they would be fine.

Quote:

So I take it everyone recommends the senns over the ATs.

it really depends, your asking open vs closed, that depends on your needs.
if your not worried about sound leakage in or out, the senns are great
but
if you want closed and good isolation the a500s are a great choice.

as far a direct sound comparison of the 555s to the 500's, i cant give it to you.

but i have to say i like the sound of my 900s over my friends 555s,

 

[HiroshimaJoe]

You should also consider the AKG K240S, they are simi open, and very comfortable. I personally prefer them to the HD555, but I haven't tried the A500 so cant comment on those.

The AKG are also very cheap in the US and offer great bang for the buck