Well I'm new to this scene...

[KieranO]

Hi there, im a Pc gamer and i feel i am a big Music buff, that is to say i VERY much enjoy listening to my music i never turn off my mp3 player/speakers on my macbook air, however i feel i may be missing out on the scene with a high quality headset.
 
(Just to clarify, I would need these only for PC use, any headsets with console compatibility is not a factor I require, however if i could possibly use them with a portable device e.g. my mp3 player that would be AWEEESOMMMEEE).
 
I would like to request your services in choosing a headset that will compliment music from an inexperienced set of ears, if it helps the types of music i listen to ranges from acoustic from alternative, rock, indie rock, hard rock, pop and pop rock, haha a very wide variety i know and those just just the main ones, these will also double up as a headset for me to use whilst i play games on my pc but that will be a secondary function i think the music is more important and i may get another set for gaming.
 
The words Bass Treble mid range low range etc mean nothing to me as i've never really been shown the differences.
 
I have been looking towards sets like AKG q701 (though i don't particularly want to get open headset), AKG 550, Sennheiser variants and a few others.
 
I am open to new ideas and if you can suggest any particular paths to go down then i would happily take a look, I am looking for a budget of up to £250 I think.
 
Another thing i was curious upon was the issue regarding DAC and AMPs, i know what they do but is the difference really that great, if so would i be advised to combine one of the quality headsets i mentioned with one of these? 

 

[linglingjr]

Quote:

I have been looking towards sets like AKG q701 (though i don't particularly want to get open headset), AKG 550, Sennheiser variants and a few others.

When I first got into audio stuff I wanted to get k701/q701s for my first pair of headphones as well.  They will sound very boring, shallow and almost hollow sounding with out a decent amp because they require a ton of power to be driven correctly.  You have a lot of options since you don't care if the headphone is bassy/nutural/bright.
 
Sennheiser HD598 are good for all types of genres and have a good soundstage for gaming, they don't need an amp and will sound good right out of your computer or phone.  AKG K272s were my first pair of headphones and they also sound good with out a dedicated amp, they are extremely light on bass and sound great for vocals and rock with a good amount of detail in the higher frequencies.  They worked good enough for gaming and the fact they are so bass light makes it easy to hear footsteps and they're pretty accurate with what direction sound is coming from in games. K550s are great too with out any amp but I have no idea what they're like for gaming.  I would also look at audio technica A900x they are closed back and will sound good out of your phone they are also great for gaming but they are absolutely MASSIVE on your head (so are the k550s k272s and q701s)
 
Since your budget is so high you could probably afford an FiiO e9 or e9k desktop amp to use if you really wanted to get K701s, but they would sound terrible out of your phone.  Hope that helps sorry it's so terribly organized lol

 

[KieranO]

well honestly as you mentioned budget, for combo of headset and amp if you think it would be a worthwhile investment (i really do like my music) i wouldnt mind pushing £300/350 etc i dont really have a specific "budget" per say im just looking to get great audio quality for my tunes and just double it up as a gaming headset lol, the positional audio wont be the biggest factor i dont suppose, i rarely play battlefield 3 and my MAIN game is starcraft 2 though i occassionally switch to metro 2033 and tomb raider etc to have a break in between matches, regarding the headphones size, i dont mind size i wont be wearing them outside, so sound quality and comfortability are the two main factors, im also slightly hard of hearing at the moment (hayfever) but hopfully get that sorted soon but for the mo i guess i will need to get some sort of amp to boost the sound levels haha http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006IPH5H2/ref=s9_simh_gw_p23_d0_i3?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-4&pf_rd_r=1EGQ406W0MFSF6QVW6W4&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=358549367&pf_rd_i=468294 this is the one i had been checking out to combine with the K550's, ofc this is all entry level stuff for me (that is to say my first) so i have a feeling im entering somthing i will one day live to regret (my wallet will live to regret) but my ears will live to love!!!