Headphone Buying Megathread/Guide V4 - Come here for all your audio needs! (New Threads are not need - Hardware & Software

[QUOTE=garychencool;49196431]I would probably get this if it wasn't open-back since everyone around me would hear what I'm listening and if I didn't already buy a M50x for $179 some weeks ago.[/QUOTE] Yeah, i already have a pair of X2's and just bought the SHP9500's a few days ago. I kinda want to buy the 598's for no good reason too.

That price for the 598 is almost too good to be true. Does the special edition have a hidden drawback?

[QUOTE=ryfry99;49196113]Just bought them for $102 after tax + shipping. Sale just went live:[URL="http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-598-Over-Ear-Headphones/dp/B0126HISOO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1448611478&sr=8-2&keywords=sennheiser+hd+598+case"]http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-598-Over-Ear-Headphones/dp/B0126HISOO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1448611478&sr=8-2&keywords=sennheiser+hd+598+case[/URL][/QUOTE] I bought one

For like 10 more minutes the Beyerdynamic DT990 250 Ohm Pro's are on sale for $125. If you've got an amp I highly suggest picking them up, I just bought some. [URL]http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0011UB9CQ/ref=gbph_tit_m-4_7502_ad16a405?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=2304267502&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-4&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=384082011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=040EJ4CETSCQFR79JTF4[/URL] [editline]27th November 2015[/editline] Aaand they're gone [editline]27th November 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=Silikone;49197907]That price for the 598 is almost too good to be true. Does the special edition have a hidden drawback?[/QUOTE] I think Sennheiser is releasing their new line soonish. The 5x8 line keeps going on random great sales. .

[QUOTE=ryfry99;49196113]Just bought them for $102 after tax + shipping. Sale just went live:[URL="http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-598-Over-Ear-Headphones/dp/B0126HISOO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1448611478&sr=8-2&keywords=sennheiser+hd+598+case"]http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-598-Over-Ear-Headphones/dp/B0126HISOO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1448611478&sr=8-2&keywords=sennheiser+hd+598+case[/URL][/QUOTE] just when I thought black friday was a total failure. instant buy. I was looking at getting the 558 but since these are now for the same price, no way I could say no to that

bought a pair of dt990 250ohm pros when they went on flash sale today. gonna use them for reference work but i also just bought them to have a good pair of open backs.

[QUOTE=TonyTheBean;49201015]bought a pair of dt990 250ohm pros when they went on flash sale today. gonna use them for reference work but i also just bought them to have a good pair of open backs.[/QUOTE] I'm excited to use mine. Ordered a FiiO E09k to go with my old E17 I don't use anymore.

[QUOTE=TonyTheBean;49201015]bought a pair of dt990 250ohm pros when they went on flash sale today. gonna use them for reference work but i also just bought them to have a good pair of open backs.[/QUOTE] really tempted to get the Sennheiser HD 598 [url]http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0126HISOO?m=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB&qid=1448661878&ref_=sr_1_2&s=electronics&sr=1-2[/url]

[QUOTE=TonyTheBean;49201015]bought a pair of dt990 250ohm pros when they went on flash sale today. gonna use them for reference work but i also just bought them to have a good pair of open backs.[/QUOTE] Let me know how they work for you in that role, please. I need, at some point, more than one pair just for the sake of making sure my mix downs work on a few systems and those seem like a good additional pair to have

[QUOTE=TonyTheBean;49201015]bought a pair of dt990 250ohm pros when they went on flash sale today. [B]gonna use them for reference work [/B]but i also just bought them to have a good pair of open backs.[/QUOTE] RIP your ears. DT990s are way to bright, to the point of being harsh. Also, they're not reference headphones at all. [IMG]https://i.imgur.com/vSS5dmc.png[/IMG] [editline]28th November 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=paindoc;49202117]Let me know how they work for you in that role, please. I need, at some point, more than one pair just for the sake of making sure my mix downs work on a few systems and those seem like a good additional pair to have[/QUOTE] DT990s aren't neutral. They are super bright and bassy with a recessed mid range.

[QUOTE=aydin690;49202499]RIP your ears. DT990s are way to bright, to the point of being harsh. Also, they're not reference headphones at all. [IMG]https://i.imgur.com/vSS5dmc.png[/IMG] [editline]28th November 2015[/editline] DT990s aren't neutral. They are super bright and bassy with a recessed mid range.[/QUOTE] Oh god they're like inverse Xb500s All the bass with half the fun? [editline]edit[/editline] Anyone got any recommendations for songs or albums I need to listen to with my fancy headphones? Arstidir, Trampled By Turtles, and some of my favorite classical compositions are all certainties so far since classical and indie folk seem like sage bets for picking up new subtleties

[QUOTE=aydin690;49202499]RIP your ears. DT990s are way to bright, to the point of being harsh. Also, they're not reference headphones at all. [IMG]https://i.imgur.com/vSS5dmc.png[/IMG] [editline]28th November 2015[/editline] DT990s aren't neutral. They are super bright and bassy with a recessed mid range.[/QUOTE] eh, i don't really care too much. if they're too 'bad' then i'll return them. [editline]28th November 2015[/editline] hell i'll probably just use them more for listening

[QUOTE=TonyTheBean;49205374]eh, i don't really care too much. if they're too 'bad' then i'll return them. [editline]28th November 2015[/editline] hell i'll probably just use them more for listening[/QUOTE] I believe BRT picked a pair up and he said the highs mellowed out to a better level after a bit.

[QUOTE=TonyTheBean;49205374]eh, i don't really care too much. if they're too 'bad' then i'll return them. [editline]28th November 2015[/editline] hell i'll probably just use them more for listening[/QUOTE] I mean they're still higher quality, and as long as you are cautious of how the headphones represent the sound and frequency spectrum you can still mix with them just fine.

how big of a difference does a desktop DAC actually provide? I read a test about a DAC on a website I frequent where they claimed there was a large difference from the expensive DAC they tested to a cheaper DAC, but that even the cheaper DAC sounded better than the on board one. they only used their ears to determine this though. are DACs worth looking into, or is it just audiophile bullshit?

[QUOTE=PredGD;49205788]how big of a difference does a desktop DAC actually provide? I read a test about a DAC on a website I frequent where they claimed there was a large difference from the expensive DAC they tested to a cheaper DAC, but that even the cheaper DAC sounded better than the on board one. they only used their ears to determine this though. are DACs worth looking into, or is it just audiophile bullshit?[/QUOTE] An entry level amp and DAC are certainly worth looking into if you want to upgrade your sound, especially over a sound card with its drawbacks. If you're not doing any professional work I wouldn't get much more than a schitt magni/modi stack for $200 or an ODAC with a $150ish amp but that's just me.

[QUOTE=TonyTheBean;49205374]eh, i don't really care too much. if they're too 'bad' then i'll return them. [editline]28th November 2015[/editline] hell i'll probably just use them more for listening[/QUOTE] They're not 'bad' by any means. They're just not monitor/reference headphones. Also, some people actually love bright headphones. If that wasn't the case, grado, akg, etc would have no customers.

[QUOTE=Silikone;49197907]That price for the 598 is almost too good to be true. Does the special edition have a hidden drawback?[/QUOTE] Its black and comes th an extra shorter cable. Mine came today, sounds great. [editline]28th November 2015[/editline] I plugged them into a little stereo I have and BT'd my phone to it. I think the headphone out on it is amped because music sounds a [I]lot[/I] better.

Alright I'll make this my (hopefully) last post in the thread since I'm more than certain people are fed up, but I'll most likely be purchasing my new headphones this week and I want to make sure it's a good decision. It's currently a toss up between M50X's, ANC9's, A700X's and HD380's. Thoughts? I'll be using them for both gaming and listening to music attached directly to the computer, or the little dongle thing my G430's came with. Thanks, you've been seriously helpful lately.

[QUOTE=Luxuria;49209232]Alright I'll make this my (hopefully) last post in the thread since I'm more than certain people are fed up, but I'll most likely be purchasing my new headphones this week and I want to make sure it's a good decision. It's currently a toss up between M50X's, ANC9's, A700X's and HD380's. Thoughts? I'll be using them for both gaming and listening to music attached directly to the computer, or the little dongle thing my G430's came with. Thanks, you've been seriously helpful lately.[/QUOTE] Don't worry brother. Honestly if I were you I'd save up and get the A900x instead of the A700x. Or maybe just get a Sony MDR-100AAP if you can. M50x aren't a bad choice either, but I would probably avoid the ANC9 or HD380.

[QUOTE=Havolis;49209312]Don't worry brother. Honestly if I were you I'd save up and get the A900x instead of the A700x. Or maybe just get a Sony MDR-100AAP if you can. M50x aren't a bad choice either, but I would probably avoid the ANC9 or HD380.[/QUOTE] Awesome, with that said I'll most likely gun for the M50X. Anything particularly undesirable about the ANC9's?

I have the M50x and AD900x, ended up giving the M50x's to my sis because they were a little too clampy, even after brainwavz hm5 pads. But if you're going for bass kick, the M50x fills that role pretty damn well. If you're going for lush mids, excited highs, and a very tight bass on an open ear platform, you might want to take a look at AD900x's, they're my go-to driver until my ZMF omni's come in.

What are your thoughts on the HyperX Cloud headset? I've tried them on before and they are really comfy to wear. I'm not looking for the best sound quality and I have a desktop mic so mic quality won't be an issue either. Right now it is sitting at ~75$, is there any other good set of headphones around that range I should be looking at? I have a pair of those Panasonic HTF600s but they have been getting more uncomfortable over time and at least the Cloud headset doesn't let in a lot of noise.

So my current headset is getting jacked up and I want to look into replacing it. I just need a cheap, good-for-gaming headset that connects with USB. Doesn't need a mic since I have a desktop one. Any suggestions?

Depends on what you're looking for, for closed neutral pair cans with a bit of warmth, I'd use the nvx xpt 100 for about $85.

[QUOTE=KangarooSteak;49210826]Depends on what you're looking for, for closed neutral pair cans with a bit of warmth, I'd use the nvx xpt 100 for about $85.[/QUOTE] you underestimate how cheap i mean [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA86X3CK5246[/url] Like this is almost too expensive. I'm fucking broke.

[QUOTE=kyle877;49210861]you underestimate how cheap i mean [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA86X3CK5246[/url] Like this is almost too expensive. I'm fucking broke.[/QUOTE] Check out the monoprice cans, they're a bit clampy, but they fit within your price range . But they are standard 3.5mm lead. [url]http://www.monoprice.com/Product?p_id=8323&gclid=Cj0KEQiA4eqyBRDUh7Omv9vCtsoBEiQAspfs8q4W2C_qXyj0VV1hpg9x7qLQKP5KHFO2DBn-yb1NRJIaAgG88P8HAQ[/url]

[url]http://www.amazon.ca/AmazonBasics-HL-003127-Premium-Over-Ear-Headphones/dp/B00Q3OH45G/ref=pd_sim_23_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=41OEqNgTsrL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR122%2C160_&refRID=1KXNEZTB9ADM1CFAFS4D[/url] Are these any good or are they actually terrible and Amazon should feel bad?

[QUOTE=garychencool;49211315][url]http://www.amazon.ca/AmazonBasics-HL-003127-Premium-Over-Ear-Headphones/dp/B00Q3OH45G/ref=pd_sim_23_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=41OEqNgTsrL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR122%2C160_&refRID=1KXNEZTB9ADM1CFAFS4D[/url] Are these any good or are they actually terrible and Amazon should feel bad?[/QUOTE] Haven't tried them before, but if you do end up getting them, tell us how they sound! -snip-

[QUOTE=PredGD;49205788]how big of a difference does a desktop DAC actually provide? I read a test about a DAC on a website I frequent where they claimed there was a large difference from the expensive DAC they tested to a cheaper DAC, but that even the cheaper DAC sounded better than the on board one. they only used their ears to determine this though. are DACs worth looking into, or is it just audiophile bullshit?[/QUOTE] I'd say small but noticeable improvement.