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

Yo, I'm looking to get a new pair of wireless headphones. I currently use a Logitech G930 but they've only lasted a year compared to my previous ones that lasted nearly 2 and half years. I'm kinda convinced that the second ones I'm currently using were just straight up defective or cheaply made from my last pair. Any other good wireless headphones out there I should look into?

[QUOTE=FiveEyes;51047137]Yo, I'm looking to get a new pair of wireless headphones. I currently use a Logitech G930 but they've only lasted a year compared to my previous ones that lasted nearly 2 and half years. I'm kinda convinced that the second ones I'm currently using were just straight up defective or cheaply made from my last pair. Any other good wireless headphones out there I should look into?[/QUOTE] Got the Astro A50 myself and very happy with that pair (Ignore the ~gamer~ headset tags they add, the sound itself is crisp and clear)

Don't do wireless if you want quality sound

[URL]http://flash.newegg.com/Product/9SIA29P4GR6601?icid=WP_4_09132016[/URL] hey here's a sick deal on a pair of dt990 PREMIUMs and they're 250ohm not 32 like the title says so i actually have a question: how would these compare to my DT 770 pro 250ohms? i can still return my 770s and pick these up for almost $20 less than what i paid for the 770s [url]http://flash.newegg.com/Product/9SIA7NT4SU1817?icid=WP_3_09142016[/url] and a sick deal on 990 pros which apparently have the same sound quality as the premiums for almost 50 less than i paid for my 770s

990 pros are a bit bright but I love mine.

[QUOTE=darth-veger;51048944]Got the Astro A50 myself and very happy with that pair (Ignore the ~gamer~ headset tags they add, the sound itself is crisp and clear)[/QUOTE] I have a pair of Astros for my PS4 and they sound like ass but using a splitter with other headphones off the controller gave a lot of static every time the splitter moved so I put up with them.

Are AKG M220's worth it for $49.99+$8.25 S&H Worth it? I currently have Philips SHP9500's and just wondering for a extra pair.

I thinkk I may need a DAC or AMP of some form. I have a mod mic on my 598's and it's very quiet and there's a fair amount of white noise, it's not a software issue. Any recommendations/suggestions?

I have a pair of Sennheiser HD 280 pros, is it worth getting an Amp with these headphones?

I don't know who here recommended the Samson Go Mic but that was a good recommendation. It sounds just as good as the Yeti I had before it crapped out but it's $85 less. Little bit of a pain to find a spot for but I just put some velcro on the bottom of it an attached it to the top of my monitor so it also takes up less space than the Yeti.

It's great. Like $40 and I haven't had a complaint about it. I just put it below my monitor on top of my receiver and it works.

[QUOTE=Terragen;51085118]I have a pair of Sennheiser HD 280 pros, is it worth getting an Amp with these headphones?[/QUOTE] Probably not, I'd only jump on amps for headphones that require a ton of power, have a very high impedance, or a combination of both. The beyerdynamic dt880 600 ohm, hd6x0, or the hifiman he6 as a few examples. In terms of technical specs, Hd280 has an SPL of 113 dB and an impedance of 64 ohms, which is super efficient, perfect for a phone or laptop to power. [QUOTE=Roag15;51083223]I thinkk I may need a DAC or AMP of some form. I have a mod mic on my 598's and it's very quiet and there's a fair amount of white noise, it's not a software issue. Any recommendations/suggestions?[/QUOTE] Consider the fiio e10k, centrance dacport slim, or the schiit magni + modi. That will cover all of your bases from pretty much anything. I'd throw in the audioquest dragonfly 1.2 as another option, but I only got to demo it for a small amount of time. (It was ok, nothing mind blowing)

So I have a Samson meteor mic and I would like to be able to plug my headphones into the back so I don't have to swap out audio jacks and also be able to listen to the direct feed from the mic. The problem is that whenever audio from my computer plays through, the microphone picks it up. This is true even if I have my headphones unplugged from the mic and the microphone direct feed set to mute. Is this just some unsolvable problem from the jack primarily being meant for listening to the mic?

Budget:£50 eBay: Yes Country:UK Isolation: Open air, but want to be able to tune out gym music and other ambent gym sounds Purpose: Travel, gym, running, work Music Tastes: Pretty varied but primarly indie rock, rap, hip hop and electronica Previous Experiences: Crappy £10 earphones from tesco for my phone Comments: Looking for wireless ear buds primarily which hook over/won't fall out.

What's a good alternative to the Beyerdynamic DT 770's? I recently had to refund mine because the right speaker started rattling, apparently because hair can easily get stuck on the speaker diaphragm. And from a quick search on google I can see it's a common issue, so I'd rather not get another pair and have it happen again. I've had ATH-M50's in the past, but they don't fit my ear shape very well, so they got very uncomfortable after a couple of hours. The DT 770's were perfect comfort-wise, and the sound was excellent too. Should probably mention I prefer closed-back headphones, with a v-shaped sound signature. [editline]1st October 2016[/editline] Also, driving high ohm headphones won't be a problem.

what are some quality ear buds for ~60$?

For strictly earbuds, I hear a lot of good things from the VE (Venture Electronics) Monk, Monk Plus, and Candy, but they're kinda hard to get because imported and small batches. (I'm shooting for the Candy and I'll tell you what I think about it) [url]https://www.facebook.com/groups/52vecn/permalink/1115990278478336/[/url] [QUOTE=FinalHunter;51143618]So I know this is the headphone thread but we don't have a speaker one so.. figured y'all would probably know that too. Looking for a new pair of computer speakers, preferably with subwoofer. $100 tops, preferably under $60. [/QUOTE] At under $100, your best bet would be a pair of satellites and a woofer (like the klipsch pro media 2.1) but I really wouldn't call that a sound system. If you can save up, powered Micca Pb42x's for $120USD or a pair of passive Micca Mb42x's at $90 would set you right, but the second one needs a power amp.

Anyone have recommendations for sub $100 over ear headphones similar to the Sol Republic Master Tracks? I've got the Tracks HD and love the sound but I can't wear them for more than like an hour or two without getting an awful headache from how tightly they squeeze my ears and head. I've heard the master tracks is a bit looser fitting and more cushioned, while having a better sound balance but I'm open to suggestions.

Consider the sennheiser urbanite XL or the creative aurvana live! They're both on the warmer side, with the urbanite leaning more towards 'fun' and v-shaped and the creative being more balanced. The creative doesn't offer much isolation, so they won't play well on a bus or anything like that, but they should be pretty solid for a quiet stroll in the park. Also note that the creative is more on the 'plasticy' side, so I wouldn't try to rough-handle them. [QUOTE=Xyrec;51134851]What's a good alternative to the Beyerdynamic DT 770's? I recently had to refund mine because the right speaker started rattling, apparently because hair can easily get stuck on the speaker diaphragm. And from a quick search on google I can see it's a common issue, so I'd rather not get another pair and have it happen again. I've had ATH-M50's in the past, but they don't fit my ear shape very well, so they got very uncomfortable after a couple of hours. The DT 770's were perfect comfort-wise, and the sound was excellent too. Should probably mention I prefer closed-back headphones, with a v-shaped sound signature. [editline]1st October 2016[/editline] Also, driving high ohm headphones won't be a problem.[/QUOTE] I'd love to recommend something, but there's really a black hole for sealed cans between 150-300 USD (besides beyerdynamic). The only ones I can think of are the Meze 99 classics and the oppo pm-3, but those are another level of expensive, and they're both of a more rounded signature. The only other thing I can think of is the Fostex t50rp MK3's, but they require modding to get some really good sound (Mr. Speaker's Mad dogs if you can get your hands on a pair). Sorry!

Just got myself some Philips Fidelio S2s for a pretty low price. They are the best IEMs I have used yet, and pretty comfortable. Bit concerned about their semi-open nature, but since they're IEMs I'm hoping they won't be too loud to other people.

Quick question! I have a soundblaser z and DT Pro 990 I'm just wondering if using a pass-through would sacrifice the quality of the headset in any way I'm not aware of? I'm still kind of new to the higher end setups and I just have a feeling I'm going a bad by doing this. From what I can hear from tests direct from the card and through the pass-through I'm not hearing any difference and there's no background noise being produced by the pass-through. So I'm good right? I'm still getting full potential from these headphones? (As much as I'd get with a soundblaster z. I didn't want a physical amp.)

A pass-through should not introduce any unwarranted sounds unless it was made really shit, so you should be good. [editline]when[/editline] I love having physical amps on my desk, especially the tubey ones that glow in the dark.

Loving my Fidelio X2's, but now I'm looking for something that can deliver a similar sound profile but through in-ear buds, or maybe* around the ear (like the Fidelios) but with a closed-back design so I can listen to my obnoxious shit in public without fearing for others' sanity. I know I'm gonna be sacrificing quality, in most cases, with in-ear headphones, but I just need something that is super portable and that I can carry around with me at work but doesn't sound like concentrated asshole.

If I remember the sound characteristic of the X2's correctly, the closest IEM I have is my Radius hp-nhr21, but they're Japanese imports last I checked. They V-shaped goodness with a special bass emphasis that stays tight and hits hard which I adore. The top end isn't as sizzly as the X2 though, but it's a little more heated than my Hd650's. A few general earphones that I've heard of or heard personally that you can check out are the Shure se215's (neutral), Zero Audio Tenore (Warm), or Ostry KC06 (Midcentric)

Hey guys, I have had a pair of plantronics gamecom 780 for 2 years now and they've been fantastic. (I know, don't buy headsets with built in mic's) Anyway, the padding on them has completly fallen off and I decided I needed some new ones. Anyway, I bought a pair of Sennheiser 598's and... I'm kinda disappointed. My old 780's sound better in everyway. The 598's aren't as sharp, and the bass is just slightly too much. In games it's VERY noticeable. With my audio all the way up, things are still just quieter than with the 780's. Really noticeable with gunshots. The 780's are USB and the 598's is a standard jack. I don't have a sound card, just up to date realtek HD audio drivers.

I'm surprised it's not loud enough to your tastes even at max volume. I'm pretty sure I'd die (definitely go deaf) if I maxed mine out. Also, just like getting acclimated to new glasses, your ears needs to adjust to the sound signature of your new headphones. Try using them for a week straight and then try your old headphones again. You might be pleasantly surprised. I'm rather curious though, what motherboard do you have?

ASUS z97-e is my motherboard. I've tested them more, and there's more bass than i'd like (Or maybe then I'm used to). Still, games are kinda quiet. I'll give them a week like you said, break them in and whatnot. They also sound better on my phone, not as much bass when plugged into it.

Perhaps there's an equalizer adding some artificial bass somewhere on your computer, you've gone through the whole disabling all windows sound 'enhancements' yeah?

Budget: $150-$300 eBay: Sure Country: US Isolation: Circumaural Purpose: Bass heavy music, Games, Videos/Movies Music Tastes: Electronic Previous Experiences: Currently want to upgrade from my Razer Megalodon that I've had for 5 or so years now. Already have a set of Bose QC25's and Soundtrues for other use. I would like to get a good pair of headphones that are comfortable for extended wear, provide excellent base [i]and[/i] a desktop microphone since my headset's mic is finally petering out.

[QUOTE=Steven :D;51185294]Budget: $150-$300 eBay: Sure Country: US Isolation: Circumaural Purpose: Bass heavy music, Games, Videos/Movies Music Tastes: Electronic Previous Experiences: Currently want to upgrade from my Razer Megalodon that I've had for 5 or so years now. Already have a set of Bose QC25's and Soundtrues for other use. I would like to get a good pair of headphones that are comfortable for extended wear, provide excellent base [i]and[/i] a desktop microphone since my headset's mic is finally petering out.[/QUOTE] Here's a few choices off the top of my head in that price range. (Sorry for semi-wall) Easy to Drive / No amp required: [b]Philips Fidelio X2's[/b]: These are V-shaped bass cannons that are a little harsh in the treble, and mids are a little sucked out. Gunshots and explosions sound great, EDM is fantastic, and due to a non-qc issue, they're pretty damn cheap to get used. Open cans. Used $150 - 220 [b]Audio technica AD900x[/b]: Bass light, but still tight and feasible for EDM, excellent for situational awareness and shooters. Excellent for fem vocals and they're pretty comfy stock, with some brainwavz hm5 velor pads, probably most comfy. Treble is a bright, but lush and never painful. Open cans. New $130 - 150 [b]Meze 99 Classic[/b]: Similar Sound signature to the Hd650, mellow and smooth with a very natural bass rumble, but in a smaller, closed form factor. They straddle on home/portable use because they're light, phones can easily power them, but they're still an over-ear. Kinda gaudy for some, but I enjoy their looks. Closed cans, New $309 A little harder to run, but probably don't need an amp: [b]Beyerdynamic DT 770, 880 series[/b]: Easy to run depending on which model you get (80 ohms impedance or less is good). They're known to have a V-shaped signature, which means they emphasize bass and treble (mega treble) Otherwise the velour cups are comfy and they fit snug as a bug. If you're not a super treble fan, stay away. Open or closed depending on model. New $130-200 (Black fridays less than $100) [b]Oppo Pm3[/b]: Planar cans that can run off mobile. They're super comfy, ooze luxury, and have a very neutral and balanced signature with tight planar bass. Kinda heavy, but they fit well on the head. Closed cans. Used $270 - 320 [b]Hifiman He400/He400s/He400i[/b]: I've personally heard the He400 and He400s and I'll say that the He400s is a real gem for its price, even more so if you can get it used. Build quality feels a bit on the cheap, but the bass and sound is no slouch. The he400 and he400i need dedicated amps to run properly, but they're both great in their own respects. Open cans. Used He400 $180 - 240, New He400s ~$300, Used He400i $280 - 320 You need an amp / Hard to drive: [b]Sennheiser Hd650[/b]: Deep, reaching bass, very smooth and mellow top end, an excellent all rounder that can perform pretty much all genres without breaking a sweat, but they require amplification or they'll sound thin. My personal drivers after extensive modification and possibly my endgame (Audioquest Night Owl or Focal Elear?). Open cans. Used $240 - 300 [b]Fostex T50 RP MK III[/b] A real modder's delight. It's a little heavy, it ain't too comfy, and it's sound is ok stock with a mid-centric tone. But its beauty lies in the extensive amount of [url=http://www.head-fi.org/a/fostex-t50rp-modification-summary-links-wiki]documented modification and tweaking[/url] across the internet. And if you got time and tools to tweak them, they're a goldmine. Plenty of 3rd party developers who have had their roots with the MKIII's (Mad_Economist Talos, ZMF Headphones, Mr. Speakers, LFF Paradox) and probably many more in the future. Quite a few of these iterations on the list. Closed cans, $140 new or $200 with [url=http://www.zmfheadphones.com/order-the-zmf/fostex-t50rp-mk-iii-with-zmf-pads]ZMF Accessory kit[/url] (pilot pad head cushion + leather earpads) [b]Zmf Classic[/b] Fostex T50rp MKIII with a little Zach magic, tuned mellow with an organic, deep bass. These cans are hard to power without a dedicated amp. These are also one of the few I haven't listened to personally, but I own one of the higher end models and Zach's tuning usually follows the same strain. Semi-open cans, New $300 [b]Cascadia Audio Talos[/b]: Another Fostex T50rp MKIII made by former Reddit Mod @Mad_Economist, He partnered with Cascadia to create a very balanced, yet lively experience (U-signature) while improving comfort levels across the board. Another pair of headphones I want to have a listen to and have heard great things from. Closed cans, New $250 There's probably more that I can't think of.