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

I don't feel bad for buying the card, since the Panasonics sounded terrible with the onboard sound. So the card paid for itself with the two years of the better audio I got out of it. I'm sure I'll at least try it this weekend sometime with the new headphones, just to see what's what. I'd be really shocked if it sounded any better, since I honestly love the sound I'm getting now. This is without burning in, or using an equalizer, just onboard sound default driver settings and the headphones right out of the box.

[QUOTE=cecilbdemodded;47271415]It boggles my mind to imagine what you guys with the high end headphones are hearing. I want to go audition something REALLY good but I'm afraid if I do I'll cry.[/QUOTE] I'll be honest here: when I go and audition high midrange ($150-250) headphones (can't try anything more expensive around here), I really don't like most of them, even if they're very well regarded. Sound signature just isn't for me. I already own headphones in that range though.

[QUOTE=cecilbdemodded;47271415]One thing I want to tell people who are like me, always buying $20-$30 headphones like the Panasonic, it's amazing when you hear something better. This current headphone I'm using is leaps and bounds better than the HTF600-S. I watched The Hobbit last night and no comparison. The soundstage is far larger and the detail level is much higher. Smaug talking sounds like a whole different thing on the Gemini vs the Panasonic...and I had thought the Panasonic was pretty good for movies and tv. My point? Wait till you can buy something just a notch higher in quality than those $30 headphones, it IS worth it. It boggles my mind to imagine what you guys with the high end headphones are hearing. I want to go audition something REALLY good but I'm afraid if I do I'll cry. edit: One other amusing thing I've noticed is on Youtube videos(in HD). Some channels I watch that I thought had good sound do in fact sound good with these better headphones. Other channels sound like crap now, I can hear all sorts of small issues in the sound. Yet, if I put on the Panasonics although I can sort of barely make out some problems, only because I now know what to listen for, it still sounds 'good' on the Panasonic. I realize this means some channels are either not monitoring their audio or are using crappy speakers/headphones to do the monitoring. It impresses me to know some people take their channel seriously enough to do the best audio work they can, when so many apparently don't bother.[/QUOTE] the best part about expensive headphones is they last years instead of months. I used to go through headphones in the $30-40 range every 3 months or so but now that I've got [url=http://www.amazon.com/Beyer-Dynamic-Premium-600-Headphones/dp/B0024NK34O]these[/url] I haven't had to buy new headphones since 2011. It's actually cheaper to buy quality equipment than it is to cheap out

I've been using Sony MDR-V6s for about 4 or 5 months now. They're the first pair of nice/accurate headphones I've ever owned and I have to say it's been really eye (ear?) opening. This thread and past incarnations have been really great when it came to researching and purchasing advice so thanks for that! I was wondering if anyone had first-hand experience with replacing the ear-pads with [URL="http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-EDT250V-Headphone-Pads-Black/dp/B0016MF7W2"]velour[/URL] ones. I really want to do it for the comfort factor but I see responses all over the place about what it does to the sound, which I really enjoy right now. Some people say it sounds better (punchier bass, less intense high-end) while others say it completely ruins the detail. I wouldn't mind the former but I can't tell if people are being hyperbolic with the latter. I wouldn't worry so much if they weren't close to $30, which is more than I wanna spend on an experiment that might really alter the sound. [QUOTE=cecilbdemodded;47272003]I don't feel bad for buying the card, since the Panasonics sounded terrible with the onboard sound. So the card paid for itself with the two years of the better audio I got out of it. I'm sure I'll at least try it this weekend sometime with the new headphones, just to see what's what. I'd be really shocked if it sounded any better, since I honestly love the sound I'm getting now. This is without burning in, or using an equalizer, just onboard sound default driver settings and the headphones right out of the box.[/QUOTE] I'm sure it depends on the motherboard but I've got a Sound Blaster Audigy SE, which I bought years ago for cheap just because I needed a second audio device. I've found it makes my headphones sound infinitely better than my onboard. It's hard to describe but it makes a world of difference.

Try taking the earpads off without replacing them first. Disregarding comfort, does that significantly alter the sound for you? If not, velour pads [I]probably[/I] won't either.

I've got velour earpads on my headphones and they have plenty of detail, and there is a noticable difference in sound between with and without earpads. mine come with velour earpads though, it might not matter as much with different headphones.

The way I understand it, closed headphones at least in part depend on the seal around your ears to deliver their specific sound signature. This is why closed come with leather types of material for earpads. Velour types allow airflow, which will alter the sound, usually the bass. This is why open headphones usually come with velour earpads. How much difference it makes and whether or not it's unacceptable to you is up to the listener to decide. Part of what you are paying for, imo, when you buy closed headphones is isolation. Velour defeats this. If isolation isn't why someone bought a closed headphone, I have to wonder why they didn't just buy an open headphone then. My Gemini are closed, so I'm not going to even consider velours.

I really like the Alcantara on my momentum on-ears. I want some replacement pads for my 518's with those.

Anyone ever heard of/used [URL="https://www.massdrop.com/buy/tcg-u-skin-portable-dac-amp"]this dac/amp[/URL]? The sound on my T420 is just so shit/quiet.

[QUOTE=Levelog;47284221]Anyone ever heard of/used [URL="https://www.massdrop.com/buy/tcg-u-skin-portable-dac-amp"]this dac/amp[/URL]? The sound on my T420 is just so shit/quiet.[/QUOTE] i have not heard of it before. it looks very interesting though.

[QUOTE=Havolis;47285824]i have not heard of it before. it looks very interesting though.[/QUOTE] Yeah I'm considering chancing it. It's only $70, and it can't be WORSE than this laptop is. Also if it worked with my phone that'd be great. The audio jack isn't properly grounded and I haven't gotten around to seeing if I can RMA yet.

After some more research, I'm not going for it. It can be found for it's current price elsewhere online. I've got a line on an E17 used for $80 so I think I'm going to pick that up. [editline]9th March 2015[/editline] Picked up the E17. Had to act fast because audio equipment (and radiators) tend to not last long on that site.

Just bought Fidelio X2's. Loving em. Currently using unamped but plan on picking up an amp at a local store sometime in the next couple weeks once I get some time.

I've been noticing something since I got better headphones, some music sounds slower. I mean it sounds like the tempo is just slightly slower than it used to be. I was thinking it's because I hear so much more detail in the music now it's affecting my perception of that music. Does that make sense?

[QUOTE=cecilbdemodded;47292590]I've been noticing something since I got better headphones, some music sounds slower. I mean it sounds like the tempo is just slightly slower than it used to be. I was thinking it's because I hear so much more detail in the music now it's affecting my perception of that music. Does that make sense?[/QUOTE] probably your brain messing with you, and/or the detail in the music is distracting you.

I now own a pair of AKG K702's and I'm using an FiiO E10, feeling a lack of bass compared to my Razer Blackshark that I switched from. The soundstage is great on the K702's and the design is really nice apart from the leather head band digging into my head over time. My budget is £160 but I'm thinking that the Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro's might be a better option?

what the fuck, i took my sennheiser hd 558s (?) out for a stroll for the first time ever in 2 years and the adapter, attached to my tablet in my backpack, bent to uselessness within 10 minutes of walking...?????

What's an[B] inconspicuous[/B], all-around good pair of headphones in the <$200 range? Over-ear preferred but not cumbersome

[QUOTE=KnightVista;47306513]What's an[B] inconspicuous[/B], all-around good pair of headphones in the <$200 range? Over-ear preferred but not cumbersome[/QUOTE] beyerdynamic DT770s just squeeze into that price range. If you're wearing them out and don't want to carry around an amp the 32 ohm version can be had for around $180, or if you've already got a portable amp then the 250 ohm version can be had for around $210

My E17 got in today, definitely nice for my laptop. Still need to mess around to get it as the default device for my Xubuntu install, but I can specify it as output with Deadbeef.

[QUOTE=hydrated;47306669]beyerdynamic DT770s just squeeze into that price range. If you're wearing them out and don't want to carry around an amp the 32 ohm version can be had for around $180, or if you've already got a portable amp then the 250 ohm version can be had for around $210[/QUOTE] Thanks, I appreciate it.

Since you guys said Logitech G330 is rubbish, any other good headsets I can get for $50?

Looking for a new headset for gaming and voicechat Budget is not a problem Steelseries any good?

Well just got takstar hi 2050 but the aud cord is messed up tho

[QUOTE=Spectre1406;47338284]Since you guys said Logitech G330 is rubbish, any other good headsets I can get for $50?[/QUOTE] [URL="http://www.amazon.com/Superlux-HD681EVO-B-HD-681-Black/dp/B00CAG1ZAQ/"]Superlux hd 668 EVO[/URL] is a very good headphone for the price, if you've got the money you should consider buying the [URL="http://www.amazon.com/Superlux-HD668B-Dynamic-Semi-Open-Headphones/dp/B003JOETX8"]HD668B version[/URL], its considered better. As for the microphone [URL="http://www.amazon.com/Sony-ECMCS3-Omnidirectional-Stereo-Microphone/dp/B0058MJX4O"]this little sony clip microphone[/URL] for 14$ is also very good (only really usable on pc, since short cord and needs power), or the popular [URL="http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-Zm-Mic1-Sensitivity-Headphone-Microphone/dp/B00029MTMQ"]zalman microphone[/URL], altho I heard that it can break and it definitely doesn't sound as good to me. You can also upgrade both by buying [URL="http://www.amazon.com/Cosmos-Velvet-Replacement-Cushion-Headphones/dp/B00KLPRQMO"]these earpads[/URL] for 10$, it does make a difference. [QUOTE]Looking for a new headset for gaming and voicechat Budget is not a problem Steelseries any good?[/QUOTE] Nah, steelseries makes low quality overpriced headsets. Also you probably shouldn't be looking at buying a headset since most of them are overpriced. If budget is not a problem and you're buying them for only gaming and not music I will recommend either [URL="http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-558-Headphones/dp/B004FEEY9A"]sennheiser hd558[/URL] / [URL="http://www.amazon.com/Technica-ATH-AD900X-Open-Back-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B009S331VU"]audio technica ad900x[/URL]. Ad900x got a bigger soundstage (not to say that hd558 got a small one) and got better mids, possibly slightly better highs. Bass should be around the same. The only other major difference is that ad900x got strange design that might not fit everyone. Ad900x is more expensive but *usually* is considered as better. For the microphone get [URL="http://www.modmic.com/"]modmic [/URL]or [URL="http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Microphones-Snowball-Microphone-Textured/dp/B000EOPQ7E"]snowball yeti[/URL], just for gaming you will not need anything better, and these two should sound pretty amazing. Obviously you can get some better stuff, but its much more expensive and probably also requires amplifiers that just add up to the cost.

[QUOTE=dividedz;47339310]Ad900x got a bigger soundstage (not to say that hd558 got a small one) and got better mids, possibly slightly better highs. Bass should be around the same. The only other major difference is that ad900x got strange design that might not fit everyone. Ad900x is more expensive but *usually* is considered as better.[/QUOTE] The AD900X sounds waaaay brighter than Sennheiser's cans.

[QUOTE=Spectre1406;47338284]Since you guys said Logitech G330 is rubbish, any other good headsets I can get for $50?[/QUOTE] HTF600 and a zalman clipon [editline]17th March 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=General;47339090]Looking for a new headset for gaming and voicechat Budget is not a problem Steelseries any good?[/QUOTE] Do not get headset

Has anyone got HyperX Cloud IIs? I just got some but the sidetone no matter how much I change it won't let me hear myself... any help?

[QUOTE=DrTaxi;47339406]The AD900X sounds waaaay brighter than Sennheiser's cans.[/QUOTE] My friend's got both the AD900x's and some HD 598's. I honestly like the 598's more. [editline]17th March 2015[/editline] Darn, you said brighter, not better.

My current headset just died on me. I was looking into headphone + separate micro anyways. Is the rp-htf600-s for the sub 80$ option from the OP still viable? I am looking for a 5.1 Headphone in the sub 80$ range. USB Port