NS1000 vs DR150

Ravenger

Ravenger

Ravenger

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I'm after a new set of headphones to replace a Medusa 5.1 headset. I used to like the Medusas, but the speaker quality on the recent models are nowhere near as good as the early sets.

Looking at the recommendations on here I see both the Goldring NS1000 and DR150's get the thumbs up, but I'm not sure which to get.

I'm running a Creative Labs X-Fi Gamer, and I want to use the CMSS3D feature for positional audio. I also want to use them for watching DVDs and Blu-rays.

I'm not bothered about closed cans or noise reduction, as I game in a separate room, and I'd like to be able to hear the wife when she calls me :rolleyes:

Do you need a separate amp to run the DR150s? Is the sound quality comparable to the NS1000s?
 
Goldring DR150 - £50 inc, open headphones

Goldring NS1000 -£60 inc, closed headphones
+
FiiO E5 - £12

Depends on your budget really.
 
I have the DR150's and an X-Fi Xtreme Music. The DR150's are easy to drive, unlike the NS1000's with the NC turned off, so no dedicated amp needed. The NS1000's according to Uriel, who owns both, are slightly superior. To think the NS1000's sound even better, is quite amazing, as the DR150's sound fantastic.

I chose the DR150's over the NS1000's, similar reasons to you really, so I can hear sounds through the headphones.
 
Can't go wrong with either tho I'd say get the 150s for ease of use. However if your using an X-Fi especially CMSS3D I highly reccomend getting sennheisers as they tend to suit that better in terms of characteristics/soundstage - Goldrings typically work better with dolby headphone.

That said picked up a set of PC163D today and they work amazingly well with both DH and CMSS3D and blow my old pair of senns (that cost over twice the amount) out the water for SQ :( (could be just they are getting old now but I don't remember them ever sounding this good).
 
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Angled driver headphones are best paired with CMSS 3D, HD555/595 for eg. It's not a case of saying Sennheiser headphones are better with CMSS 3D, if Senn produces non angled driver phones. It's that the 555/595 use angled drivers that makes them a better pairing with CMSS 3D, not just because they are Sennheiser. Not sure how many of Senn's phones have angled drivers, other than the 5 series.

How can those PC163D work with CMSS 3D, they are USB are they not? Unless they can be used as analogue headset aswell.
 
They have a seperate USB soundcard (that does dolby headphone, etc.) but analogue connections on the headset.
 
Yeah I'll prolly use it on my laptop for watching movies + dolby headphone :D

Don't think these are angled drivers.
 
Looks like it's going to be the DR150's then. The sennheiser's are a little out of my price range, plus I don't need the USB soundcard.
 
Wasn't necessarily reccomending that set to you - tho I have to admit I'm a little impressed with the SQ - my experience from gaming sennheisers tend to be a little more suited to CMSS-3D than the DR50 and NS1000 when I've tried it (not tried the 150s with CMSS-3D). Not that theres anything wrong with the way the goldrings handle it.
 
Can't comment with CMSS-3D, but I have both the DR150s and NS1000s and I personally prefer the DR150s for sound quality purely due to being open, I find closed sounds slightly artificial similar to IEMs, that's not to say the NS1000s don't get used, they're perfect for noisy environments. If at all possible I'd recommend listening to both and letting your ears choose.
 
For CMSS 3D use, Sennheiser HD555's would be a better bet than the DR150's, due to the whole angled driver thing. However, the HD555's are expensive. £30 more than the DR150's, IMO, that makes any improvement with CMSS 3D, negligible. If they were the same price, I'd take the HD555's for gaming performance with CMSS 3D, but for £30 more any improvement is not worth it. DR150's work very well with CMSS 3D, although I have to admit I don't play FPS games hardly now, just L4D games mainly, with friends.

Might install some of my older FPS games, just to try out CMSS 3D with them. Not played them since I got the DR150's, so would be interesting to hear how a non Valve game sounds.
 
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Auraomega said:
Can't comment with CMSS-3D, but I have both the DR150s and NS1000s and I personally prefer the DR150s for sound quality purely due to being open, I find closed sounds slightly artificial similar to IEMs, that's not to say the NS1000s don't get used, they're perfect for noisy environments. If at all possible I'd recommend listening to both and letting your ears choose.
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Are you using a proper amp with NS1000s in passive?
 
I'm very happy with my NS1000s and Fiio E5 combination, and I use them with an X-Fi xtremegamer too. The quality is brilliant, but I don't think you'd be disappointed with the DR150s either. As for positional audio, I haven't really put it to the test yet so I will reserve judgement on that for now.
 
Thanks for all the good advice!

I've ordered the DR150's and a cheap clip-on mic that I'll probably cable-tie to the headphone cord.

I've got an old (1980's!) Philips hi-fi next to my PC so I might use that as a headphone amp. I used to use it for that anyway before I got my 5.1 phones which have their own custom amp.
 
Angel_Rex said:
Damn I have so much stuff on my wish list :s
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Tell me about it. :p

I wouldn't mind a few new bits n bobs. Others things need to be paid for unfortunately, so they shall remain on my wish list for now. :(

Friend of mine has some DR50's, I'll see if I can borrow them sometime and do a comparison. Although, Uriel is the man to ask. Not sure if Uriel has compared them for gaming though. If he hasn't, I'll see if I can get hold of them to test them out.
 
Marsman said:
Tell me about it. :p

I wouldn't mind a few new bits n bobs. Others things need to be paid for unfortunately, so they shall remain on my wish list for now. :(

Friend of mine has some DR50's, I'll see if I can borrow them sometime and do a comparison. Although, Uriel is the man to ask. Not sure if Uriel has compared them for gaming though. If he hasn't, I'll see if I can get hold of them to test them out.
Click to expand...

That would be cracking, cheers mate :)
 
My DR150 headphones arrived today, and I spent the whole day at work listening to music on them while I worked.

Even on the rubbish on-board sound of my work PC I could immediately notice the difference - much clearer, crisper and punchier than my normal phones.

Got them home and tried them on my X-Fi with CMSS 3D.

Connected directly to the computer they sound great, but a little bit flat when using CMSS 3D in games and Dolby Headphone in DVDs.

The surround effect is however excellent, with very good positional audio, as good as if not better than my 5.1 headphones.

I then tried them connected to my old Hi-Fi which sits next to my desk and the difference is very noticiable, the bass is much more pronounced and the whole sound is fuller, so I would say they benefit from a dedicated amp or a soundcard with a built-in amp.

I'm pleased so far, even though they're not burned in yet.
 
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