New Headphones: HD598 vs A40

korkie

korkie

korkie

Associate
Joined
15 May 2012
Posts
33
Hi guys,

i'll be getting a new set of headphones as part of my new PC and just wanted to get some opinions between my selections.

Ive narrowed it down between the Sennheiser HD 598's and the Astro A40 2011. Now a majority of people recommend the 598s as they give the best sound quality, but my concern is which headset is best for GAMING.

I can understand that for music and movies the 598s will come on top, but in terms of a gaming experience which one will be better?

Thanks :)
 
Pretty sure people here will still recommend the Sennheisers over the Astros even for gaming.

I can't say its something I've tested but the general consensus is that the virtual surround sound that soundcards can generate for stereo headphones gives all the same positional sound advantages of a surround sound headphone but with better quality. Multiple smaller speakers/drivers in your headphones don't really compete with a good quality single speaker/driver.
 
Phal said:
I can't say its something I've tested but the general consensus is that the virtual surround sound that soundcards can generate for stereo headphones gives all the same positional sound advantages of a surround sound headphone but with better quality. Multiple smaller speakers/drivers in your headphones don't really compete with a good quality single speaker/driver.
Click to expand...

The A40's are stereo headphones but anyway, I think the only advantage of having them would be the attached microphone
 
thanks guys.

im not really that concerned about a mic, just pure audio power :D do you guys have an opinion on the hd598s compared to Beyer Dynamic DT990 PRO? thats another set im considering now.
 
korkie said:
thanks guys.

im not really that concerned about a mic, just pure audio power :D do you guys have an opinion on the hd598s compared to Beyer Dynamic DT990 PRO? thats another set im considering now.
Click to expand...

Depends what you are after. The 598's will have a larger sound stage, and probably better positional sound, but will be more laid back, and not as much bass. DT990's will have more treble and bass, and be a more in your face kind of sound.

Too much bass can drown out certain sounds and cues when trying to locate enemies with positional sound. The 598's will probably better in that regard, but may not be as much fun, if you like weighty explosions, etc.
 
liamd89 said:
The A40's are stereo headphones but anyway, I think the only advantage of having them would be the attached microphone
Click to expand...

Ooops :P I was too lazy to look lol


My old DT 990s are fun but I can't say I've been able to compare them to 598s
 
Marsman said:
Depends what you are after. The 598's will have a larger sound stage, and probably better positional sound, but will be more laid back, and not as much bass. DT990's will have more treble and bass, and be a more in your face kind of sound.

Too much bass can drown out certain sounds and cues when trying to locate enemies with positional sound. The 598's will probably better in that regard, but may not be as much fun, if you like weighty explosions, etc.
Click to expand...

well it wont be as much competitive gaming as fun gaming, so the weighty explosions does sound like a better idea, but then again i also want to be able to distinguish where bullets and explosions are coming from (to make me more immersed in the game), so i would like a really good soundstage, but do the 598s really fall short in delivering realistic explosions?? i hear that their base is quite a let down? considering im new to this audiophile genre would i even be able to distinguish between them two? :S

thanks :)
 
I'd probably choose the DT990's then for fun.

Do you have a sound card? Onboard audio isn't really good enough when you are looking at £100+ headphones. You may need one in any case, if you want positional sound.
 
If I was spending money it wouldn't be on the Astro's. They're not bad, I have some with the wireless doodad for my consoles, but the Sennheisers are just better.
 
Astro's are good for the ease of use factor, regarding the mic.

Don't get them for serious audio listening.
 
Thanks guys. So looks like astro aren't in the equation anymore..

Marsman said:
I'd probably choose the DT990's then for fun.

Do you have a sound card? Onboard audio isn't really good enough when you are looking at £100+ headphones. You may need one in any case, if you want positional sound.
Click to expand...

Yeah I will be getting a xonar stx (motherboard won't give me surround).

Will the difference between the Dt990 and hd598 be substantial? Because I really prefer the hds in terms of looks ( the dts are quite ugly to me) if there isn't going to be much difference then I think is like the hds, but if we r talking a full blown explosions compared to a muffled one then is obviously prefer the dts. Taking in to account this is ny first audiophile headset.

Thankyou :)
 
I quite like the look of pretty much any Beyer headphone but you can always customise yours? :p

http://europe.beyerdynamic.com/shop...at-home/music-pleasure/dt-990-manufaktur.html


Doesn't come cheap though :S

Potentially you could wait until the new 'Customs' are available - http://europe.beyerdynamic.com/custom/

With variable sound signatures controlled by opening/closing the vents and being able to change the look and even adding a mic they certain sound interesting :) They haven't announced when they'll be available though and pricing is likely to be higher than the standard DT 990s too.
 
korkie said:
Thanks guys. So looks like astro aren't in the equation anymore..



Yeah I will be getting a xonar stx (motherboard won't give me surround).

Will the difference between the Dt990 and hd598 be substantial? Because I really prefer the hds in terms of looks ( the dts are quite ugly to me) if there isn't going to be much difference then I think is like the hds, but if we r talking a full blown explosions compared to a muffled one then is obviously prefer the dts. Taking in to account this is ny first audiophile headset.

Thankyou :)
Click to expand...

That's a hard one to call really. Everyone's tastes will be slightly different to the next person. One person may find the 598's offer enough in the bass dept, someone else may find them lacking.

Might be good if you can get them from somewhere, where you can return them if you are unhappy. That way you can exchange them.

Sound card is a good choice. :)
 
Phal im pretty sure my bank account will hate you! hahah but thanks!! if i choose to get them i think i might have to customize!

And thanks for the thought marsman. it's pretty hard to do that here in australia though, unless i wanna pay $$$ in shipping. Considering im new to this high of quality in sound would i even know what to look for in bass? i hear people saying some are boring, which is what im most fearfull off (spending big bucks on a headphone and been letdown). Although up till now i never knew u could get bored just purely on the quality of the sound..

but surely the 598s are still amazing headphones for that price??
 
Yeah I think you wouldn't be disappointed with either the 598 or DT 990 if you've never heard anything else of relatively equal quality.

I personally decided that Beyer headphones were what I was looking for from the pretty much consistant reports that all models were neutral sounding (not bass or treble heavy). The DT 990s are slightly bassier than other models but not by a lot. From the reviews I read I always believed the difference would be more significant but it turned out it wasn't really.

Those Customs would be good though because you can tweak the sound by open/closing those vents/apertures. Shame there's no news on their availability yet!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom