Spec me some open headphones

new boy

new boy

new boy

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Hi

I'm using some Creative Aurvana live 2 headphones ATM. They are permanently attached to my PC, I use them for music and gaming.

I like them, but I cant hear myself talking very well when I've got them on, so I end up shouting why using VIOP coms during gaming, which is causing some disagreements between myself and my girlfriend during late night gaming sessions...

From what I understand, my current headphones are somewhat open, but could I gain more control over my voice if I use more open headphones? If so, would anyone like to recommend some.

Budget would be say... £50-£100 ish.

IB4 Ear plugs for mrs.
 
I think the most logical choice is AKG K612. Not as bass heavy as the CAL2, but will have better sound stage, separation and accuracy. Very open as well, so you should be able to hear your own voice better. That does depend on how loud the volume is though. Just because they are open, doesn't mean your own voice or other outside sounds will be clear, because too much volume will drown that out regardless. For sure though, open will fare much better than semi closed.

They are rather insensitive though compared to the CAL2, so will require more volume input for the same output volume as the more sensitive CAL2. If you are using onboard audio from your motherboard, it depends how good that is really. Some will fare better when powering insensitive headphones compared to others.

Another choice might be Beyerdynamic DT990. More sensitive than the K612, so will be easier for the onboard audio to power. More bass weight too, so if you enjoy that, that might make them a more preferable choice. Generally though, not as accurate as the K612 for gaming. I doubt there's much can touch the K612 for accuracy up to £100.
 
Thanks for getting back to me.

I'm aware the CAL2 is a "fun" v-shaped set of headphones. I like that and honestly would probably rather it had more base if anything.

I am currently using my onboard sound. I plan to continue using it, though I have no problem picking up a USB DAC if it turns out not to be man enough after trying my new headphones.

Hmmm. So DT990 for bass, or K612 for accuracy...

I presume the DT990 are less open than the K612? I really do like excessive bass, so I'm leaning towards DT990 ATM, though I'll of course do some thorough research first.
 
DT990 is certainly V shaped. K612 is quite balanced in comparison.

DT990 are fully open, DT880 semi open, DT770 closed. My feeling is that the K612 are probably more open, but how much sound leakage there is possibly depends on how much padding behind the grills there is. Either way, both will let in more sound than the CAL2, because they are a more open design.
 
If you use open backed headphones then you may end up making matters worse as your girlfriend may be able to hear the audio.

Can't you just increase the mic monitoring volume so that you can hear yourself more clearly?
 
rids57 said:
If you use open backed headphones then you may end up making matters worse as your girlfriend may be able to hear the audio.

Can't you just increase the mic monitoring volume so that you can hear yourself more clearly?
Click to expand...

I can't figure out a way to play my microphone through my headphones without a delay? Can it be done? My research lead me to belive it can't...
 
It can't done, not that I've seen anyway. The delay is less for an analogue headset than one that uses USB, as that has more processes to go through,. Although it's less when using an analogue connection, it's still there however small and impossible to remove completely. When you speak, it has to be processed however it is done, which adds delay.

Personally, I don't like microphone monitoring. Much prefer to use open headphones and not too much volume. :D
 
rids57 said:
If you use open backed headphones then you may end up making matters worse as your girlfriend may be able to hear the audio.

Can't you just increase the mic monitoring volume so that you can hear yourself more clearly?
Click to expand...

It's so little leakage it's not worth mentioning. You have to have the volume seriously high to be able to get hear anything from more than a couple of metres. Regardless it'll certainly be quieter than your voice when speaking.

new boy said:
I can't figure out a way to play my microphone through my headphones without a delay? Can it be done? My research lead me to belive it can't...
Click to expand...

Why on earth would you want this?
 
Disco_P said:
It's so little leakage it's not worth mentioning. You have to have the volume seriously high to be able to get hear anything from more than a couple of metres. Regardless it'll certainly be quieter than your voice when speaking.
Click to expand...

That may be true for you but I can hear my AKG K702s quite clearly from 15 feet away and that's with them hugging a cushion, so all that sound is coming out of the backs.
 
I think the suggestions are spot on. K612, DT 80/90 can be had for less than £100 depending on ohm version on Amazon warehouse deals.
 
What is still not known is whether the motherboard in question is even up to driving the 120 ohm (and insensitive) K612 or the 250 ohm DT990
 
Its an ASRock z97 Extreme4

- 7.1 CH HD Audio with Content Protection (Realtek ALC1150 Audio Codec)
- Premium Blu-ray Audio support
- Supports Surge Protection (ASRock Full Spike Protection)
- Supports Purity Sound™ 2
- Nichicon Fine Gold Series Audio Caps
- 115dB SNR DAC with differential amplifier
- TI® NE5532 Premium Headset Amplifier (Supports up to 600 ohm headsets)
- Direct Drive Technology
- EMI shielding cover
- PCB isolate shielding
- Supports DTS Connect
 
It should drive the DT990s fine but may still struggle with the k612s as they need a lot of current to sound their best.
 
Ryanr1987 said:
If you really want a bass boosted headphone grab the Philips X2. The 990 is horrible for music IMO
Click to expand...

I ended taking you advice and got some X2s, they arrived today.

I had to take a chance and order a "very good" pair of the italian rainforest warehouse deals. which brought them into budget give or take £25 lol.

It seams I lucked out and I have ended up with a perfect Woox pair, so it worked out well.

Oh, and they sound fantastic :D
 
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