Change of direction, new 'phones instead?

Spec-Chum · 15 Jan 2016 at 14:27

OK, all this talk about changing amps seems to suggest I'm probably going about this the wrong way and should really be looking at changing headphones instead of looking to try and change their sound.

I watch a lot of movies with them so like a good subbass but I also don't really want to keep swapping headphones over so I'd like just one pair that's reasonably musical too. At the moment I use the DT990's for games and movies and the HP200 for music.

Something in the middle of the HP200 and the DT990 sounds about ideal...I'm thinking maybe an X2?

Glanza · 15 Jan 2016 at 14:42

The X2 are prone to be very bass heavy, too much for me when I tested a pair.

Spec-Chum · 15 Jan 2016 at 14:48

That was a fear, yeah. I really like the sub bass on the DT990 but the mid bass is a bit much for music, especially since I'm used the the hp200. I really like that bass but it just doesn't quite go deep enough, impact wise.

EQ'ing 60HZ up 3db on the hp200 kinda works but it doesn't "rumble" like the dt990.

I fear I'm after an all in one sound that doesn't exist

rids57 · 15 Jan 2016 at 15:13

Odd, I don't find the DT990 particularly bass heavy to be honest. The closed back DT770 yes but the open back DT990 have a nice, punchy bass but I don't find it any stronger than my HD650s and port modded AKG K702s.

Maybe the HiFiMan HE400i would tick all of your boxes.

Spec-Chum · 15 Jan 2016 at 15:34

Maybe the HD650 has a stronger bass than the HP200? I've never heard the HD650; they're always an option too, not sure what they'll be like for movies tho.

rids57 · 15 Jan 2016 at 15:37

Don't know sorry, I've never heard the HP200

Spec-Chum · 15 Jan 2016 at 15:42

They're excellent cans to be fair and if I'd not heard movies on the DT990 I'd say they're pretty much ideal for me...it's just "dat rumble!" lol

Saying that I've not actually heard a full movie on the HP200's, I've just really realised I've only compared them to the Beyer's on an action sequence and preferred the Beyer's; this could be something as simple as a volume matching issue...

rids57 · 15 Jan 2016 at 15:59

If you like rumble then the HiFiMan HE400i should do you as planar magnetic bass is pretty hard to beat - ask TwsT what he thinks of his.

Spec-Chum · 15 Jan 2016 at 16:25

OK, I take it back lol

I've just played the first attack scene from Cloverfield and cranked up the volume. The LFE rumble is well and truly there on the HP200's, even more so when I flick the bass switch on my E11K.

I have to have them a bit louder than the DT990 to get the same effect but it's definitely there...