Gamers, What's Your Audio Set Up?

Looking to try open back for the first time to get the sound advantage in Apex Legends.

Currently got a G6 paired with DT 770 pro 250ohm, looking at getting either the Philips X2HR or the sennheiser HD 599 via Amazon, worth it? Or can anyone recommend me anything else? Looking to purchase during the black Friday week.

It's strictly for gaming also
Setting wise with my current setup, HI-Grain, SBX ON and set to stereo headphones, again anything I should change?
 
beasty6 said:
Looking to try open back for the first time to get the sound advantage in Apex Legends.

Currently got a G6 paired with DT 770 pro 250ohm, looking at getting either the Philips X2HR or the sennheiser HD 599 via Amazon, worth it? Or can anyone recommend me anything else? Looking to purchase during the black Friday week.

It's strictly for gaming also
Setting wise with my current setup, HI-Grain, SBX ON and set to stereo headphones, again anything I should change?
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I wouldn't get the X2HR, not the best for positioning and quite bass heavy. Not too sure on the 599.
I would look at the sennheiser 560S to he fair. They have a right clamp though.
 
michty_me said:
I wouldn't get the X2HR, not the best for positioning and quite bass heavy. Not too sure on the 599.
I would look at the sennheiser 560S to he fair. They have a right clamp though.
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Cheers, added them to my basket at £149.99, so hopefully they get a deal on next week, clamp don't matter as I have a really small head, these DT 770s at the smallest setting is kinda a bit big lol
 
beasty6 said:
Cheers, added them to my basket at £149.99, so hopefully they get a deal on next week, clamp don't matter as I have a really small head, these DT 770s at the smallest setting is kinda a bit big lol
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They are generally a recommended purchase for gaming. I like them, much better than hd58x or x2hr I've also got. They've not left the cupboard since.
I'm now bouncing between my K702, HD560S and Beyer T1 gen 2's.
 
Timber said:
I did try the SMSL with two different PCs (one has a Corsair RMx Series RM750x & the other is a new Minisforum UM480 RX with 65W external power brick). Both the same. Tried different plug sockets (The PC is on it's own socket different from the DAC/AMP), different usb cables. Not really static but pops and crackles when the sound isn't playing. I do wonder if another possibility is the internal PSU or shielding on the SMSL playing up, which might explain the mobile phone interference too? Quite a few forums posts where internal PSUs on DACs like the SMSL, Topping etc. can misbehave.
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This appears to myself that the pops and crackles are not from either PC, but either an issue with the DAC, or from the mains powering the DAC.

What is the condition of your mains like? Is it modern wiring? Do you have any issue of say TV's or other audio gear having pops in it also? Do you have say a fridge that's coming off and on causing the mains issue?

Over the mobile phone causing interference. Is this with a mobile phone immediately next to the DAC? Does the DAC have a metal or plastic case design?
 
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JasonM said:
This appears to myself that the pops and crackles are not from either PC, but either an issue with the DAC, or from the mains powering the DAC.

What is the condition of your mains like? Is it modern wiring? Do you have any issue of say TV's or other audio gear having pops in it also? Do you have say a fridge that's coming off and on causing the mains issue?

Over the mobile phone causing interference. Is this with a mobile phone immediately next to the DAC? Does the DAC have a metal or plastic case design?
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Recently we have had a lot of work done in the house including electrics. A number of jobs including a new consumer unit, 2 rooms have new plugs sockets fitted, some new lights and other bits. All new wiring, not the old style, all tested and had a 5 yr certificate issued. So I don't think it's the electrics. No other issues with anything plugged in. The fridge/freezer is a new Samsung unit bought about 10mths ago.

The mobile was in the same room maybe within a meter of the DAC/AMPs. My existing Fiio K5 Pro or SBX G6 don't pick up any mobile noise (none of my previous DAC/AMPs did it either). I've sent the SMSL C200 back now but I'm certain it was a metal body.

I have ordered a Fiio K11 which is turning up today so if that doesn't do the same thing as the SMSL then that's a result. If not then I'll have to look at next steps. Although in that scenario my next suspicion would be the USB input.
 
Timber said:
Recently we have had a lot of work done in the house including electrics. A number of jobs including a new consumer unit, 2 rooms have new plugs sockets fitted, some new lights and other bits. All new wiring, not the old style, all tested and had a 5 yr certificate issued. So I don't think it's the electrics. No other issues with anything plugged in. The fridge/freezer is a new Samsung unit bought about 10mths ago.

The mobile was in the same room maybe within a meter of the DAC/AMPs. My existing Fiio K5 Pro or SBX G6 don't pick up any mobile noise (none of my previous DAC/AMPs did it either). I've sent the SMSL C200 back now but I'm certain it was a metal body.

I have ordered a Fiio K11 which is turning up today so if that doesn't do the same thing as the SMSL then that's a result. If not then I'll have to look at next steps. Although in that scenario my next suspicion would be the USB input.
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Sounds like it was something on the SMSL. The mobile interference is something faulty, or very poor design.

Question, did it use it's own USB driver, or were you using a generic USB driver to connect to it? Was it possible the clicking/pops were generated from the sound driver when there was no sound. You did the best thing sending it back.
 
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Still running my Mission M72s bought new from Richer sounds 20 years ago! I've since turned them upside down and turned the logo round as well, to make the tweeters more at ear level. Improved imaging and clarity slightly.

lF0L86al.jpg
 
jaybee said:
Still running my Mission M72s bought new from Richer sounds 20 years ago! I've since turned them upside down
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Over time the spider can sag with gravity, so turning a older speaker upside down can counter this. Obviously you have done this to get tweeter in ear level (that is ok to do), but pointing out the other reason rotating a speaker is done.

So rotating your speaker is quite clever, not just for ear position, but also countering wear from gravity on the drivers suspension system.
 
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JasonM said:
Sounds like it was something on the SMSL. The mobile interference is something faulty, or very poor design.

Question, did it use it's own USB driver, or were you using a generic USB driver to connect to it? Was it possible the clicking/pops were generated from the sound driver when there was no sound. You did the best thing sending it back.
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I think so, my gut feeling is that the internal PSU on some DAC/AMPs can make them more prone to interference. Whether it was faulty or not I don't know but hearing the mobile phone signal felt like a blast from the past.

On Windows 11, I did not download the SMSL UAC 2.0 driver they have. I did try it in both UAC 2.0 and 1.1 mode and it was the same, although I can't remember it doing it with the PS5 albeit I didn't have it plugged into that for much and it was testing it with HZD. With the other PC it was Arch w/Pipewire audio, then installed Fedora 39 with the exact same behaviour as the Windows PC.

The Fiio K11 has just turned up so hopefully later on tonight or tomorrow I get a chance to test with both the PCs (and PS5) and see whether this has resolved the issue.
 
Timber said:
I think so, my gut feeling is that the internal PSU on some DAC/AMPs can make them more prone to interference.
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The PSU and reducing mains noise is critical to to both DAC's and Amp's. This is why the very expensive gear there is so much effort is in the PSU quality and reducing mains noise.

This is why companies will sell after market PSU's for budget DAC's such as the Topping.

It is strange you could hear the mobile signal, that indicates to me poor design or fault. The last time I heard a mobile phone was the 2G days on car radios, as you say blast from the past ;)
 
New Fiio K11 setup and please to report...no interference on this one. Phew. Even had the mobile next to it over the past day and again, no noise.

Did have a few quirks to begin with; namely a small .5 second or so audio delay when starting audio on my Fedora 39 installation but not on my Windows 11 PC. At least to begin with. And then updating the Firmware to the latest v1.14 kept failing until I read you have to rename the default folders for the firmware program to work. However since then it has been flawless. Tried with both PCs, with speakers and headphones. Tried optical. Tried it with my PS5 over USB. Where it did something different from my other DAC/AMPs. Essentially I didn't have to raise the volume really. All I had to do was change it to UAC 1 mode. I think it helps that it has a low gain mode specifically for low impedance headphones. Other DACs like the G6 and C200 I have had to essentially double or increased substantially the volume when compare to being plugged into a PC. Need to test this aspect some more.

Probably with hindsight this is the DAC/AMP I should have got initially but again impressed. Crystal clear, lots of power, very analytical/neutral - doesn't have that slight warm bias like the K5. I don't like the screen and the fact all the controls are centred around the volume wheel, i.e. click once for input, twice to change from line out to speakers or hold for settings etc. Sits at a very interesting price point between the entry level options and some of the more popular DAC/AMPs. Feels like bit of a bargain for what it is.

5tWrLc0l.jpg
 
Timber said:
Tried optical.
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Glad you sorted it, so the previous DAC was the issue.

Connect using optical if possible, as optical connection is galvanic, your signal should be cleaner.

PS, your desk / audio setup looks very clean ;) , much cleaner then mine at the moment
 
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DT990 Pro 250ohm - I recently did the Custom Cans 4Pin mini XLR Balance Mod with Vandamme XKE custom cables I made my self.
Brilliant mod if you can do it as the channel separation really does come alive!

Sahara Gaming Headphone Attachable microphone

EVGA Nu Audio Soundcard - Upgraded from a Creative SB AE5 Plus
The Nu Audio card is a nice upgrade its so much more detailed with a much cleaner soundstage. Ive had a play with EQ and probably got the best out of the DT990 combined with the balance mod it works very nice. I might upgade the headphones in the future but for now im happy with it.

Also made up a backplate using some 1.5mm aluminum sheet and thermal pads on the PCB side which helps with cooling and also acts as bit of a shield from the riser/7900XTX.



 
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