General Headphone Audio

Robi · 20 Apr 2020 at 20:34

Unfortunately I'm at a loss with what to do here. I moved to a pair of K702's combined with a ModMic and FiiO E10K for competitive gaming, which has been fantastic to date. I now want to move away from having a separate cable for the microphone as it's causing issues with my current setup. To resolve this it looks like I have a total of 3 options:

1. Buy headphones which are compatible with the V-MODA BoomPro (which also means changing to an Amp/DAC with headphone port)
2. Buy a desk mic to use with my K702's
3. Buy a gaming headset e.g. Logitech G Pro X to use alongside my K702's

I'm not keen on option 2 - so rule that out.

In terms of option 1, the only headsets I can see which are compatible with a boom mic (i.e. 3.5mm detachable cable) but are also good for competitive gaming (great directional sound) are:

Phillips SHP9500/S - now discontinued
Phillips Fidelio X2HR - mixed reviews as some say good imaging others say bad

Any others working looking at?

Option 3 - separate gaming headset would only be used for when I need a mic.

Random Guy Esq. · 20 Apr 2020 at 21:36

Robi said:
Unfortunately I'm at a loss with what to do here. I moved to a pair of K702's combined with a ModMic and FiiO E10K for competitive gaming, which has been fantastic to date. I now want to move away from having a separate cable for the microphone as it's causing issues with my current setup. To resolve this it looks like I have a total of 3 options:

Another option (in case you hadn't heard about them) is to get the wireless ModMic. Be warned, it's much pricier than the wired options, and doesn't sound as good. But I'm still tempted by it personally.

Angerer · 20 Apr 2020 at 22:23

Guest2 said:
I figured out a slightly messy and more weighty way of using AKG headphones with boomPro mics or anything else that needs a 3.5mm male connection. This is instead of using a Mini-3-Pin-XLR-Female-TA3-to-3-5mm-Jack-Socket

Just get a 3.5mm female to 3.5mm female adapter and connect the end of the AKG headphone to it, then the end what would go into the headphones into the other side...

Stick it over your head and it works fine. Mic, headphones, mute and volume control all working great

This is pretty awesome!

I had a reply back from the lads, I am waiting to pay them hopefully have it setup soon.

I take it you're still awaiting delivery of the adaptor?

Guest2 · 20 Apr 2020 at 22:25

Robi said:
Unfortunately I'm at a loss with what to do here. I moved to a pair of K702's combined with a ModMic and FiiO E10K for competitive gaming, which has been fantastic to date. I now want to move away from having a separate cable for the microphone as it's causing issues with my current setup. To resolve this it looks like I have a total of 3 options:

1. Buy headphones which are compatible with the V-MODA BoomPro (which also means changing to an Amp/DAC with headphone port)
2. Buy a desk mic to use with my K702's
3. Buy a gaming headset e.g. Logitech G Pro X to use alongside my K702's

I'm not keen on option 2 - so rule that out.

In terms of option 1, the only headsets I can see which are compatible with a boom mic (i.e. 3.5mm detachable cable) but are also good for competitive gaming (great directional sound) are:

Phillips SHP9500/S - now discontinued
Phillips Fidelio X2HR - mixed reviews as some say good imaging others say bad

Any others working looking at?

Option 3 - separate gaming headset would only be used for when I need a mic.

Option 4. Buy adapter to use K702s with BoomPro

Option 2 is a bad idea unless you are going to buy a mic boom. They pickup keyboard and mouse more than voice

I currently have my K702 with the BoomPro, just using a 3.5mm female > 3.5mm female adapter. The adapter (Mini-3-Pin-XLR-Female-TA3-to-3-5mm-Jack) I am waiting for it to arrive

Guest2 · 20 Apr 2020 at 22:26

Angerer said:
This is pretty awesome!

I had a reply back from the lads, I am waiting to pay them hopefully have it setup soon.

I take it you're still awaiting delivery of the adaptor?

Yep, still waiting for it to arrive.

£4 for post which takes at least as week is a joke really but what can you do. It seems they are the only people who sell them

The mute and volume control on the BoomPro is a lot more useful than I thought

Those 3.5mm female adapter are 2 for £6 - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B06WGLXKVL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Angerer · 20 Apr 2020 at 22:27

Robi said:
1. Buy headphones which are compatible with the V-MODA BoomPro (which also means changing to an Amp/DAC with headphone port)
.

I am hoping to use K702 with O2 amp and D2X by splitting the cables.

If this fails I'll just use the AKG and an old logitech desk mic for the moment.

The ARC by Mayflower looks decent but I already have the O2 and two mics

Angerer · 20 Apr 2020 at 22:29

Guest2 said:
Yep, still waiting for it to arrive.

£4 for post which takes at least as week is a joke really but what can you do. It seems they are the only people who sell them

The mute and volume control on the BoomPro is a lot more useful than I thought

Those 3.5mm female adapter are 2 for £6 - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B06WGLXKVL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Cheers mate =D

Robi · 20 Apr 2020 at 22:45

Guest2 said:
Option 4. Buy adapter to use K702s with BoomPro

Option 2 is a bad idea unless you are going to buy a mic boom. They pickup keyboard and mouse more than voice

I currently have my K702 with the BoomPro, just using a 3.5mm female > 3.5mm female adapter. The adapter (Mini-3-Pin-XLR-Female-TA3-to-3-5mm-Jack) I am waiting for it to arrive

I searched long and hard for an adaptor prior to buying my K702's, which is why I ended up with a ModMic. I'll drop that website a message to see if they can also sort me out with one.

Presumably I'll need to buy a splitter cable for both the headphones and mic to go into the same DAC/Amp (but not through a single cable)? Unfortunately my E10K doesn't have a mic port.

Thank you!

Guest2 · 20 Apr 2020 at 23:17

Robi said:
I searched long and hard for an adaptor prior to buying my K702's, which is why I ended up with a ModMic. I'll drop that website a message to see if they can also sort me out with one.

Presumably I'll need to buy a splitter cable (like the £2.79 one linked above), so the headphones connect into my amp with the mic into my mobo? Unfortunately my E10K doesn't have a mic port.

Thank you!

BoomPro comes with a splitter cable.
If the e10k doesnt come with a mic port can you not just connect 3.5mm on the same port, or doesnt it allow mic at all?

alex24 · 20 Apr 2020 at 23:26

Looking for some advice as two things have recently happened:

1. My Goldring NS1000 (recommended here many years ago) set continues to fall apart with now the pads disintegrating and the noise cancelling switch acting up. I can’t find any info on replacement pads and the set doesn’t look easy to open up and fix. I’ve had these a long time but really enjoyed the leap in quality they gave from previous headsets/earphones. I use them on the go, commuting, holiday and sometimes around the house or gaming.

2. I’m working from home indefinitely, which means often 5+ hours of conference calls a day. My current on-ear jabra headset hurts at the end of each day.

Can I kill both of these birds with one stone? I would like an over-ear set that is comfortable. Noise cancelling would be useful when travelling but also for point 2 a decent microphone is essential. Wireless isn’t a big deal to me but seems commonplace now. Would Sony XM3/Bose 700/PX7 or similar be up to all that?

Alternatively, I could go for a high end wired over ear set, maybe an amp/dac if needed either with a built in mic or a separate desk mic to cover point 2 and then some other noise cancelling set for taking out and about with me. I do appreciate high end audio and listening to music but have limited experience of trying different solutions.

Anyone else have these issues and did you find a single solution or just a ‘home/work’ setup and something else for on the go? I could probably justify up to around £300 all in which I know won’t go properly high end but might let me dip my toe in the water...?

Robi · 20 Apr 2020 at 23:34

Guest2 said:
BoomPro comes with a splitter cable.

If the e10k doesnt come with a mic port can you not just connect 3.5mm on the same port, or doesnt it allow mic at all?

Splitting it out with the headphones going into the E10K and mic into the mobo will likely result in a ground loop issue (buzzing) - see here. I think the only way to resolve this is to have an amp with built in mic capability, something like the Syba Sonic DAC or Sennheiser GSX 1000.

I could be completely wrong of course.

Guest2 · 21 Apr 2020 at 07:38

Robi said:
Splitting it out with the headphones going into the E10K and mic into the mobo will likely result in a ground loop issue (buzzing) - see here. I think the only way to resolve this is to have an amp with built in mic capability, something like the Syba Sonic DAC or Sennheiser GSX 1000.

I could be completely wrong of course.

Interesting... you could try a 3.5mm mic to usb adapter but not sure if this would lower the quality of the mic.
That said, it depends on the quality of your motherboard chip mic input and usb input i would have thought.
Im using 6.30mm mic input and 6.30mm headphone output on soundcard. But its quite high end (as far as soundcards go anyway)
I did quite a bit of research some years back now and I was better off getting this over a dedicated DAC at similar money. Think i was looking at a Beresford 7520

https://www.asus.com/uk/Sound-Cards/Xonar_Essence_ST/specifications/

Robi · 21 Apr 2020 at 09:24

Guest2 said:
Interesting... you could try a 3.5mm mic to usb adapter but not sure if this would lower the quality of the mic.
That said, it depends on the quality of your motherboard chip mic input and usb input i would have thought.
Im using 6.30mm mic input and 6.30mm headphone output on soundcard. But its quite high end (as far as soundcards go anyway)
I did quite a bit of research some years back now and I was better off getting this over a dedicated DAC at similar money. Think i was looking at a Beresford 7520

https://www.asus.com/uk/Sound-Cards/Xonar_Essence_ST/specifications/

Fortunately I already have a USB adaptor which should do the trick if I run into any issues.

Good to know.

Winston · 21 Apr 2020 at 11:06

What's the issue with the 702 and the modmic exactly? As that's the setup I've gone for, just waiting for the modmic to show up

Marsman · 21 Apr 2020 at 11:18

Winston said:
What's the issue with the 702 and the modmic exactly? As that's the setup I've gone for, just waiting for the modmic to show up

No issue that I know of, just some people don't want to have to deal with two cables. With the boompro, there is just the one.

Robi raises a good point though about possible ground loop when splitting the one jack from the boompro to two separate devices. Angerer may end up with that issue, as his O2 is mains powered. E10K may be OK as it's USB powered.

Marsman · 21 Apr 2020 at 11:28

alex24 said:
Looking for some advice as two things have recently happened:

1. My Goldring NS1000 (recommended here many years ago) set continues to fall apart with now the pads disintegrating and the noise cancelling switch acting up. I can’t find any info on replacement pads and the set doesn’t look easy to open up and fix. I’ve had these a long time but really enjoyed the leap in quality they gave from previous headsets/earphones. I use them on the go, commuting, holiday and sometimes around the house or gaming.

2. I’m working from home indefinitely, which means often 5+ hours of conference calls a day. My current on-ear jabra headset hurts at the end of each day.

Can I kill both of these birds with one stone? I would like an over-ear set that is comfortable. Noise cancelling would be useful when travelling but also for point 2 a decent microphone is essential. Wireless isn’t a big deal to me but seems commonplace now. Would Sony XM3/Bose 700/PX7 or similar be up to all that?

Alternatively, I could go for a high end wired over ear set, maybe an amp/dac if needed either with a built in mic or a separate desk mic to cover point 2 and then some other noise cancelling set for taking out and about with me. I do appreciate high end audio and listening to music but have limited experience of trying different solutions.

Anyone else have these issues and did you find a single solution or just a ‘home/work’ setup and something else for on the go? I could probably justify up to around £300 all in which I know won’t go properly high end but might let me dip my toe in the water...?

Those NS1000's were fantastic value for what they offered in the way of sound quality and ANC that worked well. Build quality was certainly the downside, as it was for all Goldring's headphones. I suppose had they been really sturdy, then they would have cost a fair bit more.

I'm not sure many, if any of these ANC headphones have a microphone. Searching for 'noise cancelling headset' just brings up headphones. Could be that introducing a microphone would reduce the ANC effectiveness.

Without having to buy a headset for VOIP and headphones for ANC and portable use; what about using ANC headphones and adding a microphone, like an Antlion Modmic?

Attach to the headphones when you're using VOIP, remove when you're not.

I don't know if many of these high quality ANC headphones, like the XM3 etc, have a 'ANC off' switch, like the NS1000.

I'm wondering that because with good ANC headphones and a microphone, you may not hear your own voice. People who can't, tend to raise their voice unknowingly. I've seen some people say that when they used closed headphones and a microphones, particularly the ones that isolate well. Coupled with the sound they are listening to, they end up shouting into the microphone.

If that is likely to be a problem, I suppose there is no choice buy to get separate ANC headphones and headset.

Robi · 21 Apr 2020 at 11:37

Marsman said:
No issue that I know of, just some people don't want to have to deal with two cables. With the boompro, there is just the one.

Robi raises a good point though about possible ground loop when splitting the one jack from the boompro to two separate devices. Angerer may end up with that issue, as his O2 is mains powered. E10K may be OK as it's USB powered.

Exactly this. ModMic works perfectly, but I just don't want a second cable as it's causing issues with snagging due to my desk/PC placement.

I'm considering swapping from the E10K to a G5 or G6 as I can only use the K702's in stereo (not currently using any software) and I may also need a microphone port for the BoomPro.

Marsman · 21 Apr 2020 at 11:52

I have seen some people braid the cables together, to get round the issue of having two cables.

You'd still have to use a splitter with the boompro, as the G5/6 has separate headphone and microphone sockets. Being on the same device though, there shouldn't be any ground loop issue.

Guest2 · 21 Apr 2020 at 12:19

Marsman said:
No issue that I know of, just some people don't want to have to deal with two cables. With the boompro, there is just the one.

Robi raises a good point though about possible ground loop when splitting the one jack from the boompro to two separate devices. Angerer may end up with that issue, as his O2 is mains powered. E10K may be OK as it's USB powered.

Same as what I read / saw in videos. That and the Modmic 4 did not sound as good in tests, Modmic 4 or 5 were unavailable or EOL and the wireless one was more expensive and quality probably not as good

alex24 · 21 Apr 2020 at 22:55

Marsman said:
Those NS1000's were fantastic value for what they offered in the way of sound quality and ANC that worked well....

Thanks for your reply. I did some more reading here and stumbled upon the modular mic option but none are without compromise, compatibility issues, unavailable or at a significant part of the cost.

As with many things, sometimes maybe you need the right tool for the job. I think I have 3 distinct use cases:

1) Work/VOIP. Need to be comfortable with a good mic. Wired ok, USB may offer easiest solution. I remembered I have a Microsoft lifechat lx-3000 in the drawer but it got there as the clamping force was so strong it was also uncomfortable. Maybe I could try open it out, not sure if that would work as it’s plastic. Are there any generally recognised comfortable headsets with a good mic? Perhaps even gaming headsets?

2) Travel and commuting, casual use. Need to be comfortable with ANC, wireless is nice but not essential. Seems the Sony XM3 or perhaps even imminent XM4 would be an easy choice here as the most direct NS1000 replacement.

3) Recreational music, (single player) gaming, films etc. Can be wired, Should be comfortable over ear maybe even open back pair with DAC/AMP as many use here. Something like the hd6xx or similar with a basic DAC/AMP would perhaps be a good start, although there is so much choice and subjectivity in this area it’s hard to know which would be best without the ability to demo somewhere in the current climate. Also, seems the sky is the limit in terms of cost...

My £300 budget wouldn’t cover all this so I need to sort out the first case first for work, then consider 2 or 3. Not doing much commuting or travelling right now so maybe a time to think about entry into basic audiophile setup with what’s left. Which audiophile headphones do you guys wish you started with as it seems many of you have tried various options? The purist in me is drawn to studio/reference style open back like dt990 but I’d be worried they would lack character to really enjoy music. I play bass guitar so appreciate being able to separate the low end in a well controlled (not muddy) way but also with a bit of punch. Maybe I need to start saving more money up...!