Headphone advice

passey89 · 10 Apr 2016 at 10:08

No I have a blue yeti I can get some decent headphones for gaming.

Need some advice though.

Dont like anything too tight else it will give me a headache.

These are what i'm debating atm

AKG K550

AKG K702

Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro

Audio-Technica ATH-M40X

Audio-Technica ATH-M50X

Any other I should consider or which would you go for?

Marsman · 10 Apr 2016 at 11:11

Best for gaming out of that lot, is easily the K702. They are inefficient headphones though compared to the rest on your list, so really need a decent headphone amp to make them shine. If you're using motherboard audio and would prefer to continue to do so, then K550 or DT770 would be much easier for the motherboard to power as they are much more efficient.

The key with the K550 is to get a good seal though, otherwise the bass is anemic. Going on comments some find this easier than others. DT770 don't need a good seal and would be easier to wear in my opinion, and probably more comfortable over longer periods due to velour pads rather than pleather.

Audio Technica's aren't worth considering for gaming.

If you can afford to get a decent amp as well though, then the K702 are undoubtedly the best choice; unless of course you're looking for a fun bassy headphone, rather than an accurate one.

Accuracy - K702
fun and bassy - DT770

passey89 · 10 Apr 2016 at 12:22

Marsman said:
Best for gaming out of that lot, is easily the K702. They are inefficient headphones though compared to the rest on your list, so really need a decent headphone amp to make them shine. If you're using motherboard audio and would prefer to continue to do so, then K550 or DT770 would be much easier for the motherboard to power as they are much more efficient.

The key with the K550 is to get a good seal though, otherwise the bass is anemic. Going on comments some find this easier than others. DT770 don't need a good seal and would be easier to wear in my opinion, and probably more comfortable over longer periods due to velour pads rather than pleather.

Audio Technica's aren't worth considering for gaming.

If you can afford to get a decent amp as well though, then the K702 are undoubtedly the best choice; unless of course you're looking for a fun bassy headphone, rather than an accurate one.

Accuracy - K702
fun and bassy - DT770

already have a dedicated sound card

soudblaster Z so 600Ohm amp shoudl handle them ok?

Marsman · 10 Apr 2016 at 14:00

The amp in the SB Z doesn't have that much power really. 600 Ohm is just a bunch of numbers and a meaningless claim without more detailed specs to back that up. From what I can see, they've removed the '600 Ohm' rating from the SB Z specs on their site. They deserve some credit for that, because claiming the SB Z can drive 600 Ohm headphones is misleading really. You can't go by Ohm rating alone, because that really doesn't tell you much at all to be honest. The specs that are more significant, Creative doesn't list, so saying 600 Ohm doesn't mean anything.

Just as an example why Ohm rating alone is not enough: K702 are 62 Ohm. They require more power than the 250 Ohm DT770, which in comparison are efficient headphones.

Rids57 had a SB Z at one point and used that with his K702 headphones. Here's a quote from a post of his about a year and a half ago:-

'I spent a few months with the K702 and Sound Blaster Z and it just wasn't up to the task of driving them all that well. Volume was a struggle and they sounded a bit thin and weedy. Upgrading to the Asus Xonar STX cured that, high volume levels were easily reached and the sound thickened up nicely too.'

Without getting a better amp, the DT770 would be a much better match for the SB Z.

passey89 · 10 Apr 2016 at 15:52

Marsman said:
The amp in the SB Z doesn't have that much power really. 600 Ohm is just a bunch of numbers and a meaningless claim without more detailed specs to back that up. From what I can see, they've removed the '600 Ohm' rating from the SB Z specs on their site. They deserve some credit for that, because claiming the SB Z can drive 600 Ohm headphones is misleading really. You can't go by Ohm rating alone, because that really doesn't tell you much at all to be honest. The specs that are more significant, Creative doesn't list, so saying 600 Ohm doesn't mean anything.

Just as an example why Ohm rating alone is not enough: K702 are 62 Ohm. They require more power than the 250 Ohm DT770, which in comparison are efficient headphones.

Rids57 had a SB Z at one point and used that with his K702 headphones. Here's a quote from a post of his about a year and a half ago:-

'I spent a few months with the K702 and Sound Blaster Z and it just wasn't up to the task of driving them all that well. Volume was a struggle and they sounded a bit thin and weedy. Upgrading to the Asus Xonar STX cured that, high volume levels were easily reached and the sound thickened up nicely too.'

Without getting a better amp, the DT770 would be a much better match for the SB Z.

Ok not yoo fussed about getting a new soundcard.

Whats the difference between the dt770,&, dt990 is it just the 990's are open backed?

Marsman · 10 Apr 2016 at 17:54

Yes 990 are open, 770 are closed. IIRC, the sonic differences are that the 990 is more bass heavy, but has even more recessed mid range and more prominent treble.

770 I think is the safer bet, because the more excitable treble of the 990 is probably more fatiguing over longer periods. That comes down to personal preference though, as some people do like a 'hot' treble, as it's sometimes described. To other people that type of sound can be too 'shrill'.

Whatever you decide to get, best to get them from a place where you can return without too much hassle if you're not completely satisfied for whatever reason. Sound preference is personal, so while others can give their thoughts, only you can decide what sounds right for you.

ObixConstant · 10 Apr 2016 at 17:59

Just received my 770's today super super comfortable. I didn't get that with gaming in mind (some music production + spotify listening etc) but I'm using them right now for some gaming time on Rainbow Six

doing a decent job.

egraphixstudios · 10 Apr 2016 at 18:01

Audio Technica all the way. got a set of M50's - brill sound!

gazujii · 12 Apr 2016 at 13:49

Marsman said:
Audio Technica's aren't worth considering for gaming.

Couldn't disagree more. I have had a number of 'gaming' headsets from Turtlebeach, Sennheiser, and Steelseries and the current headset I use the Audio Technica ADG1's are by far and away the best I have used for comfort, soundstage and also mic clarity.

Marsman · 12 Apr 2016 at 14:30

I didn't word that was well as I should have. I was referring only to the headphones on the OP's list and the M50X in particular. AT make some headphones that are great for gaming, just not the M50X; although I'd imagine that there are some people who do like them for gaming. Too small a sound stage and too much bass bloat to be any good in my opinion.

C64 · 12 Apr 2016 at 16:51

Philips shp9500

*child warning there is some cursing in this vid*

passey89 · 12 Apr 2016 at 17:24

To be honest its down to tje 990 pros or the k702's

rids57 · 12 Apr 2016 at 21:54

K702 are in a different league to the DT 990 pros BUT are harder to drive (I have both)

Marsman · 12 Apr 2016 at 22:32

Undoubtedly the K702 is better headphone for gaming, and naturally one would want the best sounding headphone that can be afforded; but the SB Z not being able to do them justice can't be ignored really.

Do you buy the better headphone, only to gimp their sound a bit by using them with the SB Z; or buy headphones that will be powered perfectly fine by the SB Z, even though they are not as good?

Tough decision.

C64 said:
Philips shp9500

They look like great value, but only if you live in the US it would seem. Can they be bought for reasonable money here in the UK? If they can, I can't find them. I can see someone selling them on eBay UK for £1112 :eek:

rids57 · 13 Apr 2016 at 02:19

Discontinued in the European market I believe

s452 · 13 Apr 2016 at 02:32

cant tell you which ones to get, but in terms of comfort, go to some well known High street electronic shops/music stores and simply try them on, you might be surprised at the availability

passey89 · 13 Apr 2016 at 05:54

Marsman said:
Undoubtedly the K702 is better headphone for gaming, and naturally one would want the best sounding headphone that can be afforded; but the SB Z not being able to do them justice can't be ignored really.

Do you buy the better headphone, only to gimp their sound a bit by using them with the SB Z; or buy headphones that will be powered perfectly fine by the SB Z, even though they are not as good?

Tough decision.

They look like great value, but only if you live in the US it would seem. Can they be bought for reasonable money here in the UK? If they can, I can't find them. I can see someone selling them on eBay UK for £1112

To be honest i dont mind upvraxing my soundcard so will probably go for that.

Whats a good soundcard to go with these then?

rids57 · 13 Apr 2016 at 06:34

passey89 said:
To be honest i don't mind upgrading my sound card so will probably go for that.

What's a good sound card to go with these then?

Powercolor Devil HDX (reliability is a bit suspect though)

Asus Xonar STX (OcUK stopped stocking them for some reason when the STX II was released) but they are out there at a good price.

The STX II is overpriced compared with the older STX considering the only difference is an ultra-low gain setting for IEMs and different op-amps.

Creative Sound Blaster ZxR (it's now at a much more reasonable £150, compared to the £200 it was at originally)

Reason I list these is that although the AKG K702s are only 62 ohms, they are also very inefficient and require a powerful amp to not only get them loud enough but to drive them with enough authority to fill out the sound and that requires more current than the cheaper cards can provide.

To be fair, the Sound Blaster Z is not terrible with them and is pretty much on the limit but as I wanted them for music at the time, I upgraded to the STX which drives them effortlessly. As you want them for gaming you might as well get the K702s first and give them a whirl with your SB Z. It may well be enough and if you do find it lacking then you can always upgrade to one of the above cards.

passey89 · 13 Apr 2016 at 08:30

rids57 said:
Powercolor Devil HDX (reliability is a bit suspect though)

Asus Xonar STX (OcUK stopped stocking them for some reason when the STX II was released) but they are out there at a good price.

The STX II is overpriced compared with the older STX considering the only difference is an ultra-low gain setting for IEMs and different op-amps.

Creative Sound Blaster ZxR (it's now at a much more reasonable £150, compared to the £200 it was at originally)

Reason I list these is that although the AKG K702s are only 62 ohms, they are also very inefficient and require a powerful amp to not only get them loud enough but to drive them with enough authority to fill out the sound and that requires more current than the cheaper cards can provide.

To be fair, the Sound Blaster Z is not terrible with them and is pretty much on the limit but as I wanted them for music at the time, I upgraded to the STX which drives them effortlessly. As you want them for gaming you might as well get the K702s first and give them a whirl with your SB Z. It may well be enough and if you do find it lacking then you can always upgrade to one of the above cards.

Thanks. Will give it a go when tbey arrive and see if the could do with a new soundcard as well.

Marsman · 13 Apr 2016 at 10:42

I was wondering whether a SMSL SD793-II, would have enough power for the K702. I know the FiiO E10K does, which puts out 200mW @ 32 Ohm. The SMSL is 140mW @ 32 Ohm.

It's an external DAC/amp that you could connect to the SB Z via optical, so you can still make use of the sound card's processor for SBX.

Assuming it's fine for the K702, then that would be a cheap decent option without having to spend £100+ on another sound card.