Headphones between up to £1,000 ~ Gaming and drum and bass

cHk4

cHk4

cHk4

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Joined
21 Jun 2005
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I'm after a pair of new headphones, I've got a pair of u12t IEMs but I just don't like IEMs. I think I'm after open back headphones, although I've heard for bass closed back would be better so I'm open to suggestions. One of the reasons I liked open back is I seem to talk loudly with closed-back headphones so need to hear my voice somewhat. I have a GoXLR, iFi Zen Can and Shure SM7B mic so just need a headset without a mic..

I recently bought the DT 900 Pro x but the clamping force is hurting my head, on top of that my ears only seem to just about fit in the cups, which I think is fine but something to bear in mind.

I had the HD599 special edition which fit ok and was rather comfortable as a cheap entry headset. I mainly listen to drum and bass, rap, grime and things with a good bass, so yea' I guess a bass is kind of important.

My budget was 200-500 but I think I might just buy a end game headset off of the bat.

I've read the Beyerdynamic Amiron are super comfy so that's what I'm currently eyeing up,

I'm debating upping my budget and maybe getting the HiFiMan Arya Organic, although I've read mixed things about the clamp.

Do you have any recommendations, please?
 
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There is essentially no better quality bass than on a large planar magnetic headphone, so basically HiFiMAN & Audeze in your budget range. Closed back planars do exist, but you really want to feel the air and planars don't care if the cup is closed or open as the bass is substantial regardless, though open backed does mean better stereo imagine and soundstage that works well for gaming obviously.

The better alternative is an open backed HiFiMAN planar. I have had the Sundara and now have the Ananda Nano. I've also had the Sennheiser HD650 for 10+ years and recently bought the HD660S2 as well. I can tell you that the Ananda Nano is better than all of them, it's not even a contest. The bass is leagues ahead, never boomy but incredibly low and you can feel it in your head and against your face as it thumps low, along with incredible stereo imaging that does justice for gaming too.

Your Zen Can has balanced output, so just get a balanced cable with whatever headphone you choose to get the best performance out of them.
 
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I'd absolutely try to demo some of the headphones that you're interested in at that price range, I agree with the above that for bass quality and response (not boomy, muddy crap that a lot of people like) planars come out on top. They also tend to have excellent imaging and soundstage too which are very much plus benefits for playing games.

I went the route of the Audeze LCD2's running on a WA7 many years ago as my "end game" set up and don't regret it at all, although if going new the headphones alone would set you back the majority of your budget. That said, there's some excellent second hand deals to be had out there if you take a look, and you'd get more bang for your buck. If second hand isn't your cup of tea you probably want to look at a more mid range planar such as the Hifman Arya or Anada's mentioned by @mrk alongside a decent enough AMP to do them justice.
 
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cHk4 said:
I'm after a pair of new headphones, I've got a pair of u12t IEMs but I just don't like IEMs. I think I'm after open back headphones, although I've heard for bass closed back would be better so I'm open to suggestions. One of the reasons I liked open back is I seem to talk loudly with closed-back headphones so need to hear my voice somewhat. I have a GoXLR, iFi Zen Can and Shure SM7B mic so just need a headset without a mic..

I recently bought the DT 900 Pro x but the clamping force is hurting my head, on top of that my ears only seem to just about fit in the cups, which I think is fine but something to bear in mind.

I had the HD599 special edition which fit ok and was rather comfortable as a cheap entry headset. I mainly listen to drum and bass, rap, grime and things with a good bass, so yea' I guess a bass is kind of important.

My budget was 200-500 but I think I might just buy a end game headset off of the bat.

I've read the Beyerdynamic Amiron are super comfy so that's what I'm currently eyeing up,

I'm debating upping my budget and maybe getting the HiFiMan Arya Organic, although I've read mixed things about the clamp.

Do you have any recommendations, please?
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I have the Hifiman Arya - so far it’s the best pair of headphones I’ve ever had, bass transients are very quick ,not muddy at all and are good!. They can err on the bright side though!

I have no problems with the clamp.
 
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Memory foam velour earpads will control the brightness spark, I swear I will get every Hifiman owner onto those earpads one day one by one :p
 
mrk said:
Memory foam velour earpads will control the brightness spark, I swear I will get every Hifiman owner onto those earpads one day one by one :p
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Interesting. :)

To the OP:
I did try an lcd-x and I really liked it however it was too heavy for my head.

You need to be careful with system synergy. I think the lcds overall are a darker sound which you might prefer. -the lcd-xs are definitely richer and darker , I might have potentially used them instead if not for the weight.

I also have a pair of the beyerdunamic amirons ! The aryas are a lot better, the clarity and transparency of them and maybe all hifimans are very nice !.

You also need to make sure you get a headphone amplifier of good quality.

If you can't get to a shop to demo some then you need to order at least a couple with good returns (rainforest) and see which one you prefer,and just send the others back.
 
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From the type of music you like I'd say the Sony MDR-Z1R would be right up your street but they are £1600 new, some on eBay cheaper.

If you want to stick to the top end of your budget and not go secondhand I'd suggest the ZMF Bokeh, amazing headphone for the price, nice bass slam and not too bright sounding.

If your not a fan of your U12T's you could easily sell them for extra funds, they are very popular IEM that sell well on eBay.
 
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cHk4 said:
I'm after a pair of new headphones, I've got a pair of u12t IEMs but I just don't like IEMs. I think I'm after open back headphones, although I've heard for bass closed back would be better so I'm open to suggestions. One of the reasons I liked open back is I seem to talk loudly with closed-back headphones so need to hear my voice somewhat. I have a GoXLR, iFi Zen Can and Shure SM7B mic so just need a headset without a mic..

I recently bought the DT 900 Pro x but the clamping force is hurting my head, on top of that my ears only seem to just about fit in the cups, which I think is fine but something to bear in mind.

I had the HD599 special edition which fit ok and was rather comfortable as a cheap entry headset. I mainly listen to drum and bass, rap, grime and things with a good bass, so yea' I guess a bass is kind of important.

My budget was 200-500 but I think I might just buy a end game headset off of the bat.

I've read the Beyerdynamic Amiron are super comfy so that's what I'm currently eyeing up,

I'm debating upping my budget and maybe getting the HiFiMan Arya Organic, although I've read mixed things about the clamp.

Do you have any recommendations, please?
Click to expand...

what headphones do you own thread - i own dt150's :)

Added a Grado SR325X to the collection. Great headphone for classic rock and good old fashioned rock n roll - AC/DC sound incredible. So the list now reads: Headphones Grado SR325X Denon AH-D7200 Beyerdynamic DT1990 pro Sennheiser HD650 HiFiMAN HE400i Sony MDR-1A AKG K702 Sennheiser PX100...
forums.overclockers.co.uk forums.overclockers.co.uk

Have a read of that above what I said and I will add another set of videos here too (remember the Clear MG and PRO are exactly the same just a colour change and different accessories) :-

Gaming review

 
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Purgatory said:

what headphones do you own thread - i own dt150's :)

Added a Grado SR325X to the collection. Great headphone for classic rock and good old fashioned rock n roll - AC/DC sound incredible. So the list now reads: Headphones Grado SR325X Denon AH-D7200 Beyerdynamic DT1990 pro Sennheiser HD650 HiFiMAN HE400i Sony MDR-1A AKG K702 Sennheiser PX100...
forums.overclockers.co.uk forums.overclockers.co.uk

Have a read of that above what I said and I will add another set of videos here too (remember the Clear MG and PRO are exactly the same just a colour change and different accessories) :-

Gaming review

Click to expand...
I tried out the Clear MG they are very good headphones. I personally preferred the Arya’s but everyone has different ears and different music tastes.
I recommend the OP to try out at least two different pairs from the rainforest and then send back the pair they dont like- he may prefer the Clears.
 
I mentioned the voarmaks memory foam velour pads on reddit recently and one guy got his today :cool:

F5lnRw5.png
 
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