I've decided on these headphones for gaming, what amp/dac should I get?

Astralogic

Astralogic

Astralogic

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Hi, so after reading the sticky about what headphones to get for gaming I've decided on getting the AKG K712PRO's since that htread says they are a good all rounder, I don't play competitive games I just want that immersion and sound stage.

I was thinking of getting the Senheiser GSX 1000 since I hear it has excellent surround sound. I don't mind spending about £200 to get good sounding gaming immersion.

Any help appreciated
Thanks
 
Thanks for the input.

I found these two, are they the same thing? If not, which would be better?

Creative G6

Soundblaster x G6

none Ocuk links removed - please read the rules. Montymint.
 
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Sound wise K712 is definitely very good for general gaming and also competent for competitive gaming.

But comfort wise for long sessions and lots of overall usage AKG's fancy "automatically adjusting" design isn't great:
If you have small, especially downward narrowing head, they can try to slip down easily.
Simply because without manual head band adjustment ear cups rely also on pressure to stay on their place.
Me head is near that limit where they would start creeping down fast.
And there's really thin, eventually wearing down/loosening elastic string as part of their mechanism.

Then price of replacement ear pads is at level where you better be sitting firmly when seeing it.
In constant use ear pads can get dirty in couple years and eventually anyway wear down.
So AKG isn't very wallet friendly in long term.


"Old fashioned" manually adjustable headband is pretty much more adjustable/without faster from normal use wearing down parts.
Beyerdynamic's DT990 would be also relatively similar in overall sound with good above neutral bass for "fun factor", but also other end to balance it/maintain details.
And replacement ear pads are far cheaper than those of AKG.
(nearing two pairs for the price of one AKG pad)

Last autumn released DT900 Pro X is another model in that price level, but it has less bass decreasing fun factor.
And considering comfort in long gaming sessions head band's clamping force is highish 5.3 N, while DT990 Edition's 2.8 N is toward lighter end.
Also weight is in favour of DT990.
Though cable in easily replaceable using mini-XLR connector.



Sennheiser GSX is still grossly overpriced.
While HRTF is really good for fixed/some average head shape based one, audio hardware is at level of generic phone/tablet.
It literally uses cheap integrated DAC/amp chip meant for those.
So output voltage is limited for low current high impedance cans.
And neither it has muscle to deliver that much power if headphones are power hungry.
(AKGs are toward that)

Sound BlasterX G6 has far better audio circuitry and if it were priced similarly to Sennheiser you would be paying closer to £500.
Though for gaming purposes Sound Blaster X3 would have ace in its sleeve:
Head shape customizable HRTF, which can improve positioning accuracy good amount over fixed HRTF.
That upstair's guy simply forgot to standardize human head shape and binaural cues brain is used to processing differ depending on person's head.
 
Thanks for that information, that was very helpful.

I am very sensitive to headphone pressure so I will not get the AKGs, I'll go with the 990's, I used to have 770's and really liked them. I'll also go with the X3 over the G6.
 
Astralogic said:
I used to have 770's and really liked them.
Click to expand...
DT990 Edition (sometimes Premium) has even lighter clamping force.
Studio use aimed DT990 Pro variant (coiled cable) has same 3.5 N head band clamping force as at least current DT770.


Creative actually has Super X-Fi profile for DT990, so positioning should be really good.

What headphones work with the SXFI AMP? | Super X-Fi Help Center

Are there headphones that have been certified for use with Super X-Fi?
support.sxfi.com support.sxfi.com

And also SB X3 can be found from B-stock.
That makes it more sensible buy considering audio circuitry is clear step down from SBX G6.
(though still clearly better than GSX especially for DAC)

Might myself buy one from B-stock, from where I bought SBX G6 some years ago.
Except for B-stock sticker in box couldn't have told it wasn't fresh from production line.
 
Have you considered the Sennheiser Game One. It's very comfortable to wear for long hours and keeps your ears cooler as its open. Although if you use them near other people they may get annoyed because the open back allows noise to escape, https://youtu.be/TOsbSzhKbL4
 
Headphone profiles are in Super X-Fi settings.


Game One is likely less bassier than DT990.
And open dynamic driver headphones are already weaker than closed headphones in the lowest "rumbling" part of bass.
 
Open back headphones tend to have a larger soundstage and leak sound to others. Closed back headphones tend to have a smaller soundstage, with more bass, and are more sound isolating, both reducing sounds that the wearer hears and those around them hear from the headphones. The open back keep you cooler and those Sennheiser Game One are cool and comfortable for hours, with much less clamping force. You can now pick up these closed Sennheiser headphones for less than half the launch price, but they get hotter and are likely to have too much clamping force for you, https://youtu.be/dvDLCpMo8ls?t=511
 
Is it possible for a pair of stereo speakers to be connected to the Creative X3 at the same time as headphones? And is there a toggle to switch between them as outputs?
 
I have had my 712 Pro's for 4 years and they are still in great condition with no signs of wear. They are used almost every day for music and gaming with a G6. I haven't had the G6 for the same time as was previously using an AVR. I can't really explain my own head shape but wouldn't say I have a huge head. They are comfortable and don't move even for longer periods, but thats just my experience with them.

These headphones with a G6 are a really good match in my opinion. And the G6 has a mic input with no lag.
 
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