I use the sennheiser hd800s with a schiit lyr amp and no DAC, just plug the RCA cables into a RCA to standard headphone jack converter and that into my laptop.

Now, I'm hoping that the setup sucks and it's no surprise to hear that this 2000 dollar setup sounds only slightly better than my 250 dollar Astros because of how I'm hooking it up. And the hd800 + lyr is actually worse at times because of an added whirring sound the amp produces or picks up, not too sure. Not too sure about any of this really so I'd be thankful for some guidance.

Thanks in advance.

Nopileus

Germany27 Posts

November 18 2012 17:16 GMT

#3942

You really need a DAC.

SpikeStarcraft

Germany2095 Posts

November 18 2012 17:27 GMT

#3943

I use an Aerial7 Tank. Its more a fashion headphone than a gaming one, i use it for my mp3 player and for gaming. The sound quality is pretty awesome. I wouldnt use those small cheap headphones anymore. My laptop microphone is pretty good, so i dont need a headset.
I really cant stand inears.. i hate it when i can not be aware of my surroundings. Makes me paranoid. and this plastic in my ear feels uncomfortable.

[image loading]

red_b

United States1267 Posts

November 19 2012 05:43 GMT

#3944

Asus Xonar is not pushing quite enough volume to my AKG Q701s so I'm going to use this opportunity to get a headphone amplifer.

Wondering if it's worth it to get the ODAC + 02 combo or just get the 02 and stick with the sound card for converting digital to audio.

I own a fairly fast desktop (i5 2500k, 8 gig ram, etc) but am somewhat concerned about slowdown when playing DotA and the like.

Myrmidon

United States9452 Posts

November 19 2012 06:30 GMT

#3945

Which Xonar?

Regardless, I would stick with the sound card for D/A unless it's giving you troubles somehow, like weird driver issues, dropouts, spurious noises, etc. Audio processing takes a trivial amount of time for a modern processor; I wouldn't expect issues in terms of computer load (and in a game, it won't be 100% CPU load on a quad core...), but you may as well just go with what works.

You could probably get away with using something other than the O2, which is a bit awkward for desktop use in terms of form factor and plug location, but it's a good choice particularly if you also want to run higher impedance or much lower impedance headphones in the future.

Monokeros

United States2493 Posts

November 19 2012 06:51 GMT

#3946

I was wondering if you guys had any recommendations earphones or headsets for $40 or under I'm trying to get some that I know will last awhile and are pretty durable. My last pair wore out pretty fast since I use them while exercising, I was thinking of buying these + Show Spoiler +

since they're around $50 with a discount and I've heard for their cheap cost they're RELATIVELY high quality.

Exoteric

Australia2330 Posts

November 19 2012 15:56 GMT

#3947

On November 19 2012 15:51 Monokeros wrote:
I was wondering if you guys had any recommendations earphones or headsets for $40 or under I'm trying to get some that I know will last awhile and are pretty durable. My last pair wore out pretty fast since I use them while exercising, I was thinking of buying these + Show Spoiler +

since they're around $50 with a discount and I've heard for their cheap cost they're RELATIVELY high quality.

Most gaming headsets do not have good sound quality. For under $40 and something both lightweight for exercise and having good sound quality, you can't go wrong with the Koss KSC75.

Cirn9

1117 Posts

November 20 2012 11:33 GMT

#3948

I was asked today what headset a father should get his son for gaming that was high quality and would work on PC and a 360. Not being a console user, I have no idea, but I said I would ask here at the least.

Any thoughts?

GeNeSiDe

United Kingdom354 Posts

November 20 2012 13:42 GMT

#3949

I use some Pioneer DJ headphone, great for gigging(loud, has a swivel ear for 1 ear monitoring, strong), but they are TIGHT when you have them both on sitting in front of a computer; I wear glasses and they give me a bump on my head sometimes

Let it Raine

Canada1245 Posts

November 21 2012 15:18 GMT

#3950

On November 19 2012 02:16 Nopileus wrote:
You really need a DAC.

Would the schiit bifrost be a good choice

Firkraag8

Sweden1006 Posts

November 23 2012 03:24 GMT

#3951

I need a new pair of ultra portables to replace my IEM's and Koss Porta Pro for on the go. Having the Sennheiser HD598's with Xonar Essence on my computer has really spoiled me and it saddens me everytime I have to go outside and get stuck with my iPhone and Porta Pro.

My criterias are as follow compared to the Porta Pro:
Less sound leakage
More comfortable
Better sounding
Portable, I'm not going to be wearing full-sized headphones when I'm outside

Looking at this I have found a pair AKG K450 these seem up to the task, but with no chance of testing them beforehand I would like to hear if there are any better alternatives in or near the same price range or if these are any good at all.

Thanks.

truegaymer

United States32 Posts

November 23 2012 11:19 GMT

#3952

can anyone help me find or what type of specifications i should be looking for headphones that eliminate the environment when i study so i dont have to crank up the volume. i dont care if they hear me and i cant wear earbuds due to pain. also i love huge bass, i read bigger drivers mean more bass but i was gonna buy these
http://www.ebay.com/itm/310513927720?afepn=5335869999&campid=5335869999&PID=1225267&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

until they said it has no bass and you can hear everything around you. one more thing, i dont want to use an amp. thanks but maybe these qualities arent available on a single pair of headphones but heres to hoping lol

57 Corvette

Canada5941 Posts

November 23 2012 14:25 GMT

#3953

Are the Senheiser HD 418s good Sound for quality? I kept looking for 428s but I can't find them in the electronics stores I can get to easily. They always seem to have 418s in stock, are they good for their cost?

Frigo

Hungary1023 Posts

November 23 2012 21:19 GMT

#3954

Superlux HD669 + AKG K240 velour earpads + Pioneer ME-390 headband = Ultimate modded headphones

Pictures:
+ Show Spoiler [pictures] +

Superlux HD669 provides ruthlessly precise sound, I prefer it over my Pioneer ME-390 and even my Audio-Technica ATH-M50, which costs 5 times as much by the way. You hear exactly what is playing instead of some distorted or colored approximation. While the Pioneer has a more "fun" sound and better soundscape, it completely lacks highs. ATH-M50's bass is more warm, but there is a huge ass peak at 10kHz which makes it completely unlistenable, it causes headaches on short term. Superlux is much more balanced, I prefer its sound over these two.

It has switchable cables, a 1m and a 3m cable is bundled with it, you can attach any with jack connector. This is actually a pretty smart idea, no need to struggle with heavy 3m+ cables if you want to use it while commuting. It also allows you to replace cables without re-wiring and protects against accidental tearing.

The "winged" style headband has limits though. My head is too big for them and it becomes very uncomfortable after a while. Tried unscrewing them, which is a bit tricky, the lower screws are not very accessible, then shifting them or even removing them, nothing worked well. Short of replacing them with the Pioneer's headband

Velour earpads also add comfort compared to the original ones, and slightly improve the bass, making it warmer. No more microphonics, uncomfort or sweating because of the original artifical leather earpads.

It is a closed headphone so you can listen to it while commuting without any problems, unlike its HD668B sister.

I use it with equalization, +3dB under 100Hz.

Needs 72+ hours of burn-in with mid-volume music to really start to shine.

shtdisturbance

Canada613 Posts

November 24 2012 21:30 GMT

#3955

Hey, I do not know much about headphones at all and I know my sister wants a pair for Christmas so I was hoping someone could help me out. I would like some for around 100$. She would mostly use them with her phone for music. No mic or anything needed.
Thank you.

Nausea_

Sweden68 Posts

November 24 2012 21:59 GMT

#3956

Just bought these: http://www.webhallen.com/se-sv/spel/playstation_3/140951-sony_official_wireless_stereo_headset_7.1

Must say, I love them.

Wireless, works for PS3 and PC, awesome sound. I can leave the room, walk around my appartment and do whatever I like but still have the sound from a stream or whatever on.

Recommended to everyone!

adi_hsd

Romania74 Posts

November 24 2012 23:06 GMT

#3957

Hey,
I'm looking to get some advice on some good headphones. My budget would be around 75-100$, and i don't want in-ear buds.
I have now Skullcandy Lowrider, got them as a gift, their quality is ok i guess, but as they dont cover my entire ear they're incomfortable. I'd like something alot more confortable.I'll be using them only at home, so size/foldability dont matter.

ticklishmusic

United States15977 Posts

November 26 2012 04:55 GMT

#3958

A little off topic, but I'm looking to buy a subwoofer. Everything I've seen is a bit pricey, can anyone recommend something decent for like 30 bucks or lower?

I see a lot of speaker sets with a sub pretty cheap, but stand alone subs are like 80+...

Le BucheRON

Canada619 Posts

November 26 2012 05:07 GMT

#3959

I'm a fan of my House of Marley - Stir it Up headphones. I got them for my brother last christmas and I loved them so much, I got a pair for myself a few months later. Great sound, love the leather - and just by the weight of these badboys you know they're not flimsy plastic. Only problem is I can't hear a thing when I'm listening to music with them on. They aren't noise-canceling, but the leather padding on the ears really does the job... Until my wife gets upset that I can't hear her. Also I tend to scream more when I use them to play LoL with my friends. Fine for SC2 though...

They retail for 200, but I got them for 80 on ebay.ca

Ikidomari

Australia485 Posts

November 26 2012 05:36 GMT

#3960

Sorry if this is too off topic for the thread, but I've tried everywhere else I can think of with no luck.
My last pair of earphones (IEMs) went through the wash one too many times, so I'm looking to upgrade, I have a budget of about $200, and want a nice pair which can perform well for most music genres, as I listen to a lot of different varieties of music. Which earphones would you guys buy for this price?

tl;dr
best IEMs under 200 dollars?
thanks for any help / suggestions