Headphones for the novice

[Dunno48]

Hi, I'm going to be needing a pair of headphones, living in an apartment with others as I soon will be. These will be the first I've bought of a decent standard, I'm expecting to spend around £100 (I know that's insignificant compared to some rigs, but still..!), and I'm pretty ignorant about what would give me the best bang for my buck - certainly if talk of things like amps comes up at least, anyway.

My main intended use for them will be on my Xfi-equipped PC, listening to music and games. As such, I'd want them to be pretty comfortable so I'm able to deal with them for prolonged periods. Combined with the facts that I'm going to be on my own in a fairly well-sealed room, will be using them during the night and probably don't want to be totally oblivious to what's going on in the background (am I going to regret that? Moving out for the first time... :D), I think open-backed headphones are the way to go. Tell me if you disagree with my thinking on this, I've only ever tried some for literally seconds, but read that they are more comfortable and have a higher-quality sound (albeit less bassy, which I might find a shame).

Anyway, going on some reviews I've read, I was thinking of going for a pair of Beyerdynamic DT990s - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyer-Dynami...0484503&sr=1-2

Have any of you got ideas for me? Perhaps you think I'm going wrong in expecting to need open-backs for comfort?

Thanks in advance.

[Dunno48]

Saying that, I already suspect I've made a mistake... what's the difference between the DT990 Pros and Premiums?

[MANAV]

Have you tried skullcandy...

[Broosta]

First of all please don't waste your time even thinking about skullcandy. Nobody who knows good headphones and has tried skullcandy has anything but scorn for them. They are purely 'fashion over function' items with no redeeming audio qualities.

Ok now to suggestions of good headphones.
Sennheiser HD595 is the most obvious one. And Beyerdynamic DTX900, Goldring DR150, Audio Technica ATH-AD700, Alessandro MS1 are worth a look. All open back, all less than £100, all well respected by those in the know, and they each have their own auditory characteristics.

[pixelpidgeon]

yeah goldring are excellent value for money. I have the 150's. also the 595's are priced well on amazon. worth checking prices on play also. cheers

[Dunno48]

Originally Posted by Broosta

First of all please don't waste your time even thinking about skullcandy. Nobody who knows good headphones and has tried skullcandy has anything but scorn for them. They are purely 'fashion over function' items with no redeeming audio qualities.

Ok now to suggestions of good headphones.
Sennheiser HD595 is the most obvious one. And Beyerdynamic DTX900, Goldring DR150, Audio Technica ATH-AD700, Alessandro MS1 are worth a look. All open back, all less than £100, all well respected by those in the know, and they each have their own auditory characteristics.

You've given me food for thought, thanks.

At this level, do amps not make so much difference, then? I've done a bit of reading on the HD595s and one thing mentioned was they're particularly good if you're running without an amp. However, I was reading a good post here which was saying that Xfi class sound cards effectively have a mini amp which will help along a pair of headphones - might that open up any other possible buys for me?

What sort of bass do you think I can expect from openbacks at this level? I've heard that it can 'feel' underwhelming, even if it is a truer depiction of the source. As I'm buying blind, I don't really know what level of bass I'd consider appropriate/acceptable, though. If I did think it lacked punch, I'd probably automatically respond by whacking up the volume, which probably isn't a brilliant solution.

A significant part of the reason I'm looking at openbacks is the idea that they're more tolerable to wear for prolonged periods - does anyone who's in a similar position to me find this to be true? Maybe you've got a pair of closedbacks that you can wear for a fortnight without sweating.

[Reano]

Originally Posted by Dunno48

You've given me food for thought, thanks.

At this level, do amps not make so much difference, then? I've done a bit of reading on the HD595s and one thing mentioned was they're particularly good if you're running without an amp. However, I was reading a good post here which was saying that Xfi class sound cards effectively have a mini amp which will help along a pair of headphones - might that open up any other possible buys for me?

What sort of bass do you think I can expect from openbacks at this level? I've heard that it can 'feel' underwhelming, even if it is a truer depiction of the source. As I'm buying blind, I don't really know what level of bass I'd consider appropriate/acceptable, though. If I did think it lacked punch, I'd probably automatically respond by whacking up the volume, which probably isn't a brilliant solution.

A significant part of the reason I'm looking at openbacks is the idea that they're more tolerable to wear for prolonged periods - does anyone who's in a similar position to me find this to be true? Maybe you've got a pair of closedbacks that you can wear for a fortnight without sweating.

Hi btw your ears 'if normal' are just as good as the rest of us. So no need to be apologetic.

Firstly a few questions and answers

1) What version of the x-fi do you have? If the pro version or it's equivalent then the out box is fine for what you want and amping the headphones mentioned by Broosta.

2) Must the headphones be new? If not then look to get some Sennheiser HD600 (usually around the £100 mark) off a reputable person on eBay or similar. If not the ones mentioned by Broosta will do. Open backs are fine for 'accurate' bass.

3) Also the X-fi cards have some excellent effects for surround sound 'in games'

4) What kind of music do you listen too? Is it mainly music in mp3 format off the PC, itunes, etc? If so ensure the minimum bitrate is set to 256kbps mp3 or AAC (maybe 160 - 192).

5) Find out what motherboard you have and see in the manual wheather you can turn things on or off that will help sound production

6) Go into your task manager and see what services are loaded in memory. Research them on the net and turn off every service you don't need especially those that 'poll' every so often.

7) If possible try to avoid wireless gizmo's like mouse, keyboard, internet, etc.

8) If you can afford it ensure you have a good power supply in your computer ones like enermax (or whatever the name), etc.

BTW I don't have closed back's yet as none have come close to the headphones I have that are open back (some are exotic though). However I may get the Denon d7000 and see how that works.

I have no problem with any of the open backs from Grado, senn and AKG for long periods e.g. some game marathons of 6 hours none stop. SOme say grado's not comfortable but I disagree as you can make them virtually just touch your ears and Ive worn them not stop for many hours.........

[Dunno48]

1) No, just the standard xtreme gamer version of the x-fi, not the fatal1ty, unfortunately. Am I right in taking it that that one doesn't do the trick?

2) Would be fairly open-minded to second hand if they were in good condition and provided a significant leap in quality, actually - have to say I hadn't really considered that. I don't wanna sound like a stuck record, but if through that route I was able to make a leap up the audio-ladder, would considerations such as amps start to rise in importance?

4) The music I listen to is pretty varied - Roots Manuva to Joan Baez, kinda thing. It is mainly in mp3 format, I really need to work on upgrading the quality of it - too much 128kbps in there.

5) The motherboard is an Abit IX38-QuadGT, if you're interested.

One quick question relating to a review of some open backs I was reading last night - how severe can the sound 'leak' from open backs be? This particular pair, it might've been HD595s actually, was apparently audible in other offices across the hall from where the reviewer was testing them. Whilst I'm not surprised to hear they could be heard from a distance of maybe four feet, the idea of sounds travelling much further that, through doors and things, isn't so appealing.

[BeefyJed]

If you're running a low impedence headphone such as the 595's, the output from the X-Fi will be fine.

The 595's do leak noise when in use, but then that gives them an excellent open and airy soundstage.

[Dunno48]

If I was able to find a better pair in my price range second hand, HD600s say, would the X-Fi still be suitable? Or would I be better off sticking with a lower pair, like HD595s, assuming the rest of my setup doesn't alter?

Like I say, sound leak wouldn't surprise me, but I probably need an idea of how extensive it tends to be in reality. Are people who aren't even in the same room likely to be able to hear what I'm listening to? That would undermine one of the main reasons for me getting headphones for my comp in the first place, and I guess I'd have to move to closed backs.

[Dunno48]

Doing some reading about low impedance, it would seem that the likes of the HD650 (and I assume 600s, therefore) are particularly high impedance. I guess they'd need something a bit more substantial than my X-Fi, then?

[Reano]

Originally Posted by Dunno48

Doing some reading about low impedance, it would seem that the likes of the HD650 (and I assume 600s, therefore) are particularly high impedance. I guess they'd need something a bit more substantial than my X-Fi, then?

The x-fi pro e.g. this

http://www.soundblaster.com/products...&product=14064

This is fine for where you are at the moment (even for HD650) and I can compare this to some great headphone amps like benchmark 01, Grace m902, etc. Remember if you also play games that require good sound effects then this sound card works very well IMHO.

From what I can see the greatest improvement you will get is getting as good a headphone as you can afford (Hd600/HD650/Grado 125 and up/AKG701/Audio Technica) changing mp3 format to a minimum of 192 if space is at a premium or 256 (vbr - variable bit rate) minimum if not.

People who are not in the same room wouldn't hear you unless you are playing so loud it could damage your ears or the walls are made of wood. Even then it would be difficult for them to hear.

I don't rate the fata1ity stuff except the Abit board they do for gaming.

I play command and conquer red alert 2/Yuri Revenge and have made top 10 in the world, to get to that level you have to play long games. I also listen to music endlessly and every day.

If you are a student the setup I recommended will be fine.

[Dunno48]

No, not got an X-Fi of that standard, unfortunately - its the more budget-orientated http://www.soundblaster.com/products...ct=15853&nav=1

Pleased to hear what you say about the sound leakage! What you say is what I originally expected, it was just one review of an apparently extraordinary pair that made me wonder.

[Mickus]

What about the Grado SR60's or SR80's? Both sub £100 and get rave reviews.

[Reano]

Originally Posted by Mickus

What about the Grado SR60's or SR80's? Both sub £100 and get rave reviews.

The 80's are ok but I rate the Senn 600 and 650 better but then again they do cost more....