Biggest soundstage headphones

[IplayCSGO]

Which headphones got the biggest soundstage? Also most accurate (being able to pinpoint which direction sounds come from)

HD558, sennheiser game one, HD598, AKG k612 / 701 / 702 / 7xx, Beyerdynamic DT990 pro, Philips fidelio X2 and Philips SHP9500

From 1-9 (1 being the best) which one got the best soundstage/positional sound

 

[SIMPLY MARC]

Have a look at Mad Lust Envy's guide:
http/www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad-lust-envys-headphone-gaming-guide-3-18-2016-mrspeakers-ether-c-1-1-added

They're not in your list but the audio technica ath-ad700's are recommended quite often for competitive gaming.

 

[IplayCSGO]

Have a look at Mad Lust Envy's guide:
http/www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad-lust-envys-headphone-gaming-guide-3-18-2016-mrspeakers-ether-c-1-1-added

They're not in your list but the audio technica ath-ad700's are recommended quite often for competitive gaming.

Yeah I know but I'm going to use them for movies aswell so I need some bass (50% fps games/50% movies/music)

 

[SIMPLY MARC]

Have a look at Mad Lust Envy's guide:
http/www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad-lust-envys-headphone-gaming-guide-3-18-2016-mrspeakers-ether-c-1-1-added

They're not in your list but the audio technica ath-ad700's are recommended quite often for competitive gaming.

Yeah I know but I'm going to use them for movies aswell so I need some bass (50% fps games/50% movies/music)

Ah ok, sorry thought you were using them solely for gaming. With open back headphones you won't be getting a lot of bass compared to closed back headphones, just keep that in mind.

The hd598's are always recommended, good soundstage, really comfortable and with well defined bass but not a lot of bass.

I wouldn't go with the fidelio x2s as now that gibson has taken over there have been issues with support as well as the x2s having there fair share of issues in terms of quality.

The dt990 pros might be a good match for you, good soundstage with a v shape sound (emphasis on highs and lows), just make sure you can power them properly if you get the high impedance models.

 

[ssddx]

while soundstage is certainly important, its not the only thing. as long as soundstage and positional audio are at a good enough level i would not concern yourself too heavily on it.

ad500x or ad700x will have the most soundstage as listed above. they are bass light though.

hd558/hd598/game one are basically the same thing. soundstage is pretty average but good. fairly neutral signature, a bit slow but good for easy listening.

i've heard the k701/k702 have a large soundstage but its also a bit unnatural and feels distant. not sure if the k7xx follows suite or not. some akg cans are not too bassy and more treb/mid focused and some can be very picky about source/amps. i've heard the k7xx is a bit easier to power, a bit more bassy and less finicky but dont have experience with them myself.

dt990 had a good sized soundstage but is not excessively large either. definitely good enough. bright treble and good bass considering its an open can.

some of the above (dt990 or akg) i would recommend a good headphone amplifier with. some (ad/hd) are fine with onboard normally or a fair soundcard will power them.

if you want deep bass, the dt770-pro80 has decent soundstage, good bass and a heavy v-shaped signature. it is closed back so will not have the same soundstage as some open cans but its more than good enough for gaming. a decent soundcard (z) can power them or an amplifier. if you went with the higher impedance models then an amplifier would be suggested.

 

[IplayCSGO]

while soundstage is certainly important, its not the only thing. as long as soundstage and positional audio are at a good enough level i would not concern yourself too heavily on it.

ad500x or ad700x will have the most soundstage as listed above. they are bass light though.

hd558/hd598/game one are basically the same thing. soundstage is pretty average but good. fairly neutral signature, a bit slow but good for easy listening.

i've heard the k701/k702 have a large soundstage but its also a bit unnatural and feels distant. not sure if the k7xx follows suite or not. some akg cans are not too bassy and more treb/mid focused and some can be very picky about source/amps. i've heard the k7xx is a bit easier to power, a bit more bassy and less finicky but dont have experience with them myself.

dt990 had a good sized soundstage but is not excessively large either. definitely good enough. bright treble and good bass considering its an open can.

some of the above (dt990 or akg) i would recommend a good headphone amplifier with. some (ad/hd) are fine with onboard normally or a fair soundcard will power them.

if you want deep bass, the dt770-pro80 has decent soundstage, good bass and a heavy v-shaped signature. it is closed back so will not have the same soundstage as some open cans but its more than good enough for gaming. a decent soundcard (z) can power them or an amplifier. if you went with the higher impedance models then an amplifier would be suggested.

Thanks for the detailed answer! I know you say that soundstage isn't the only important thing, but right now I own sennheiser game one (same as HD558 I've been told) and I want a headphone that has equally as good soundstage or better for FPS games. But also want great sound for action movies and EDM music (Avicii etc.) Right now I'm thinking DT990 pro 250 ohm. But I only got a Xonar DG soundcard and not quite sure if it's enough to power them. Hope you can help me out. Also if I need a better soundcard or amp then my budget would be around 50-70 dollars

 

[ssddx]

you may want to start by saying what you dont like about the game one....

 

[IplayCSGO]

you may want to start by saying what you dont like about the game one....

To be honest I just want some more bass for action movies and EDM.

 

[ssddx]

then you may like the dt990 or dt770. or, if you like the signature of sennheiser but just want more bass the hd600 or hd650 may be worth looking at. with a good amplifier (you will need a good amplifier if you used the dt990 anyways) they have decent bass output while retaining the same general characteristics of their brethren.

 

[GRIFTY]

i found this thread from a google search, noticed it's kinda recent, and just wanted to add my 2 cents.


I've had one pair of Audio Technica ATH-AD700's for about 7-8 years now, and they are my favorite headphones ever.

I'm as bass-head as they come. I listen to hip hop, post dubstep, and experimental bass music. The stage on the 700's is more important then their bass response. I also own some ATH-M50X's and.........I hate them. They may have better straightforward bass RESPONSE but........ bear with me....... the bass STAGE is more important. The 50X's produce more electric signal in the sub 500 range, sure, but it SOUNDS worse. Bass just sounds HUGE on the 700s. More like you're in a club with massive woofers. The 50X's sound like you have super loud speakers strapped directly to your ears.

For this reason, the 700's are also MUCH less fatiguing to listen to for extended time. better for just about everything. movies, gaming, music, everything i can imagine. TBH i hate the 50X's. They sound weak and pathetic compared to the 700s. I understand they don't make the 700s anymore, and have replaced them with a "700X" version. I can't vouch for these but maybe someone else can

 

[ssddx]

recent? this thread is almost a year old. please, do not necro post just to rant.

the m50 was not listed in this thread at all. ranting on how you hate the m50 but love the 700 is not really helpful. it is well known the m50 lacks soundstage but has bass quantity. it is also well known that the 700 lacks bass quantity but has soundstage. if you want a bit of both worlds, the dt770 or dt990 would fill it.

thread closed.