Need some help with headphones

[rmhuber129]

Hello!

After years of buying inexpensive headphones, Ive decided to make the jump and invest in a pair of good quality ones. That being said, I need some help finding a pair.

First and foremost, I have limited knowlage when it comes to headphones so please bare with me. However, Ive been doing a lot of research for the past couple of weeks and trying my best to educate myself but the amount of information and brands of headphones was overwhelming to say the least.

Basically, Im looking for a basic pair that can pull off two jobs hopefully. I do a lot of gaming on the PC and I listen to music on occasion on the PC as well.

When I play games, It's mostly 1P campains and verly seldomly do I play multiplayer. A lot of open world and stealth based games are in my library at the moment. Most of the time I play a stealth based character so being able to hear footsteps and other position give-away noises would be a plus but I've worked around it before.

I dont need a gaming headset, I've already got one and hardly ever use it so a mic is not needed.

Music-wise, I listen to evertthing you can think of with the exception of rap.

These headphones are staying at home so portability is not a top priority.

Over ear headphones are prefered and as much as open back ones sound amazing, Im playing in an upstairs loft that's open to the family room which is always busy, mainly with someone watching TV.

Are Semi-Closed back ones any good? Seems like most folks recommend open or closed back headphones. Also headphones that dont need an apm would be greatly appreciated. The less equipment I have to mess with, the better, unless you think it's an absolute necessity.

Brands to look at? Avoid?

My budget is around $100 but if they are absolutly amazing, I'll go up $20-30. Even better would be if there are any below $100 since I need to get a new controller as well but I'm willing the spend the money if it's worth it.

Thank you so much for reading this. I hope I have given enough information but if not, feel free to ask and I'll try my best to answer. I know Im most likely asking for the same thing as a lot of people have already on here but I couldnt find the answers that I needed plus my lack of knowlage, despite doing research, has not helped at all.

Please feel free to educate me on some of these things. I'd love to learn more so that the next time I go for a new set, I know what to look for.

Thanks again and I hope you are all having a wonderful day!

 

[rgd1101]

MERGED QUESTION
Question from rmhuber129 : "Need some help with headphones"

Hello!

After years of buying inexpensive headphones, Ive decided to make the jump and invest in a pair of good quality ones. That being said, I need some help finding a pair.

First and foremost, I have limited knowlage when it comes to headphones so please bare with me. However, Ive been doing a lot of research for the past couple of weeks and trying my best to educate myself but the amount of information and brands of headphones was overwhelming to say the least.

Basically, Im looking for a basic pair that can pull off two jobs hopefully. I do a lot of gaming on the PC and I listen to music on occasion on the PC as well.

When I play games, It's mostly 1P campains and verly seldomly do I play multiplayer. A lot of open world and stealth based games are in my library at the moment. Most of the time I play a stealth based character so being able to hear footsteps and other position give-away noises would be a plus but I've worked around it before.

I dont need a gaming headset, I've already got one and hardly ever use it so a mic is not needed.

Music-wise, I listen to evertthing you can think of with the exception of rap.

These headphones are staying at home so portability is not a top priority.

Over ear headphones are prefered and as much as open back ones sound amazing, Im playing in an upstairs loft that's open to the family room which is always busy, mainly with someone watching TV.

Are Semi-Closed back ones any good? Seems like most folks recommend open or closed back headphones. Also headphones that dont need an apm would be greatly appreciated. The less equipment I have to mess with, the better, unless you think it's an absolute necessity.

Brands to look at? Avoid?

My budget is around $100 but if they are absolutly amazing, I'll go up $20-30. Even better would be if there are any below $100 since I need to get a new controller as well but I'm willing the spend the money if it's worth it.

Thank you so much for reading this. I hope I have given enough information but if not, feel free to ask and I'll try my best to answer. I know Im most likely asking for the same thing as a lot of people have already on here but I couldnt find the answers that I needed plus my lack of knowlage, despite doing research, has not helped at all.

Please feel free to educate me on some of these things. I'd love to learn more so that the next time I go for a new set, I know what to look for.

Thanks again and I hope you are all having a wonderful day!

 

[True Buie]

Heyo rmhuber129

Amazing to see you changing over to the headphone game
As for some quick information about what headphones might be useful:

1)You talked about the open-backs and said yourself it's really not an option, however I'd still like you to know the benefits of it.
First of all they give a better soundstage generally. This will give you the illusion of the sound being in the room instead of "inside" your head. Don't get me wrong about this. Closed-backs can defiantly do this as well, however in general open-backs accelerate in this department.

2) Semi-open / Semi-closed. Potatoe potato. These kind of headphones are basically either closed or open. Don't think further about, just know that its basically a secondary term for the either closed- or open-backs.

3) If you're looking for some deep bass. Like sub-bass level, you're defiantly looking for some closed-backs. This is kind of the same story as with soundstage/imaging with open-backs. Open-back headphones can defiantly make some great low-end tones, however this is where closed-backs really shine.

4) You said yourself if it's possible to avoid DAC/AMPs you'd like to. I understand where you come from, but the benefits of an external DAC will 9/10 times improve your listening experience. By getting the DAC out of a noisy environment (Your PC in this case) and out in the open, where it has its own enclosure.

Now, when that's said. If you're listening to all sorts of music there'll be a wide range of good options. Personally I enjoy metal and actually find my HD800's on tubes to be amazing (Weird, I know lol). However to stay in budget, here's some options that might tickle your favors:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beyerdynamic DT770

80 Ohm
https/www.amazon.co.uk/beyerdynamic-770-PRO-Studio-Headphones/dp/B0016MNAAI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1516176790&sr=8-2&keywords=dt770

32 Ohm
https/www.amazon.co.uk/beyerdynamic-770-PRO-Studio-Headphones/dp/B008POFOHM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1516176790&sr=8-2&keywords=dt770&th=1

I've linked to 2 different ohm editions. The 80 ohms will need an AMP to sound right, hence why I also linked the 32 ohm edition. The 32 will un just fine on your current setup. Even your smartphone will drive them perfectly.

Beyerdynamic DT990

https/www.amazon.co.uk/Beyerdynamic-DT990-PRO-Headphones-250/dp/B0011UB9CQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1516176880&sr=1-1&keywords=dt990

Yes. These are open-backs, but great for the price.

Phillips SHP9500

https/www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-SHP9500-00-Headphone/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1516176904&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=shp9500

Same story here. Also an open-back pair.

Audio Technica M40X w/ pad HM5 pads

M40X
https/www.amazon.co.uk/Audio-Technica-ATH-M40X-Professional-Headphones-Black/dp/B00HVLUR54/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1516176954&sr=8-1&keywords=ath+m40x

HM5 pads
https/www.amazon.co.uk/Brainwavz-Replacement-Memory-Foam-Earpads-Black/dp/B00MFDT894/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1516176967&sr=8-1&keywords=hm5+pads

Personally I feel like the M40X's pretty much need to have some different pads than the stock ones. They feel like "soft rocks" to me.
The new ads would also increase the soundstage of the headphones.

Sennheiser HD569
https/www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-HD-569-Around-Ear-Headphones-Black/dp/B01L1IIF1A/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1516177070&sr=8-1&keywords=hd569

I know these are kind of expensive compared to your budget, but I'd say they're totally worth it.

Sennheiser HD579
https/www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-HD-579-Around-Ear-Headphones-Grey-Matte-Finish/dp/B01L1IIF1K/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1516177044&sr=8-1&keywords=hd579

These are an open-back design. I put it in since it's an amazing headphone for the price.

Most of these headphones won't need any amplification to sound right, but if you decide to actually get an AMP/DAC combo something like the Fiio e10k would be a great investment.
https/www.amazon.co.uk/FiiO-Olympus-Headphone-Amplifier-Black/dp/B00LP3AMC2/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1516177239&sr=8-1&keywords=fiio+e10k

Cheers

 

[rmhuber129]

Thank you so much for your response! The internet is a confusing place and Im very thankful for any help that I can get.

I was able to actually try out some open back headphones soon after I posted this and I have to say, I can very much see why people sing their praises. I think what scared me off more than anything about them was the noise bleed but they are not bad at all.

I did try the beyerdynamics 990s and while they are insanely comfortable, I just couldnt get into the way they sound. Shame too since i love how they fit .

I have to agree, the 579s are amazing and are probably the ones Im going to stick with. They sound amazing and are killer for gaming so far.

I wish I could get those HD800s. They look and sound like they can send you into a music induced coma XD

I'll definitely keep your advice about getting an external DAC. After using the 579s, I'm curious as to how they would sound with an DAC so that'll probably be the next thing I get for my setup.

Thanks again for all the help! <3