Yet another headphone thread

tuffalobuffalo wrote:
Balthezor wrote:
tuffalobuffalo wrote:
jonnypolite wrote:
jonnypolite wrote:

Dropping price on AKG headphones to $140.

Price drop! $130 + shipping.

How are these not sold yet? I'd buy them but I already have 2 pairs of AKGs, so I don't need backups. :)

Are they great for gaming?

I sure think so. You can wear them all day without getting remotely uncomfortable or hot. You can just use a zalman clip on mic, modmic, or desktop mic for multiplayer chat.

They have a really big soundstage in part due to how far the actual speaker is from your ear, so when you're in games where there's a lot of natural environmental noise, it feels like you're in a big open space. For example, if you're walking through a field in The Hunter or The Witcher 3, from a sound perspective, it feels like you're outside listening to the breeze rustle the grass, all the bugs buzzing around, and the birds chirping here and there. Stuff like that is really cool.

If you've played MGS V, I played a lot of that on the PS4 but using the AKG K7XXs hooked up to my receiver. When you're in Africa and those storms start with all that rain and lightning... it's so cool audio-wise. It feels like you're sitting on a covered porch in real life watching a thunderstorm.

Well damn. Time to talk to the significant other about this... We have a Sony MDR-7506. I'm guessing leagues better than that?

Thin_J might be able to chime in on that comparison, but I haven't tried the MDR-7506. Well, maybe I have at some point during school back in the day because they're so popular, but I can't recall.

Theoretically they should be better, but I can't say. I do think the value is around $275. That's the price point that I first got the AKG K702s and never regretted the purchase. I'd easily recommend the K702s or the K7XXs at $275 or less. Because of the whole weird Massdrop thing, the K7XX's are available for $200 which is already pretty crazy, and then the jonnypolite discount on top of that is just nuts. The K7xx's have a very similar sound if not a little more well balanced and are slightly more comfortable.

tuffalobuffalo wrote:

Thin_J might be able to chime in on that comparison, but I haven't tried the MDR-7506. Well, maybe I have at some point during school back in the day because they're so popular, but I can't recall.

Theoretically they should be better, but I can't say. I do think the value is around $275. That's the price point that I first got the AKG K702s and never regretted the purchase. I'd easily recommend the K702s or the K7XXs at $275 or less. Because of the whole weird Massdrop thing, the K7XX's are available for $200 which is already pretty crazy, and then the jonnypolite discount on top of that is just nuts. The K7xx's have a very similar sound if not a little more well balanced and are slightly more comfortable.

Your not helping my case. I did some research on these. Do you need amplifiers?

Balthezor wrote:
tuffalobuffalo wrote:

Thin_J might be able to chime in on that comparison, but I haven't tried the MDR-7506. Well, maybe I have at some point during school back in the day because they're so popular, but I can't recall.

Theoretically they should be better, but I can't say. I do think the value is around $275. That's the price point that I first got the AKG K702s and never regretted the purchase. I'd easily recommend the K702s or the K7XXs at $275 or less. Because of the whole weird Massdrop thing, the K7XX's are available for $200 which is already pretty crazy, and then the jonnypolite discount on top of that is just nuts. The K7xx's have a very similar sound if not a little more well balanced and are slightly more comfortable.

Your not helping my case. I did some research on these. Do you need amplifiers?

No. BUT, you will better sound out of something like a Schiit Magni/Modi combo which will run you $200. That's something you could hold off on temporarily or entirely. They don't require a lot of power and will work with your motherboard audio just fine. They also work great with a Vita. The 3DS will work with them, but not great because they just need a little more power. Still, you can at least hear everything fine if you use it with a 3DS.

I'm really only going to use these for PC gaming. And not really interested or can afford for a amplifier. I'm not audiophile, hell I don't know much about the audio business.

Balthezor wrote:

I'm really only going to use these for PC gaming. And not really interested or can afford for a amplifier. I'm not audiophile, hell I don't know much about the audio business.

I'll try mine with my motherboard audio this evening and see what it's like. It's been awhile, and now I'm curious. To be fair, a dedicated DAC/amp should sound a little better with any decent headphones that you're using. That's more the point I was trying to make.

tuffalobuffalo wrote:
Balthezor wrote:

I'm really only going to use these for PC gaming. And not really interested or can afford for a amplifier. I'm not audiophile, hell I don't know much about the audio business.

I'll try mine with my motherboard audio this evening and see what it's like. It's been awhile, and now I'm curious. To be fair, a dedicated DAC/amp should sound a little better with any decent headphones that you're using. That's more the point I was trying to make. :)

Looking forward to your results!!!

Whether the AKG's are better than your 7506's will just depend on your preferences. Which sound signature you prefer, how your situation works with open headphones vs the sealed 7506's, which you find more comfortable, etc. I like them far better, but that's because they suit my preferences more.

The last time I had on a pair of 7506's they were my brothers pair that he uses for mixing. To me they made everything sound like it was happening inside my head, like between my ears.

The AKG's will be noticeably more wide open and things will sound like they kind of surround you more. Makes for better positional audio in games.

But they won't have the bass of the 7506's if that's your preference, and they will just sound different. Whether that's better or worse is super subjective.

Thin_J wrote:

Whether the AKG's are better than your 7506's will just depend on your preferences. Which sound signature you prefer, how your situation works with open headphones vs the sealed 7506's, which you find more comfortable, etc. I like them far better, but that's because they suit my preferences more.

The last time I had on a pair of 7506's they were my brothers pair that he uses for mixing. To me they made everything sound like it was happening inside my head, like between my ears.

The AKG's will be noticeably more wide open and things will sound like they kind of surround you more. Makes for better positional audio in games.

But they won't have the bass of the 7506's if that's your preference, and they will just sound different. Whether that's better or worse is super subjective.

ThinJ. What are you using nowadays?

Balthezor wrote:

ThinJ. What are you using nowadays?

Um, I waffle.

In order of how often I use them:
1. Fostex TH-X00's. Worth noting this is a most used by far type deal.
2. Sennheiser HD-650
3. MrSpeakers Mad Dogs (These stay in a hardcase in my laptop bag)

And if I'm being honest everything else I have just sits. I really need to sell some stuff.

Thin_J wrote:
Balthezor wrote:

ThinJ. What are you using nowadays?

Um, I waffle.

In order of how often I use them:
1. Fostex TH-X00's. Worth noting this is a most used by far type deal.
2. Sennheiser HD-650
3. MrSpeakers Mad Dogs (These stay in a hardcase in my laptop bag)

And if I'm being honest everything else I have just sits. I really need to sell some stuff.

Wow. Expensive stuff. Thanks for your input.

Ok you guys got me really curious now. For gaming, is it recommended to use a DAC/amp or soundcard? I'm using the built-in motherboard audio. How much better are DAC/amp or soundcards really are?

And any budget ones you guys recommend? Like I said, just being curious....

At this point I would not recommend buying a DAC/Amp setup unless you're really curious and genuinely are ok with just throwing money at it.

Even less so if you're basically just gaming and have a decent sound card already.

If you're a heavy music listener like some of us and value how it sounds, then it can be worth it, but even then isn't always.

The thing I've learned is that everything about audio is always subjective in the only ways that matter.

So, I did a listen with the AKG K7XX headphones with my DAC and headphone amp vs the motherboard audio on my Asus Z87 Pro.

1. Radiohead - Moon Shaped Pool - Decks Dark

The motherboard audio sounded nearly as good, but I actually had to put the volume at 100%. I don't think I would want volume louder than that, but you might run into issues with certain recordings. Overall, I think I lost a little clarity and punchiness in the bass end. That said, You still get the big soundstage effect with the headphones, so I still recommend getting them and putting them into your motherboard audio.

2. Alien Isolation

Got freaked the f**k out playing this game with headphones as usual. I can't do it! Had the audio at 100%, and while it felt good, it doesn't leave room to adjust. I tried it with my normal setup and it was nice to be able to bump the volume up a bit for that sort of game.The audio quality was just fine, though, and I'd still recommend the headphones for use with motherboard audio.

Given how my test went, I totally agree with Thin_J and don't throw money at a DAC/Amp unless you feel the need for a tad more volume and want to experiment/play with audio equipment. You can always get a DAC and headphone amp later. I'd suggest the Schiit Audio Magni/Modi combo which will run you $200. It's quality bang-for-your-buck equipment that's made in the US and will last.

I'm running a Schiit audio DAC/amp setup which cost me a bit over $1000 (I'm an idiot.) I love it to death, though, and I plan on it lasting me my lifetime.

How are the Sennheiser HD 598 compared to the AKG 7xx?

I like the sound on the AKG's better, but again that's subjective.

I think the advantage for the 598's if you ask a lot of people is going to be just that they find them to be more comfortable to wear for longer periods of time.

Thanks to tuffalo and everyone else here I bought jonnypolite's AKG K7xx. Guess I dont need speakers anymore.

Hopefully worth the money. I never spent more than $50 on audio before.

IMAGE(http://i.imgur.com/BBcJICU.jpg)

This might be a start to something big. Thanks jonnypolite.

Sweeeeeet. Hope those work out great for you!!

Nice stand!

Any good bluetooth headphones for going out and about away from the computer?

I picked these up the other day with a coupon code for $15.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...

Taken them on a couple of runs and they are very comfortable and didn't come loose or need me to fidget with them. I've also got Powerbeats2 wireless and Beats Studio wireless. I like both of those quite a bit as well, but the Powerbeats2 aren't terribly sweatproof (on my 4th warranty pair). Studios are great for flights w/ noise cancellation. I'm sure there's cheaper, but I like 'em.

I really want the Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 On-Ear Wireless. I just can't justify $250. I have a wired set and love how comfortable and packable they are.

For exercising I have a couple pairs of those no-name cheapies (made in China) that have flooded Amazon. They lack range but are fine for podcasts, audiobooks, or workout music. Just don't trust the reviews because many of them are fake and would have you believing they are better than quality brands.

Yeah amazon has a large number of fake reviews or at least bias reviews.

I've really liked my Jaybirds. They are comfortable for long periods, stand up to sweat, good battery, sound great, have good range, etc.. The only issue I am having is they just stop working randomly. Jaybird has been good about replacing them no questions asked, but that means I'm without earbuds for a week or two while the new ones get shipped.

EverythingsTentative wrote:

I've really liked my Jaybirds. They are comfortable for long periods, stand up to sweat, good battery, sound great, have good range, etc.. The only issue I am having is they just stop working randomly. Jaybird has been good about replacing them no questions asked, but that means I'm without earbuds for a week or two while the new ones get shipped.

Sounds like maybe they don't stand up to sweat that well?

I know a guy that runs a fitness website that's gotten into cycling over the last few years (and he lives in FL where it's really hot and humid). He's had problems with them failing due to sweat repeatedly. On the other hand, some of the cheap $20 wireless buds have lasted him much better.

*shrug*

MannishBoy wrote:
EverythingsTentative wrote:

I've really liked my Jaybirds. They are comfortable for long periods, stand up to sweat, good battery, sound great, have good range, etc.. The only issue I am having is they just stop working randomly. Jaybird has been good about replacing them no questions asked, but that means I'm without earbuds for a week or two while the new ones get shipped.

Sounds like maybe they don't stand up to sweat that well?

You know what, I never put two and two together. Both times they have just stopped charging so I assumed the they just have battery degradation issues....possibly due to sweat.

MannishBoy wrote:
EverythingsTentative wrote:

I've really liked my Jaybirds. They are comfortable for long periods, stand up to sweat, good battery, sound great, have good range, etc.. The only issue I am having is they just stop working randomly. Jaybird has been good about replacing them no questions asked, but that means I'm without earbuds for a week or two while the new ones get shipped.

Sounds like maybe they don't stand up to sweat that well?

I know a guy that runs a fitness website that's gotten into cycling over the last few years (and he lives in FL where it's really hot and humid). He's had problems with them failing due to sweat repeatedly. On the other hand, some of the cheap $20 wireless buds have lasted him much better.

*shrug*

Just ordered a pair. I'll report back if the blowup in my ears.

For the record I have these:

For over a year and still going strong. You will notice they look identical to the ones Mannish posted probably because all the $20 - $30 dollar ones are made at the same factory then re-branded (just a guess):

https://amzn.com/B00LP6CFEC

For my girlfriend about 9 months. They look a little cheaper / clunkier in person but she likes them so thats all that counts.

https://amzn.com/B0132YHU0I

Then I just got these (about 3 months) for the ability to lower it around my neck, without flappping around, when interupted to talk during group 5k / 8k races. These are my favorite but can make a slight clicking noise if the plastic lines up with the edge of sunglasses while running.

https://amzn.com/B01A6PGZ70

Lots of fake reviews on all of them but probably only paid an average of $20 each. Coupon codes to knock $5-$10 bucks show up all the time on slickdeals.

EvilDead wrote:

You will notice they look identical to the ones Mannish posted probably because all the $20 - $30 dollar ones are made at the same factory then re-branded (just a guess)

Oh yeah, I'm sure.

Can anyone recommend some wireless ear buds that are not in the 'insert into ear' style?

Ones like this:

IMAGE(http://ear-buds.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Cheap-Tips1.jpg)

Not like this:

IMAGE(http://www1.pcmag.com/media/images/324119-clarityone-earbuds-275width.jpg?thumb=y)