Now that I have the Magni2/Modi2 stack, should I upgrade from my Sennheiser HD598?

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So last month I bought the Schiit Magni2 and Modi2 stack, and while I do enjoy my Sennheiser HD598 open backs, I feel I could be powering ‘grander’ sounding headphones, perhaps in the 300ohms range.

My HD598 do have a nice spirited sound, when paired to the Schiit stack, however I feel there are different cans out there that could offer a better/punchier sound at all levels, also with a greater sound-stage. These cans will be used for 90% gaming, 10% movies/music, hence why I'm looking for a larger sound-stage.

Anyways, I know this is a subjective question, just wondering what you guys thought, or if you could recommend other (sub $800) options, thanks.
 
I've heard those (hd598) are the best for gaming (positional audio). As for music, it's up to the listener as the what he/she prefers the most. There's cans for all types of music. Some have punchier bass like the dt990s, some have a huge soundstage like the AKGs, and some have good mids like the hd600s. It starts to get expensive when you want to try everything but eventually I settled on the dt880s for music, they are the most balanced cans I've listened to.
 
In your price range I really really love HiFiman HE400i for gaming and everything else, they are usually on sale around $250 and at that price they are a great buy. Big improvement over the 598 in my opinion. Very fun headphones and they have great imaging for positional audio. Soundstage is not huge but it is not small either, and with planars you don't need the big soundstage to get the good details. I own the DT770, HD598SE, VModa M100, and AKG7XX, and it is my favorite of all of them both for fun purposes and for positional audio. (I use a Sound Blaster X7 with SBX surround sound.)

Lots of people say the AKG 7XX are great, and while they do have a big soundstage I did not find their positioning as easy as the 400i. Also for me they needed EQing. Might be different for stereo audio though, I can only really speak to virtual surround quality.
 
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I approached the same problem coming from a pair of HD555's, and started with the HD600's, and picked up a pair of DT880s for more 'punch'.

My conclusion is if you want imaging *and* punch, you either want really expensive dynamics like Beyerdynamic's semi-open T1, or you need to play with planars like the HE400i mentioned above.
 
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You probably should have upgraded your cans first, then meddle with the amp/dac if the old one can't cope with the new cans.
 
I have a pair of Beyer T1's myself (first gen). Got it for about as much as they're still selling it for (maybe 100$ more expensive back then), used. It's a fairly bright headphone but I've found that it's excellent for gaming if that's what you're looking for. Mainly because plugged into my O2 DAC/AMP, I can resolve positional sounds REALLY well. Like it's almost like having surround sound. If you're looking for an entry into fairly high end, IMO the first gen is still a good shot. But the second gen is now ~800, so idk if they're better but you could give em a go.

I mean frankly there's not really any "better" or "worse" outside of clarity (imo). Once you get beyond a certain point, there is incremental improvement (read: small-ish) in fidelity, followed by emphasis in different frequency ranges. You'll just have to test stuff out. IIRC Massdrop is having an HD600 sale? Or was it 650. Good start, too, if it isn't already sold out. The problem with Sennheiser is that it rarely depreciates, so it's hard to get them cheaper used...
 
I have a set of 600 ohm Beyerdynamic DT990s that I use with a Magni 2 when I don't feel like using my Valhalla 2.

Took me a while to get used to the lower volume compared to lower-impedence headphones I was used to, but they sound fantastic.
 
I have a set of 600 ohm Beyerdynamic DT990s that I use with a Magni 2 when I don't feel like using my Valhalla 2.

Took me a while to get used to the lower volume compared to lower-impedence headphones I was used to, but they sound fantastic.

Can you describe the sound a bit? The shortest way I could describe what Im looking for is 'fast and clear', like a gunshot in real life.
 
Nothing beats the HD 800 for sound stage and positional audio in gaming. If you want to *feel* the crack of your rifle shots ringing in your ear in BF4, and hear the pinging dance of the spent shells as they bounce off the pavement, these will do it. As well as tight, accurate, yet deep, bass that has the explosions around you sounding like you're in an actual war zone. Then, the momentary pause in battle, and you hear the faint, distant chirping of birds.... You forget for a moment you are in a game because it all sounds so REAL... I can't recommend it enough...

Stretch that $800 a bit and go for it. I did and it's the best gaming rig investment I've ever made.
 
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Can you describe the sound a bit? The shortest way I could describe what Im looking for is 'fast and clear', like a gunshot in real life.

Nothing beats the HD 800 for sound stage and positional audio in gaming.

Like StoleMyOwnCar said, once you get to a certain point the 'clarity' differences are minor.

Stretch that $800 a bit and go for it. I did and it's the best gaming rig investment I've ever made.

The HD800s are very clear, analytical and 'flat.' You'll hear little details you never heard before. The downside is that I find the treble can be harsh and I get tired of listening after a while. The 990s have more 'fun' sound for movies and music with better bass and bright-but-not-painful highs.

Between my HD800s, AD700s, and DT990s (600 ohm) the DT990s get used the most. Very comfortable headphones for extended listening.
 
The shortest way I could describe what Im looking for is 'fast and clear', like a gunshot in real life.

The HD800s are very clear, analytical and 'flat.' You'll hear little details you never heard before. The downside is that I find the treble can be harsh and I get tired of listening after a while. The 990s have more 'fun' sound for movies and music with better bass and bright-but-not-painful highs.

Between my HD800s, AD700s, and DT990s (600 ohm) the DT990s get used the most. Very comfortable headphones for extended listening.

I use software EQ to tune the HD 800's. Harsh treble can be EQ'd to taste, and likewise the bass amplified. They respond very well to this. I was simply suggesting them because, for gaming and pure sound stage, they are unmatched. For bass heavy music, perhaps 990's are more suitable. The price certainly is! I think comparing the two is like apples and oranges. They are completely different sets of cans. OP is not going to get that "gunshot in real life" sound from 990's, IMO, but he certainly would from HD 800's. To the point where it can sound "harsh". Of course it all depends on the source, and he has a good stack that can get more out of something like HD 800. (Perhaps the amp could be upgraded, I use Valhalla 2 which is highly recommended for HD800) I would definitely look into the T1's as well if I were him, but they are also in the premium price category, I haven't heard them myself.



Here's a review from a guy who isn't an "audiophile". Get to the part where he tests them in BF4, watch his reaction, and the OP will see what I'm talking about.
 
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Nothing beats the HD 800 for sound stage and positional audio in gaming. If you want to *feel* the crack of your rifle shots ringing in your ear in BF4, and hear the pinging dance of the spent shells as they bounce off the pavement, these will do it. As well as tight, accurate, yet deep, bass that has the explosions around you sounding like you're in an actual war zone. Then, the momentary pause in battle, and you hear the faint, distant chirping of birds.... You forget for a moment you are in a game because it all sounds so REAL... I can't recommend it enough...

Stretch that $800 a bit and go for it. I did and it's the best gaming rig investment I've ever made.

haha you guys are killing me, thought I could walk away spending less then a grand, but you're starting to convince me that's not the case.

What about the HD700, massdrop has a deal on those right now, I would get the HD700 if they are only slightly less accurate then the 800
 
I use software EQ to tune the HD 800's. Harsh treble can be EQ'd to taste, and likewise the bass amplified. They respond very well to this. I was simply suggesting them because, for gaming and pure sound stage, they are unmatched.

For bass heavy music, perhaps 990's are more suitable. The price certainly is! I think comparing the two is like apples and oranges. They are completely different sets of cans. OP is not going to get that "gunshot in real life" sound from 990's, IMO, but he certainly would from HD 800's.

Just passing along what I settled into after owning both for a year plus now. He mentioned wanting a 'grander' sound in the OP, and I like the natural soundstage on the 990s vs the analytical sound of the 800s (and Senn cans in general).

It's all wine tasting. :)
 
haha you guys are killing me, thought I could walk away spending less then a grand, but you're starting to convince me that's not the case.

What about the HD700, massdrop has a deal on those right now, I would get the HD700 if they are only slightly less accurate then the 800

I own sennheiser hd 700 (upgraded from modded HD558 (which are pretty similar (identical) to HD598) and AKG K703) and I dont get all the hate HD700 get as you can get them for reasonable price right now (~400 or less) and yes, they are analytical but (to me) in a good way (the highs are very clear and "airy"). Compared to HD558 (and HD598) these are very different (I can not even describe how it was very easy to understand what is "sennheiser veil" when I compared HD558 to HD700 and to add to that the lows were also fast and "clean") but yeah, once you get to audiophile grade of headphones its pretty much about finding what sound signature you "want" to hear (for example I am going to try HE-560 sometime in the future). Also HD700 are really comfortable (far more than AKG K703 and to lesser extent HD558; areas around ears do not get sweaty even after long gaming/music/work sessions).
 
Hummm, everything I have been reading over the last few days says the HD800 nail what Im looking for. Bright, crisp, detailed. With a large soundstage. Also the Hifiman HE-560 are apparently comparable to the HD800s, anyone tried each?
Now, im off to find a similar pair of headphones that's less then $1300 haha.
 
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Hummm, everything I have been reading over the last few days says the HD800 nail what Im looking for. Bright, crisp, detailed. With a large soundstage. Also the Hifiman HE-560 are apparently comparable to the HD800s, anyone tried each?
Now, im off to find a similar pair of headphones that's less then $1300 haha.

Yup. Perhaps the 'in between' would be the cheaper planar headphones i.e. the Hifiman's more affordable cousins.
 
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