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Need Headset Help

Elledan said:
Why no love for the Corsair HS1A headset? [H] tested them and found them to excellent, very comfortable for long periods of time and excellent and quite neutral sound reproduction. I have been using mine for about four months now and have been blown away by the sound quality right from the beginning, especially the awesomely wide soundstage.

I can't believe how muddy the AKG K77s I was using before sounded in comparison. The AKG K200s I was using two years ago were much worse as well in that they made my head hurt and never fit comfortably. That one was using 50 mm drivers too, just like this HS1A.
Click to expand...
The Corsair are good for what they are, crappy (USB) gamer gear. Any entry level high end headset will blow gamer trash out of the water. Sure if you refuse to purchase a DAC/AMP or sound card, USB audio may be beneficial for gaming. But in this case you just don't have the budget to make the leap to the next level.
 
My current recommendation is buy the most comfortable set of quality headphones you can find (Be it Sennheiser, Audiotechnica, Beyerdynamic, AKG, etc) and pair it with the ModMic. The mic is pricy for what it is, but it works so well. I've been using it for a few weeks now and it's the perfect solution to the "gaming headset" problem I've been fighting with for years.
 
The mod mic is my next purchase if the zalman clip on doesn't work.

I looked at the corsiar's as well as the sennheiser pc360, and sadly none of them were what I'm after.

I have a feeling once I test out the 598's I'm going to be after a sound card of some sorts.

If someone wants to talk about DAC's and gaming, i'm all ears. I may even resort to pulling one of my 6970's out if the sound is that much better.
 
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Elledan said:
Why no love for the Corsair HS1A headset? [H] tested them and found them to excellent, very comfortable for long periods of time and excellent and quite neutral sound reproduction. I have been using mine for about four months now and have been blown away by the sound quality right from the beginning, especially the awesomely wide soundstage.

I can't believe how muddy the AKG K77s I was using before sounded in comparison. The AKG K200s I was using two years ago were much worse as well in that they made my head hurt and never fit comfortably. That one was using 50 mm drivers too, just like this HS1A.
Click to expand...

The low end akgs are not very good. You have to get to the 501, 601, 701 level for that.

The Corsair headset is a good, simple fix but not as good as a traditional headphone setup.
 
WesM63 said:
The mod mic is my next purchase if the zalman clip on doesn't work.

I looked at the corsiar's as well as the sennheiser pc360, and sadly none of them were what I'm after.

I have a feeling once I test out the 598's I'm going to be after a sound card of some sorts.

If someone wants to talk about DAC's and gaming, i'm all ears. I may even resort to pulling one of my 6970's out if the sound is that much better.
Click to expand...

Depends on your budget. Yes there is a big difference using a dac. You can do something simple like getting a usb dac or something more complex. Depends on how far you want to take things.

You can even get a cheap pioneer receiver that can transcode HDMI audio and use one of your 6970s as a sound source. This allows you to use headphones and surround speakers if you want. Your neighbors will LOVE you!
 
Lol thanks spaceman. I left my 7.1 surround setup in storage just for this exact reason. Apparently my $70 creative 5.1 setup is loud enough. (only running 2.1 as it is)

Anyway, I'm not quite sure I understand some of the DAC stuff. I've seen the creative USB ones and some of the audiophile ones that have both USB and optical inputs. I'm guessing the DAC does the sound processing like a sound card would, but do any of them do thx/Dolby digital?
 
A receiver or sound card will do Dolby decoding.

A usb dac usually does stereo only and is great for headphones and stereo speakers but obviously not 7.1. At least no usually. They do more to clean up and improve the pcm data from the pc.
 
spaceman said:
A receiver or sound card will do Dolby decoding.

A usb dac usually does stereo only and is great for headphones and stereo speakers but obviously not 7.1. At least no usually. They do more to clean up and improve the pcm data from the pc.
Click to expand...

Yea with that being said, without pulling out one of my 6970's i'd be looking at something like this.

Although a DAC/Amp would probably still be benefical.
 
WesM63 said:
Yea with that being said, without pulling out one of my 6970's i'd be looking at something like this.

Although a DAC/Amp would probably still be benefical.
Click to expand...

If you're looking at that as a possibility because of the volume knob, don't get it. The knob sucks. The increments are too large between volume settings. Its either too loud or too low. And you can't adjust it. The newer model may be better, but I absolutely hated that piece of kit while I had it.
 
Yeah hell no to that. Give me a bit and I will find something that will work well. Busy at work.
 
The AKG clones (Samson/Superlux) might cause your ears to sweat on long sessions. I am not familiar with the HD-598. Hopefully Sennheiser reinforced some areas of the old HD-555/595 style design, I remember hearing complaints of it cracking over time.
 
BurntToast said:
The Corsair are good for what they are, crappy (USB) gamer gear. Any entry level high end headset will blow gamer trash out of the water. Sure if you refuse to purchase a DAC/AMP or sound card, USB audio may be beneficial for gaming. But in this case you just don't have the budget to make the leap to the next level.
Click to expand...

The HS1As are the analogue versions without built-in USB soundcard. Notice the 'A' at the end of the model name.

I have also used the AKG 701s (few weeks) and found them to less comfortable and less impressive than these HS1As, although I haven't used and compared both on the same day. The comfort issue does apply, however.
 
701s need a decent amp and source to really do what they are capable of. Their pads are not the softest though. Out of a pc I have no doubt the Corsair would far better.

Still trying to remember the dac I am thinking about.

OP, is this a desktop setup?
 
Spaceman, it is a desktop. However, I have the matx asus Maximus in a matx p180 with 2x 6970's. Basically, no room for an add-in card unless I remove one of the 6970's.
 
spaceman said:
This is probably a good idea for gaming and what you are looking for.


http://www.astrogaming.com/mixamp/mixamp-usb
Click to expand...

Yea, I've looked at them, just wasn't quite sure how it worked. I might give it a try at least I could take it with me when i go on the road.

EDIT: I might also make a trip home this weekend and bring my Onkyo TX-SR606 back with me.

EDIT2: Fudge.. doesn't even look like the mixamp does what i'm after. I'm just going to wait till the 598's get here and go from there.
 
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Oh dude just grab that receiver and run it off of your motherboard optical output. That will do just fine for those headphones.
 
What do you think might be a good amp for the titanium hd? I'm thinking that I might pick up a fiio e9.
 
spaceman said:
Oh dude just grab that receiver and run it off of your motherboard optical output. That will do just fine for those headphones.
Click to expand...

Hmmm, my HD595 out of an A/V receiver sounded harsh and fatiguing, and had an audible noisefloor. Could be totally different with the 598, and I'm sure it depends very heavily on the receiver too -- just wanted to speak up and share the opinion/experience. Receivers + headphones can sometimes be very hit or miss.
 
timestretch said:
Hmmm, my HD595 out of an A/V receiver sounded harsh and fatiguing, and had an audible noisefloor. Could be totally different with the 598, and I'm sure it depends very heavily on the receiver too -- just wanted to speak up and share the opinion/experience. Receivers + headphones can sometimes be very hit or miss.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input. I'll give it a try either way.
 
I read through this thread. Decide to spend $40 on the sr850's. Been a long time since I've owned a decent set of cans. Can't wait!!
 
Good news, UPS attempted delivery of the 598's today. I get to pick them up at 7pm.

Bad news, i failed at changing the address on the SR850's and they got delivered to my house back home. My tenant is holding them till I can get back this weekend to pick them up.

I'll post an update once I pickup the 598's.
 
timestretch said:
Hmmm, my HD595 out of an A/V receiver sounded harsh and fatiguing, and had an audible noisefloor. Could be totally different with the 598, and I'm sure it depends very heavily on the receiver too -- just wanted to speak up and share the opinion/experience. Receivers + headphones can sometimes be very hit or miss.
Click to expand...

That is true. Some of the very best headphone amps can be found in even very vintage receivers. My 2005 Boston Acoustics avr 7120 has a very good headphone amp in it while my denon avr 589 is only ok. Not bad, no hiss or anything, just not as dynamic. Of course, the BA receiver was only oh, $2800 more new than the 589. Might have something to do with it lol.

Anyway, the Onkyo will be ok. Nothing stellar but certainly decent.
 
I tried my HD598 on my old Sony STR DE505 and it seems to add a bit too much color for my liking. They end up sounding way too warm. I may end up picking up an e9 at some point.

One other thing that I saw at Head-fi was that the earpads from the ATH AD700 fit the SR850 perfectly. That really might be the perfect fit for those headphones. If I didn't list my AD700 for sale I would have swapped out the pads to see how it goes.
 
Great except the replacement pads are either $40 + shipping or free if you ask AT for a replacement set for your existing ad700.

Too bad b/c I really think those pads would give the sr850 a bigger sound stage and more realism overall. I would bet 8 out of 10 would prefer them to the ad700.

Sigh. Funny how the pads all cost the same as the headphones.

Whatever. My ghetto mod, for as fugly as it is, works great.
 
I contacted Audio technica to try and get a hold of a set of pads. I would love to try them out on the SR-850.
 
spaceman said:
That is true. Some of the very best headphone amps can be found in even very vintage receivers. My 2005 Boston Acoustics avr 7120 has a very good headphone amp in it while my denon avr 589 is only ok. Not bad, no hiss or anything, just not as dynamic. Of course, the BA receiver was only oh, $2800 more new than the 589. Might have something to do with it lol.

Anyway, the Onkyo will be ok. Nothing stellar but certainly decent.
Click to expand...

2005 is vintage? haha. Audio tech doesn't change nearly as fast as video.
 
FMX said:
2005 is vintage? haha. Audio tech doesn't change nearly as fast as video.
Click to expand...

Uh no. I was referring to something more like a 1976 Yamaha receiver than mine. Just using my beast as a reference amp really. 60 lb headphone amp lol
 
Ok, just picked the HD598' up and i must say the sound is AMAZING. I've never heard a pair of headphones sound like this before.

Plugged directly into the onboard audio they are plenty loud. Also, to me they do sound a little bass heavy.

Only question I have atm, is this setting. Headphone Virtualization...

T2Itt.png


While watching a movie it almost has an echo or open room sound. I can't decide which I like better. Unchecked, sounds just like stereo. Music is no comparison, unchecked.

Comfort wise, the earpads are comfy, the headband on the other hand is noticeable. Might just something I need to wear for a bit.

Fudge.. now i want an amp and better sound card. You guys suck :p

EDIT: They slightly crunch my glasses/real world problems.
 
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Yeah, I thought the same thing about the headband at first. Now I don't even notice it. I'm not sure if it had to break in or something. I really love these headphones, especially after jumping around between a few lower cost headphones. These things really provide most of the experience of a nice speaker system. As soon as my AD-700 sells I'm going to pick up a headphone amp. For the price I'll probably end up with the FiiO e9 but I am really tempted by the O2.
 
Hmm, reading this thread has got me thinking. I have had this same set of sony MDR-V600s for, uh, 10 years? They are the most rediculously comfortable thing ever.

Curious if the new technology cans will blow these out of the water. Anyone comment?

Specs from sony
 
A lot of people seem to love those headphones but there are vintage headphones that will blow those out of the water too like the AKG K240 or Beyer DT880.
 
Glad you are enjoying the new cans!! I will be getting mine tomorrow...I want to ask some questions about sources but will start another thread so that I'm not hijacking
 
Short and sweet version.

Limit your search to stereo headphones.

Same price point, the more drivers are in the pair of headphones, the less money went into each driver. Most "audiophiles" see 5.1/7.1 headsets as a gimmick at worst and a technology in it's fumbling infancy at best.

I would suggest limiting yourself to the following companies:

AKG
Audio-Technica
Beyerdynamic
Grado
Sennheiser

They are all very reputable in the headphone business and very competitive with each other. If possible I would seek out and demo some of the potential headphones at boutique audio stores or music supply stores in your area. If you are in a metropolitan area (Miami, LA, San Fran, Chicago, NY, NJ, etc.) you can often find the above brands in some of the new/used music stores (if they are still around).


For reference, I have a pair of DT770's by Beyerdynamic which I was able to get for $145 new on Ebay a few years back, they now float around $150-$170 (pro - 80 ohm). This is not their MSRP which is much higher. I have never regretted the purchase and would have paid twice the price for the sound quality.

They are on the lighter side of headphones many reviewers have said. I personally find them amazingly comfortable and other than changing the ear pads from velor to leather for comfort, I am able to wear them all day without giving it a second thought. I never feel "burdened" putting them on and sometimes have them on for an hour before I realize there is nothing playing. (playlist ended, or lecture I was listening to ended and I am reading). Their sound isolation is also very good.

A review I found years after my purchase

http://nwavguy.blogspot.com/2011/04/beyerdynamic-dt-770-pro-80-review.html

I don't disagree with it at all. There is also a review of the Beats by DR DRE on [H]ard|OCP that compares to the DT770's (Consumer version, not industrial version).

The consumer version are nicer looking, pricier, sound slightly different, but are essentially the same cans. The above posted review goes over it IIRC.

If you do get the chance to go and demo the DT770's (or any prospective cans) at a boutique be sure to bring a CD of your top 3-5 most listened to songs so you can hear the difference.

I am so used to the frequency response of "higher quality" headphones I get mad at either source material or the music itself for not being more interesting. I can't stand listening to music through anything else at this point.

General rule of thumb.

High quality headphones + Mic will be better and cheaper than getting a Headset that has both.
 
Well, I just got the AD700 pads from audio technica. They really do have some great customer service. Anyways, I took off the stock pads on the SR850 and replaced them with the AD700 pads and it was a pretty big step down. My ear was touching the driver and it just all around made things seem worse. I then popped the stock pads back on but without the foam covering the driver and put the AD700 pads on over that and it was much better. They really are far more comfortable. Although its hard going back to the SR850 after using the HD598 for the past week.

Also apparently someone is selling knock off velour AKG pads on ebay that I hear work well with the SR850.
 
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Those knock off pads look pretty promising!! I've had my sr850's for about a week and love them. The only other cans that I've ever owned were the Sein 202's. They were very average and not comfortable. The SR are really really good. Honestly, I just can't imagine what a more expensive pair of cans would sound like. I haven't even broken them in good yet :)
 
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