After discovering via Z’s review I’m a filthy casual with an archaic setup I’d like to upgrade for the first time in many years. I have been using a Sennheiser PC360 with a discrete audio card in my desktop for many years now. The PC360 volume adjustment knob is worn out I’ve lost audio in one ear as a result, time to upgrade.
What I think I want: Competitive Gaming is all I’ll use the headphones for, my music listening is done with speakers so the headphones will be just gaming, youtube videos and other junk media. Headphones do not need a mic, I have a desktop mic.
Budget:
~$200 on headphones give or take
~$200 on Amp & DAC give or take.
I have been looking at the Shitt Hel for amp/dac, I like the mic/headphone integration and mic gain adjustment. Is there a better option out there in the $200 range? I know Z mentioned a unit that had a switch for cutting bass & boosting treble when gaming which sounded interesting. The GSX1000 looks like an option as well but the mic processing is poor from what I’m reading?
On headphones The HD6XX’s look like a solid choice in my price range. Is there something much better in a similar price range or a few dollars (not hundreds) more?
I mean personally I would instead of getting a schiit hel go for a combo like a behringer um2 and a schiit magni 3+, that would provide a better mic input and also a higher quality headphone amp too. Also allows you to use an xlr mic if you wanted too. If you don’t need a mic input, then a dac like the topping d10 or smsl m100 are pretty nice instead of the um2
I would suggest looking at something like the beyerdynamic dt880 600 ohm, it has great spatial accuracy, a neutral brighter sound, and is great for all rounding, and very good for comp gaming imo. The 6xx is more of a music headphone, and imo not great for competitive gaming
the go to rec for comp gaming here is generally the dt880 600 ohm. Good soundstage, and super accurate imaging. In my opinion is far better for comp than the 6xx which images fine but is pretty narrow
if you’re not married to the mic in and aren’t opposed to the stack then most people recommend the topping d10 and something like a monolith liquid spark
Will the magni 3 power the 600 ohm with enough headroom. I know that those lower priced amps especially tend to distort a bit once you push them too high of volume.
Okay cool just checking. Do the magnis still have the channel imbalance issue or did they fix that? My brother in laws older one (I think it was the 2) has it pretty bad.
So the heresy is going to be a bit more analytical sounding, will be slightly cleaner, but the 3+ adds a bit of smoothness as with the 880 600 ohm the treble can get up there for some, the 3+ is a good balance between the heresy and the liquid spark in terms of coloration.
Just fine lol. Of course it’s out of stock though, a good alternative would be the Focusrite Scarlett Solo, but it would be more expensive but a higher quality unit (and you would also have to pick up a special cable as well but it’s cheap)
I own a black version 880 and swapped them for the silver pads. The sound change is not huge but i did find the black pads to be a bit sibilant where the silvers dont get close. That’s gonna vary based on peoples treble sensitivity. For me personally the bigger point was the black pads are pretty stiff and not comfortable, silvers are much softer and I can wear them all day
Am I missing out by requiring a mic input? The Mic is just for communication, would a Magni3+/Modi 3 stack with the DT880 600ohms provide a better experience? My current mic is 3.5MM, I could go direct into the mobo with that, I don’t really care about my voice quality as long as the communication is clear.
IMO unfortunately the modi 3 is not up to snuff, it’s not really something I would recommend due to some issues with dynamic compression, a peaky signature, and imo an unrefined sound
. I’m not too well versed in dacs