First post and thanks for having me. Looking for advice on upgrading my headphones. My main focus is Gaming (semi-competitive not an esports pro yet) and music coming in right behind. I currently have the Beyer MMX 300 1st gens. They have served me well for almost 5 years now. However I would like to upgrade as the more music I listen to the less they seem to do it for me. I do need closed back as to not disturb my better half while gaming. My gaming is done on computer, no console gaming. My computer has a Realtek ALC1220 audio chip that outputs to a everest 3.5 to 3.5 connecting to a JDS Labs Atom amp then to my MMX 300. I pretty much stick to first person shooter games. My music listening is all over the place, pretty much everything except for modern day rap or whiny country. Lately I have been enjoying the Halo 5 Soundtrack. I do not need a traditional gaming headset. I have a separate mic or I may buy a Mod Mic or Beyer Fox mic. For my listening in my vehicle and headphone I usually find myself giving the bass a +1 and the treble a +2 and leaving the mid. I think that is called V-Shape but I am not sure. However it could just be the way my truck is and the way the MMX 300’s are that it is needed. I really do not have any other headphones or anything to compare to give you more info. Price range is soft but I guess stay under 600.00. Please ask any questions that may help narrow this down.
Also if anyone has any comments if my other components should be updated such as getting a dac let me know. Most of my music files are .dsf, FLAC or mp3 if that matters. Some streaming done from Amazon HD.
So, I do think a dac would be beneficial here, you have lots of options in this range. And this is more for music but still gaming from time to time correct? I would say that perhaps a dt177x go would be pretty sweet, improved technicalities over the mmx and a bit more refined sound (also a signature change to a more balanced sound too), also with better build, as long as you didn’t mind the beyers in the first place. You already have a solid amp, grabbing something like a topping e30 or smsl sanskrit 10th mkII would be worthwhile as well
My main focus is gaming and music right behind. I was looking at the 177x Go but was not sure as there are so many options. Plus I have some idea in my head that the higher the Ohms the better it is and the 32ohm of the 177x Go kinda threw me as the 1770 Pro are 250ohm I believe.
I was looking at the JDS EL II Dac would you reccomend the topping or the sanskrit over that.
That is also pretty sweet, I do think it’s a higher tier of dac over the topping and smsl but I don’t think it has as much bang for buck price wise
Ah so typically in the beyerdynamic line at least, this is true, that being said though there are some outliers and also this doesn’t really apply to most manufactures
The 177x improved on the poor signature of the 1770 pro imo, it shares similar technicalities but just has a different signature from my experience, and I think the 1770 was a bit too bloated and unrefined compared to the 177x.
For other options, perhaps look for a used aeon 2 closed, as that would be pretty sweet as well, as imo it’s a higher tier of headphone than the Beyer’s but it also is a bit more music suited where the Beyer’s might preform a bit better in games. The focal elegia is nice but might be lacking bass for what you are after, and is also slightly more music suited.
I am trying to find headphones for gaming like the sample rate has to be pretty high going off what Zeros has said in his videos i was looking at the ad2000x but not sure i have 1400ausd for them was wondering what headphones are close or in the sample rate of the ad2000x’s also i need open back my ear’s sweet if i don’t use open back headphones i have a desk microphone as well just need help with real good headphones to power the headphones i have Geshelli labs headphone amp then into gsx1200 for the 7.1 and fps mode i need for escape from tarkov which is my fps game so the sample rate has to be same or better than the ad2000x’s might go for the akg headphones dont know who has good open backed headphones thanks if you guys can help me
I mean, what budget are you looking for? If you want to focus on competitive, something like a dt880 600 ohm should work nicely. Also, what do you mean by sample rate in this situation? Sample rate typically refers to the quality of an audio file, in terms of how many samples per second it has, like a regular cd has 44,100 times per second (44.1)
in this video zeos talks about it i think i am talking about stage samples i mean by budget would be below 350usd which for me would be 500ausd https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmrkbWslcKs
I would say that the beyerdynamic dt880 600 ohm would be up your alley imo, great spatial recreation and accuracy, and a bit brighter signature that will emphasize sounds you want to hear
Ordered the 177X GO this morning. Should have next week. Thanks for the help.
I would like to go a bit more into the DAC ideas if possible. Is there a better DAC and AMP than JDS Labs EL II DAC and AMP that beats there price (less than 600.00 for both) that can do FLAC DSD and most other formats. Also I noticed the 177x GO have the mini XLR. Are they able to go balanced or are they 3 pin?
The 177x can go balanced if you get a balanced amp, but it requires a custom cable to be made
Imo something like an asgard 3 + a topping e30 would have more bang for the buck for sure, but I think the el stack is a bit higher quality, but you clearly pay for that
Explain this a bit to me. I think I know what you mean by bang for your buck, but as for sound quality being the only factor which one is actually better. Also I am now thinking that the JDS combo is not balanced. Would going balanced actually be noticable with the 177x GO?
The aeon 2 are actually pretty nice for gaming and just watching videos, pretty nice all rounders, and something I can recommend for sure, they most likely are above your budget though
That’s what i after that can do both slightly towards gaming and thinking of getting headphone tube amps my g933 have latest me pretty good until they starting to fall apart i want to put down serious money so i can replace the ear foam’s. Would like Zeos do Aeon 2 on tube’s video. I would be getting the open back ones as well the price of the aeon 2’s in Australian dollars are $1600