I don’t really feel up to placing my ear sizes on here lol. I would just measure your own and measure up to whether or not they are “average” ranged… as mine are a good amount above the average for size and protrusions(hence the issues I have with headphones like sennheiser). The pads aren’t too bad on the X3 there though… they are bigger than many I tried but my ears rubbed against the inside of the pad and a part of the driver. Honestly I could have gotten over that if it wasn’t for the insanely bright sound… while I can’t verify on whether there is model variations the copy I got was even brighter than my beyers to the point as someone who loves bright headphones found it heavily sibilant worse than the Amiron Homes can be viewed… Does not surprise me that the price on the headphone nose dived.
Not a bad price for them, provided they have a return policy its definitely worth checking them out.
hard gamble. Personally, if there is variation in models and you can get a copy thats tolerable… probably the X3 since it has tighter imaging and more presence in those highs to really capture competitive gaming sounds but as far as ‘comfortable’ listening goes… I gotta hand that crown to k702 by a long shot for me personally… pads are larger but a bit less deep, mods exist to tinker the headphones, k702 can make use of an mini-xlr 3 pin - 3.5mm conversion and use a v-moda microphone among other things… Fulla will be fine for either as X3 is 30 impedance so it doesn’t need a lot of power just a good source that isn’t crap for the most part same for the 702
Haven’t had the 9500 in what feels like ages… Gave mine to a buddy after I modded it to hell alongside some ZMF suedes on it lol. However, 9500 doesn’t really have a treble problem if were comparing this against the X3… as the X3’s treble presence when I had tried it is like dialing it up to 11… in other words its extremely noticeable, very sharp, and very presently forward
Good unit, just not a fan of those units that are more on the sterile/reference side of things like SMSL and THX units
I didn’t realize they were that bright, in your review I got the impression they matched the Beyers. In that case I might not even look their way. I do have some treble sensitivity, not tons but a bit for sure.
Turns out my ears are average height, I always though they were tall.
With the issue of the X3 brightness taken into account, do the K702’s image better than the SHP9500’s? If not, or it’s not much better than the 9500’s, then based on the games I listed, are there any other recommendations you would give for under $200. I just mainly want to improve on imaging. I have tried my brother in laws Tygr and found that a bit too much bass for my liking, at least for competitive gaming.
seeing how likely there could be unit variations where the signature is different per model, at the price mentioned provided if there is a return policy I will still say that it is worth a trial run to see what you think… especially since everyone hears very differently so results vary dramatically on a by-person basis.
I had to do this same thing yeah lol, mine are above average unfortunately it makes it a bit harder to find things that are more comfortable for me personally.
9500s are fairly basic across the board, they don’t really excel in any one area for a gamer but are just a cheap option entry level especially once modified. K702 is more refined and does image better varying on the games it plays as that larger soundstage can absolutely be a hinderance or a benefit… depending on the game played as well as the person playing that game
If I had to choose between 702 vs 9500 though… I would absolutely go with 702… and in the event of somehow as mentioned above unit variations and the like with the X3 I would take the X3 over the other two cause it’s not bad whatsoever outside of its treble issues granted as far as ‘comfortable’ listening to my own personal preferences… it lacks quite a bit in the bass department compared to its previous model the x2hr however, x2hr was bass bloated and bled quite a bit. I know quite a few who do really enjoy the X3 so it’s a small gamble
That is my biggest issue with the tygrs personally and why I typically encourage a bit of EQ with the tygr or find another model like the dt 880s respectively if you want a beyer performance that is proper sounding for a competitive environment… Tygrs issues are the bass and the sunk in mids… however, it’s still one of the best budget jack of all trades gaming headphones I do have to give it that especially in the case of its speaker like sound and imaging
This really comes down to preference, but as somebody who regularly uses brighter headphones I find that bright headphone + sterile amp tends to = sibilance in many of my songs and games so I usually try to look for amps that lean a bit on the warmer side of things such as Schiit, Monoprice, Ifi, some cases of Aune, etc again it’s absolutely a preference pick just keeping in mind that amps do tend to be different in their sound respectively. For me personally, I still rely on my liquid platinum for a lot of my sounds though I have a few other amps in house that are much more expensive these days lol. Liquid plat consistently plummets in price down to like $300-$400 even though its around a $600-$700 hybrid tube amplifier. As far as the more neutral reference grades there… SMSL and Topping are still very good for that. At the $200 mark I definitely preferred IFI’s zen stack or schiits asgard 3
What do you think of something like the Magni+ Heretic and Modi+ stack? The measurements on the Hereric look really good, and the Modi+ would likely be a better DAC than the Fulla E, at least I’m assuming it would be. I think I’m gonna settle on the DT880 since imaging matters more to me than soundstage (personally) and if I’m not wrong the DT880 images better than the X3 right?
Also, would do you think about the Fiio K5 Pro ESS in comparison to the Magni+/Modi+ stack?
has it’s place but imo its not as good as a magni/modi stack more so after modi was updated.
To answer the question about imaging and beyers, it’s one of their strong points when it comes to the brand. My biggest issue with them appears to be unit deviation where each unit sounds different so its hard to get a good model out of their earlier models like this and the harder dampening used in many of the models.
As for heretic it measures better because that is what it was designed to be… just an amp that measures very well. Personally, I prefer the magni over measurements like that but to each their own. magni and modi will be a cut above fulla as Fulla is their cheaper entry lineup for a gamer
as far as 880 vs x3… x3 is absolutely going to win in that airy soundstage style sound but I had easier times pinpointing things with an 880 in terms of imaging its not by a huge margin but noticeable
To be honest that just solidifies me wanting to get the DT880 even more, despite the unit variation. I found some DT880 600ohm renewed on Amazon for $139.
So, as much as I would love to get the Asgard 3. I don’t have tons of money right now to get it, with or without the DAC in it. With that said, would you recommend the liquid spark or the magni 3+ for the DT880 600 ohm? Also, with either option would you do the modi 3+ or a topping D10S? Thank you for all the help on this!
Just remember that imaging isn’t everything. 880 has a special place for me as it led me to one of my all star favorite headphones down the line however, it isn’t without it’s draw backs. Nonetheless, worth trying absolutely as it’s one of beyers best models in my opinion on low budgets since it also includes the mids compared to the V shape signature that the rest of the line has.
Yeah that sounds about right, 3rd party at times you can even find the lower models around $70-100 in mint conditioning.
Not really all that big of a deal can always get it later.
Magni or spark is fine subtle differences but spark is on the warmer side of things with less in the treble neither is particularly great in spatial recreation but passable. As far as dacs, modi for magni and topping if your going spark you can also opt for the sparks respective spark dac as well for a complete stack. When I was just starting out I began with a spark + D10 that I switched for the E30 as it’s just a better unit for a little more
Yeah, however, and correct me if I’m wrong, isn’t it the most important? I mean sound signature would matter a ton, but in regards to how imaging and soundstage play together my understanding is that you can have the biggest soundstage in the world but if the imaging sucks then it’s useless. If I am mistaken please correct me, I want to learn as much about audio as I can.
In the same regard, since I have mentioned I have some treble sensitivity (prior to getting the fulla I ran my SHP9500 through my mobo and found it extremely harsh, when gettin the fulla it got better but I didn’t really enjoy the treble until I got the Brainwavz pads, so maybe I like more of a neutral warm sound? Idk) if I do like a neutral warm sound is there another headphone you would recommend that works well in competitive games? I ask cause I know Beyers are known for their elevated treble.
Is there any other DAC/amp combo or DAC/amp stack that you would recommend in my price range that would have better spatial recreation? Looking about $250 total for amp and DAC. I understand that might not be possible but I’m open to any advice or tips you have to offer.
Imaging is important for placing the location of the sound, soundstage I wouldn’t say is as important just really depends on what you need it for… it’s appreciative for the most part though if like… gaming due to a sense of immersion with the world around you. Sound signature and it’s respective traits are important alongside imaging really… soundstage anymore I just kinda view as a very subjective area of preference
That’s rather concerning. Both headphones 880 and X3 are quite bright and may pose a challenge in this regard… Just make sure you have that return policy handy -just- incase
Tygr 300r if your looking in terms of beyers can also look at pad swapping the DT 880 but this messes with it’s capabilities and lastly within beyers you have the 900 pro X which some people use… Honestly, I would just encourage maybe looking at a sennheiser if they fit you well… as they are good just a more balanced all around approach so you don’t have to be so concerned about the bright treble… they perform exceptionally well too… 58x Jubilee if your in the states is the warm all rounder, 560s if you want the brighter sennheiser that I would say is a huge cut above a 9500 other than that… maybe 400SE from hifiman though usually these need a good pad swap
not particularly ones that I would encourage outside of the typical entry levels you see around here being recommended… That would be Schiit stack(colored spacious usually with some warm tones less buying their more measurement based units), JDS stack(very neutral sometimes slightly warm to my ear), Topping Stack(dacs are warm later units are extremely sterile), Monoprice Stack(quite warm… treble roll off), SMSL(usually quite sterile/neutral) and maybe some outliers here and there… such as Donald Dac mainly for very good imaging performances due to low distortions… you can ask around in a separate amp and dac thread if you wanna really do some digging on performance to value units
@Falenkor so based on all we talked about, how does a 560S with the Schiit stack sound? I know the 560S doesn’t need it per se cause it’s easy to drive but having the stack would allow me some growing room in the future. With that in mind, and taking into account that I will eventually get an Asgard 3, do you have any tips for down the line headphones that I could upgrade to that are neutral warm?
Sounds fine, I prefer it typically over something that can make brighter headphones of sorts even brighter. 560s is still on the brighter side of things regardless though I wouldn’t say it’s as bright as a beyer.
this is a ridiculously low price lol wow
Plenty as you go up in budgets, I would recommend making sure that warmer headphones is what your after though… Find something that really suits you well signature wise then you can work your way up with time. After which, any recommendatino would really vary on a per budget basis as the prices tend to go within brackets… usually if your in the 200-250 ish ranges… the steps above those are the $400-$500 followed by the $700-$1000s keeping in mind that despite these prices… with time 3rd party / regular sales will dramatically lower these pricepoints
if you want to dig around use a site like hifishark which will scour a bunch of nearby sites for a place selling that piece of gear… I use it when I want to save some money and find a good mint condition piece of gear…