Seeking to escape the TYGR 300Rs

Gaming Audio Casual
1

Hi there, I’ve been using the TYGRs for about 3 years with the Schiit Hel 2e, which I had for longer, and used with the Avantone Planars, until the headband broke, I tried fixing it, but they were heavy anyways so now they sit in my closet forever.

I recently bough the Sennheiser HD 620S craving good isolation, but I feel very burned. I tried EQing for days, and while I got them to sound better, they still sounded terrible for gaming. I play primarily Elder Scrolls Online, and they truly sound awful for it, and it is not redeemable in any way. Yes, they’re a closed back, and I fell prey to the marketing. They sound pretty fine, even good sometimes for certain HiFi music, but the bazaar of footsteps, background music, dialogue, crunchy SFX, and 100 combat sounds a second bombards every resonant frequency and you get something that is every bad audio buzzword all at once. Do not recommend.

The A/B I did with my TYGRs is just night and day. I enjoy them so much more, even though the comfort is awful (my ears are basically slammed up on the baffle yet they are very loose on my head). I considered, then, surely the HD 560S might be right, but looking at their frequency response, I don’t imagine I will like their stock tuning. I pulled out the planars and while I like the resolution of the drivers better, their tuning is also kind of meh.

I’m willing to spend up to $2k on a headphone that is ideally planar magnetic, open back, and has good stock tuning for MMORPGs like ESO, which have a really wide combination of both beautiful music and occasionally really bad SFX that hurt your ears if the tuning is too analytical.

I know I can do better than the TYGRs, as they occasionally sound distorted, and the cable isn’t even removable; my cat has an unfortunate chewing habit that has already killed one cable before, so these suckers are just waiting for their grave in that regard. I suppose you guys could also tell me to shut up and stop being picky, because there is nothing better, but I figured I’d ask any see if anyone has some experience with this.

2

I’ve gamed with over 550 models of headphones for business, since I test everything that comes in. A Hifiman HE1000 Unveiled is amazing, but the Arya Stealth open box from Hifiman is the better value for money.

The Dan Clark Aeon 2 closed back, equalized with an Autoeq profile is the same crazy value for money for closed design.

3

I also enjoyed TYGR/DT880 for gaming

if you want a straight upgrade you can usually find secondhand Beyerdynamic T1’s (1st or 2nd gen 3rd gen changed tuning apparently) for $500ish. I haven’t looked into if the closed back equivalents (think the T5) were any good.

if you want a closed back that sounds like a open back the DCA E3 is amazing, a little more balanced sound than the TYGR but I like it for gaming and music, think DCA noire X is a bit cheaper E3

Hifiman Ananda Nano can be had for super cheap on sale (think I’ve seen $300-400 range) and are basically 99% of a HE1000

4

Thanks, I will take a look at those. I wish I lived somewhere where I could try out headphones, but I live in Alaska, which isn’t really known for its tech sector.

5

T1’s are a good idea, thanks! I’ve never looked into them before. I bet with some 3rd party pads and headbands I could make them way comfier too.

The HD 620S were marketed as a closed back that sounds like open back, but I can confidently say that’s not true. I’m pretty much only interested in open backs now.

I’m not sure what to think about Hifiman, I’ll have to watch/read some more reviews. It’s all I’ve been spending my free time on, it’s exhausting.

6

yeah I know some reviewers said the 620 was pretty congested sounding

Hifiman stuff isn’t the best built but the sound to price value is usually good

DCA uses a headphone connector that nobody else uses which is annoying if you don’t like the stock cable

T1 2nd gen has detachable cables but its a extended 3.5 so a little harder to find replacements than standard

7

I have a pair of lcd2 closed that Im looking at parting with that fit the bill and still remain closed backs for those nights you don’t want to bother family. Hit me up and we can definitely work something out. I should mention I like them more than the E3 for dynamics but if you are looking for wide open stage and clarity there isn’t much that is going to beat the he1k or arya, though if only suggest them if you have a desktop system that can take full advantage of them.

8

Thanks, but I am pretty sure now I want open backs, and if I was going to get Audeze, I’d probably get the LCD-GX, as I assume it’s intended to be used with minimal EQ, maybe the MM-100? The latter seems to be marketed for studio recording; it’s probably worse than the HiFiman Stealth lineup.

9

I still have a ZMF Atrium for sale if you want a great open back. :grin:

In all seriousness if you need the absolute best gaming performance I’d look at iems.

10

I really shouldn’t, but I’d be interested in saving up for the Tessideras or Calderas if they do it in redwood still.

11

Email Zach and ask if they are planning on it.