Looking to upgrade my set up, currently have an AKG 7XX powering with onboard sound. I really enjoy the soundstage on it (a little too wide though) and primarily use it to game with casual listening but I feel that it’s time to upgrade along with a new dac and amp.
I am looking to keep the cost of the headphones under 1000, soundstage and accurate imaging are most important as these will mostly be used for games but most of my music is either hip-hop or heavily features female vocals so something that could service these would be great as well. I would also not be opposed to two pairs as soundstage/imaging/bass/vocals all seem to be a lot to ask from one pair.
So I would really suggest not spending that much lol, I think spending around 300 ish for 2 pairs of headphones would really do what you want, and then 300 on a dac + amp
I think you would want to grab something for gaming, and then something for music
I think you could consider something like a dt880 600 ohm for gaming and a more neutral wider listening experience, as that would be pretty nice for that imo, and an upgrade from your 7xx
For more the music you listen to, what would you want to prioritize there?
I would look at the Asgard 3. Plenty of power there that may make you enjoy your current headphones more. If you need a dac, internally I’d say 4490 card option but something like the Topping E30 for a DAC is probably more preferable.
So the 600 ohm would mostly correct the brightness, it gets more neutral with more refinement (general improvement overall) and less peaky, and with the asgard 3 you get a fair bit more body as well imo. But if you are not wanting to go with that again there are other options of course
They seem pretty cheap so I would be willing to try them out again just for the sake of it. I was also looking at the Sundara but I am really hoping for a little more bass for the explosions and gunfire. I can live without exemplary mids though.
How much bass is going to be important for what to recommend. Do you want to be aware of explosions? So much rumble it jostles the soul? Accurately aware but not overwhelmed with the bass but appreciate quality?
hmm, well the akg k7 series doesn’t have a ton of bass to begin with it just has that extremely large sound stage with good analytical sound. Since you like female vocals and hip hop I can second the opinion on the dt 880s(600 ohm normally goes for $200 maximum) but can’t recommend the 990 if you have issues with bright headphones, though it does have more bass and a better soundstage. In that price range though according to what you have mentioned I would definitely point you towards a 177x go($350-$460) or dt 1990 they arent as bright and cater towards neutral and have a great soundstage and bass to them especially for gaming. DT 1990s($300 used - $600+ new) can be paired with a good amp like liquid spark($100 range) or asgard 3($200 maximum) to really bring out the sound and is one of my go tos for both music and gaming even in competitives. The only other I preferred would be Aeon Open X but this is definitely an acquired taste but I do like them more than Sundaras as they just seem a little more open and wider with a warmer tone however, you trade the sundaras really good sounding high frequencies for a rolled off high which is fine to my ears.
Moviius is great latency is pretty awful.om it. Hyper x has collabbed with audeze to make basically the Mobius but better for gaming I would go with that instead if we are considering the Mobius