What gaming headphones to buy? - Page 298

I think the Amp helps fill in the bottom and mids better, but I don't think it's necessary. I've tried amping the 'phones twice. Once with the Fiio (and it was more than loud enough) and once with the LD I+ (and it was plenty loud with a lot more ooomph to push the bass and everything else). Though, I've yet to amp the signal since then and have had no problems using them and them being loud. You will end up turning the volume knob almost all the way, but on my MixAmp... after 80% it doesn't really get any louder.

I agree that after 80% it doesn't get much louder. But are you saying that you get enough volume out of the mixamp alone, even when mixing voice? I remember you were saying before that the mixamp alone wasn't enough, and that the fiio didn't help much and still wasn't enough? You feel differently now?

Yes. I don't know if it was running these for a while that helped (have about 80hrs on them now). I think it's fine w/out anything now. It could also be what was going on in the background when I was playing last time. I've been happy running it as is for the past week or so.

I guess I just listen really loud! My voice/game knob is locked in at 3:30-3:45 too, maybe that's why.

180 budget, i don't know what i said before. something that will be good for games and listening to music off my laptop

Do you have the Mixamp or any virtual surround device? Are you just playing off your laptop?

I will recommend the Creative Aurvana Live from now on because it does everything well, is comfortable like heaven on the ears, and can be found for cheap online. They are pretty much rebadged Denon D1001s, which can go fpr $150 and the CAL can be had for 60 if you shop around.

This way you can also buy the Turtle Beach Ear Force DSS for surround sound gaming, or the Mixamp for more versatility.

There are better options for games and better options for music, but I doubt there are better options for games AND music for the price.

I'd give them an 8 for gaming, and an 8 for music. Very good headphone for music with a laid back sound that can get aggressive when it's needed.


Don't judge the CAL based on price. They are serious cans that deliver the goods. Great multi-purpose cans for those with a budget.

I've put my Grado SR-80i (modded) up for sale on Head-Fi. With the sale of these headphones, I'm going to order the Astro A30 headphones to try out for gaming.

A30s huh? That came out of left field!

Why A30s instead of A40s? Why astros at all instead of another grado? Thought you were a grado guy! Now you will have no grados?!

I guess the A30s are a bassier more portable version of the A40s? They say the A40s are better for competition and positioning detail due to having less bass, but the A30s are better for travelling/portability.. is this the same findings you had? It kind of sounds like the A30s will sound more like the HPX, but you'll have to let us know.

Well, it's done. The K702's have been ordered. I was able to get them cheap enough that, if it comes down to it, I can sell them and pretty much make my money back.

I'm going to forgo the amp until I hear them in my current setup. However, in anticipation of needing one I've been looking at some solid state options. Does anyone know anything about the Presonus HP4? Sonic Sense actually sells the HP4 in a package with the K702 but I don't really know anything about that amp. It's cheap, so I'm sure it's not "the best", but it looks like it should be able to drive the K702's decently. I was just wondering if anybody here had heard anything about it.

I thought the same thing! What happened to the Grado love from SIDEW8Z? Has the world gone topsy-turvy?

I still like the Grados... but I did a nice listen to music that I really like to test the Grados on... Creed, Tenacious D, and some Jazz.... and I too find them a little thin and pronounced at the same time. The K702 is starting to be my everything headphone. I'm still gonna put together my DT770 and see if those too can be replaced by the K702 (and that $$ will go towards a Buffalo DAC).

I'm just really interested in the A30 lately. Kinda wanna hear for myself what they sound like.

No, the K702 is outdoing them ATM... so, time to let them go (as they get no head time now). If anything, I'll save up for a High-End Grado or Alessandro for my listening station (not my desktop one).

Way to take one for the team buddy! Looking forward to your impressions

I'm interested in what you think of the A30s myself. I think if I had the money, I would've went with them, as I wanted a portable phone AND a headset when needed. That was before I got the ES7 though. Now with the CAL, I tested them without a mic but the voice knob leaning heavily towards voice and they were more than loud, so I'd be happy to use them with a throat mic.

Eff the Zalman. Anyone wants it can paypal me the shipping cost and it's yours, no extra charge, as long as you are in the US and wanna test it out. Might work better for you than it did for me.

Well, this is all pending the sale of my Grados. I put them at $130 shipped... I figured them only being 2 mos. or so old (maybe 3), with about 120hrs on them plus all the mods they come with... $130 is a fair price (come with stock pads, and 2 sets of HD414 quartered and reversed and dyed black).

On a side note:

...cept forgot to put headband on for the pic.

Nice work! Now go put on War of the Worlds and test out those bass beasts!

Thx, the mids got a little better (not cured though), and the bass doesn't seem as DEEP (still hit hard though)... but it definitely follows the tracks better (not as bloated as before). Still testing though... hehe... makes me giddy! Tested some "Parental Advisory" tracks and wife sitting 4ft away from me... and I have it cranked... she said she couldn't hear it. Silly Shin for selling!

Well I got rid of it, and got two kickass headphones to replace them. It's hard letting them go, but I'd do better with the CAL for all purposes with the exception of the isolation, which has never been an issue for me. As comfy as the 770 Pros were, they can't touch the CAL in comfort and clarity.

Bah!

Well you know that the 80s can sound muddy with certain games, and the bass can be quite overwhelming as well. Not as bad as the XB700s, but it can get boomy. I wanted more balance.

You need to get into Modding! Well, the bass is still big and a bit boomy... but it's definitely tighter than it used to be.

Will this help my MixAmp when running from PC (via USB Cable)?

absolutely!

except thats terminated with USB-B and not Mini-USB, it will extremely increase the quality of the prints on your inkjet, however.

SWEET! I thought those always lacked the clarity that I was looking for!

Well, since it won't fit my MixAmp... maybe they could re-wire the MixAmp to accept that connection.

I dunno if it's meant to be... but with the recessed mids and decent highs (when called upon)... with the booming bass. The DT770 make a decent movie 'can at night... when you need it quiet. I've listened to a few songs, and it's not bad... but it seems to really shine with movies... especially action movies!

BTW: NetFlix now has HD on PCs.... WOOT!

From memory I didn't care for how distant dialogue sounded with those but YMMV.

It is a little more distant/echo-ey with these headphones... but through the uDac it's not too bad... and it gives it more of a cinema feel.

Update: Ok, these went up on Head-Fi too. DT770 ($140-Shipped), Grados ($120 shipped). So, hopefully soon I can let you know how the A30 performs. If they're decent on the road cans too... I'll probably put the Sennheiser PX200-II up too (yes, I do like them... but I don't see the point of having more than 1 headphone that plays in the same ballpark).

So I just picked up my mail, and the Sansa Fuze arrived, yay. OMG, the Sansa Fuze's ibud style headphones are the bestest evar!!!1!1. Ok, not really. Kinda hard to listen to after listening to the RE0s for so long. Oh well, they'll do on the go in my car until I buy my car cd player with an AUX in front. Haven't used the Fuze yet, since I always charge it first. Saves me money from buying some cheap IEMs...

I picked up the Tritton 720 last night and have to say that it is a very nice set and works wonderfully. The surround sound is awesome and front-back is easy distinguished. The headphones are "rough", meaning the foam around the ears is pretty rough and not soft like other cans. They also lack in deep bass, but highs and mid bass are pretty good right out the box. I have a pair of AD700 and HARX700, will try those tonight. The surround for some reason is a bit better than on my harman kardon with Dolby headphone. Stuff behind me is easier heard, I did try the same Tritton headphones on the receiver. Not sure how well the Astro set up works, but from what I read on here the mix-amp does the same thing but come without headphones, so for 130 this set is a no brainer, plus you can always upgrade to a different set of cans down the road.