Headphones & Audio Devices

Hekotat · Jul 3, 2018

brekk said:
If you want to carry it around like a boombox I wouldn't go for paper cones. Plastic cone will be more resilient to the environment.

It's not really going to be portable, more of a nice looking desk unit.

ronne · Jul 4, 2018

So are there any USB-C headphones, or bluetooth headphones I guess, that don't suck yet? I'm looking at a new phone here in the near future and the selection that still has a headphone jack is uhhh, lacking.

DirkDonkeyroot · Jul 5, 2018

ronne said:
So are there any USB-C headphones, or bluetooth headphones I guess, that don't suck yet? I'm looking at a new phone here in the near future and the selection that still has a headphone jack is uhhh, lacking.

Not really, supposedly Xiaomi makes some USB-C noise canceling earbuds but I can't find any information on them. Bluetooth will be trash until they start using the new standards but I'm guessing that will dramatically lower battery life on the device.

3301 · Jul 5, 2018

Been using these while cutting grass or listening to brain.fm at night. They are acceptable for the price.

SENSO Bluetooth Wireless Headphones,... Amazon product ASIN B0792QJQT1

Nola · Jul 7, 2018

I should of jumped on the 650s when massdrop had them for $200. But impatient me didn't want to wait until September to get a pair. Guess I'll try again when they are on massdrop.

Kais · Jul 7, 2018

Keep checking. It's popped up twice since i ordered mine.

Nola · Jul 16, 2018

Kais said:
Keep checking. It's popped up twice since i ordered mine.

I happened to take a look at massdrop today and saw them up again. Quickly grabbed a pair but they won't be shipped until late September. I can't wait to try them to see what's the big deal. Now I need a good DAC. Anyone have have the Sennheiser GSX 1200?

Brahma · Jul 16, 2018

Nola said:
I happened to take a look at massdrop today and saw them up again. Quickly grabbed a pair but they won't be shipped until late September. I can't wait to try them to see what's the big deal. Now I need a good DAC. Anyone have have the Sennheiser GSX 1200?

I had it. Returned it. Was OK.

Get the Modi 2 and the Magni 3.

Schiit Audio, Headphone amps and DACs made in USA.
Schiit Audio, Headphone amps and DACs made in USA.

Nola · Jul 17, 2018

Brahma said:
I had it. Returned it. Was OK.

Get the Modi 2 and the Magni 3.

Schiit Audio, Headphone amps and DACs made in USA.
Schiit Audio, Headphone amps and DACs made in USA.

How do you hook them up to your PC? USB, analog or digital? I have no freaking idea what to do with them let alone hooking them up. I've always used onboard sound.

Hatorade · Jul 17, 2018

Huge fan of he Astro 40 headset, can get a bundle here for cheaper than just the headset is normally. Amazon product ASIN B01G3WBCTG 129.99

Brahma · Jul 17, 2018

Nola said:
How do you hook them up to your PC? USB, analog or digital? I have no freaking idea what to do with them let alone hooking them up. I've always used onboard sound.

Plug the USB to the PC from the DAC. The DAC plugs into the headphone amp. Your headphones plug into the amp. Windows recognizes the DAC as an audio device. I use the Razer surround software. Simple and sounds great. In Windows you choose the Razer Surround Audio Controller as your default device. In the Razer software you chose that DAC (in the screenshot below the MODI Device) as your audio interface. You now have the clean sound of an external DAC/AMP/Headphones...with the features of the Razer software. EQ, Surround etc.

You mentioned you want to see what all the hype about the HD6xx headphones are about. You're basically getting some 500 dollar headphones for 200 bucks. They are worth 500 bucks IMO, so at 200 that is a crazy value. The sound from onboard is OK..a 4 or 5 in sound quality? These headphones and amp/dac/software bring you to a comparative 9. 10 would be some HD800's or something.

Nola · Jul 17, 2018

Hatorade said:
Huge fan of he Astro 40 headset, can get a bundle here for cheaper than just the headset is normally. Amazon product ASIN B01G3WBCTG 129.99

I was using a pair of Astro A50 wireless for my PS4 on my PC and I'm going to put it back on my PS4. They are very comfortable, sound good but charging them can be very tricky. If they are not perfectly placed within the charging dock they will not charge. There has been plenty of times I put on a dead headset. Plus I want something wired since I rearranged my gaming area so I don't have to worry about charging. Also with my Astro A50 headphones I can't charge and play which that sucks.

Brahma said:
Plug the USB to the PC from the DAC. The DAC plugs into the headphone amp. Your headphones plug into the amp. Windows recognizes the DAC as an audio device. I use the Razer surround software. Simple and sounds great. In Windows you choose the Razer Surround Audio Controller as your default device. In the Razer software you chose that DAC (in the screenshot below the MODI Device) as your audio interface. You now have the clean sound of an external DAC/AMP/Headphones...with the features of the Razer software. EQ, Surround etc.

You mentioned you want to see what all the hype about the HD6xx headphones are about. You're basically getting some 500 dollar headphones for 200 bucks. They are worth 500 bucks IMO, so at 200 that is a crazy value. The sound from onboard is OK..a 4 or 5 in sound quality? These headphones and amp/dac/software bring you to a comparative 9. 10 would be some HD800's or something.View attachment 170582

Okay should I keep the free version of Razer surround audio controller or pay the $20 bucks for the pro version? I hate Razer hardware and I never really used any of their software. I'm currently using my old Sennheiser HD558 with the Razer software and it does really sound good. My only issue with them they are not the most comfortable headphones and I can't wear for them for long periods. I tried on the 600s at Bestbuy and they were very comfortable. So I'm guessing with the preamp and DAC along with the Sennheiser 6XX I should be in audio heaven.

Brahma · Jul 17, 2018

Nola said:
I was using a pair of Astro A50 wireless for my PS4 on my PC and I'm going to put it back on my PS4. They are very comfortable, sound good but charging them can be very tricky. If they are not perfectly placed within the charging dock they will not charge. There has been plenty of times I put on a dead headset. Plus I want something wired since I rearranged my gaming area so I don't have to worry about charging. Also with my Astro A50 headphones I can't charge and play which that sucks.

Okay should I keep the free version of Razer surround audio controller or pay the $20 bucks for the pro version? I hate Razer hardware and I never really used any of their software. I'm currently using my old Sennheiser HD558 with the Razer software and it does really sound good. My only issue with them they are not the most comfortable headphones and I can't wear for them for long periods. I tried on the 600s at Bestbuy and they were very comfortable. So I'm guessing with the preamp and DAC along with the Sennheiser 6XX I should be in audio heaven.

20 bucks...get a couple extra features. Just buy it. Especially if you like the sound. I snagged it because I have a few EQ profiles depending on the music.

The bass boost is OK. I do use it gaming. The "stereo enhancement" is a slight reverb. I leave it off.

The HD6xx will give you better highs. Better mids. Bass is about the same. If the HD558's are a 6/10. The HD6xx are about an 8.

I never used the Astro A50, so I can't compare.

You really want that Schiit stack though. The quality and cost is tough to beat.

The Sennheiser GSX 1000 sounds damn near the same as Schiit stack in case you were wondering. The GSX 1000 was about convenience if you have desktop speakers and headphones, and swap a lot between the two. I rarely use my speakers (plus I have a ZXR soundcard), so I returned it.

The GSX 1200 just so you know is exactly the same as the GSX 1000. The GSX 1200 just lets you daisy chain the units for voice.

Nola · Jul 17, 2018

Brahma said:
20 bucks...get a couple extra features. Just buy it. Especially if you like the sound. I snagged it because I have a few EQ profiles depending on the music.

The bass boost is OK. I do use it gaming. The "stereo enhancement" is a slight reverb. I leave it off.

The HD6xx will give you better highs. Better mids. Bass is about the same. If the HD558's are a 6/10. The HD6xx are about an 8.

I never used the Astro A50, so I can't compare.

You really want that Schiit stack though. The quality and cost is tough to beat.

The Sennheiser GSX 1000 sounds damn near the same as Schiit stack in case you were wondering. The GSX 1000 was about convenience if you have desktop speakers and headphones, and swap a lot between the two. I rarely use my speakers (plus I have a ZXR soundcard), so I returned it.

The GSX 1200 just so you know is exactly the same as the GSX 1000. The GSX 1200 just lets you daisy chain the units for voice.

Okay I'll grab the Razer software and plus it's only 20 bucks. Man I haven't used speakers in YEARS especially now I have kids. I put on my headphones so I can block them out when they are acting crazy and yelling/running around the house like they lost their damn minds. Plus with headphones I can't disturb anyone during late night gaming. I went with the Schiit combo and I still came out cheaper than the GXS even with 2 day shipping.

Hekotat · Jul 18, 2018

Brahma

I need some validity of the awesomeness and street cred of these headphones.

HiFiMan HE-560 V2 Planar Magnetic Headphones $300 + Free Shipping

Brahma · Jul 18, 2018

Hekotat said:
Brahma

I need some validity of the awesomeness and street cred of these headphones.

HiFiMan HE-560 V2 Planar Magnetic Headphones $300 + Free Shipping

Holy shit! Buy those NOW. Those refurbs or something?

You WILL need a pretty good amp. Also I owned this HE5LE's for a couple years. All the HiFiman headphones have a huge flaw. Where the cable taps into the headphone, that area will crack and have static after a couple years. They are huge headphones. Cover the whole side of your head. They are BETTER than the HD800's IMO as far as sound quality goes. I really think that.

Get those. Just be careful with the cables.

EDIT!: Fuck that! Bought some!

Brahma · Jul 18, 2018

Nola said:
I happened to take a look at massdrop today and saw them up again. Quickly grabbed a pair but they won't be shipped until late September. I can't wait to try them to see what's the big deal. Now I need a good DAC. Anyone have have the Sennheiser GSX 1200?

Cancel the HD6xx headphones man. Get the ones Hekotat linked! You absolutely will not find a better headphone for that price!

HiFiMan HE-560 V2 Planar Magnetic Headphones $300 + Free Shipping

Hekotat · Jul 18, 2018

Brahma said:
Holy shit! Buy those NOW. Those refurbs or something?

You WILL need a pretty good amp. Also I owned this HE5LE's for a couple years. All the HiFiman headphones have a huge flaw. Where the cable taps into the headphone, that area will crack and have static after a couple years. They are huge headphones. Cover the whole side of your head. They are BETTER than the HD800's IMO as far as sound quality goes. I really think that.

Get those. Just be careful with the cables.

EDIT!: Fuck that! Bought some!

I thought a 700 dollar price drop was pretty insane, I wanted to see if they were legit or something to scoff at.

I may get a set, however, I may just keep that cash for my PC upgrade this winter.

Synj · Jul 19, 2018

Hekotat said:
I thought a 700 dollar price drop was pretty insane, I wanted to see if they were legit or something to scoff at.

I may get a set, however, I may just keep that cash for my PC upgrade this winter.

Lol, asked the man his thoughts and then he’s the one that ended up buying them.

That’s some funny shit.

Nola · Jul 19, 2018

Those headphones are freaking HUGE. Will the Modi2 strong enough to power these headphones? Thinking about getting a pair myself.

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