Which headphones? K7xx, HD6xx, HD58x, HE4xx, or DT990?

[Ulfrinn]

I've upgraded every other part of my audio with a new hi fi DAC and headphone amp, so it's time for a better set of headphones than my SHP9500s. Primarily for gaming, but also music (metal).

It seems many people agree the K7xx is superb for gaming, and the HD58x dominate for music, but I am trying to figure out which will be better for both uses of the listed headphones. Also, I really like the build quality on the HiFiMans and DT990s, but of course both of these headphones have their flaws as well. The fixed cable on Beyerdynamics (who in their right mind sells $150+ headphones with fixed cables?) and I am not really sure on the topic of planar drivers so I mean leaning more towards the sennheisers or AKG.

[Komrade]

I'd say either DT 990 or 6xx.

[MoonC A T]

Grado Labs

I have Sennheiser and Grado and it's no contest...

I should probably elaborate...
I had the HD598 and ending up giving them to another family member, so bland, lifeless and boring after a while. The Grado SR225e on the other hand, never become boring with distinct ranges and impeccable crispness and much better, tighter controlled bass...

On ear are NOT for everyone though and those not used to wearing them may become irritated.

My $0.02...I know Grado isn't on your list, but you'd be foolish not to at least look.

[Ulfrinn]

Oh I am definitely not going to be considering on-ear. On-ear are very annoying to me. I'd rather use IEMs.

[MoonC A T]

haha...lol...as I said, not for everyone

[Komrade]

Publicado originalmente por BurntByHellfire:

Oh I am definitely not going to be considering on-ear. On-ear are very annoying to me. I'd rather use IEMs.

Yeah, on-ear is really weird to me

[MoonC A T]

I got used to mine after about 10 hours or so. I nearly considered returning them but glad I didn't.

[Ulfrinn]

on ears also generally use smaller drivers which can have a harder time reproducing certain frequencies with better accuracy

[Kaihekoa]

DT 990 600ohms are what I use for open backs, and they are great for multipurpose use if you don't mind a V curve. I'd also recommend checking out Phillip's Fidelio X2 if a detachable cable is a must have for you.

[Ulfrinn]

from what i can tell, the X2s arent that much of an upgrade from what I have now.

[Kaihekoa]

Best way to tell is your own ears with the gear you have and what you'll be listening to. Buy from places that allow for hassle-free returns.

[Talby]

I would go for the K7xx, was checking out the red edition just released - looks amazing, considering it myself...

TL;DR mated my SHP9500s permanently to my Onkyo AVR after I got a set of Samson SR850s, has much more bass response that I highly prefer for gaming and the hingeless AGK clone design much less prone to breakage from accidental dropping or sitting on.

Once I stretched out the metal band for optimal clamp force I also appreciated a perfect fit, compared to the loose fit on the SHP9500s.

[Ulfrinn]

From what I could gather about the K7XX from seeing them compared side by side with the SHP9500s, is they have a tad more bass, and a tad less treble compared to the SHPs.. which isnt a bad thing because the SHPs can be sibilant.. but all around the K7xx has way more clarity, detail, and by far the most sound stage and imaging of anything else listed.. so thats certainly the way i am leaning as well unless i can hear a really good argument in favor of something else

the only downside is that when i decide to go balanced, i will have to rewire them.. but its easy enough to remove the 3-pin XLR connection from the side and replace it with a 4-pin mini-xlr for that purpose.. certainly easier to do that conversion than converting other single-sided cable headphones to balanced. HD58X and HE4XX only need a different cable to balance

it seems to me like the HD58x and K7xx are similar, just the K7xx being $50 more, and $50 better at what it does.. i think that's the route i'll go, and later on i'll also pick up HE4XX which offer better frequency response across the board, and have really good build quality, but dont seem to be as good for gaming.

[Harry Gumdropzap]

k7xx is a great choice for gaming, you can game in any of these and you will be fine really so i would choose one more for music
you probably wouldnt need to do a balanced mod on those headphones unless there is a noticeable amount of interference, i think it will just be a lot of work for 200 dollar headphones

[Ulfrinn]

its not that much work, but i think i will get the K7xx now for gaming, and the hifimans later for music.. the HD58x seems like a decent middle ground for both, but i dont know, i've heard neither it or the hifimans have the kind of sound stage and imaging as the AKGs