12 replies to this topic

[Shoitaan]

Hello

I normally use generic logitech stereo speakers but recently tried wearing earphones so my girlfriend could work in peace. It was like discovering a new world in GW2. I never realised how many subtle sounds there were in the game. And the music sounded much better than when being driven by my crappy speakers.

I have a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7's and they've serviced me amazingly for years but now that I'm pretty sure that the sound volume is lower in one earphone than the other (and I spilt a lot of tea on it earlier this week), it may be time for an upgrade.

I'm open to suggestion but, for the most part I'm trying to decide between the Audio Technica ATH-AD900 and the AKG K242HD. Both are much pricier than my ANC7's so I'm still not 100% confident that I'll go through with it but that's the way I'm leaning right now.

I plan on using the headphones with MP3 players, tablets and I travel internationally a bit so I'm not keen on picking up "PC headsets" - especially as I already have a mic with my webcam that services my VOIP needs just fine.


So yes, does anyone have any experience with either of the headphones I mentioned or can recommend something along my usage reqs?

Thanks

[Makz]

Hi,

Can recommend using a steelseries siberia v2 headset. It has a built in mic which can be pulled in and out so you can also use it as a normal headphone for your MP3 player.

Check it out if you like:

http://steelseries.c...ries-siberia-v2

Makz

[jesh]

Out of the two you listed, I'd go with the AD900s. I love Audio Technica's liquid mids and accurate, warm bass. The AKG has a different sound. This is a quote from head fi in reference to the 242:

Quote

I'd say that they sounded a bit "veiled", actually. It's more noticeable listening to classical music and pretty much anything with a large amount of treble in it.

Simply put, it sounds as if you're listening to music with a thin sackcloth pulled over your head, which is a bit at odds with the amount of detail that these cans present. The bass is a bit disappointing,being somewhat muddy (I was actually surprised at that), but a bit of subtle EQ-ing fixed most of my major qualms with regard to the headphones' SQ; cut down on the mid bass and push the treble through the roof (not really), and they sound brilliant.

[eggrolls]

Depending on how far away you are from your girlfriend and the volume you listen at, you might want to get a pair of closed headphones (such as A700 or A900) to prevent sound leaking out too much. If you plan to use these on a plane, I'd definitely get some noise cancelling headphones.

[Sieran]

AT makes nice headphones. The only pair of AKG's I've owned (K81DJ) died about a week after purchase, but I know others who like them a lot.

I've been playing on Superlux 668B's, which are amazing. But as poster above me noted, depending on your circumstances might want to get closed. These are semi-open.

[Shoitaan]

Hmm.. thanks for the feedback folks.

@Makz: I'm less inclined to get headphones with inbuilt mics as I'd be paying extra for something I don't have a use for, but I will keep that on in mind,

Thanks to the rest of you three for the feedback. I think I'm 80% leaning towards the AT's now (still need to justify the upgrade cost to myself). I'm thinking the AD900's for GW2/MP3 player at home and at work and my old AT NC7 can stay stashed somewhere for travelling or avoiding g/f aggro.

Thanks guys.

[Angle of Deth]

I just bought a pair of Klipsch headphones. They are wonderful. Amazon recently had them about 30% off. I don't know if they're still on sale or not.

There are things in the game that I'd never heard before. The underwater parts are amazing!

[Treble]

I'm not a fan of Audio Technica's warm bass signature.

Might I suggest Beyerdynamic? The DT 770 Pro 80 is one amazing piece of hardware. Or the DT 880 if you don't mind carrying around an amp.

AKG's have pretty wide soundstages for gaming. They're really nice, but the trebles on their cans tend to be a little shrill.

Edited by Treble, 11 September 2012 - 03:49 AM.

[Shoitaan]

Treble, on 11 September 2012 - 03:48 AM, said:

I'm not a fan of Audio Technica's warm bass signature.

Might I suggest Beyerdynamic? The DT 770 Pro 80 is one amazing piece of hardware. Or the DT 880 if you don't mind carrying around an amp.

AKG's have pretty wide soundstages for gaming. They're really nice, but the trebles on their cans tend to be a little shrill.

You're the first person I encountered that didn't like AT!! =O

I'm open to all suggestions and have been checking out the other recommendations. I just looked up the DT770's on the website of my preferred Australian headphone retailer and it lists both models as needing amplification. Amp use is a no from me as these headphones also have to serve my MP3 player at work/during travel etc. I did consider the Beyerdynamic DT250 (80ohm version) but it's $50 over the maximum price I set for myself. The one that appears in my price spectrum and comes with a recommendation from the aussie guys is the T50p. No idea how the sound stage is for games though. Any clues?

[Treble]

Shoitaan, on 11 September 2012 - 04:00 AM, said:

You're the first person I encountered that didn't like AT!! =O

I'm open to all suggestions and have been checking out the other recommendations. I just looked up the DT770's on the website of my preferred Australian headphone retailer and it lists both models as needing amplification. Amp use is a no from me as these headphones also have to serve my MP3 player at work/during travel etc. I did consider the Beyerdynamic DT250 (80ohm version) but it's $50 over the maximum price I set for myself. The one that appears in my price spectrum and comes with a recommendation from the aussie guys is the T50p. No idea how the sound stage is for games though. Any clues?

Haha. The AD900's have a really nice soundstage -- probably the best I've heard next to the AKG K701's -- but it all sounds very thin. The bass is just not there, so the immersion factor is nonexistent for me. I had the same issue with the AD700's. But then again, it's all subjective so I always recommend to head to your local Guitar Center or Sam Ash or whatever other music store in your area and try them out.

I have no experience with the T50p, but I hear they've got the typical Beyer sound signature and are comparable with Bower & Wilkins P5. I tried the P5's briefly and they were very good, but I'm not sure if they were worth the price. A little bit of distortion at higher volumes, but that's not to say the same problem occurs with the Beyers.

But ahh, I really wish you could try the DT770's! You'd fall in love with them!

[Shoitaan]

After a lot of researching, mulling over and discovering an outstanding deal on Amazon, I've gone with the Audio-Technica ATH-ESW9A. I figure the almost fanatically positive reviews, the wood based acoustic reproduction and that GW2 causes Jeremy Soule's classical masterpieces to make sweet love to my ears meant that these were the ideal choice.

Plus as I said, I found em on Amazon for an amazing price. $100 less than how much other places were charging. Fingers crossed they turn out genuine (I'm always deeply suspicious of good deals). Amazon has a good return policy so it shouldn't be a huge issue if things go sour... hopefully >_>

Thanks for the assist folks! Will post here when I have them to give thoughts.

[chinmi]

i have been using the plantronic gamecom 780 7.1 surround sound headset, and it works wonderfull with gw2 so far...

[jesh]

Wow, 199. That is a good price. I look forward to your update on how they sound.  =)
These are what I personally use and love them to death.
Fischer Audio FA-011