Beyerdynamic - DT 1770 PRO

Depends how loud your keyboard is tbh. Closed backs for gaming are a lot better on PC. I had 1770 Pros for gaming/mixing before but there was a huge discount on 1990 Pros and the 1770 Pros had way too much bass for mastering I so went for those and gave the 1770 pros to my wife. I had to buy new keyboard because I had MX blues and gaming was horrible on open backs and loud switches. I still kinda prefer the 1770 for gaming tbh as they isolate better. For mixing and mastering the 1990 pros are perfect and for gaming as well after getting silent switches. But for budget I would go with DT 770 Pro 250Ohm and pair them with ifi zen dac v2. I made testing with 1770 Pros and 770 Pros on ifi zen dac V2 and the difference wasnt that huge I was expecting (the 770 were decade old lol). https://youtu.be/5nQ4Za2Qd6U?si=xCDnnywE-Gdw9lgS When it comes to gaming they are really good. I used to play a lot of competitive fps before (OW1, Cod, CS) and all games I played I reached top 1% so no complaining.

There is no best, it's subjective. Though I would generally prefer open-backs over closed backs, especially when you're just using them in your chair and not a noisy environment. "Audiophile grade" is also not a clearly defined term. There are a lot of good options available for under 1000$, I would recommend ordering a few different pairs and comparing them. Like, as far as open-backs are concerned, get a Hifiman Arya, Sennheiser HD 6XX and maybe a Beyerdynamic DT1990 (note that there's two versions, you can get some great deals on the older MK1 but it has a very spicy treble). If you really need/want something closed, your options will be more limited, you could try a Senny HD620 and Beyer DT1770. Personally, I think the AKG K702 (open) for 180 USD is an incredible deal, but some don't like the mid-heavy sound. And there's no doubt there are better headphones to be had for three or four times the price, but they won't really sound three of four times better, and whether it's worth it spending so much is up to you.

(Beyond that suggestion; generally people making music want headphones that are more "objectivist" in nature; i.e. that present the sound as it was recorded rather than coloring it. Generally, Sennheisers have a warmer than neutral sound. I love that tuning (as to a lot of people!) but it may or not be his cup of tea. Beyerdynamic makes a closed back (DT 1770) and an open-back (DT 1990) that are well-regarded for music production and mastering, but may be less pleasant for just listening to music.)

The 770's aren't "veiled", they just don't push the highs as much as other Beyers (like the 880) or especially the Sony's. They are pretty clear. That being said, if you want a comfortable closed-back that is more "pure-sounding", the DT-1770 - not 770, 1770 - is far better. It is just expensive. That's what I use for my personal closed-back in the studio, though I put 770's (or 700 Pros) on the other stations for clients. Open-backs are both more accurate and more comfortable, on average, but also don't work so great for a lot of environments. When I was stuck in an apartment mixing for a couple of years I went *deep* into getting a "good enough" headphone setup - tried a bunch, including $$$ options - and settled on Sennheiser HD-800's with a Lake People amp and some virtualization options as the best compromise. The 600's are almost as good, the 800's just get you a bit more comfort and a fair amount more detail at the cost of being expensive and harder to drive well. Headphones will ALWAYS be a compromise, but some are better than others at certain things. FWIW I use 1770's and HD-800 still, and I could afford most things (not a true Stax setup or something, just not worth the expense).

My personal fav closed back right now is the Sony mdr m1. Fits all your criteria except maybe feeling premium. They are well built and super comfy but don’t feel super preem. Awesome bass and sound sig for rock and metal because the highs are very non fatiguing you will have a lot of fun and they play loud. The audeze lcd s20 fits your bill in every way except it’s got cables to each ear. For gaming focus and still good for music and wireless the audeze Maxwell works. The beyer dt700 pro and the 1770 are solid options. Try both see what you prefer.

I dont think your experience was too unique or out of place. Similarly, I have had DT770, DT1770, and now DT700 pro-x. I started with DT770 which are great for what they are. I had an opportunity to buy a used DT1770 at a great price so I did. I went into it knowing that they were similar products in the same family line. They weren't drastically better but they were better. Nothing that would wow anyone, because they are so deliberately similar. There is a market of people willing to pay more for higher build quality, heftier feel, small incremental improvements, higher bragging rights, and that is fine. Its important to go into it with reasonable expectations. In the end, I've sold both DT770 and DT1770, but did find a good deal on DT700 pro-x. I think that having several different headphones is important. Specifically open back vs closed. On an almost daily basis I have need for both open and closed back and I can't imagine not being able to switch back and forth as needed. I have high-end sets, and moderately priced, and it is the cheaper cheaper sets that get used the most. I would always recommend some diversity in headphones before going all in to something higher-tier. I think sub $200 and just above $200 across brands is a really strong sweetspot for value. I've been at this for a pretty long time and I would deffinitely recommend for most to play near that $200 range for a while before going for $400, $600 or similar. The differences between $200 and $400 within a same product line and brand are often not as great as going between brands and product lines in the same $200ish bracket.

"gaming" audio equipment is always mediocre. Studio headphones like this are the way to go. I have the DT 1770 Pros from BD. they rock. and are great for making music. FYI I got mine for about $250 on ebay, used. Pristine condition. They are $800 or so new, so definitely check Ebay to be able to get higher quality used gear within your lower budget the kind of people that tend to buy more expensive studio quality gear tend to take great care of their stuff

I've had my DT 1770s for about 2.5 months and today just noticed this crack. I don't know when or how it happened; they haven't been dropped, yanked, twisted, ripped off, or pulled on/off. I've stopped using them, set them in their case for now, but I was really hoping these would last me at least a few years. Is this something I can fix on my own? It's outside the return window, but could this be covered under warranty (in Canada)? https://preview.redd.it/zdnpc181m0nf1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fd8f512c2a482e143c674aa9b66f0162911b49fc

I did not here the DT 700 but the DT 900, DT 1770, 1990 and T1. The DT 1770 has emphazised lows and highs. Voices were faint and it was quite sibilant. Way preferred the DT 1990 out of all of them but finally settled with a Focal can. I always wondered why the DT 700 is traded as studio can because of the sounding.

Wireless Sony 1000xm5 - best noise cancellation with balanced sound signature Bower and Wilkins px7 - great sound signature, has noise cancallation. Con = headband is very stiff. If you have glasses, I advise against it. Wired + amp HD6XX - end game imo, but is open back. Best sound quality imo DT770 and/or 1770 - closed back, great sound signature leaning more bass imo Prices have gone up. But there are sales now and then where you may find them below $300. Note, the wired recommendations will require an amp (not factored into the cost).