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That’s a good point. I’ve been pleased with them, just not the borderline “wall hacks” like some people have claimed
I’ve been incredibly pleased with them for music. I can definitely notice a difference there. It’s mainly just the gaming piece. I don’t feel like I have “wall hacks” like some claim. But I’ll definitely try an amp
Yeah I may have jumped on the bandwagon for beyer just because I see a lot of gamers pushing them. I still need to get an amp to push them to their potential. I also still use a ps5 a good bit alongside PC so I wanted something that could be driven just from a controller
Volume is more than enough for the mkii in my experience so far at least
It’s the mk2 yeah. Debating on whether to get an amp just to see if it’d put out even better sound
The more I use them the more I like them. Incredible for music
I was originally going for that category with the Dt 990 pro, but I bit the bullet and treated myself on the 1990s. The more I use them the more I can tell differences, still better than turtle beach for sure
1990 MK2 is great, 990 Pro X treble is HORRIBLE for games. join the HD 490 gang.
Lots of people hate Beyer Treble. The only Beyers I can handle are the 1990 mk2 and the 1770 mk2
Get him some DT 1990 Pro Mk II and a standalone mic. I prefer the Sennheiser HD 490 pros. They’re pretty affordable.
Sennheiser has good sound quality, however the build quality and materials cannot be considered good, as evidenced by many budget models such as the HD 560S. I've had several Sennheiser headphones, and the plastic was flimsy. I was very careful with them, but I always had the feeling that the plastic could break, so I sold them after a while. Then I decided to try the Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X. They weren't too expensive, and I was pleased with the build quality. They're not light, so some people might find them heavy. They suited me in every way: the sound wasn't dull, but more musical; the build quality and repairability were good; and they were comfortable to wear! After a year and a half of use, I switched to the new DT 1990 PRO MKII, which I do not regret!
Love my DT 770 Pro and DT 1990 Pro MKIIs. 1990s are unbelievably good.
I hear IEMs are something but I’ve never tried. I have the Beyerdynamics DT 1990 Mkii. They are 700$. And are worth every penny. These are the most immersive headphones my ears have ever heard
I too have the 1990 Mkii, I got the pro x cable type-C from Beyerdynamic and I’ve been enjoying it very very much. If anyone has no idea about portable dacs, they should just go for the pro x cable as long as they have a Beyerdynamic headset. I have a protocol max and a SMSL ds20, comparing the pro x cable to those guys… I’m not even joking, pro x cable is definitely enough. And also I’m not sure many people have the money for the 1990 Mkii. I should suggest anyone to buy anything from Beyerdynamic that fits their budget. The 1990 Mkii is excellent but for $700 usd not sure many people can even justify paying that for a headset, I barely justified it myself. The entire time on my way to microcenter I was just questioning myself. Most people merely hear sound as sound. Most people don’t actually like how the 1990 Mkii sound either. People like to party and love bass. Mkii have Bass but if the song doesn’t emphasize bass enough the headphones will follow that, after all these are “studio” headphones, meant to splice samples and mix audio…these aren’t exactly for partying but I sure do party with these anyway. I like my music Loud and strong. The mkii are Very strong And make everything sound as they are supposed to sound. If the artist didn’t emphasize the bass on a specific song you will notice it. Also, I only listen to music on Apple Music with Dolby atmos always on, most people like Spotify instead, YouTube premium doesn’t have an Equalizer so YouTube premium doesn’t sound as spatial.
1. The DAC/Amp. I wouldn't spend more than $300 on an DAC/Amp. The Topping Dx5 ii has everything one could need. 6.4W output (more than enough for every Headphones, measures flat, has Bluetooth and has built in peq. 2. There are so many Headphones out there, to buy the perfect one is not the easiest thing to do. My go to recommendation for a high-end pair of Headphones is the Hifiman Arya stealth (as refurb on hifiman webstore for $480 with the coupon) as it delivers a rather big soundstage, with a lot of details and overall good tuning (as long as you have no issues with a bit more treble but you've tested the Beyer's, therefore the Arya shouldn't be an issue) and with a basshelf (which you can add on the DAC/amp with the built in PEQ feature filter: lsq 130hz, 5db q 0.71) it sounds great. * Sennheiser HD 820 (Closed-Back) ($2,199.95 + $500-2,000 DAC/Amp = $4,199.95) (6-48,000 Hz) Not worth it at that price tag especially as you have to fix a couple of issues with EQ) * Sennheiser HD 800 S (Open-Back) ($1,999.95 + $500-2,000 DAC/Amp = $3,999.95) (4-51,000 Hz) Not worth it imo at that price range. There are better and cheaper options. I had the hd800. * Audio-Technica ADX5000 (Open-Back) ($2,199 + $300-1,000 DAC/Amp = $3,199) (5-50,000 Hz) No idea * Sony MDR-Z1R (Closed-Back) (~~$2,099.99~~ $1,899.99 + $200-500 DAC/Amp = ~~$2,599.99~~ $2,399.99) (4-120,000 Hz) Sounds great but the price is too high) * Beyerdynamic T1 (Open-Back) ($999.99 + $500-1,500 DAC/Amp = $2,499.99) (5-50,000 Hz) Not worth it * Audio-Technica ADX3000 (Open-Back) ($1,099 + $200-500 DAC/Amp = $1,599) (5-45,000 Hz) No idea * Beyerdynamic T5 (Closed-Back) ($999.99 + $150-300 DAC/Amp = $1,299.99) (5-50,000 Hz) No worth it * Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO MKII (Open-Back) ($699.99 + $200-500 DAC/Amp = $1,199.99) (5-40,000 Hz) Good Headphone, does a lot of things right but it's not a big upgrade compared to the mk1. Quite comfortable and well built. * Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO MKII (Closed-Back) (~~$699.99~~ $599.99 + $200-500 DAC/Amp = ~~$1,199.99~~ $1,099.99) (5-40,000 Hz) Do not like this Headphone. * Sennheiser HD 660S2 (Open-Back) (~~$679.95~~ $479.95 + $200-500 DAC/Amp = ~~$1,179.95~~ $979.95) (8-41,500 Hz) Not worth it. It's not a substantial upgrade over the og 600 series even though they ask 2-3x more. Get the 6xx over the 660s2 and add a bit of bass) * Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa (Open-Back) ($379 + $300-800 DAC/Amp = $1,179) (5-40,000 Hz) Haven't listened to it. * Sennheiser HD 650 (Open-Back) (~~$579.95~~ $349.95 + $200-500 DAC/Amp = ~~$1,079.95~~ $849.95) (10-39,500 Hz) (Artist Favorite) Warmer 6xx. * Sennheiser HD 600 (Open-Back) (~~$499.95~~ $299.95 + $200-500 DAC/Amp = ~~$999.95~~ $799.95) (12-39,500 Hz) Good Natural sounding Headphone but not exciting. Not for me. * Beyerdynamic DT 880 PRO (Semi-Open-Back) (~~$219.99~~ $209.99 + $200-500 DAC/Amp = ~~$719.99~~ $709.99) (5-35,000 Hz) The best Beyer out of the 700,800 and 900 series imo. The most balanced and still fun * Sennheiser HD 620S (Closed-Back) ($399.95 + $100-300 DAC/Amp = $699.95) (6-30,000 Hz) Decent closedback HP. In many ways better than the hd820 but not as resolving. * Audio-Technica ATH-WP900 (Closed-Back) ($699) (5-50,000 Hz) No idea * Sennheiser HD 490 PRO (Open-Back) ($399 + $100-200 DAC/Amp = $599) (5-36,000 Hz) The best Sennheiser Headphone at the moment. Great comfort and well tuned. Good Allrounder. * Sennheiser HD 560S (Open-Back) ($279.95 + $100-300 DAC/Amp = $579.95) (6-38,000 Hz) As refurbished available for $130 on their outlet. Good value. Does a lot of things right. Not the most comfortable (the 490 pro is a straight upgrade) but really good at that price tag. * Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO X (Open-Back) ($229.99 + $100-200 DAC/Amp = $429.99) (5-40,000 Hz) Not great. I would pick the 900 pro x over the 990 pro x. * Sony MDR-MV1 (Open-Back) ($419.99) (5-80,000 Hz) Haven't listened to it. * Sennheiser HD 505 Copper (Open-Back) ($329.95) (12-38,500 Hz) Seems to be liked by a lot of people but havent listenes to it. * Audio-Technica ATH-M70x (Closed-Back) ($329) (5-40,000 Hz) No idea * Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X (Closed-Back) ($319.99) (5-40,000 Hz) Great comfort, not that well tuned. Better than the 770 though. * Sony MDR-M1 (Closed-Back) ($269.99) (5-80,000 Hz) Haven't listened to them * Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X (Open-Back) (~~$319.99~~ $239) (5-40,000 Hz) Second best 700,800,900 tuned Headphone imo. * Sennheiser HD 599 (Open-Back) ($239.95) (12-38,500 Hz) Not good at that price tag. For und 100 it's okay. * Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO X (Closed-Back) ($229.99) (5-40,000 Hz) (Descendent of Artist Favorite DT 770) Terrible imo. Especially the og. Didn't like it. * Sennheiser HD 300 PRO (Closed-Back) ($199.95) (6-25,000 Hz) No idea * Sennheiser HD 569 (Closed-Back) ($179.95) (10-45,000 Hz) Not worth it * Audio-Technica ATH-R50x (Open-Back) ($169) (5-40,000 Hz) Haven't listened to it. * Audio-Technica ATH-M50x (Closed-Back) ($159) (15-28,000 Hz) (Artist Favorite) It's meh. * Audio-Technica ATH-M40x (Closed-Back) ($109) (15-24,000 Hz) It's meh Some other Headphones you can look in to Sub $300: Aune ar5000, fiio ft1 (pro) and Sennheiser HD6xx Sub $600: Hifiman Arya stealth, Hifiman Ananda unveiled, Hifiman XV and DCA aoen x closed, Audeze ls20 Sub $1000: Hifiman He600, Arya organic, Meze 109 Pro and Hifiman Stealth He1000Se I wouldn't recommend spending more than 1k on a Headphone. That my opinion.
They are at the top top of your budget but you may be able to afford Beyerdynamics DT 1770 or 1990 pro. Good build, detachable cable, better than the 770 or 990. I would check the frequency response of the headphones, my 770 have a big dip in mids and that is not suited to the type of music I listen to. I had the occasion to directly compare my 770 to a 1990 mk2 this week, the 1990 is objectively better but not by a huge margin, so you would be fine with a 770 or 990. There are "pro x" versions of these headphones that are different mostly by the cable being dettachable, which is really nice
They are at the top top of your budget but you may be able to afford Beyerdynamics DT 1770 or 1990 pro. Good build, detachable cable, better than the 770 or 990. I would check the frequency response of the headphones, my 770 have a big dip in mids and that is not suited to the type of music I listen to. I had the occasion to directly compare my 770 to a 1990 mk2 this week, the 1990 is objectively better but not by a huge margin, so you would be fine with a 770 or 990. There are "pro x" versions of these headphones that are different mostly by the cable being dettachable, which is really nice
I recently came from a set of turtle beach stealth pro gaming headset, and like you wanted to try the headphone route. I did a massive amount of research on what headphones are good for gaming and also decent for music listening. After all the research bayerdynamic was constantly getting mentioned and recommended (dt900 pro x, dt 1990 pro mk 2) I initially went with the cheaper option, the dt 900 pro x and instantly could see the improvement in sound quality and most importantly for gaming a wider sound stage, plus the comfort on these things are amazing! I then thought id give the dt 1990 pro mk 2 a try as there a higher model and cost more so they must be better right? Lol Got them home and tried them out back to back for hours with games and music but to be honest as much as I wanted to like the 1990 pro mk2 I just wasn't a fan and actually found the dt900 pro x to be better and they cost me more than half the price so a win I guess. Anyway id definitely recommend you try the dt900 pro x even if it's from amazon where it's easy returns. There amazingly comfy and sound great I can easily wear them all day. I'm by no mean an audiophile or audio exert but to me they sounded great and definitely a better buy than the £300+ turtle beach headset. Edit: also forgot to mention the build quality seems really good in my opinion i can't see there being any issues.
Rankings by Use Case
Top recommendations from others in the same boat
Best for Audiophile music listening

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Sennheiser - HD 6XX
Best for Bass-heavy music

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Sennheiser - MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
Best for Competitive FPS gaming

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Sennheiser - HD 560S
Best for Guitar practice

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Sony - MDR-7506
Best for Long-haul flights

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Sony - WH-1000XM4
Best for Marathon gaming sessions

Top pick
Sennheiser - HD 560S





