The All Purpose Advice Thread

Discussion in 'Advice Threads' started by purr1n, Sep 26, 2015.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. OldDude04

    OldDude04 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    May 17, 2018
    Likes Received:
    1,452
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    United States
    If you'd like to introduce him to decent headphones he can game with under $100, you could try the combo I use for gaming. The Philips SHP500 headphones which Amazon currently has on sale for $59.99, and the V-Moda BoomPro Mic which sells for $29.98. Really good entry level headphone that works great for gaming with the BoomPro mic, $10 under your budget.
     
  2. Baten

    Baten Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2018
    Likes Received:
    1,130
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    EU
    Yep that's the best advice. Either these or the Fidelio X2 which are supposedly slightly higher fidelity than the SHP500 (and bassier) + a ModMic is the best audiophile/gamer starter kit (imo).
     
  3. jlucas

    jlucas Acquaintance

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2018
    Likes Received:
    36
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Central Ohio
    Any comparison of those two to the Sennheisers PC37x?
     
  4. OldDude04

    OldDude04 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    May 17, 2018
    Likes Received:
    1,452
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    United States
    I've not heard the PC37x, but this FR turns me off a bit. Seems to me like it would sound bloated in the mid bass.

    Sennheiser-PC37X-FR-chart-1200x788.png
     
  5. Serious

    Serious Inquisitive Frequency Response Plot

    Pyrate BWC MZR
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,594
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    near Munich, Germany
    Looking for a decent cheap mic pre (with phantom supply) with A/D that I will mainly use as a mic preamp and for some light measurements now that my Terratec DMX6Fire USB died.* It seems the two main candidates are the Focusrite 2i2 and the Steinberg UR22mk2/UR22C. I want as high a SNR as possible, since I want to be as open to upgrading my mic in the future as possible. (I've been eyeing the Lewitt LCT 550/ LCT 540S for a while now and it seems they can be had for cheaper now.) The Focusrite seems to have better SNR specs (rated at 111 vs 101 dBA), but the Steinberg has a bit more mic gain (60 vs 56 dB).
    Another option could be a Schiit Jil (if I can find one) and a cheap mic pre, possibly DIY. Not sure how I feel about that, but that way I might be able to get better measurements. What do you think?

    I'll also most likely use it as a mic input for my WM-61A that I like to use when I want a higher SNR form an omni mic than my UMIK-1 offers. For now I have a cheapo 16mm electret Neewer NW-800 as a mic because I wanted a cardioid mic with decent FR and decent SNR. The mic is used for when I want a higher SNR for my measurements than my UMIK or WM-61A provides and when I play video games with friends. I also have an SM58 that I want the high mic gain for.
    For now I don't really care about the sound so much, I care mostly about the measurements, since this serves as measurement gear more than anything else. This is why I'm tending towards the Focusrite, but not sure how comparable the measurements are. Are there other options I've missed in the ca sub 200€ price range?

    EDIT: There's not really a reason for me to go for a 2 input device, but the price premium also isn't huge. Something like the Focusrite Scarlett Solo might make more sense for me, though. I also really have no clue about older options you can get on the used market. What I dislike about the Focusrite stuff is that it's red. Would prefer a black device.

    *I was hoping it would be two bulging caps, but I replaced those and it's still dead. Also tested the PSU and that still works fine. The software was a PITA to use anyway, especially under Windows 10, so I don't feel too bad about replacing it.
     
    Last edited: Dec 3, 2019
  6. mitochondrium

    mitochondrium Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,115
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    A Cell
  7. LetMeBeFrank

    LetMeBeFrank Won't tell anyone my name is actually Francis

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2017
    Likes Received:
    3,758
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Jackson, Mi
    I have both the 37x and the 9500, and the 9500s sound better in pretty much every way, and they are way more comfortable. Although I have a huge head, so if they have a small head the 9500 might be too big/loose.
     
  8. jlucas

    jlucas Acquaintance

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2018
    Likes Received:
    36
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Central Ohio
    9500 what?
     
  9. RedFuneral

    RedFuneral Facebook Friend

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    Likes Received:
    213
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    CT, USA
    The pressure is a going point, I've been using a HMD as a monitor replacement and it quickens the rate of fatigue.

    Are there any outs for the resonance issues? Materials, huge cups, etc? I've thought of just buying headphones with more of a V curve to reduce the volume in the problem range.
     
  10. LetMeBeFrank

    LetMeBeFrank Won't tell anyone my name is actually Francis

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2017
    Likes Received:
    3,758
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Jackson, Mi
    The SHP9500s that @OldDude04 recommended to go with the VModa boom pro mic
     
  11. RedFuneral

    RedFuneral Facebook Friend

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    Likes Received:
    213
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    CT, USA
    The most important thing for competitive gaming is virtual surround. I've used a Grado of all things for gaming and it's actually pretty great for gaming with the right software behind it. Probably the right target soundwise: low bass, sharp, directional, strong upper mids where gunshots/footsteps play. Cheap IEMs work for the same reasons.

    So my recommendation is to focus on getting a soundcard(internal or external) with Dolby headphones or equivalent.
     
  12. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    7,467
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Winnipeg
    I remember years ago the Audio Technica ATH-AD700 was a solid recommendation for budget gaming since it had super open and exaggerated staging. I imagine the latest generation isn't too far off base from that.
     
  13. bilboda

    bilboda Florida boomer

    Pyrate Banned
    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2016
    Likes Received:
    834
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Miama
    shameless plug for Laconic Night Blues mini in the for sale section. Zampotech has some new wizardry coming soon for this amp, a tube replacement device along the lines of the schitt liist...
     
  14. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2018
    Likes Received:
    10,517
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Palms Of The Coasts, FL
    Thanks for the offer but I'll pass. I made the decision that at this time I'll deal with IEMs and DAPs.
     
  15. RedFuneral

    RedFuneral Facebook Friend

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    Likes Received:
    213
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    CT, USA
    I disagree with the AD series being good gaming phones, it's one of those Head-Fi/Reddit bits of conventional wisdom that I followed and ended up disappointed.

    I used to have the AD900 & while it stages large it congests with busier audio(gaming) or when it's asked to play bass. Its probably the worst headphone I've owned for imaging.
     
  16. animus

    animus Almost "Made"

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2019
    Likes Received:
    561
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    N/A
    Looking for a desktop DAC and amp, need some recommendations. It will likely be paired with the HEDDphone when it releases (heard the final prototype at Canjam Shanghai and was smitten), though if the production model goes south I may go with an Elex or Utopia instead. For reference my current portable setup is the Sony WM1A into the IER-Z1R. I value bass slam, strong dynamics, holographic imaging and the slightest bit of midrange warmth to keep things from going sterile. Any suggestions?
     
  17. Zhanming057

    Zhanming057 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2018
    Likes Received:
    1,033
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    NYC
    Budget? Size restrictions?
     
  18. animus

    animus Almost "Made"

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2019
    Likes Received:
    561
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    N/A
    A grand for each component I suppose. Don’t mind stretching a little if it’s good but $2k or more is a no go. No real size restrictions, hit me with the best.
     
  19. Zhanming057

    Zhanming057 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2018
    Likes Received:
    1,033
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    NYC
    You might be able to find a used Yggdrasil+Rag combo for about $2k total or a bit more.

    As an altenative on the DAC side, I'm partial to the Crane Song Solaris. The headphone out isn't too bad although I don't know the requirements of HEDD. It'll be fine for the Elex and you can add an amp with tubes down the road.
     
  20. animus

    animus Almost "Made"

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2019
    Likes Received:
    561
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    N/A
    I tried the Yggdrasil a couple months back. Liked the staging but the tonality was really thick and the treble had a slightly annoying haziness to it. Haven’t heard the Rag but wondering if there’s a similar alternative to it without being so dense.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.

Share This Page