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X-Fi recommended with Sennhesier HD-650s?

S

Smartazz

Diamond Member
I'm looking into getting the Sennheiser HD-650s, I would like to know if I would hear a sound quality diffrence using X-Fi with it, or just using onboard sound. Thanks. btw, does anyone here own these headphones?
 
The 650's need an amp and will sound like p00p out of the X-Fi. If you don't want to buy an amp might I suggest the HD595's instead.
 
With nice headphones like those I think you would be a prime candidate to getting a nice soundcard like that. X-Fi specifically if you're into gaming with them.

You would probably benefit from getting a headphone amp too if you don't have one already.
 
I forgot to note that I'm getting an amp for it if I get these headphones. Can someone please recommend me some good amps, and how do the HD-595's compare to these headphones with gaming and music? Thanks.
 
I had a Headfive running my K701's which are power-hungry like the HD650's and it really opened up the subtle details.

http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=171549

Get it while you can! 🙂

Right now I have a modded Zhaolu DAC/Discrete amp from Eddie Wu in Hong Kong. I still utilize all of the X-Fi DSP's for games, and DD/DTS for DVD, and the DAC runs circles around the X-Fi's for music playback.
 
Originally posted by: John
I had a Headfive running my K701's which are power-hungry like the HD650's and it really opened up the subtle details.

http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=171549

Get it while you can! 🙂

Right now I have a modded Zhaolu DAC/Discrete amp from Eddie Wu in Hong Kong. I still utilize all of the X-Fi DSP's for games, and DD/DTS for DVD, and the DAC runs circles around the X-Fi's for music playback.
Click to expand...

So this is a good price? I don't know much about audio equiptment.
edit: Hmm, I just read about the HD595s, those seem like a really good option, now would I risk having these headphones stolen in a dorm room? I really don't want to lose such expensive headphones.
 
You risk anything getting stolen in a dorm room 😛

I was lucky and made it through without losing anything. Really depends on your particular dorm, procedures / atmosphere, and your roommates (and if they lock the door etc.).

How picky are you about sound and how often are you going to use them? Maybe spending this much in a relatively high risk environment isn't the best idea. Little things like mp3 players + headphones / laptops / cameras are some of the more often stolen / misplaced items for your average college student.
 
HD650s are the favorite headphones of a lot of people, and this is because they scale so well with better audio equipment.

If you want your HD650s to sound their ABSOLUTE BEST, be prepared to spend upwards of $1000 or more.

But, addressing the issue here - the X-Fi alone will not be enough to do justice to your HD650s. Sure, they'll be a nice improvement over onboard sound, but what you really need is a soundcard, hooked up to a DAC, hooked up to an amp, hooked up to the HD650s. If you get the right parts, this might not be too expensive - you can get an AV710, a Lite DAC-AH (or something), and a GoVibe5 for roughly around $250, and this setup will make your HD650s sing.

EDIT: audiophiles, make a better decision on the amp. I'm not too keen on amps, so I picked the GV5 because it's the FOTM and has a damn good price/performance ratio.

EDIT2: oops, missed the part where you don't already have the HD650s. 😱
 
Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
You risk anything getting stolen in a dorm room 😛

I was lucky and made it through without losing anything. Really depends on your particular dorm, procedures / atmosphere, and your roommates (and if they lock the door etc.).

How picky are you about sound and how often are you going to use them? Maybe spending this much in a relatively high risk environment isn't the best idea. Little things like mp3 players + headphones / laptops / cameras are some of the more often stolen / misplaced items for your average college student.
Click to expand...

Well, I really need to listen to music while I'm studying(not sure if that's a good idea), I really like good sound quality, but I've never really been an audiophile, that's why I should really put the HD595s vs. the HD650s, the HD595s are considerably cheaper, would you still recommend an X-Fi even with the HD595s?
 
If you want an audiophile quality headphone to use w/ your X-Fi, Audio-Technica A500 fits the bill @ only $100. You're wasting money pairing up the HD650 w/ a X-Fi.
 
Originally posted by: Baked
If you want an audiophile quality headphone to use w/ your X-Fi, Audio-Technica A500 fits the bill @ only $100. You're wasting money pairing up the HD650 w/ a X-Fi.
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I don't have an X-Fi yet, I'd only get it if it really helped improve the quality of the headphones.
 
Are you looking to game on these headphones or is this just music?

If gaming is going to be a significant thing for you, X-Fi is a very good card for that. If you're just looking for music playback, then you can get something better going.

Either way, you're going to want something instead of onboard if you're spending that much on the headphones, and if you get that set you're going to want an amp too.
 
I'm planning to game every few days with these headphones, maybe a couple hours a week, I'll probobly listen to music close to every day with these headphones. If I get the HD595s, I can hook it up to my ipod and into my computers headphone jack right?
 
Yeah.

You could also get a pocket amp and use a set like the 650s with a portable player.

Just checking - do you know you want open headphones vs. closed?
 
BTW, if you're gonna use your headphone for studying, the HD650 and most Sennheiser big cans won't fit your needs 'cause they're opened cans and will let in and leak too much noise. You want to get closed cans. Both HD595 and HD650 use 1/4" plug and not the 3.5mm plug, but they do come w/ the 1/4" > 3.5mm adapter.
 
Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Yeah.

You could also get a pocket amp and use a set like the 650s with a portable player.

Just checking - do you know you want open headphones vs. closed?
Click to expand...

I'd prefer closed headphones, but it's not that important to me. Can you recommend some closed headphones though? Thanks.
 
Check out: Headphone Website

It'll give you a good idea of what's out there and has great info on each. If you're not yet heavily into "audiophilia" (beware, the bug bites quick!), then upwards of $200+ would be, frankly, too much to spend on headphones, at this point.

A budget set of sealed cans/in-ear 'phones should do the trick. You can always scale up to the Senns 595/650 later (necessitating a need for an outboard amp).

I just recently upgraded to an x-Fi XtremeMusic from an onboard (DFI RS482 Realtek) audio solution, and I'm pretty surprised at how good it sounds in music. I'm an audio freak as well, but wasn't expecting the sound quality from *.wmv files and my venerable SR-60's when I tried them out.

I do think the X-Fi Xtreme is too pricey at $130, but sub-$80 can be had online and at retail rebates, which makes it a very good investment.

...and in BF2 it rocks! 😀

Get the x-Fi cheap, invest in a decent set of inexpensive cans, and enjoy!

PM
 
Originally posted by: Smartazz
Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Yeah.

You could also get a pocket amp and use a set like the 650s with a portable player.

Just checking - do you know you want open headphones vs. closed?
Click to expand...

I'd prefer closed headphones, but it's not that important to me. Can you recommend some closed headphones though? Thanks.
Click to expand...

Okay now that I know you don't ALREADY have the HD650, I'm back in the game.

There are several options for you:

Audio-Technica A500 - the little brother of the popular A900, these closed cans have great soundstage and an overall well-balanced sound. Great gaming cans to boot.

AKG K81DJ - these little things were a shock to the head-fi community - the current thread about it is over 70 pages long (started in february, i think?)... Anyway, these have a very bass-heavy sound signature, but the bass is not too bloated - just very heavy and there. I'd assume these make good gaming cans, even though they don't really have that much soundstage. They're also a steal for $55 (if you look in the right places). Some people say these things are better than the A900, which cost over twice as much, but that's an opinion.

Sony V6 - I don't know too much about these things, but I've heard they've got some pretty decent sound for a good price. I've also heard the highs are a bit harsh and metallic, but beyond that, I don't know anything.

Sennheiser HD280 Pro - these are some large headphones that do take charge. They have amazing isolation, but are heavy and do get uncomfortable after a while. There's also some quality issues with the headband (cracking after a year or so), but YMMV on that part. These have pretty good sound, except for the lower end - they have very, very little bass. As such, they're probably not very good gaming headphones, but the crazy isolation might be nice.



Take your pick. I believe of the four choices, only the AKGs are supraaural (rest on top of the ear), while the rest are circumaural (rest around the ear). There are also some comfort issues with the K81DJ (out of the box, they're rather tight and uncomfortable if you have a big head - you can bend them to your desire, though, but do so carefully) and the HD280 Pro. All are around the same price, from $55 (K81DJ) to ~$100 (A500, but they're probably less). All do well without amping, but do benefit from a good amp if you have the funds.


phew...


EDIT: By the way, pianoman, your link goes to the wrong website. I believe the one you want is www.headphone.com (headroom).
 
Originally posted by: Smartazz
Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Yeah.

You could also get a pocket amp and use a set like the 650s with a portable player.

Just checking - do you know you want open headphones vs. closed?
Click to expand...

I'd prefer closed headphones, but it's not that important to me. Can you recommend some closed headphones though? Thanks.
Click to expand...

The only two I've really played with for more than a minute are Sennheiser 280s and 212s.
 
I own the 650's. And I will say that I LOVE THEM! But I use them exclusively for music with a VERY expensive amp, and I do not run them off an Ipod, only full resolution digital. Without that kind of equipment behind them you will not do them justice. In fact the 650's are so revealing that they may let you hear flaws in lesser equipment, namely an ipod or computer soundcard.

I would recommend that if you are not interested in spending some real money in the ancillary equipment to run the 650's, you might as well save some $$ on the headphones also and step down about two models.
 
Piano Man's SR-60's are a really good set of cans for the $$. Or move up one to the 80's. They also have a more punchy dynamic sound than the Sennheisers. You may find the 650's too laid back especially if you don't have a good amp. And I don't mean a sound card as the amp!
 
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