Can't choose between Beyerdynamic DT 990 (250 ohm), DT 990 (32ohm) and Fidelio X2's

RPG WOLF

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Hey. I'm really stuck and can't pick between these 3 headphones. Now I know you may be thinking why I'm comparing the 32ohm version of the DT 990's to the 250ohm version and also to the Fidelio X2's. This is because I'm not sure whether or not it can serve me as well as the other two. If it can, then I don't need to spend as much. If it can't, then I'm ok with spending more. What I want from my headphones: -A lot of soundstage (aka being competitive in fps games) -Adequate bass (I know closed cans are better for this, but there are open-backs that have pretty good bass. Bass makes gunshots and explosions much louder in fps games, which is important. And note how I said adequate) -Immersion (In games like GTA and Fallout which are slower paced and can be immersive) I will mostly be gaming (like 95%) but I'd occasionally listen to some music. I have earphones for that but it would be nice if my headphones would do a good job with music too. If you are wondering what kinda music I'd listen too, it's pretty much everything. But mostly electronic. P.S. I am ok with getting an AMP if I get the DT 990's @250ohms. One of the reasons the Fidelio's are on the list is because they cost pretty much the same when the prices of the DT 990's @250ohms and an AMP are added together. Please help!
 
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I agree with everything juanrdp said, but I'd like to expand on something he touched upon.
Bass is largely non-directional. While loudness might make explosions sound more realistic to you, it also tends to ruin "soundstaging". If you want the advantage that good directional hearing provides, then you actually want less bass, even if it's not as immersive as you prefer. It's a classic engineering conundrum: immersive (more bass) Vs. directionality (less bass). You will have to sacrifice one to improve the other. Which is more important to you?

I suggest going with headphones/amp combo with plenty of bass. You can always turn the bass down when you want a better sound stage. But it's not so easy to add bass to headphones that...

juanrdp

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You are mixing things here, Soundstage is a property of the headsets that is not really the same and have very little to do with positional awareness.

Yoo could have a 2.0 headset with a very wide soundstage and still be unable to track properly a sorround sound because it is not where do you hear it, but instead how it sound.

If you want good positional sound then need a good 2 soundcard/headset that virtualized the position to 2.0 or a good 5.1/7.1 headset.

And also, "cheat" the sound like some soundcards make to hear far away (and faint sounds) closer ¡, something that for a person who like good sound is an aberration xD


Hi-end hi-fi headsets tends to the opposite, balanced sound-bass (that is really a low lower bass than the usual crap headset that usually is allways bass heavy)


In dps competitive play is just the opposite, powerfull bass mask other sound that you need to listen ;)


This is the only thing you get with them ;)


 

RPG WOLF

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So what headphones do you recommend? I think I might go for the Fidelio's... but I wanna hear what you have to say.

 

jdlech

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I agree with everything juanrdp said, but I'd like to expand on something he touched upon.
Bass is largely non-directional. While loudness might make explosions sound more realistic to you, it also tends to ruin "soundstaging". If you want the advantage that good directional hearing provides, then you actually want less bass, even if it's not as immersive as you prefer. It's a classic engineering conundrum: immersive (more bass) Vs. directionality (less bass). You will have to sacrifice one to improve the other. Which is more important to you?

I suggest going with headphones/amp combo with plenty of bass. You can always turn the bass down when you want a better sound stage. But it's not so easy to add bass to headphones that don't do bass all that well.
And you definitely sound like you're on a level where you would appreciate a good surround sound headset/card.
 
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