By Kibner Go To PostI've used mass drop multiple times in the past. The main thing is that you have to wait for the drop to finish before they even begin processing and shipping. So it can be weeks or months before you get your stuff. Very legit operation, though.
No, a price jump like that between AKGs is typically not a huge performance difference for most people. It would be like the difference between a 1060 and 1070 or something. It's usually a good idea, imo, to stick with a headphone for a few weeks or months so you can feel out what you like and dislike before making aother purchase.
Maybe after you get used to the setup for a while it would be worth upgrading if you feel something is lacking or you just want something different. Used headphones can usually sell for a decent price, so you can make back most of your money.
Thinking I might just blow the budget and go with the AKG 712’s and that FiiO K3 DAC.
I like the look of the 712’s, and from reviews they’re supposed to be comfortable af and sound great.
I’d rather spend that little bit more now and hopefully it’ll put me off spending even more money later on.
By HottestVapes Go To PostThinking I might just blow the budget and go with the AKG 712’s and that FiiO K3 DAC.Just heed the warning of the subtitle of this thread; there is no such thing as enough with this hobby. lol
I like the look of the 712’s, and from reviews they’re supposed to be comfortable af and sound great.
I’d rather spend that little bit more now and hopefully it’ll put me off spending even more money later on.
Whatever your choice, see if you can figure out what you like most about the sound of your system. Is it the way notes in a particular range are separated or colored? Is there something about the low-end presence that just does it for you? etc.
Trying to figure out that kind of stuff will make it easier to be more confident about whatever the next purchase may be. Even if it is years down the line.
Also, I did a little more research and it looks like the best small dac+amp combo for an affordable price is the Topping NX4 DSD. It costs like 50% more than the K3, but will be a much better match for those 712s. The K3 can struggle driving higher impedance headphones.
e: TempoTec Sonata iDSD Plus may also be worth a look, but i haven't heard much about it
e: TempoTec Sonata iDSD Plus may also be worth a look, but i haven't heard much about it
By Kibner Go To PostJust heed the warning of the subtitle of this thread; there is no such thing as enough with this hobby. lol
Whatever your choice, see if you can figure out what you like most about the sound of your system. Is it the way notes in a particular range are separated or colored? Is there something about the low-end presence that just does it for you? etc.
Trying to figure out that kind of stuff will make it easier to be more confident about whatever the next purchase may be. Even if it is years down the line.
Fam, you been following the PC thread right? You should know I have no self control when it comes to needless upgrades.
By Kibner Go To PostAlso, I did a little more research and it looks like the best small dac+amp combo for an affordable price is the Topping NX4 DSD. It costs like 50% more than the K3, but will be a much better match for those 712s. The K3 can struggle driving higher impedance headphones.
e: TempoTec Sonata iDSD Plus may also be worth a look, but i haven't heard much about it
The Topping doesn't seem that much more expensive than the K3. Around £110, not too bad.
Cool. I think this setup should do you nicely for quite a while. The only thing I can forsee in the near future is side-grades with different headphones to find the pair that sound the best to you and possibly a dedicated amp if you need a more powerful one for particularly high impedance headphones.
One thing is for sure, the budget went out the window already.
£200 for the AKG K712, £120 for the Topping NX4, another £100~ for the wireless mod mic. Should be a nice upgrade though considering I've been using middle of the road headsets for years.
£200 for the AKG K712, £120 for the Topping NX4, another £100~ for the wireless mod mic. Should be a nice upgrade though considering I've been using middle of the road headsets for years.
By HottestVapes Go To PostOne thing is for sure, the budget went out the window already.The biggest thing to hear a difference is, after a couple weeks, trying using your old headsets again. They should sound nearly unusable by contrast.
£200 for the AKG K712, £120 for the Topping NX4, another £100~ for the wireless mod mic. Should be a nice upgrade though considering I've been using middle of the road headsets for years.
JoeFu can attest to that and all he did was just add a dac/amp (the schitt fulla 2, iirc) to his already existing headphones. lol
What about the Topping MX3? Watching a review for it now and it seems good quality, little bit cheaper than the NX4 but it seems like it could be a better buy.
By HottestVapes Go To PostWhat about the Topping MX3? Watching a review for it now and it seems good quality, little bit cheaper than the NX4 but it seems like it could be a better buy.Not sure. I would have to do reading on it and won't get a chance till tomorrow.
Gonna have to hold on on the purchase for about a month or so, but I think I'm fully decided on what I'm going with now. The Topping MX3 seems like a steal at £100, I can hook an amp up to it later on down the line if I want to too, along with speakers and shit if I feel like it. Seems a no brainer.
For headphones, I'm deadset on the AKG K712's. Comfort is the main priority since they'll be used for games 90% of the time, and the large cups and memory foam seem perfect. The mic, going with a ModMic wireless. One wire is too much already, so I've gotta go for the wireless even though it costs a lot more.
Thanks for the help, Kib.
For headphones, I'm deadset on the AKG K712's. Comfort is the main priority since they'll be used for games 90% of the time, and the large cups and memory foam seem perfect. The mic, going with a ModMic wireless. One wire is too much already, so I've gotta go for the wireless even though it costs a lot more.
Thanks for the help, Kib.
By Kibner Go To PostMy pleasure. Sorry I never looked up the MX3 for you.
It's all good, the MX4 recommendation put me on to it and I went from there.
So I'm looking on eBay, there's an Audio Technica ATH-AD900X and a AKG K7XX being sold together for $200, the former is only missing a part of the headrest and the latter is missing the stock cable but they're otherwise in good condition and the parts seem easily replaceable.
Is this the deal of the century?
Is this the deal of the century?
The cable should indeed be easy to replace. Not so sure about the headrest(?), though. But, yeah, that seems like an incredible deal, assuming the drivers are still good.
By Kibner Go To PostThe cable should indeed be easy to replace. Not so sure about the headrest(?), though. But, yeah, that seems like an incredible deal, assuming the drivers are still good.I checked eBay for the parts. About £9 for the headrest/headband and same for the cable.
They’re said to be in good condition from the pics, seem to be sold by someone with a large collection so I’m assuming they’d take decent care of their shit. Would come out after import fees and the replacement bits to around £220 for me, figured I could see which pair I like more and flip the other pair for around a £100.
Tempting
By HottestVapes Go To PostI checked eBay for the parts. About £9 for the headrest/headband and same for the cable.I'm surprised they are going for that cheap. Headphones usually hold value a bit better than that. Then again, they do have missing/damaged parts so that probably explains it.
They’re said to be in good condition from the pics, seem to be sold by someone with a large collection so I’m assuming they’d take decent care of their shit. Would come out after import fees and the replacement bits to around £220 for me, figured I could see which pair I like more and flip the other pair for around a £100.
Tempting
Bought the wireless modmic, eBay coming through with a second hand one for £80. Not a bad catch.
Headphones next, then DAC.
Headphones next, then DAC.
FYI, Massdrop has the Sony WH1000-XM3s for $50 off: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/sony-wh-1000xm3-wireless-noise-canceling-headphones/
Got a Topping NX4 for £80. eBay is putting in that work for me lads.
Edit: Ended up going through eBay completely. Just bought the AKG K712’s for £160 too. So I’m all set for now.
Edit: Ended up going through eBay completely. Just bought the AKG K712’s for £160 too. So I’m all set for now.
Awesome! When testing, it is best to listen to something you have listened to a lot and see what, if anything, sounds different. My favorite song to test some bass (but not deep bass) is the first 40 seconds or so of this song:
e: there have been a couple headphones i've tried out that made a muddy mess on parts of that intro, usually right around/above where you would set a crossover with a stereo system
e: there have been a couple headphones i've tried out that made a muddy mess on parts of that intro, usually right around/above where you would set a crossover with a stereo system
Oh, one other thing: you generally want only your dac/amp to control the volume, if possible. Set everything else (like Windows) to 100% and use tha good ol' knob on the Topping to make things louder or quieter.
It's just an easy way to limit distortion and keep things simple and manageable.
It's just an easy way to limit distortion and keep things simple and manageable.
By Kibner Go To PostOh, one other thing: you generally want only your dac/amp to control the volume, if possible. Set everything else (like Windows) to 100% and use tha good ol' knob on the Topping to make things louder or quieter.
It's just an easy way to limit distortion and keep things simple and manageable.
Aye that’s what I’ve been doing so far.
Biggest change from the G533 I’ve noticed is the bass and treble are less heavy and cleaner sounding. Like you know I’m not mad into my audio, but they sound so much better for music.
For games, I’ve only tried Siege so far and frankly the audio is fucked in Siege not matter what headphones are used, but now at least guns shots sound impeccable.
Yeah, gaming headsets typically over-emphasize the bass and sometimes the treble. And it goes without saying they usually aren't as precise. :v
I find with good headphones, I can more easily pick out where sounds come from (and how far they are to me) in games.
I find with good headphones, I can more easily pick out where sounds come from (and how far they are to me) in games.
Righto, got my Modmic today and I'm all set up. Desk looking clean af so i can listen to Frank Ocean peacefully.
By Kibner Go To Postlmao nice!
I hope my recommendations helped increase your listening pleasure. :p
You put me on the right path, that's for sure. Thanks. I was considering going with a seperate DAC and AMP, but honestly this NX4 is doing it for me without taking up much space. Matches my PC case too as a bonus.
Getting separates is great if you have a larger budget and know what you want. For someone starting out? Get something quality but affordable and adaptable so you can expand if you want to. I think that topping has a line-out so you can use it with a dedicated amp later on if you decide you want to.
Really glad you are enjoying it! The case matching is awesome.
Really glad you are enjoying it! The case matching is awesome.
I never realised Fostex T50RPs were so cheap in the UK. Like £120 for the MKIII’s.
Why am I tempted to buy them? Kibner, what have you done to me?!
Why am I tempted to buy them? Kibner, what have you done to me?!
Really want some wireless headphones, and was looking at Sony WH-1000XM3. But man, those control inputs freaking out whenever it's below freezing points is a huge bummer, kind of a deal breaker.
By HottestVapes Go To PostI never realised Fostex T50RPs were so cheap in the UK. Like £120 for the MKIII’s.lmao
Why am I tempted to buy them? Kibner, what have you done to me?!
demo everything you can or ensure there is a generous return policy so you don't waste your money
By Wahabipapangus Go To PostReally want some wireless headphones, and was looking at Sony WH-1000XM3. But man, those control inputs freaking out whenever it's below freezing points is a huge bummer, kind of a deal breaker.sorry, but i'm nearly clueless when it comes to this; especially when below freezing temperatures
According to just about anyone who used it in freezing weather, the touch controls freak out and skip songs/change volume just about constantly. Sony saying woops we are working on it... 6 months ago. Great job.
Hopefully their next version got this fixed.
Hopefully their next version got this fixed.
Yeah, it sucks. Doesn't even need to be freezing, was getting ghost touches at around 1-2c
The hinges have also gotten really creaky on every pair I've owned :|
All else told, they're great, and it doesn't get that cold often enough here for me to care about the touch, but the build quality for such a premium device genuinely sucks
The hinges have also gotten really creaky on every pair I've owned :|
All else told, they're great, and it doesn't get that cold often enough here for me to care about the touch, but the build quality for such a premium device genuinely sucks
Ended up getting the WH-1000XM3 anyway. Was a good sale on them.
First impression is very positive, sound good, comfortable and easy to use. But I seem to drop connection every now and then for no reason. There's a bunch of fixes to try, and it isn't that bad, but a slight annoyance either way.
First impression is very positive, sound good, comfortable and easy to use. But I seem to drop connection every now and then for no reason. There's a bunch of fixes to try, and it isn't that bad, but a slight annoyance either way.
By Wahabipapangus Go To PostEnded up getting the WH-1000XM3 anyway. Was a good sale on them.Hope you figure out a good solution!
First impression is very positive, sound good, comfortable and easy to use. But I seem to drop connection every now and then for no reason. There's a bunch of fixes to try, and it isn't that bad, but a slight annoyance either way.
Only issue I have had with my WH-1000MX3s is when having multiple devices running you have connected to but that's seemingly a bluetooth issue because it can't necessarily tell which device I want to listen on.
Kibner, baby. My NX4 powers these K712’s seemingly incredibly well, if i set it to high gain and go past 2 o clock on the volume knob they become so loud it’s uncomfortable, but doesn’t at all seem distorted. I keep it at around 12 o clock for music and games where it feels just right.
What benefit would I gain from a more expensive and separate DAC and amp?
What benefit would I gain from a more expensive and separate DAC and amp?
By reilo Go To PostOnly issue I have had with my WH-1000MX3s is when having multiple devices running you have connected to but that's seemingly a bluetooth issue because it can't necessarily tell which device I want to listen on.
I think it might be my phone. It doesnt actually fully disconnect, it just skips like half a second every 10 to 20 min. Gotta try and charge up my S8 Edge to see if it's better on there, than this chinese p20 pro spyware.
By HottestVapes Go To PostKibner, baby. My NX4 powers these K712’s seemingly incredibly well, if i set it to high gain and go past 2 o clock on the volume knob they become so loud it’s uncomfortable, but doesn’t at all seem distorted. I keep it at around 12 o clock for music and games where it feels just right.Technically, you can get some still affordable DAC's for ~$100 USD that have less noise (that static fuzz sound you hear when a speaker is turned up but no sound is being played through it) and less jitter.
What benefit would I gain from a more expensive and separate DAC and amp?
A technically better, separate amp can also improve on the noise floor and allow you to drive headphones that take more power.
Whether you would be able to actually hear the differences, probably not. Once you get into that end, a lot of people get different DACs or amps based on how they color the sound. Make things darker, bring out the highs more, etc. A taste thing, basically.
If you are unable to hear any static through your headphones when listening to this video with the volume on your amp a little higher than the max volume you listen at and you don't notice any jitter from your normal listening, I think you should be satisfied with your gear and only buy better when you need to or just want a different sound signature while wearing the same headphones.
By Kibner Go To PostTechnically, you can get some still affordable DAC's for ~$100 USD that have less noise (that static fuzz sound you hear when a speaker is turned up but no sound is being played through it) and less jitter.
A technically better, separate amp can also improve on the noise floor and allow you to drive headphones that take more power.
Whether you would be able to actually hear the differences, probably not. Once you get into that end, a lot of people get different DACs or amps based on how they color the sound. Make things darker, bring out the highs more, etc. A taste thing, basically.
If you are unable to hear any static through your headphones when listening to this video with the volume on your amp a little higher than the max volume you listen at and you don't notice any jitter from your normal listening, I think you should be satisfied with your gear and only buy better when you need to or just want a different sound signature while wearing the same headphones.
I’ll check that video later, but I think you’ve probably just saved me around £200.
By HottestVapes Go To PostI’ll check that video later, but I think you’ve probably just saved me around £200.I was thinking that maybe there is something you can get to clean up any issues with the USB port your DAC is plugged into since DACs that get power from the USB data port can exhibit random clicks, pops, and other line noise. However, the NX4 seems to always be battery powered so you are golden in that respect. I think all the other DACs I usually recommend have a wall-powered design to avoid that line noise issue.
And, yeah, I think those £200 are better served towards going to an even better pair of headphones. And then getting a new amp if it is required to drive them adequately.
You got out of the shit-tier gear so everything from here on out is marginal steps up and leaves a lot to taste, aesthetics, and build quality.
e: how is the modmic working for you? I'm still thinking about getting the wireless one for myself...
You got out of the shit-tier gear so everything from here on out is marginal steps up and leaves a lot to taste, aesthetics, and build quality.
e: how is the modmic working for you? I'm still thinking about getting the wireless one for myself...
Yep, must be my phone being a bitch. My S7 Edge (forgot it wasnt S8 before ....) plays just fine with it. Fucking huawei
By Kibner Go To PostAnd, yeah, I think those £200 are better served towards going to an even better pair of headphones. And then getting a new amp if it is required to drive them adequately.
You got out of the shit-tier gear so everything from here on out is marginal steps up and leaves a lot to taste, aesthetics, and build quality.
e: how is the modmic working for you? I'm still thinking about getting the wireless one for myself…
It’s a noticeable step up from the Logitech headset mic I was using. Battery life is good on it, not too heavy so you don’t feel the extra weight on the headphones.
I can’t complain.
i tried that video, maxed the volume out completely and made sure my room was silent. I heard absolute silence.
I think I'm satisfied. Might buy an extra pair of headphones though because reasons.
I think I'm satisfied. Might buy an extra pair of headphones though because reasons.
I'm beginning to think that video doesn't do what I want it to, but I can't think of a way for it to be very obvious if you get a lot of noise while listening to something. I guess just understand that it is something to watch out for. If you can start to hear some static in the background of your music of whatever when the volume gets loud, then you might want to look into getting a more powerful/better amp.
e: also, buying another, different pair of headphones is par for the course. some are just better for certain genres or moods than others and that's ok
e: also, buying another, different pair of headphones is par for the course. some are just better for certain genres or moods than others and that's ok
Mounted the NX4 under my desk on my right hand side. So much easier to mess with the volume and keep the cable off my desk.
I kinda like this guy: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR4tuhqPppVp-PD0q17sPEA/videos