Headphone Suggestion, driven by Xbox controller

[tkst3llar]

I currently own old Audio Technica ATH-M50 and Shure se846

i want to get a pair of over ears open back for gaming and I’d prefer them be decent for other uses. The most straightforward way to drive them is the Xbox controller and maybe with a Y splitter for mic but I could come up a way to drive them from my PC or Denon X3800 if I need to, or plug an amp into my controller I suppose.

Do you have a recommendation for this scenario under say 300-400 msrp (to hopefully get a holiday deal for around 200)?

Sennheiser/Mass HD6xx or HD560s or something the best bang for buck?

 

[staticV3]

For the Xbox controller, you ideally want high impedace, high sensitivity, which make the HD560S, HD58X, and HD490Pro prime candidates.

 

[nomadwrangler]

For the Xbox controller, you ideally want high impedace, high sensitivity, which make the HD560S, HD58X, and HD490Pro prime candidates.

I know it is few months old, but just now seeing this post. Why do you want high impedance headphones for an Xbox controller? I haven't been able to find much, and certainly any definitive information on the Xbox controller's audio connection period so that answer intrigues me.

 

[staticV3]

I know it is few months old, but just now seeing this post. Why do you want high impedance headphones for an Xbox controller? I haven't been able to find much, and certainly any definitive information on the Xbox controller's audio connection period so that answer intrigues me.

The built-in headphone Amp is likely quite basic, with low current capabilities and likely non-zero Ohm output impedance.

A high impedance headphone will keep damping factor high and distortion and crosstalk low.

 

[Misguided]

I use HD560 with a mod mic. Works fine, nice headphones too and a bargain for £99 (current UK Amazon price)

I would go HD560 over the HD6XX but I play a lot of FPS games, they are supposed to be better for picking out footsteps and pinpointing enemies. I think the 6XX are more immersive and cinematic. I should add I haven't tried the 6XX so cant be sure.

 

[nomadwrangler]

The built-in headphone Amp is likely quite basic, with low current capabilities and likely non-zero Ohm output impedance.

A high impedance headphone will keep damping factor high and distortion and crosstalk low.

Makes sense and felt I had to ask to make sure I wasn't missing out on some detailed info on the controllers themselves.
Appreciate the response.

 

[susundron]

For the Xbox controller, you ideally want high impedace, high sensitivity, which make the HD560S, HD58X, and HD490Pro prime candidates.

Hi, I am new to the whole audio topic, done a substantial research but couldn't get a clear answer to my question. I would appreciate if you could clear some things for me.

I've got Sennheiser 560s recently for my PS5 (I play single player games and wanted to get the best sound possible).
What I've found out is that they are "easy to drive" through the controller itself because they are very sensitive - don't need much power. Now, volume is not an issue for me, they are lound enough through the controller for my liking.

Where I get contradictive opinions is sound clarity/quality, though. PS5 sends audio to the controller using some wireless technology, which a lot of people say compresses the sound. I couldn't find any technical test/research that proves it.
At the same time others report that they play through the controller and can't even notice difference in sound when using DAC/AMP (like Qudelix 5K). I am really breaking my head now.

Q: Do DAC/AMPs really make a substantial difference in quality one can notice staight away compared to the PS5 controller?

I spent £100 on 560s and spending another £100 just on a DAC/AMP for PS5 sounds a bit to much to me if I won't notice night and day difference.
Some also recomment Apple USB-C 3.5mm dongle, though I need to get a US version, which is 1V (EU is 0.5V) .

These headphones are mainly for at home listening. I like how they sound with my MacBook Air/Pro and that I don't need a separate device to get the most out of them.

 

[staticV3]

Q: Do DAC/AMPs really make a substantial difference in quality one can notice staight away compared to the PS5 controller?

For that, we'd first have to know objectively how well the PS5 controller performs for driving headphones.

Only then can we judge if an alternative would offer significant benefit.

Some also recomment Apple USB-C 3.5mm dongle, though I need to get a US version, which is 1V (EU is 0.5V)

You're correct regarding the 0.5V EU dongle and 1.0V US dongle. Sadly, Afaik neither of them can be plugged into a PS5.

These headphones are mainly for at home listening. I like how they sound with my MacBook Air/Pro and that I don't need a separate device to get the most out of them.

Definitely not for the MacBook.

 

[susundron]

For that, we'd first have to know objectively how well the PS5 controller performs for driving headphones.

Only then can we judge if an alternative would offer significant benefit.


You're correct regarding the 0.5V EU dongle and 1.0V US dongle. Sadly, Afaik neither of them can be plugged into a PS5.


Definitely not for the MacBook.

Wow, so even US Apple dongle is not compatible with the PS5?

I was reading that’s the one you should get

 

[staticV3]

Wow, so even US Apple dongle is not compatible with the PS5?

For USB audio output out of the PS5, you need a device which supports the older UAC1 standard.
I don't think the Apple dongle does, but don't have a PS5 to test with so could be wrong about that.

 

[zany.ninja]

Q: Do DAC/AMPs really make a substantial difference in quality one can notice staight away compared to the PS5 controller?

I'd say yes. With my PS4 Pro, a USB DAC+Amp (Creative SXFI Amp) was quite an upgrade over the PS4 controller headphone jack. Volume was fine either way, but the clarity and quality got a huge boost.

Granted, the PS5 is a lot newer and you would expect its wireless audio to be better, but I still think it's really worth getting a separate DAC+Amp.