Headphones for movies, music, and gaming (budget: €300–400)

[eyeshield21_]

Good evening everyone,

Sorry for my english i'm french :/

I’m looking for a pair of headphones to use at home for watching movies/videos/videos games and listening to music (not really for outside). It would primarily be for movies/videos and possibly solo gaming. I already have a Nova Pro Wireless for online gaming and Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 earbuds for sports. I tend to enjoy headphones with a strong bass presence. I especially enjoy strong and powerful bass presence.

I would like to use it: on my computer (windows with b450mk) and my tv.

I was wondering if there’s a significant difference between these two models:

• [Hifiman Edition XS] Rting test https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/hifiman/edition-xs
• [Bose QuietComfort Ultra] Rting test https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/bose/quietcomfort-ultra-headphones-wireless

I’ve heard that open-back Hi-Fi headphones provide much better immersion, but I’m worried that the sound might be too neutral and end up feeling monotone or boring compared to my tastes and habits.

Basically, does it feel like going from “basic” to “next level”? With this budget, would I notice a real difference compared to the Nova Pro? I’ve never owned open-back headphones, but I suppose that if there’s some noise at home, I can simply turn up the volume (?). I’ve also read that the Hifiman might require an additional DAC, like the TOPPING DX1, which brings the Hifiman + DX1 or it's ok for my computer ?

Thanks for your help!

 

[twsecrest]

I would expect the Hifiman Edition XS, in general, to offer a better bang for the buck.
Will the Hifiman Edition XS headphones work plugged into line-output (headphone) jack of the Asus Prime B450M-K motherboard, YES.
Would I suggest getting an external USB DAC/headphone amplifier, YES.
Spend at least the price of the Topping DX1, YES, and maybe spend more.

 

[Soria Moria]

Audeze Maxwell is an easy recommendation here. Great sound quality, wireless, microphone.

 

[kemmler3D]

I’m worried that the sound might be too neutral and end up feeling monotone or boring compared to my tastes and habits.

on PC you can use EQ to change the tonal balance to your taste, and if you use certain DACs with your TV you could also use EQ there.

So I would go for the most neutral and low-distortion headphone you can find that still has good bass extension, then you can have a lot of freedom to dial in the sound as you please.

 

[eyeshield21_]

Thank you for your responses:

If I understand correctly, since I’m used to boosted bass with closed-back headphones, I could “simply” use an EQ to make the headphones more enjoyable for music like metal, electro, trap rap, or even phonk? Or perhaps I could use Dolby Atmos for Windows as well for gaming ?

Regarding the DAC, is the headphone sound still good without one at first? (If I buy the headphones, I might wait a month or so before getting a DAC).

Does a DAC simply provide more power, or can it also "improve" the sound quality? While researching DACs, I came across these options:

• Topping DX1 (~€100)
• Fiio K11 (~€130)
• Qudelix 5K (~€140)
• Topping DX3 Pro+ (~€200, starting to feel expensive :/)

If a DAC genuinely upgrades sound quality, I’m willing to invest, but I’d like to stay around the €100–150 range. I’m a bit of a newbie in the audio world, so I don’t think I need (or can afford) to spend €300.

Thanks!!

 

[twsecrest]

Thank you for your responses:

If I understand correctly, since I’m used to boosted bass with closed-back headphones, I could “simply” use an EQ to make the headphones more enjoyable for music like metal, electro, trap rap, or even phonk? Or perhaps I could use Dolby Atmos for Windows as well for gaming ?

Regarding the DAC, is the headphone sound still good without one at first? (If I buy the headphones, I might wait a month or so before getting a DAC).

Does a DAC simply provide more power, or can it also "improve" the sound quality? While researching DACs, I came across these options:

• Topping DX1 (~€100)
• Fiio K11 (~€130)
• Qudelix 5K (~€140)
• Topping DX3 Pro+ (~€200, starting to feel expensive :/)

If a DAC genuinely upgrades sound quality, I’m willing to invest, but I’d like to stay around the €100–150 range. I’m a bit of a newbie in the audio world, so I don’t think I need (or can afford) to spend €300.

Thanks!!

The B450M-K motherboard comes with a Realtec audio chip, which provide a DAC, ADC and DSP functions all one one low costing chip.
Where as the Topping comes with a nice 4493 DAC chip
Also the Topping DX1 headphone jack should provide better damping control, over the B450M-K's headphone jack.

 

[chronic]

Thank you for your responses:

If I understand correctly, since I’m used to boosted bass with closed-back headphones, I could “simply” use an EQ to make the headphones more enjoyable for music like metal, electro, trap rap, or even phonk? Or perhaps I could use Dolby Atmos for Windows as well for gaming ?

Regarding the DAC, is the headphone sound still good without one at first? (If I buy the headphones, I might wait a month or so before getting a DAC).

Does a DAC simply provide more power, or can it also "improve" the sound quality? While researching DACs, I came across these options:

• Topping DX1 (~€100)
• Fiio K11 (~€130)
• Qudelix 5K (~€140)
• Topping DX3 Pro+ (~€200, starting to feel expensive :/)

If a DAC genuinely upgrades sound quality, I’m willing to invest, but I’d like to stay around the €100–150 range. I’m a bit of a newbie in the audio world, so I don’t think I need (or can afford) to spend €300.

Thanks!!

I'm new to the higher quality audio world too, my only somewhat proper DAC previously has been my trusty FiiO BTR5. I recently got the Topping DX1 and can only report positively. At high gain with volume in Windows and the knob at max, I hear no noise floor at all, which could partially be my new headphones being planars, but it has 117dB of SINAD for a reason. Power is absolutely plenty too, enough even to make my old SR850 from Samson vibrate physically.

 

[InfiniteJester]

Edition XS has insanely high distortion on the upper frequencies.

I would go for the Aune AR5000.

 

[RandomEar]

Thank you for your responses:

If I understand correctly, since I’m used to boosted bass with closed-back headphones, I could “simply” use an EQ to make the headphones more enjoyable for music like metal, electro, trap rap, or even phonk? Or perhaps I could use Dolby Atmos for Windows as well for gaming ?

Regarding the DAC, is the headphone sound still good without one at first? (If I buy the headphones, I might wait a month or so before getting a DAC).

Does a DAC simply provide more power, or can it also "improve" the sound quality? While researching DACs, I came across these options:

• Topping DX1 (~€100)
• Fiio K11 (~€130)
• Qudelix 5K (~€140)
• Topping DX3 Pro+ (~€200, starting to feel expensive :/)

If a DAC genuinely upgrades sound quality, I’m willing to invest, but I’d like to stay around the €100–150 range. I’m a bit of a newbie in the audio world, so I don’t think I need (or can afford) to spend €300.

Thanks!!

Compared to the onboard sound of your motherboard, you will get more power and almost certainly a lower noise floor from a DAC/amp. Technically, good headphone amps will also offer lower distortion than almost all motherboard solutions, but that's unlikely to be audible.

The "more power"-aspect is the only one that's really critical. If you get a headphone that needs more voltage or amps than your motherboard can provide, you will quickly drive it to distort and/or it might lack bass. So it's best to either get an active headphone or an external DAC/amp combo.

The DAC/amp doesn't have to be expensive. The 100 € options are fine for almost anything, except some exotic ultra power hungry headphones. Apart from those DACs you listed, you could also consider the SMSL DS100 or a used SMSL Sanskrit 10th MKII or Topping DX3 Pro.

 

[eyeshield21_]

Thank you for your responses,

After doing some research and reading your comments, if I understand correctly, the best DAC options would be:

• Qudelix 5K: The best option for more powerful bass and greater flexibility with the adjustable EQ, even for use with a TV. The only "drawback" is that it’s battery-powered unless connected via USB.
• Topping DX1 and SMSL DS100: These models are more neutral and less powerful in the bass. They are better for those who seek a detailed and balanced sound, but they won’t bring out explosive bass.
• SMSL Sanskrit 10th MKII: Very precise and neutral sound signature, with well-defined but not overly emphasized bass. It helps maintain a perfectly neutral sound, which may appeal to audiophiles but doesn’t emphasize the bass profile.

If I understand correctly, for €149, I could get the Qudelix, which would give me a bit more bass and power (2W at 32 ohms vs. 1W at 32 ohms) without distorting the sound(??), with the portable EQ for my tv, compared to the Topping DX1/SMSL MK2 or SMSL DS100, which are priced at €80-100, while being somewhat less powerful than the Topping DX3 Pro or Fiio K7 at €200-250, but still competitive.

Thanks again for your help!!

 

[unpluggged]

If I understand correctly, for €149, I could get the Qudelix, which would give me a bit more bass and power (2W at 32 ohms vs. 1W at 32 ohms)

Where did you get these figures from? And how do you conclude that bass is any different between these devices?

 

[RandomEar]

@eyeshield21_ It looks like you are using ChatGPT or another LLM to generate those summaries. A word of caution: LLMs like ChatGPT are not a reliable source of factual information. They are trained on books, magazines and internet content. This is especially problematic for fields like HiFi, where the internet is full of misinformation and plain bullshit. LLMs are also trained to always generate answers that sound plausible, even if their training data does not contain the necessary information to actually answer the question.

 

[Soria Moria]

Thank you for your responses,

After doing some research and reading your comments, if I understand correctly, the best DAC options would be:

• Qudelix 5K: The best option for more powerful bass and greater flexibility with the adjustable EQ, even for use with a TV. The only "drawback" is that it’s battery-powered unless connected via USB.
• Topping DX1 and SMSL DS100: These models are more neutral and less powerful in the bass. They are better for those who seek a detailed and balanced sound, but they won’t bring out explosive bass.
• SMSL Sanskrit 10th MKII: Very precise and neutral sound signature, with well-defined but not overly emphasized bass. It helps maintain a perfectly neutral sound, which may appeal to audiophiles but doesn’t emphasize the bass profile.

If I understand correctly, for €149, I could get the Qudelix, which would give me a bit more bass and power (2W at 32 ohms vs. 1W at 32 ohms) without distorting the sound(??), with the portable EQ for my tv, compared to the Topping DX1/SMSL MK2 or SMSL DS100, which are priced at €80-100, while being somewhat less powerful than the Topping DX3 Pro or Fiio K7 at €200-250, but still competitive.

View attachment 414159

Thanks again for your help!!

That comparison table is nonsense. But did you not consider the Maxwell? I think you'll like the sound of the Maxwell more than any other headphone recommended and you don't have to think about buying a separate amp/dac.

 

[eyeshield21_]

Indeed, I did some manual research to find the most "recommended" DACs for the XS on different websites (forum) and tried to summarize the pros and cons using ChatGPT while comparing them. Do you see any mistakes or inaccuracies in the comparisons?

If I understand correctly, on a PC, it’s generally enough to use an EQ to boost the bass when needed. I found the Qudelix 5K, which has a built-in EQ, to be an appealing option for potential use with a TV. Plus, if it offers the same performance as the Topping DX1 or SMSL models while also having Bluetooth support for other devices, it seems more versatile to me (?).

For the Maxwell, I get the impression (after looking at Rtings) that there’s a world of difference between the XS and the Maxwell. In france, i can have the xs for 300€ (100€ because I have €200 in gift cards for Amazon from work) when the maxwell prize is 360-400€ without gift :/.

 

[unpluggged]

Indeed, I did some manual research to find the most "recommended" DACs for the XS on different websites (forum) and tried to summarize the pros and cons using ChatGPT while comparing them. Do you see any mistakes or inaccuracies in the comparisons?

If I understand correctly, on a PC, it’s generally enough to use an EQ to boost the bass when needed. I found the Qudelix 5K, which has a built-in EQ, to be an appealing option for potential use with a TV. Plus, if it offers the same performance as the Topping DX1 or SMSL models while also having Bluetooth support for other devices, it seems more versatile to me (?).

For the Maxwell, I get the impression (after looking at Rtings) that there’s a world of difference between the XS and the Maxwell. In france, i can have the xs for 300€ (100€ because I have €200 in gift cards for Amazon from work) when the maxwell prize is 360-400€ without gift :/.

Again, where did you get the info that the Qudelix 5K has 2 W of output power into 32 Ohm?

 

[Robin L]

Thank you for your responses:

If I understand correctly, since I’m used to boosted bass with closed-back headphones, I could “simply” use an EQ to make the headphones more enjoyable for music like metal, electro, trap rap, or even phonk? Or perhaps I could use Dolby Atmos for Windows as well for gaming ?

Regarding the DAC, is the headphone sound still good without one at first? (If I buy the headphones, I might wait a month or so before getting a DAC).

Does a DAC simply provide more power, or can it also "improve" the sound quality? While researching DACs, I came across these options:

• Topping DX1 (~€100)
• Fiio K11 (~€130)
• Qudelix 5K (~€140)
• Topping DX3 Pro+ (~€200, starting to feel expensive :/)

If a DAC genuinely upgrades sound quality, I’m willing to invest, but I’d like to stay around the €100–150 range. I’m a bit of a newbie in the audio world, so I don’t think I need (or can afford) to spend €300.

Thanks!!

DACs don't increase power, amplifiers do. There are a number of headphone amps under $200 that provide more power than necessary for any headphone. There are combination DAC/Amps and a lot of them have more than enough power for your purposes. The Topping DX3 Pro+ DAC and headphone amplifier is just $200, has very low distortion and plenty of power.

 

[RandomEar]

Example of inaccurate info:
The DX1 offers only 280 mW per channel @ 32 Ohms. I'm not going to check every spec now, but as stated above: ChatGPT is not a reliable source for hard facts. It will just make shit up.

Also the descriptions mentioning "more bass" or "clear and detailed" are just wrong. As long as there is enough power on tap and the headphone does not distort, these DAC/amp combos will sound the same. Only exception: If there is an integrated EQ and you use it.

 

[eyeshield21_]

I think I’ve understood that only the equalizer can positively "change" the sound quality, which means that "most" DAC/amps perform at a similar level on PC.

Earlier, you also suggested I take a look at the SMSL DS100 or the SMSL Sanskrit 10th MKII. I have to admit, I’m a bit lost now when adding the Qudelix 5K and the Topping DX1 to the mix. :/ it's hard to figure out which one to prioritize. :/

For a budget of €100-150, am I right to think that the Qudelix 5K or other models will be very similar? Wouldn’t the Qudelix, with its portable EQ, be the better option?

Thank you again for your patience and help!

 

[Curupira]

For a budget of €100-150, am I right to think that the Qudelix 5K or other models will be very similar? Wouldn’t the Qudelix, with its portable EQ, be the better option?

I would think so with 90% of headphones on the market. A few outliers will need more power to play loud with EQ, but prioritizing headroom while on a budget is a bit of a fools errand. Just buy a 2.5mm cable for your headphones you use the most of qudelix.

One thing to keep in mind with the qudelix is that on wireless it can add latency, a disadvantage in competitive games. But it does function with USB so you can circumvent that scenario.

You'll also have to make sure your pc supports Bluetooth. I recommend a simple 5.0+ adapter, then you can buy the ad2p driver to use it with LDAC and get almost lossless quality.

 

[10PSPMemSticksForMiku2007]

First, I would suggest you buy only the headphones and see how they perform with your equipment. You may find that you are satisfied with just the normal headphone jack on your PC and TV. Some of these devices have decent audio jacks built in. There's a big difference in headphone amp quality between different motherboards.
If you need a dac/amp after all, the fosi q4 should be adequate for about $60 and provide ~100 mw into 32 ohms. If it can provide 70 mw into 18 ohms it should be enough to drive the hifiman to 110db.