Sorry, another "which headphones" question from a newbie.

[BaxterBasics]

Hi all,

I have some Amazon vouchers to burn and am looking to make my entry into decent audio enjoyment.

My PC will be the main source - anything from FLAC music files to movies or YouTube and sometimes a CD. Occasionally gaming but that's not top priority: quality high fidelity music is. I listen to bassier/EDM sounds (specifically drum and bass) but I do like a variety of genres so all round quality is important, it can't be all about the bass.

After reading up here and elsewhere my chosen DAC/Amp is the TOPPING DX3 Pro+ (but do let me know if you think I can do better for £199 GBP)

Having harder time deciding on the cans. Amazon's trying to flog me the Sennheiser HD 560S at £100, I'm also looking at Fidelio H2XR (£80) and BD DT770 pro 80 (£140) . I'm thinking for punchier bass I'm going to want closed back rather than open right? Which means I am leaning to the DT770. Not concerned about isolation though, I am happy to annoy the rest of my family.

Don't need wireless 99.9% of the time so I will go wired for the extra quality. I have Sony's CH720N for when I want the Bluetooth.

So I welcome advice, would like to keep it in the budget range of those I have listed (£80 to £140), could I do better though?

Thanks in advance for your time and help!

 

[usern]

560S + EQ = a lot more punch and SPL than DT770 can produce without distorting. Less sweat (literally) as well.

 

[BaxterBasics]

560S + EQ = a lot more punch and SPL than DT770 can produce without distorting. Less sweat (literally) as well.

Thanks for the quick response and advice. In terms of the EQ, I'm guessing that means I am also looking for software to do this with, which will be via Windows 10.

 

[staticV3]

After reading up here and elsewhere my chosen DAC/Amp is the TOPPING DX3 Pro+ (but do let me know if you think I can do better for £199 GBP)

The DX1 will effortlessly drive 95% of headphones for much less.

That leaves you with more money to spend on the headphone, where gains in sound quality are much greater.

If possible, tell us roughly how much you'd like to spend in total, that'll make recommendations easier.

In terms of the EQ, I'm guessing that means I am also looking for software to do this with, which will be via Windows 10.

Equalizer APO is the ticket

 

[BaxterBasics]

The DX1 will effortlessly drive 95% of headphones for much less.

That leaves you with more money to spend on the headphone, where gains in sound quality are much greater.

If possible, tell us roughly how much you'd like to spend in total, that'll make recommendations easier.


Equalizer APO is the ticket

Interesting. I guess this is another way of saying that £100 'phones aren't going to get the best out of the DX3 Pro+. A bit like spending £3k on a graphics card just to play games on an outdated monitor that can't do better than 1080p. As a counter, I do have eyes on future improvements as budget allows. So at some point I will look at speakers/monitors too. That's a few pay cycles away.

I'm looking at an initial £300 to £350 spend on the DAC + headphones. DX1 is half the price of the DX3 so would leave me £200-250 for headphones.

Thanks for the software tip too will definitely give that a look.

 

[usern]

I guess this is another way of saying that £100 'phones aren't going to get the best out of the DX3 Pro+.

That's wrong way of looking at it. DX1 and DX3 both pass the test in terms of sound quality. You pay more for DX3 for screen, preamp func, optical input, other features. In terms of headphones there also is not massive gains to be had from 560S or other fine sounding low price headphoens. You can get heavier (do people like that???) and less plasticy feeling ones, but for example my 560S has been in intense use since release and they still work excellent.

DX3 pro+, 560S, EQ will be excellent
DX1, 560S, EQ will be excellent
DX1, some other low distortion headphone, EQ will be excellent

With DX1 you will not be able to suppress noise some motherboard might introduce through USB by using optical connection. But that's irrelevant if your motherboard does not have optical out.