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Beyerdynamic DT880 vs Sennheiser HD600 for gaming

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Draulius

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
First things first, I realize that these two headphones aren't advertised as being good for gaming. In fact they may be overkill for it. But I'm getting one of them primarily for music, so gaming is secondary. However, it still wouldn't hurt to know which one is better for gaming.

When I say "better for gaming", I mean better soundstage and detail. Basically, being able to hear what sound is coming from where.

If there's anyone who has experience with either or both of these headphones that could tell me, I would highly appreciate it.

Thanks.
 
#2 ·
880, definitely!

I did a lot of research before settling on my 880s and have used them for 5 years. They have a very open soundstage and it's very easy to pinpoint sounds. When combined with a virtual surround DSP like Razer Surround and a game with proper 7.1 support, it can be extremely immersive and a big advantage in FPSs.

The only headphones with a better soundstage for gaming would be the AKG 701s.

But do keep in mind the HD600s and DT880s are very different headphones. The 880s are pretty bright while the 600s are quite dark. the 880s are also reference headphones which many will say sound clinical, boring, or thin. But if you want accuracy in a headphone, they really are great.

Also, both of these headphones are very dependent on having a good amp. I really fell in love with my 880s once I put it on a tube amp.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by mechtech View Post

880, definitely!

I did a lot of research before settling on my 880s and have used them for 5 years. They have a very open soundstage and it's very easy to pinpoint sounds. When combined with a virtual surround DSP like Razer Surround and a game with proper 7.1 support, it can be extremely immersive and a big advantage in FPSs.

The only headphones with a better soundstage for gaming would be the AKG 701s.

But do keep in mind the HD600s and DT880s are very different headphones. The 880s are pretty bright while the 600s are quite dark. the 880s are also reference headphones which many will say sound clinical, boring, or thin. But if you want accuracy in a headphone, they really are great.

Also, both of these headphones are very dependent on having a good amp. I really fell in love with my 880s once I put it on a tube amp.
Click to expand...
Have you used the AKG 701 or Sennheiser HD600 and been able to compare them with the DT880?

I've been using the Audio-Technica A(D)700 for years now and they're a little bright. I was leaning towards the HD600 not only because it has a detachable cable, but it might be a nice break from the bright sound signature that I find fatiguing at times.

I already have an 02/ODAC combo to power them.

Hopefully all these headphones are at least above average for gaming.
 
#4 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Draulius View Post

Have you used the AKG 701 or Sennheiser HD600 and been able to compare them with the DT880?

I've been using the Audio-Technica A(D)700 for years now and they're a little bright. I was leaning towards the HD600 not only because it has a detachable cable, but it might be a nice break from the bright sound signature that I find fatiguing at times.

I already have an 02/ODAC combo to power them.
Click to expand...
I haven't heard the 701s or 600s in person. What I know comes from forums and personal experience with my 880s. Actually, I've tried both the '03 880s and the 600ohm newer 880s. They're quite different headphones, and the newer 880s have more detail but have less "weight" behind the sound. FYI I stuck with my '03 pair.

If you want a change from your AD700s then the 880s might not be the best choice. They're definitely an upgrade from the AD700s for listening to music(especially in bass extension), but the sound signature is similar. With an O2 it's still going to be a neutral/bright headphone. As for sound positioning in games, the AD700s are already very accurate headphones.

The question is, do you want an upgrade to the AD700s, or a completely different sound signature? The answer to that question should determine which pair to get.
 
#5 ·
beyers are bright if u dont like bright headphones stay away. akg super bright as well.
hd 600 are pure plastic but sound ok. build quality isn't super great.

personally i love grado - super light, sound great only downside are the earpads but they are easily moddable to be comfortable.
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by julsfof View Post

beyers are bright if u dont like bright headphones stay away. akg super bright as well.
hd 600 are pure plastic but sound ok. build quality isn't super great.

personally i love grado - super light, sound great only downside are the earpads but they are easily moddable to be comfortable.
Click to expand...
Aren't Grado on-ear and not over-ear?

The HD600's are well-built from what I hear, they just don't look like it.
 
#7 ·
I've owned all three of the 880, HD600 and Q701. Q701 was the best for gaming by a smidge, then 880, then HD600. Bottom line is that they're all very good headphones, even for gaming. Music wise they each have their strengths and weaknesses however. Whatever you get, you won't be disappointed
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#8 ·
jup most are. i bought the over ear pads and cut them so the cans sit nearly directly on my ears. Buddy of mine put pieces of cloth over the pads and has no problems with them anymore. The earpads are the clear weakpoint but the sound ... beyer t1 and similar headphones sound worse imo and even the sr325e sound great which should be more the pricepoint u are looking for.
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by KaiserFrederick View Post

I've owned all three of the 880, HD600 and Q701. Q701 was the best for gaming by a smidge, then 880, then HD600. Bottom line is that they're all very good headphones, even for gaming. Music wise they each have their strengths and weaknesses however. Whatever you get, you won't be disappointed
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Thanks for the comparison, it's what I suspected. In what order would you rank them for music performance?
 
#10 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Draulius View Post

Thanks for the comparison, it's what I suspected. In what order would you rank them for music performance?
Click to expand...
I have owned all three and many more.

The music performance is going to be dependent on what you like to listen to.

If you listen to anything other than rap and computer generated music, then the HD 600s definitely win. They are very natural sounding with a warm tilt. Things like acoustic guitar, bass, and vocals come across quite nicely. The highs are a bit rolled off, so things do not sound as airy as it could be, but for most music it sounds really full and lush.

Stuff like this would be great for the HD600s


If you listen to more modern music, then the DT880s would be the way to go. The mids are lack luster which sucks, but the bass is tight and the highs are decently airy.

Stuff like this would be great for the DT880s.

 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
Thanks for the replies everyone. I've all but decided to go with the Beyerdynamic DT880 (600 Ohm). Before I make my purchase, what are your opinions on the DT990? I hear it has more bass and treble, and is even brighter than the DT880. It's also more open, which could be better for gaming. But I don't care for much bass, and I find the AD700's fatiguing at times so I might for the DT990's too.

Would the DT990 really be better for gaming over the DT880? I plan to use these headphones for everything though, so if the sound signature of the DT990 could be distracting for other uses then that would be a problem.
 
#13 ·
I have been using DT - 880 (250 ohm) for the past few years.
They are overall excellent headphones, but I should warn you about something.
In games, it's not easy to discern the exact position of sounds which originate from behind you.
Front, left, and right are very easy to discern distance to sound.
But noise behind you sounds like it's all coming from slightly behind your head or inside your head.
After a while, you become used to it. Turn around and then that rear sound becomes a frontal sound in which distance to sound source is easily discerned.

I read another online review about the DT - 880 and it concurred in regards to discernment of distance to rear sounds.

Would I trade/sell my DT - 880's for other headphones which are better for gaming?
No, because I am a little older now and less often play super-competitive online shooters.
DT - 880 sound quality is excellent, but if you want to be #1 in battlefield/CoD/planetside 2, then maybe choose some gaming headphones.
Most games, including third-person view, and single player games, and especially games with nice music will sound very nice on the DT-880.
As I already said; left, right, front work fine. Just turn around if you hear anything behind you.
Two years ago, I often played planetside 2 and was almost always able to pinpoint enemy location in a one-on-one fight, simply by listening and turning around. My days of one-on-one fights in pvp shooters are over and I no longer seek out that type of gameplay.
 
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#14 ·
Ok well I have owned the the 701s and 880s. I personally prefer the 880s over the 701s, but ultimately I prefer the 990s over anything else listed here.

Also if you haven't looked at the ATH AD900s then those are definitely worth testing for gaming as well.

You will need a quality amp for the Beyer 600 ohm versions. I would lean towards the 250 ohm sets.
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Partol View Post

I have been using DT - 880 (250 ohm) for the past few years.
They are overall excellent headphones, but I should warn you about something.
In games, it's not easy to discern the exact position of sounds which originate from behind you.
Front, left, and right are very easy to discern distance to sound.
But noise behind you sounds like it's all coming from slightly behind your head or inside your head.
After a while, you become used to it. Turn around and then that rear sound becomes a frontal sound in which distance to sound source is easily discerned.

I read another online review about the DT - 880 and it concurred in regards to discernment of distance to rear sounds.

Would I trade/sell my DT - 880's for other headphones which are better for gaming?
No, because I am a little older now and less often play super-competitive online shooters.
DT - 880 sound quality is excellent, but if you want to be #1 in battlefield/CoD/planetside 2, then maybe choose some gaming headphones.
Most games, including third-person view, and single player games, and especially games with nice music will sound very nice on the DT-880.
As I already said; left, right, front work fine. Just turn around if you hear anything behind you.
Two years ago, I often played planetside 2 and was almost always able to pinpoint enemy location in a one-on-one fight, simply by listening and turning around. My days of one-on-one fights in pvp shooters are over and I no longer seek out that type of gameplay.
Click to expand...
Do you think the DT990 or HD600 has the same issue? Anyway, I'd take games sounding better over positional accuracy any day. Although, I wouldn't want to sacrifice TOO much of it.

If it happens with those other headphones too then obviously I don't have a choice. If anyone knows, let me know.
 
#16 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Draulius View Post

Do you think the DT990 or HD600 has the same issue? Anyway, I'd take games sounding better over positional accuracy any day. Although, I wouldn't want to sacrifice TOO much of it.

If it happens with those other headphones too then obviously I don't have a choice. Let me know.
Click to expand...
I don't know but I can guess.
You can search online for reviews.
My guess is that most reviews will say DT 880/990 and HD600 are good for gaming, however, my guess is that most people who buy such headphones are not hardcore first person shooter gamers.

How is the sound positioning on your AD700? Can you pinpoint the location of rear sounds just as well as front sounds? Any difficulty pinpointing sounds which are above or below? or left/right?
 
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#17 ·
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Discussion starter · #18 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Partol View Post

In case this helps,

http://www.gamespot.com/forums/pc-mac-linux-society-1000004/beyerdynamic-dt880-pro-vs-dt990-pro-29239897/?page=1#js-message-337706553

"I Remember reading the DT880 had problems with rear positioning in Dolby headphone in games if your planning on using. The DT990 lacked that problem and will have the bigger bass(although it higher quality bass as well) and ...."
Click to expand...
I see. So this problem only affects Dolby headphone and surround sound? I try to use stereo at all times and dislike having those effects on my headphones. I wonder if this issue persists in stereo sound as well?

I'm getting the DT880 and will test it out. If it still has that problem and bothers me too much I'll just get the DT990. If anyone has any further information or experience then let me know.
 
Discussion starter · #19 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by mechtech View Post

The only headphones with a better soundstage for gaming would be the AKG 701s.
Click to expand...
I've heard great things about the AKG X701 for gaming, but as for their sound quality there has been a lot of complaints. Of course some people love them. I've always gotten the impression that the DTXX0's or HD600 are one league ahead from what I've read on here though, so I'm not sure.

I do like that you can get them for much cheaper and they have a detachable cable. But surely there must be a reason they're so cheap or why so many people dislike them. They're also hard to drive despite having low Ohmage and high sensitvity, which I've never understood.
 
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Draulius
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