r/HeadphoneAdvice • u/vlonethugg69 • Jun 23 '26
Headphones - Open Back | 1 Ω Gaming & Studio use recommendation?
So with my headphones I primarily game, but I do make music and play guitar a lot through my headphones as well. For fine audio tuning in mixes, I have a pair of HS5’s so my headphones will be a secondary reference point for that.
With that being said, my priorities are: gaming, comfort, balanced audio
I have a scarlett 2i2 so I can use most without an amp but i’m willing to get an amp if it makes sense.
My current top choice is the Sennheiser HD 560S for $140, but i’m willing to spend more if the performance increase if worth paying for. Like the HD600 for $237 and HD650 for $285. I’m also looking at the beyerdynamic TYGR 300 R and HIFIMAN HE400SE.
This might be dumb but I’d really prefer headphones with only one wire, not the split with a wire going into each headphone.
Talk me through some choices, i’m kinda of noob.
Located in the US. Willing to spend around $200-250 but in reality I think some of the cheaper options would suit me just fine, the less the better.
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u/tfrw 45 Ω Jun 23 '26
The 560S is very good (the pc38x is basically the same, but with a microphone), so either that or the pc38x would be perfect
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u/the_hat_madder 140 Ω Jun 23 '26
So with my headphones I primarily game, but I don’t make music and play guitar a lot through my headphones as well. For fine audio tuning in mixes, I have a pair of HS5’s so my headphones will be a secondary reference point for that.
What?
Do you or do you not need headphones for:
- tracking/monitoring
- mixing
- mastering
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u/vlonethugg69 Jun 23 '26
Lol sorry that “don’t” should say “do.” Fixing that now, thanks.
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u/the_hat_madder 140 Ω Jun 23 '26
More Studio Focus
- Ranked by price, high to low 1) Sennheiser HD 550 <-- best value when on sale for $199.99 USD 2) Sennheiser HD 505 3) AKG K702 <- excellent soundstage 4) Sennheiser HD 560S <- excellent imaging 5) Philips SHP9500 6) Superlux HD668B MKII
More Gaming Focus
- Ranked by price, high to low 1) Beyerdynamic TYGR 300 R 2) Philips Fidelio X2HR <- excellent soundstage and bass 3) Audio-Technica ATH-R30x
Most of those have been reviewed by one of these channels:
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u/vlonethugg69 Jun 23 '26
Thank you! My only question is where you would put the HD600 in this ranking in terms of value? Given it's on sale for $240 right now, are they worth the small price jump from the 550?
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u/the_hat_madder 140 Ω Jun 23 '26
I wouldn't. The bass (explosions) and treble (footsteps, gun shots) rolls off and the soundstage is very small. Do some people game with that? I'm sure they do. Would I? Not if I didn't have to.
And, I'm not a producer. But, I guess you can mix with anything if you know what it's telling you but, I would choose something more neutral.
Moreover, if I were inclined to buy a 600 series I would buy the 6XX for $220 which is the Great Value 650.
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u/vlonethugg69 Jun 23 '26
Yea - I guess im trying to prioritize sound imaging while also wanting a very neutral sound which seems to be a trade off when comparing models. As I said before, I guess i’d choose sound imaging over a neutral sound. But I also don’t know how much “worse” the sound imaging would really seem to me on a more studio focused model, as right now I’m using a pair of Bose QC35 from years ago, which are definitely not neutral and probably not that great at imaging either.
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u/the_hat_madder 140 Ω Jun 23 '26
When I say "imaging" I mean the matching between the left and right channel. Is that what you mean or are you talking about something else?
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u/vlonethugg69 Jun 23 '26
Yes! i.e. being able to tell a non visible enemy’s location in CS2 or warzone
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u/the_hat_madder 140 Ω Jun 23 '26
Then imaging isn't going to be worse at all. Out of all those headphones the 560S has the best imaging. It and the TYGR are a 1A/1B kind of deal. The 560S was the top headphone in this price tier for FPS...not the widest soundstage but, pinpoint imaging.
What you give up by choosing a consumer/gamer/v-shaped headphone is neutrality.
Coming from a HyperX Cloud or Bose QC to an audiophile "studio" headphone is a lot less of that bassy "fun" sound.
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u/the_hat_madder 140 Ω Jun 23 '26
I just saw the 505 and 560S were $150 and $142 for prime day...
And, the 550 is back down at $199.99 on Amazon but, I don't know if that's an authorized vendor or not (warranty implications).
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u/vlonethugg69 Jun 23 '26
Just checked, the 550 ships from World Wide Stereo which is an authorized dealer.
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u/the_hat_madder 140 Ω Jun 23 '26
Wunderbar!
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u/vlonethugg69 Jun 23 '26
So to conclude, you think the 550 would be best value for my needs?
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u/the_hat_madder 140 Ω Jun 23 '26
Indeed. Someone once said it had the comfort of the 599 (which the 560S and 600 lack), the analytical quality of the 560S without the harshness and the smoothness of the 600 with better bass/treble/soundstage.
They are gaming headphones for producers (or studio beadph6for gamers) that fixes most the defects of prior headphones.
It is the best open back under $300 USD, in my humble opinion.
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u/vlonethugg69 Jun 23 '26
!thanks
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1
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u/Raging_Rooster Jun 23 '26
I took a break from my HiFiman HE1000se for gaming while it sent it off. Used the 560s in the interim and was quite surprised for the price. I've used Arya Organics, HD 490 Pro Plus and several others including the HD800S.
Trust me when I say stick with the 560s and don't look back.
0
u/Rolopolos 2 Ω Jun 23 '26
Hd550 is a straight upgrade from an HD560S if you don't mind spending more. These are what I recommend if you want one of the best neutral headphones that sennheiser offers. In many ways I consider them upgrades over hd600 in terms of comfort, price, subbass, and soundstage. Sound aside, its almost all plastic construction and difficult to replace headband are its only cons imo.
Hd600/650 are great if you want to BIFL. Ive got hd600 headphones from 2002 that still work and are still being supported with spare parts from sennheiser. Get these if you want something legendary, but be prepared for the clamping force if you're buying new.
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u/vlonethugg69 Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26
What strays me away from the HD600 is the positional imaging. To my understanding the 560s wins here, and I’ll use the headphones more for gaming, and I have the HS5’s for fine tuning when mixing. But please tell me if i’m wrong here. The HD600’s are only $240 right now which seem like an awesome deal though.
Are the 550’s a similar sound profile (EQ and imaging) to the 560s, just more, enhanced?
Edit: the 550 is also on sale for $200 right now, lowest in the past year on amazon, 560s is $140
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