I recently got this headset, and wow is it good. My only issue is when certain people talk on discord, I can hear a really high pitched ringing. I fiddled with a bunch of settings, computer audio and discord, and nothing seems to solve the issue. It is primarily if not all in my right ear only. Is there something wrong with my headset, or was that ringing always there I can just hear it cause the headset is THAT good? I haven't had any issues with any other application, though I have yet to test if I can hear the ringing on a different version of discord, say on my xbox instead of my pc. Only other issue I've had is occasional static, but I can't tell if it's from the headset or the show/game/etc.
Apr 24, 2024
Other than that, these feel well made... I really dig the headphones and they are very comfortable. I could see someone with a tall head not liking them for fit. I have a big head, but not a tall head and these are more comfortable than my Audio Technica AD700x and AD900x.
These are are definitely worth the purchase. Only thing that annoys me is a slight distortion sometimes.
I use my Xonar DX DAC to equalize and without equalizing these are far superior to any headphone in that price range I’ve tried.
What amp amp do you use?
When I am listening to my HD600's, it's pretty much tube amps all the way, as I love how tubes impart an organicity and "liquidy" ambience to the somewhat clinical,(but not unhappily so), HD600s. These planar magnetics also sound very very nice on a tube amp, but they are already more organic and more "mellow", so don't NEED to be tempered by a tube amp. I feel like the Schiit is a best of both worlds amp because it's a hybrid set up.
I think,(and hope for you), that you will find that the distortions should fade away as the "film" diaphragm of these gets a bit more excercise. By definition of how planar mags are made and the drivers operate, they should be essentially free of distortion. If I am hearing distortion on a planar magnetic, I start to examine my source and amp. I start looking for artifact, or I examine what I am doing with volume control. For instance, on my JDS gear, I will choose the lower gain setting,(rule of thumb for any gear is the lower the gain, the better),which absolutely results in a cleaner, more pure and beutifully lucid sound, especially in how the highs are driven.
The Magni is also a very nice pairing with this set of headphones, I use the Magni/Modi combo on my desk at the hospital where I practice. It's a combo that is easily portable enough to drag back and forth in my kit. As is the O2 rig. So, there's that.... it all depends on the application for me.
If you check out my reviews, I have a list of gear used to power the 'phones I am reviewing at the time. There's one here in this thread somewhere....
:)
Distortion is still there. It isn't overwhelming and isn't omnipresent... just on some things. I don't have this problem with other headphones, like my audio technicas and 6xx I borowed from a friend to test out. It's definitely not a habitual issue with my source, unless these are different. It isn't a deal breaker for me... but I will say this. If I can remove the distortion, these are going to be flawless for that price range for my ears. I love them.
I was thinking of picking up the O2 here since it's on the drop... sounds like you recommend it for the price. My problem is I always buy around $100 amps... so I have three of them, but I probably should just bite the bullet and get a good one around $300
Here's the dealio in making your price-point decision,(okay, MY take on it); spend what it takes to get the amp that will carry you, and your gear, into the future. It helps to know just what you preference is in headphones. I sort of start THERE when I am deciding on bigger money gear that will support the future. Unless you are hugely eclectic in your headphones likes and purchases, finding the DAC/amp rig that suits your particular "flavour" in cans isn't terribly difficult, if you spend enough,(and with a very good gear builder), to get something that will last you for some years. Some of my Schiit gear is what some would call OLD, but it still gets the job done sweetly. Comparing the sound of the newer version vs the older version, in many cases, isn't resulting in new being "the winner", and, sometimes, there's an Upgrade/Update tweek that can be managed, like changing out an opamp....
Check out listings on HeadFi and ebay. Sometimes you will find exactly what you want for a really good price. Or here. I think the biggest caveat to buying Massdrop is that you have to have patience for shipping and, sometimes, be willing to wait it out to get a sweet deal.
Remembering that the O2 is at a nice, discount price here helps, I think. A SS amp is a nice choice for these headphones. Again... it's all about taste and what YOU like, what makes YOU happy.
A truth about the Lyr is that you get SS and Tube, all in a single package, from a reputable builder of gear. HeadFi, for the most part, loves Schiit. And we're a picky lot over there. If it were me, at what sounds like a bit of a crossroads, I would probably try to get ahold of one of Schiits hybrid amps like the Lyr. It's more pricey going in, and you will need a decent DAC for it,(the Magni should work for 100 bux), but it will take you down the road NICELY and handle about any headphone,including IEMs, that you plug into it.
I don't have any fiscal interest in Schiit, btw. I just like their gear, and have done for years and years. The only "brand " I prefer to Schiit is Woo.... but that's not where you want to go if you want the supreme flexibility you can get with Schiit, and LOTTA more bux to buy Woo.
:)
I was looking at the DarkVoice 336se and am very likely to get it at the price it is on Massdrop. My experience with Schiit is that their amps are brighter than most and I'm leaning toward a warmer sound.