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Just an FYI... the Sennheiser PC37X is like an HD 599, with a boom mic, for a crazy good price. These models have a touch more sub-bass than the HD 598, and while they aren’t trunk-rattling-bass-cannons, the PC37X is surprisingly fun for music as well as being great with spacial imaging (especially with surround processing). The $120 Massdrop price is frankly amazing, about half the price of the MSRP on the PC373D they are based on (main difference is the cable and colors).
The Astro A40 are... ok, but they’re half the headphone of the Sennheiser's. Both have soft pads, but the A40’s feel rougher, and the headset is heavier. The bass on the A40 is also much looser, and everything is less detailed and blurred in comparison. The matte plastic on the PC37X feels more premium, and the looks are more understated and mature. The only reason I might like the Astro bundle is for their decent Mixamp Pro, which uses an optical input (if your console still has that) to change Dolby Surround into Dolby Headphone, and make a surround sound that works with any stereo headphone... but you can also do that processing with a few other devices.
My first full-sized headphones were the Audio Technica AD700 (Purple Slayer!!), and they’re pretty much the opposite of the Astro A40. Great value for the dollar when I got them for $80 (good luck doing that now), amazing detail, crispness, soundstage and imaging, with a light touch on the tight bass. Yes, these headphones have bass, but it’s like an underfed bone-y bass, which does take away emphasis from non-tactical sounds but I’ve found it is entirely possible for a headphone to have good imaging and a balanced amount of bass. The AD700 was also easy to power and not require strong amps to present good positional depth. Ultimately, to use a gaming term, this is a min-max Headphone, which sacrificed a couple things to meet a very specific, colored result.
The Fostex T50RP mk III is a nice sounding headphone... but it also is the least efficient, hardest to drive Headphone I have ever used in my personal collection. the iPhone 6S has/had decent audio above most laptop and android phones (the recent LG phones could be the exception) and a stronger amp, but at max volume it was only just reaching my normal listening volumes... and some recordings were still too quiet. Meanwhile, the PC37X sounds great at 50% or one notch below. consider that fact if you don’t have an amp yet and intend to connect straight to a motherboard or controller. The looks and comfort still apply here... if you’re going to enjoy any gaming marathons, that’s really important.
I also have an HD 800, HD 599, AKG K712 and K612, and honestly so many more headphones. The other option from that group that I could consider recommending is the K612, which was my main gaming and musicheadphone for years... but I am of the opinion that the PC37X is more comfortable, and a more complete package with the mic and detachable cable. I still have the K612, but I haven’t listened to it since, like... March this year? It still remains a great headphone, I just don’t reach for it.
My main headphone right now is the HD 800 (if you’ve got something like that, it’s hard not to keep coming back to it!), but the PC37X is still so easy and optimal for gaming that I usually game with that.
LordOttomBottom
3
Jun 3, 2018
EvshrugThis is pretty in depth. Thanks for this. I do wonder though if you have a recommendation outside of the PC37x that has a less ovoid shape? The pressure point of Senns are usually right at the soft pit behind my ears so I can't deal with wearing them . It pushed me to get Shure monitors instead at the time, however the headpiece is broken and now in storage haha.
LordOttomBottomHmm, I actually found the Senn ovals to avoid the ache spots that the AKGs hit for me sometimes. But all heads are different, you could try those I guess.
I’m no doctor, but feeling my own head, there’s a flat, solid section of skull-bone under the ear that extends a little past the ear, if you try to get wider pads and rest further back than that, the bone has a somewhat pronounced angle and then starts sloping back to make the curve that goes behind your head, and you risk the pad concentrating it’s caliper force (clamp) on some portion of that ridge. The only gap is under the ear, between the jawbone and skull; I usually prefer pads that don’t reach too low there, because my jaw slightly flares out as I feel downwards.
So, for me, pads are most comfortable when they ARE oval, and I wear them placed a bit forward and up. D-shaped pads work well too, with a bit of extra space forward as long as it doesn’t press too firmly on my cheekbone. A bit of depth, squish, and ability to dissipate heat are also important for me & pads.
So, the HD 600 and HD 500 series pads have actually been the MOST comfortable for me so far (just got a bunch of Dekoni pads to test out, too), followed by the depth of those huge HD 800 earcups though I’ve gotta wear those a little higher (click the headband a little smaller) so they don’t press on my jaw. I thought the Shure 1540 were pretty awesome at one of the CanJam’s where I got to try them, and that Alcantara material was pretty darn interesting, but I’m pretty sure those are oval too, right? I most often recommend the PC37X here because it’s just a screaming great deal, though the HD 58X Jubilee might end up being worth the small extra price.
Have you contacted Shure about repairs? Or are you just curious to take the opportunity to try something new?
LordOttomBottomAlso, I have a hard time NOT writing in depth 😅
LordOttomBottom
3
Jun 3, 2018
EvshrugNice reply. Yeah I was referring to the pit where the jaw connects as to where it presses most. My shures have been out of warranty for I think a year officially. They work just need to buy a new frame and reinforce before use. Big head problems all around.
LordOttomBottomProbably packed full of brains and good senses ;)
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