1990 had the sharpest imaging I've ever heard. The center image is so sharp and definite. The treble is pronounced but never bothered me ymmv. Separation and resolving ability were good, no veil at all. To me the bass was quite strong, but honestly none of the headphones you're looking at will have super thick bass without EQ.
this post was submitted on 19 Nov 2023
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I have the 660S and the 1990, the 660S is way sharper in treble.
Out of the list you gave: i would choose the PC38X. Good sound quality all around, comfy, mic, volume control, cheap. What more would you need? You should look on the others only if you happen to end up not liking the 38X.
But it’s not high resolution compared to other headphones is it?
It has about the same resolution, in my opinion, as HD 600, DT 1990, when all are equalized.
When not equalized then the clarity of the 38 will be somewhat lower. But that should not frighten you. Its lack of clarity is not because of technical weakness but because of the frequency response tuning. It is intentionally tuned so. Which one may like or not. It is subjective. The tuning of the 1990 tuning is much worse IMO, i can not even listen to it without equalization. The 38 can be used without equalization. 660 tuning is perhaps clearer, but not by much and even that slight difference you may either even like more or eliminate with software equalization to get a perfect tuning.
It is difficult for me to understand why other people prefer the more expensive ones. Most audiophiles do not even try headphones which has "gaming" label. These decisions are somewhat based on fashion or personal preference for a certain sound. Some people exclude cheap products because they assume that cheaper is probably worse. Some products are hyped and that makes people buy them and then expectation bias makes them think that it is good.
I do EQ the 38X to Oratory’s preset.
I just can’t believe what I’m hearing. People buy 700 dollar headphones over 150 ones just for the tuning? I’m pretty new to this rabbit hole of a hobby so I guess I have no idea.
Higher Ohms or less sensitivity to me means “more” driver coils. There has to be a difference in resolution somehow. Or correct me if I’m wrong lol.
Sometimes diff in the technical [independent of tuning] resolution does exist. But that usually does not depend on the price. My most resolving headphone so far is on my head right now, it is a 40 USD Superlux 672. It is more resolving [to my hearing] than HD 600, DT 1990. Perhaps resolution is subjective, i do not know for sure.
In my opinion technical resolution comes not from voice coil or membrane being thin but by the sound being clean of problems like texture and lingering - the less fake stuff we here - the more true stuff we here.
The DT-1990, from my experience with it in gaming, is that it images really well with HRTF audio. As for your other need, deep bass extension, is where the 1990 will not deliver. It has good mid-bass, but not much in subbass, even with leather pads.
You may want to consider this item instead:
Hmm, I was going to suggest the Monoprice M1070 planars for $223 with current coupon, but they are OOS as of today. So are the AMT's.
You can also consider the Kennerton Magni. They use graphene dynamic drivers and deliver some good bass.
Maybe E-MU Teak ?
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