High end headphones for gaming etc

Budget? What kind of music?

Without investing in an amp and DAC I'd suggest the HD599. It's basically a slightly updated HD598 with better bass and that's a good thing. I still use my 598s for gaming despite having 'better' headphones.

Metal571 is one of the best headphone reviewers online. He's not as entertaining as some others but you can trust his ear.

[video="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HORNc3QQ9mc"][/video]

Once again I need to know a total budget. The rabbit hole is DEEP. lol

Also really need to know your musical preferences. EDM / hip hop would be a different recommendation than say classical and jazz.

If you're looking at 558s the 599 is an upgrade and a great place to start. The 599s are comfortable, neutral and great for a good all around headphone for both music and gaming. The older HD598s were my entry level headphone. Now they're one of six and the cheap ones. :lol:

The HD 650s ( Massdrop HD 6xx is identical except paint and cable) are an audiophile staple. If you're willing to spend $300+ on an amp for them they live up to their reputation. I have HD 600s and HD 650s. With lower end equipment up to an O2/ODAC I like the 600 better. Feed them with my class A Aune X7S with a balanced cable and the HD 650 takes the lead. Neither the 600 nor the 650 does well with bass heavy music though.

If you want neutral - warm with about the most amazing bass you can get in a headphone then check out the Massdrop x Fostex TH-X00 Ebony. The only slight weakness is soundstage but the imaging is amazing and makes up for it.

[video="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pFM_hW33bw"][/video]

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-fostex-tr-x00-ebony-headphones

I have both the Mahogany and the Ebony and in my opinion the Ebony plays with headphones that cost twice as much. It's as good with London Grammar as it is with Liquid Soul. The Mahogany is more V or W shaped and the vocals can get lost in the sub bass and treble. Both are very easy to drive but will really come alive when amped correctly.

Add an Aune X1S for a VERY nice DAC/ solid state amp combo and you're golden. Massdrop is a one stop shop here.

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/aune-x1s-32bit-384-dsd128-mini-dac

Now if you're willing to maybe break that budget limit a LITTLE bit the Massdrop x Focal Elex is an all around headphone that's more refined then the Fostex. It's basically a Focal Elear with Focal Clear pads on it for less money. I don't have this one but I do have an Elear and it's beautiful.

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-focal-elex-headphones

You could pair it with a cheap amp/dac now as it's not hard to drive and then get something worthy of it as your budget allows. And it wouldn't be wrong to spend an equal amount as the headphone cost or even more on an amp and DAC. It's not as 'fun' as the Ebony Fostex but it's more refined and detailed. Bass extends down to an insane 5hz. This is HiFi tier. I'd put the Ebony right on the cusp of HiFi as well. The HD600 and HD650 are probably HiFi as well but they require a good chain to give you that sound quality and even there there are holes in what they do well.

The X1S combines a very good DAC and a very good amp for the price. It pairs well with the Sennheiser HD650/6xx. it's a very nice 'better' than entry level place to start.

Which Sennheisers? As I said above the Sennheiser HD650 is available as the 6XX from Massdrop for $199. The drops come and go but there is an active drop right now. It's one of, if not THE best value in the headphone market.

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-sennheiser-hd6xx

There's a reason they've sold 56,950 of these. The ONLY downside to Massdrop is the wait on some items and that drops come and go. If the drop ends it will be back but it might be months.

They certainly ship internationally. Certain items can be country restricted. Usually knives and things like that but I seem to remember seeing one certain item that couldn't be shipped anywhere but the US due to an exclusivity agreement. Most things can though.

You'll have to deal with taxes but even then some deals are still good deals. And their exclusive stuff can't be bought elsewhere. Like those TH-X00 headphones.

A properly amped HD650 ( 6XX ) is a very good thing. It's a detailed yet warm and laid back sound signature that you can listen to for hours with no fatigue. It is NOT however something I'd recommend for electronic / EDM or rap and hip hop. There's good bass but it's more bass the instrument bass than EDM bass. And yes the X1S will drive them very well and it has a very good DAC section. The 650's ability to scale with better sources is legendary. It also loves tube amps. So there's always an upgrade path with them.

If you really want something better get a stand alone DAC and a better amp. I would absolutely recommend the Aune X7S ( same drop and $199 price as the X1S, you select which you want on the order page. ) and pairing it with a stand alone DAC. OR best yet, take advantage of the $20 price break and get the X1S - X7S stack ( get both ). They stack very well by all accounts.

X1S = Very nice DAC with a decent headphone amp.

X7S = Class A headphone amp. 1w single ended and 1.7W balanced. <--- What I use more than anything else.

You could also pair the X7S with any number of very good discreet DACs like the Topping D10 or D30 ( What I have ) or even a D50 although you're getting into pricey territory there.

There are so many good amps and DACs out there. I can't even scratch the surface.

I have an Asus Xonar STX sound card ( virtual surround for gaming ), a Mayflower O2 / ODAC Rev B and a Topping D30 paired with an Aune X7S. The D30 - X7S combo is amazing with everything I own and what I use 90% of the time for music.