Headphones - Shure SRH1440 vs Sennheiser HD650

[AdamK47]

I really like my closed back Shure SRH840s, but I'm willing to give open backed headphones another try. They would be plugged into the audio out of my HAF-X which is then connected to the audio header for the Sound Core3D on my ASRock Extreme11 motherboard. The connection also allows for headphone amplification. They will be mostly used for gaming.

What say ye?

 

[vbuggy]

I've no experience of the Shures unfortunately but I will say that the Sennheisers might be a bit dark for gaming, where you don't mind a bit of audio fatigue for added awareness. Still one of my faves for all-around listening, but not that all-purpose, perhaps. The HD600 might be a better bet if you're still looking at Senn.

My open gaming + audio dual-purpose phone of choice (when I'm not using a USB headset) is the T1, but I assume you probably don't want to go there.

 

[AdamK47]

That's what I've been hearing. The 650s are a bit heavy on the base and the highs aren't very pronounced. Some of the reviews of the SRH1440s indicate it being more balanced.

 

[vbuggy]

I wouldn't say it's 'heavy' as such and for gaming use that's not a particular liability, but the highs are definitely more nuanced.

I think with a gaming phone, you want to hear "the crunch of stuff". The HD650's overall tonality is not bad if you have superior resolving power of a good electrostatic like on the Orpheus or the SR-007 - the first of which I kind of for an exercise in overkill used to use as a gaming phone, but as a dynamic the HD650 lacks a certain something when you want incisive trebles. And even for general listening, a lot of people want something more upfront. Mind you, I could have it clamped on my head all day with a jazz / classical / vocal playlist and be happy.

 

[AdamK47]

Just ordered the SRH1440s.

 

[hmcindie]

HD650 is awesome. You can listen to that thing for hours and hours and hours.

 

[AdamK47]

Got the Shure SRH1440s yesterday. Tried them out for a bit. I can describe them in one word: BRIGHT!

I wanted headphones where the lows wouldn't be too overpowering or would drown out/distort the highs. These headphones certainly accomplish that. The highs are a bit to powerful though. Maybe the headphones need some break in time to settle it down, or maybe I just need to adjust the EQ. Could be that I just need to get use to it.

I do miss how my closed back SRH840s shut out the fan noise from my PC.

 

[vbuggy]

Time for controllers and Noctuas then... If you haven't tried to swap out all the fans. Are the Titans that noisy?

Break in is largely a myth, but psychological acclimatisation is not - perhaps you just need to listen to them a bit more. Or EQ as you said.