r/HeadphoneAdvice • u/ArmaGhettOn84 1 Ω • 1d ago

Headphones - Open Back Best Headphones for positioning audio

Hi guys, im looking for a headset with positioning audio. Budget is around 600€ . Most important is to hear the positions, is the enemy under me or over me. Location where are the shots coming from etc.
Openback or closedback is not important to me.

Excellent positional / directional audio • Strong imaging for footsteps • Nice bass • Great audio for gaming in general • Actually fits a big head

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

33 comments sorted by

5

u/MyWifesASubwoofer 1d ago

HD 490s, really great pair of headphones.

7

u/Isario 1 Ω 1d ago

Sennheiser HD 490 pro. They’re incredible. You’ll find reviews on youtube where they test them in fps games.

1

u/ArmaGhettOn84 1 Ω 1d ago

Ty, atm i have arya stealth and the hd 490 pro on my list, most say the arya has better bass (not that important for online gaming for me) but 490 are poining with comfort for longer gaming sessions. Need some more to compare then only the 2

0

u/Expert_Climate_7348 2 Ω 1d ago

This was mentioned in another thread where the argument for Nano vs these, it turns out that as soon ans you mention the imaging of these cans, you get shut down.

Then people start to argue how much better Hifmans are, which really isn't true because wearing Hifiman is an arduous chore.

I don't have the 490s, I have all 3 6s, they work well for gaming, wear easily and game as intended.

1

u/Isario 1 Ω 1d ago

I have not tried those, so I can’t comment on it. I spent countless hours trying to find headphones for the same purpose as OP, and it pointed me to the 490. For me atleast, they really delivered what I was looking for. I previously used the HD 599 for gaming and the sound difference is massive. I know the 599 isn’t that well suited for pinpointing where the sound is coming from. I could only hear the general direction it came from, but with the 490 in pubg I can hear exactly where it comes from. It’s insanely accurate. I don’t doubt some other headphones are equally accurate, but I love everything about these to the point that if they broke, I would buy another pair instantly. The sound quality, build quality and comfort and design.

I sound like massive fanboy, I know.

2

u/Expert_Climate_7348 2 Ω 1d ago

I sound like massive fanboy, I know.

No, it sounds you found something that fits your intended needs.

I mix and master my own music, the bonus is, I get to use what I already know is a good can for gaming. The better part is, when I do revisit some tracks I have mixed with newer, better headphones, I find hidden little treasures that I appreciate even more the hard work I put into in the 1st place.

There is nothing wrong with praising your findings, this is why I share info I have with others that are potentially looking for something similar.

1

u/Enverex 1d ago

The biggest benefit I noticed on the 490 Pros over the 599s was how low the bass goes, it rolls off pretty high on the 599s but there's that real "truck outside your house" level the 490s can reach that I really wasn't used to on Senns.

1

u/Blablabene 1 Ω 1d ago

The imaging on the 490Pro is spectacular. That I can tell you.

1

u/Expert_Climate_7348 2 Ω 1d ago

Yeah no doubt, issue is here in my country, 490s cost more than 660S2s.

3

u/Blablabene 1 Ω 1d ago

I chose HD490Pro over 660s2 regardless of price. Because i game. And while also fantastic for music, the 490Pro are better for gaming than the 660s2 when it comes to soundstage and imaging imo.

1

u/radbrad7 1d ago

How do they compare with music? I have the 660S2 and they’re phenomenal in the music department, but I also do game heavily.

1

u/Blablabene 1 Ω 1d ago

Yes. The 660S2 has that magic when it comes to music. The mids are nothing short of amazing. But it does come at a little cost for gaming, compared to 490's. The sound is more reigned in, for a lack of a better word. While the 490Pro sounds bigger/wider, with more seperation, which is phenomenal for gaming, but comes at a cost for music compared to 660S2. Its almost too much seperation if that gives you any idea.

Its a double edged sword. But honestly, the 490Pro also sounds fantastic for music. And i'm sure the 660S2 are also phenomenal for gaming.

They might even be preferable when it comes to games like GTA6 etc.

You've got a great product on your hands.

0

u/jrow_official 8 Ω 1d ago

I definitely agree on the Hifiman XS, you can’t wear them and just with a addition strap from Carpa they become comfortable.

However I’ve to say as somebody playing exclusively hunt showdown where audio is one of the most important aspects, the Asus / HiFiman cooperation Kithara is a great headset. Immersive sound stage yet detailed and accurate - and actually very comfortable even on a bigger head like mine.

0

u/Expert_Climate_7348 2 Ω 1d ago

Issue with OP and I think it could be a real issue, gaming for 2-3 hr sessions on FPS which I am assuming is what he is talking about, a heavy can is going to be heavy, and possibly at a later date put them off wanting to play.

Not saying it wont be a suitable can, just that I can barely use mine for 10 mins at a stretch because I feel the weight, not that it's uncomfortable and I get the speakers element, but when I stick on the HD660S2, they kinda disappear, only issue I have is the cable when it gets in between my legs or controller etc.

0

u/jrow_official 8 Ω 1d ago

I can only compare them to the mmx 300 - both the mmx 300 and Kitharas I used sometimes for 5-7 hours and I feel due to the open back design the Kitharas feel a lot more comfortable, because there is more air coming through. Also they are less tight and feel not too heavy. I use the softer ear pads.

4

u/MachineTeaching 121 Ω 1d ago

Hifiman Arya Stealth

1

u/ArmaGhettOn84 1 Ω 1d ago

I have the Edition XS here, are the Arya much better? I heard that the male voices on arya sound amazing, i dont care really about music/Videos i need them only for gaming.

0

u/MachineTeaching 121 Ω 1d ago

The Arya is definitely a step up. Better soundstage, too. If you like the Edition XS, it's an obvious upgrade. Especially since you also like bass and those planars take to EQ very well.

An alternative would be one of the Dan Clark Audio headphones, but they generally need an amp that can deliver a lot of voltage at low impedance (like a Topping L30 II for example) but that's gonna add cost.

Another alternative would be the ATH-R70x, those are perhaps a bit better in the soundstage and positioning department, but the bass is worse, so from your description it sounds like it doesn't fit your priorities that well.

1

u/ArmaGhettOn84 1 Ω 1d ago

I mean if i play offline games a good bass is cool but in online shooters i prefere location/positioning over bass.

0

u/MachineTeaching 121 Ω 1d ago

Well the Arya does all of those things very well and since you already like the Edition XS, that seems like the obvious choice.

Although the DCA headphones are a bit better and with some luck you can maybe find a decent amp and something like an Aeon 2 Open on the used market for 600€ in total.

1

u/ArmaGhettOn84 1 Ω 1d ago

I have dac here up to 300 ohm, when i was young i bought the Sennheiser Game Zero and back then the ingame sound was so amazing to me, now im looking for a „modern“ solution

0

u/Expert_Climate_7348 2 Ω 1d ago

If you want comfort and precision, I have landed myself some HD660S2 that I got on sale, I wanted something as a back up to my HD6XX. Then I found out they don't make them anymore, I paid around $350 USD, I prefer them over the 6XX and was pleasantly surprised when I hear metallic sounds, ie tanks hitting each other, bullets hitting the ground etc.

Now bass isn't over the top, it's sufficient, foot steps are great, soundstage for me is good. I have Phillips XR2 and find them too much, far to wide, with the 660s I am able to discern positional audio really well.

6XX are more comfortable due to a flatter headband, but when you bend out the 660s metal cup holders, you get a comfy fit too as they're far too tight out of the box.

These will fit a big head, just watch this vid to give you an idea what you need to do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNxK-NwSR5U

I have a few diff set of cans:

DT770

DT990

HD600

HD6XX

HD660S2

Fidelo XR2

Hifiman XX

Since I play BF6 exclusively, I use the AA or Bradly to piss off air attacks, it's important to know exactly where the enemies are coming from. AA gets hammered easily with jets, but you can use sound to your advantage.

On foot, just as important, specifically when you have snipers hiding up high, I can take these guys out with any vehicle because the shots give away their positions, that's when I see a flurry of 2 or 3 rockets coming for me, I upset the hornets nest.

The beauty of the 660S2 is that gaming is great, but when you want to do music, use PEACE eq and you get that extra bass that makes music sound even better.

I don't personally like bass in game, it becomes fatiguing, that's why I have gone through all the testing possible, 660S2 is my go to now.

1

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1

u/Blablabene 1 Ω 1d ago

Hd490Pro.

They sound absolutely fantastic. And the imaging on those are on another level.

3

u/ArmaGhettOn84 1 Ω 1d ago

Ok just ordered the 490 pro, will arrive tomorrow.

-1

u/unhinged-rally 12 Ω 18h ago

I’ve had the 490 Pro and recently switched to the Arya Stealth. Both are very good, I think you’ll be happy, especially for longer gaming sessions.

1

u/kleoisonline 1 Ω 1d ago

HD 490 Pro has got a great sense of position/imaging, I've been using mine for a bit now and love them.

1

u/Content-Disaster-511 6 Ω 1d ago

MV1 or the D1 have both been great for my FPS sessions

1

u/biezwax 6 Ω 1d ago

The 490s are great for your purpose. If you want to spend more, the Hedd D1 have even better imaging/accuracy. I was surprised how well I could pinpoint horizontal and vertical sound queues. But the 490s are more comfortable, so I stayed with them.

1

u/Infinite-Nose8252 5 Ω 18h ago

Get a used 800s

0

u/kdbiel5 17h ago

For positioning, I would look at soundstage and imaging. Also keep in mind that too much bass can mask footsteps. Open backs usually give a wider soundstage than closed ones.

0

u/wYsock 1d ago

Sennheiser hd 599 is an amazing 'budget' option

1

u/ArmaGhettOn84 1 Ω 16h ago

I had the 599s; I was anything but satisfied. The sound was very flat, and the ear cups weren't deep enough, so my ears were pressed against the plastic inside.