Do you absolutely need to try the PC350 though? As in, do you really only want to have a closed headset? If not, the PC360 is a good alternative choice.
A lot more bass shy than the PC350 however, but the mids are more detailed and the highs aren't as fatiguing. Most importantly, it's much more comfortable than the PC350 IMO.

The downside is that it is an open headset, so sound can leak out and you're not totally isolated from outside noise.


Yup, I use this - http://www.itechdynamic.com/Clip-II-mini-6...nproduct/view/7

Dolby Headphones aren't for everyone, I personally can't live without it.
I use it on all games and IMO it improves positional cues for every game I've used it with. Try it out, if you don't like it you can always disable it.

Should have honestly go for a Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro + DX clip on mic
But let us know what you think, you might just like the PC350 since sound and comfort are fairly subjective.

Can you increase your budget? If that's your absolute limit and you crucially need a mic that is attached, then RM150 isn't that horrible of a deal.

But because it is a USB headset, that basically means a huge no-no from me regardless of what type of sound quality it has.
USB = static, pops, cracks, buzz, and all kinds of stupid things in the audio chain.

Otherwise as was already suggested in this thread countless times, a Superlux 668b/681 will actually be better than the gamecom 780 while costing the same. Of course, you'd need to get an external mic elsewhere.

This post has been edited by SSJBen: Jul 16 2013, 07:41 PM

You can set the mic to be your recording device only while the output audio source to your headphones.

As for the Pulse, if you connect it just to your DAC via a cable and nothing else, then no the mic cannot be used. This is because the Pulse has to use its wireless USB dongle for any sort of mic fucntions.

Sorry, I don't remember if you could use both the USB dongle and an audio out at the same time. I don't think so though, because the USB dongle will take over whenever it is connected.

Well, you can always change the earpads of the HD668b to velour if pleather isn't your cup of tea, you'll get a little bit less mid-bass but as a whole the high frequencies will be a touch smoother and everything else will be a little more refined.

Velour earpad replacements - https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...5055&hl=ear+pad

As for Creative, I can only recommend the Creative Aurvana Live!.
One of the best headphones (if not the best) I've ever heard under RM400. So warm, detailed and not overly bassy but good enough to be fun for all sorts of games and most genres of music.

While it doesn't have the best positional accuracy (imaging) in comparison to open headphones, it matches up very well with Dolby Headphones particularly. Makes gaming and movies a bliss to listen to. Just downright awesome headphones, if only Creative continued their colaboration with Fostex....

One issue with the MDR XZ600 and AT SJ55, they're portable headphones and they're supra aural. Meaning they don't cover the ears instead the earpads sit on them. This on its own is already a big no-no to me.

Other than that, they're just too bassy, lacking refinement and texture. The mid bass doesn't trasition well into the mids, resulting in the lack of clarity on vocals (which in games and movies means voices will be really "meh" sounding).

So no, I don't recommend either of them.

But if you are a supra-aural lover, perhaps look into Grados.

This post has been edited by SSJBen: Aug 25 2013, 06:02 PM

Superlux are the best choice for you under the RM200 range. It's unfortunate in Malaysia we do not get good deals on audiophile headphones.


Try it man. The CAL! are awesome. The only issue I have with them is that my ears touches the drivers, but that's a personal problem with me as the antihelix of my ear is very sensitive to touching anything.

That said, the earpads on the CAL! is just... wow. I don't like pleather, but the plushness in the earpads are just heavenly. Break it in a little bit after a month's or more use and I don't think there's that many pleather earpads out there that can match the CAL!.

What the CAL is really good for is because of how surprisingly balanced they are. The bass does not overpower the mids, it's there when you want it and it presents plenty of them when the source provides it. Playing The Last of Us and Metro Last Light was awesome, not just because of the bass but because of the surprisingly wide soundstage for a close headphone.

I can tell where the clickers are running from in TLoU and as anyone knows, is critical because clickers kill you in one hit regardless of what difficulty you're on. I'd really say they are the best headphones under RM400 if not for the slight miscomfort on my end.

I'm pretty sure that yes, it will. I know the DT231pros has some decent soundstage but lacking in most other places especially the lows. If you're looking for something bassy, CALs are your best friends without breaking tearing a hole in your wallet.

Best thing is, the CALs don't need a lot of power to drive them to their full capacity.


So you're saying Superlux is too cheap yet you don't have the budget to spend more? That is something... well, it sounds contradicting.

Oh and specs don't mean jack on headphones. What makes a headphone isn't numbers, we're not talking about CPUs or GPUs here. What makes a headphone is the drivers that goes into it, the build quality, the tuning that is done and the components that are used.

The Superlux HD668b is BETTER than the Storm Sonuz and Logitech G230, period. No comparison even. Both the Sonuz and the G230 are so unbalanced, typical of the budget gaming headsets out there. Little to no tonality, mids are blanketed, trebles can be bright for no apparent reason.
At least the HD668b has its own sounds signature where it sticks to it and you know what to expect, the Sonus and G230 doesn't. I don't even know why there should be a comparison between them here.

And what reviews are you refering to here? Gaming sites?

This post has been edited by SSJBen: Aug 25 2013, 11:04 PM

Although I've never heard the DT231pro, I would rate the CALs being almost as detailed as a Sennheiser HD558. Bassier of course and a little less forward on the mids, but other wise... I think the CALs are like Denon 1001s.

If it needs to be compared to something from Beyerdynamic, I would say the CALs are like the DT770 Pro except with better refinement in the bass, a slight bit wider soundstage and quite a bit warmer.


Sorry I didn't see your edited post.

The HD681 Evo is a refinement of the older 681, 681b and 681f all rolled into one package.

Previously, I liked the 681b (which means balance, not bass) the most but felt that it was a little too cold, too dry. Although going for the 681f opened up the soundstage and gave room for some ample EQing, it still wasn't warm enough for me. I didn't like the original 681 because it was waaaay too bright for me though.

Now with the HD681 Evo, I like how Superlux copied AKG's K550 design quite a bit here. Certainly they build quality isn't as high but the improvements they've done? Made it warmer for my liking and gave it a little more texture in the bass, making it quick but not overpowering. This is almost exactly what I wanted in the original 681b, glad that Superlux improved on this area.

The 681 Evo still doesn't have the prominence in detail whoring as the 668b though, the mids are a little bit lacking. Some bit of EQing will help but considering the fact that the HD681 Evo has became so much warmer, I'm willing to live with the loss in detail. It isn't bad, just that I wish it was a few notches more.

Finally, the biggest change that I hate from the HD681 Evo is the suspension headband... In copying AKG's style, Superlux went with the bumps on the headband itself. They're not as intruding as with most AKG headphones, but damn it... I hate bumps on headbands, iritates me a lot. The original headband on the 681 was good, don't know why they didn't stuck with it and gave it a little bit more padding. ughhh.

Otherwise then, changing the earpads on the HD681 Evo to velour gave the headphones more comfort and a little bit more air in its sound signature. The highs brighten up a tad bit, which is a good thing.

I'm still just a beginner audiophile.

I've been lucky enough to have been sent many gaming headsets as well as audiophile headphones for personal reviews and tests, how many to be specific... probably over 15? That's why I'm still just a beginner.

Would suggest the HD681 EVO.
It's a more refined headphone than all of the original HD681s. Certainly appreciating the fact that it is less harsh on the treble, which is a good thing IMO.

On a side note, there is a difference between a headset and a headphone.

Headset = a headphone with mic.
Headphone = a headphone, as is just a headphone.

Don't mix them up.

This post has been edited by SSJBen: Aug 31 2013, 12:18 AM

No where. Because modmic makes their mic individually and then send it out, not a mass production company.

Alternatively, you may be able to find V-moda boompro instead at V-moda resellers (which I think is a much cleaner setup)-
http://v-moda.com/boompro-microphone/

Decent yes.
Awesome for the amount of money you are paying in comparison to other more expensive gaming headsets.

I believe it goes for about RM200 isn't it? I've not heard the G230 but I've been hearing pretty good things about it.
So can't comment on this for now, sorry.

Only good thing I see from the G230 is that — Thank God, it doesn't use a USB connector. That's always a bonus point in my book right there.

The CAL is fairly easy to drive, it doesn't need a lot of power. What it needs is a clean source, which unfortunately for the Xonar DX... it isn't. The output impedance on the Xonar DX is something stupid like 100ohms.

It's a great sounding card, but it doesn't actually have a headphone amp on it. You might wanna get a cheap amp like a Topping TP-30 (RM260) - https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=2658260&

Doubles as a DAC too, but you don't have to use the DAC portion (USB). Just get a RCA to 3.5mm cable, line out from your Xonar DX into the RCA line-in on the TP30. You get a proper, clean amped source. As a bonus, you get to still use whatever DSP (Dolby Headphones if you want) and EQ you want on the Xonar DX.

The TP30's DAC is fairly decent but the Xonar DX fairs better IMO.

Alternatively, if you want something portable the FiiO E11 (same price too I think) isn't a bad choice either. You do need to charge it though as it operates on battery.
I'm running my CAL from a FiiO E09k currently.

This post has been edited by SSJBen: Sep 1 2013, 08:31 PM

Basically, output impedance is a resistance on its output signals (in this case, the TP 30 R&L output) to AC signals (the headphone).
You don't have to understand what it does and how it works, you just have to know that you'd want the output impedance of your amp to be 1/8th of the total impedance on the headphone.

So in this case, the CAL has an impedance rating of 32ohms (it fluctuates a little bit higher of course when hitting certian frequencies). Ideally, you'd want the amp to output no more than 4ohms (32÷8).
Having a little bit more (like for example there are amps with 10ohms output) is fine but having something ridiculous like 100ohms... that's just stupid.

The amp can be used with passive speakers if you want as it acts an amp + DAC (if you so desire) for them. Active speakers have amps in them.

---

Though if you want to know about output impedance then~
What is the problem then? Simple. Think of output impedance from an amp as a restrictor on your water tap. Without a restrictor, what happens when you turn on your tap? Water would just explode out without control right? If you just want to wash your hands, how stupid would that be?

It's similar to output impedance, if it is too high you may run a risk of supplying over current into your headphones. Resulting in your headphones not sounding the way it should. A sudden bump in the low frequencies (the bass) which could create distortions if the drivers is already at its limit of bass limitation, your mids might suddenly sound softer or louder or even your treble suddenly shoots up to sound way too bright.

Some people don't mind high output impedance and as far as I know, most of them don't know what it is. Suddenly, they are complaining why they are hearing distortions or clicks for no apparent reason when their headphones are perfectly fine, the reason could simply be down to improper current input to the headphone.

Desktop mic? Maybe this?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Logitech-USB-Deskt...=item1c350308e5

I personally just use this when VOIPing - http://dx.com/p/mini-clip-on-microphone-3-...0cm-cable-42965
Works fine. Otherwise, I'd usually use a Samson Meteor.

Some private radio shows for fanclubs here and there from time to time. Used to do it more often.


This is the case of impedance mismatch. The DX line-out either from the front or back is just not good for headphone usage.

Also make sure your settings are set correctly too.

No, there would be no point to set 192khz/24bit because all Windows does is pad the file with 0s until it hits this setting. There may be occurances of clipping though, but I know there are people who will set to 192khz/24bit regardless for whatever reason, they say music sounds "smoother".

I personally feel and think it's just a placebo effect.

The CAL has never had any sparkle on the treble. You may EQ it a little bit to bring out a little more detail in the highs though.
Remember, the trick is to EQ down not EQ up. So lower the other frequencies a tad bit to bring out what you want.

Wouldn't worry about it. While the CAL2 might be more comfortable, it still uses the same Fostex bio-cellulose drivers. The difference in sound quality shouldn't be very much significantly better, perhaps more refinied due to the new construction of the CAL2.

A little put off by the fact it uses a 2.5mm to 3.5mm connector though, that means fitting something like a Vmoda boom mic on the CAL2 wouldn't be possible. Also, makes changing cable a little harder and how easily 2.5mm connectors break.

Enjoy your CAL.