Hello guys.
A few days ago I got a new headphone.
It’s the Fostex T50RP 50th anniversary edition.So not a T50 in a standard way because it has T60 drivers, T60 earpads and a different headband.My old headphones were audio technica ATH-M30.
I’m only driving them through my PC.
Mainboard is an AsRock B650E Steel Legends Wifi with a Realtek ALC897 Audio Codec sound chip.
The biggest difference compared to my old headphones was that the Fostex headphones were a lot quieter which is probably normal given that they are way harder to drive and given that they are planar headphones. Usually I was using 30% volume on windows and that was more than enough for me. Now with the Fostex headphones I have to use something between 40-50% but I still have the feeling that somehow punchiness is missing. They are way more clearer and more detailed compared to my old headphones but my old headphones had more punch (as in bass). At least that’s what I’m thinking.
I read a few days regarding this “issue” and some people mentioned that the Nahimic sound driver could be an issue. But I tried both… With and without (completely uninstalled everything that was related to it) and it made zero difference. Now when playing songs I can hear still random noises in the background but it’s at the exact same place where it was when listening with my previous headphones. That gives me the impression that a DAC would be a good idea.
My question is now: Is there something I can change on the windows settings to make my Fostex headphones fuller and louder without damaging my ears or is an amplifier the only solution here? Because originally I haven’t planned to purchase amp and/or DAC and finding a good budget option is hard. Already tried looking for something on AVexchange but most people selling CONUS only or one guy doesn’t even reply anymore (he sold a JDS Labs Atom stack but it seems like he is either banned or didn’t came online anymore for a few days now which is a bummer). Also it’s hard finding good options because I’m from Germany so majority of amps would cost extra taxes like Schiit stacks or JDS Labs stacks. But I read about quite a lot of issues with Schiit (ground issues, overheating issues, some headphones died when you did not turn them off etc.). For iFi it’s a bit similar. There seems to be an issue with the autoplay function where everything is delayed somehow. I really don’t know what to do at this point.
Thanks for everybody who is able to help.
I have some personal experience with the T60RP Argon (a mod that is a bit harder to drive) and motherboard outputs.
In my case, the motherboard’s integrated amp was able to provide plenty of voltage, but not enough current, and also not very quickly. So, bass (which needs a lot of power) was weak and less punchy. Even my phone (which has an ESS Sabre DAC comparable to the LG V60) did better here, but in later comparisons I noticed it has a bit of a bass roll-off, too.
I am now using a Qudelix 5k for all my desktop and mobile audio needs, which, even without EQ, provides a notably better bass response than either of those two because the implementation is just better.
I’m guessing you’d have a similar experience. Because it’s a fundamental issue with how much power can be provided, you also can’t fix this with EQ alone, because that doesn’t change what the hardware can do. But you don’t need a very high-end or powerful amp, something small and simple will do, as long as it’s designed properly (like the aforementioned 5k).