They should be listened exactly in stereo without any kind effect processings to avoid messing spatial cues. (neutral amplifier is harmless)

Creative's algorithms (like those of Dolby and others) use some averaged/standard HRTF. This post has links to some recordings you can use. https://www.head-fi.org/threads/mad-lust-envys-headphone-gaming-guide-11-10-2017-sennheiser-game-one-added.534479/page-2643#post-14011047 Can't say for...

Dolby Atmos for Headphones is binaural sound simulation. So it gives two channel output signal which should be passed on as standard PCM without any processing. For binaural simulation to work it needs surround/5.1 sound as input. If game outputs only 2.0/stereo mix it has only left-right...

Still paying 5+ times the price for budget level hardware isn't exactly sensible. While you can get Sound BlasterX AE-5 with pretty much absolute top level D/A-converter and high end headphone output (+ lots of other connectivity) for clearly less than GSX. And for less work in installation (or...

Unfortunately Sennheiser GSX is badly overpriced for its hardware. It uses low end Conexant CX20745 DAC/output buffer chip meant for phones/tablets struggling to match budget level Audigy Fx/Xonar DGX sound card...

Not that many devices for that use with need to accept Dolby Digital input. Output's inadequency would easiest show in high dynamic range content like classical music: In those average signal level is low and you increase volume based onto that, while there are then transients and short moments...

Geek Out 450 doesn't work as separate amplifier: It lacks analog line input. Its 3,5mm jacks are parallel connected outputs and that 47 ohm output impedance of one acts like serial resistor lowering volume... and decreasing damping factor. Are you using DSS to get Dolby Headphone for consoles?

Proper amplifier is what it says on the tin: It doesn't modify data, only amplifies signal. Of course if you add something which distorts frequency response or adds other distortions like tubes then you start messing data. But that's why amplifier should be neutral instead of "warm" or what ever...

K702 should be just detachable cable version of K701. Recently got couple years old (smooth head band instead of bumpy) second hand K702 and it certainly beats HD595 Sennheiser in competitiveness with that god mode soundstage. With K712 and Beyer's DT990 fitting pretty much where MLE's guide...

There's very little meaningful difference in all open/"semi"-open headphones. If environment is noisy you're going to hear those noises, with different cans just having different "nuance" in upper mids/treble. And in quiet environment if there's someone close to you he's going to hear a bit...

Unfortunately Sennheiser's mechanical design isn't at level of their overall very good (bass neutral) sound. Myself pretty much wasted ~200€ for zero support for starting to crumple in 2½ years HD595. (designed weak point) So would recommend skipping HD5xx Sennheisers until design of ear cup to...

That kind inline volume adjustment shouldn't be used except for small lowering of volume. They work by adding resistance in series with headphone, which works exactly like increasing output impedance: Changing frequency response of frequency varying impedance headphones (like those HD5xx...

What I've read HD599 might have sound tweaked little more toward compact soundstage than predecessors... Which would be bad for gaming performance. Anyway while very good because of neutral bass HD595 simply couldn't challenge K702 in soundstage in comparison I did recently with AKG having clear...

Unless wanting absolutely maximum competitiveness K712 is definitely very well balanced. (besides thread's starting post check my previous post) While internal AE-5 should use same software and recording directly from "What U Hear" should remove any analog recording variable there seems to be...

With spare time issues, but mostly because of Beyerdynamic's black ear pad availability problem/shop getting no before hand information this comparison I promised has been moving forward few weeks. You would think that in this "information society" era makers could actually before hand tell what...