Upgrading from a gaming headset? Three entry level ‘audiophile’ headphones reviewed

1. Introduction2. The Headphones: Unboxing and First Look3. Testing4. Closing Thoughts5. View All Pages

Here at KitGuru we review a lot of gaming headsets. Over the last year alone, I've seen offerings from Corsair, HyperX, Razer, Fnatic Gear and ASUS ROG to name just five manufacturers. Most of the headsets we review cost between £50-100, making them good options if you don't want to spend a fortune. However, what if you're ready to take the next step and upgrade your headset to something better – a dedicated pair of audio-grade headphones, for instance?

With the explicit purpose of seeing what's out there for anyone looking to move beyond a typical gaming headset, in this article we look at three pairs of headphones that now cost between £129-157, despite launching at much higher prices in years gone by. These lower prices make them perfect for anyone looking to take the next step and move beyond a ‘high-end' gaming headset.

Without further ado, the three headphones we are looking at today are:

• AKG K702 – £129 on Amazon UK
• Beyerdynamic DT 990 Edition 32 Ohm – £155 on Amazon UK
• Sennheiser HD 598 Cs – £148.98 on Amazon UK

AKG K702 Specification:

• Headphone type: open
• Max. Input Power: 200 mW
• Audio frequency bandwidth: 10 – 39800 Hz
• Sensitivity headphones: 105 dB SPL/V
• Rated Impedance: 62 Ohms
• Detachable cable: yes
• Cable Length: 3 m
• Earpads replaceable: yes

Beyerdynamic DT 990 Edition Specification:

• EAN: 4010118483950
• Transmission type: Wired
• Headphone design (operating principle): Open
• Headphone impedance: 32 Ohms
• Headphone frequency response: 5 – 35.000 Hz
• Nominal sound pressure level: 96 dB
• Construction: Circumaural (around the ear)
• Cable & plug: Straight connecting cable with mini-jack plug (3.5 mm) & ¼“ adapter (6.35 mm)
• Net weight without packaging: 290 g

Sennheiser HD 598 Cs Specification

• Impedance: 23 Ohms
• Connector: 3.5 mm straight plug & 6.3 mm straight plug
• Frequency response: 10 – 28,000 Hz
• Sound pressure level (SPL): 115dB SPL (1kHz/1Vrms)
• THD, total harmonic distortion: <0.2% (1kHz, 100dBSPL)
• Ear coupling: Circumaural
• Cable length: 1.2 m & 3 m
• Transducer principle: Dynamic

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