Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
PRODUCTS YOU MAY LIKE
Trending Posts in Audiophile
Simthaniel
Rigs
Modded headphones with qudelix at the core
When I received the Qudelix 5K, I had already modified a pair of Superlux HD-681 headphones. I previously soldered my own balanced connections to the drivers, providing multiple ways to connect and...
Apr 14, 2024
brothamike
A decent set of IEMs
I am in the midst of a 300 hour burn-in but, I will say I am enjoying how this set sounds so far. Before I received these which was btw late by a few weeks, I purchased a Sony/Kimber Kable MMCX...
Apr 12, 2024
merrick97
Should I exchange the PC38X for better headphones?
I bought the PC38X headphones FOR GAMING and they are great, but I have NO use for a Microphone since I don't do competitive gaming and I was wondering if there were better headphone options at a similar price without a headphone, where (presumably) more of the cost was put into making it sound better. I also find that my PC38X don't get quite as loud as I would like and I was wondering if a cheap amp like the iFi Go link would draw a little more volume out of my phones. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BN6MM822?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details I went with the PC38X since it was considered the best bang for buck headphones. I care most about using spatial apps like DOlby Atmos and DTS Headphone:X. Suggestions are welcome.
Apr 11, 2024
LostnAmerica
Sound Signature of the Grell Project.
Wondering what type of sound signature the Drop Grell project headphones will have or trying to attain. Any update would be appreciated.
Apr 8, 2024
Fabulous
Looking for a gaming/content audio setup
Hello! I'm looking for recommendations on audio setups. I'd be planning on using it mostly for gaming. Preferably I'd like a pair of large closed back headphones since I have a big head and jaw. I'd also like to hear myself through my mic with mic monitoring. As far as budget goes, I don't really have one. But under 600$ would be nice. I can go higher if needed. The audio setup would be connected to a high performance PC. Thank you in advance for any recommendations!
Apr 4, 2024
1plsd
$10 Drop Coupon Email not sent?
Trying to buy some gear off Drop for the first time. I was told I would receive an email with a welcome to drop $10 off promo. I never received that email. Drop was able to send me emails for my login token and email for Password update. But for some reason the $10 off coupon was never sent to me.
Mar 31, 2024
NMPacella
New here
Hello, I just joined, primarily for the audiophile products. Looking at purchasing the NHT C3 speakers for our new living room. Space is about 15 feet wide by 33 long and they will fire long ways. Space is just for general listening, music room with all equipment is downstairs, so hoping they will fill it with sound nicely. Cheers.
Mar 18, 2024
Drop Refurbished
Like-new products you can trustDrop Rewards
Get $5 for every 500 points you earn! Learn more
Drop Keyboard Club
Become a member and expand your keycap collectionCollaborate With Us
For Brands & DesignersFollow Drop
Basically it should deliver better quality audio than just straight plugging into your PC as many claim there's lots of noise in a PC, but honestly only really easily noticeable noise I've ever heard was through a front panel audio jack which never has well protected cabling. These days the built in audio on PC motherboards isn't that bad at all, many just parrot that it is thinking back to when you really needed a sound card for quality audio. Also as far as the amp, some headphones are more difficult to drive, so using a better amp can improve the audio, like it could mean tighter bass that has more impact and less flobbyness(usually called muddy) to it.
So in the end it's likely the budget friendly aspect, and the names involved. The only other competition I know of in this price range is the Schiit Magni/Modi stack(generally cheaper depending on options chosen), the ODAC/O2 amp combo(price varies depending on who you buy through), and probably some offerings from Audio-GD, a Chinese company which means any repair will require paying to ship it back to China(it's not cheap).
Although, it's a damn sexy product!
I have a Schitt Modi, with an AudioEngine amp, passive speakers and their subwoofer on my desktop machine. It sounds great to me. I'm sure it would also sound great with this combo device, and also if I dropped mid-4 figures on the DAC and amp.[1] I have headphones, but never use them and probably should sell them, but those sound great on the amp, too. Before this setup, I had an SMSL Q5, and it sounded just peachy, too[2]. I keep looking at these ads/drops, thinking I'll see something magic, but... not so much.
So my recommendation - if your ears are like mine, there's very little point in dropping a ton of money on kit like this - at some, relatively low-cost point, it will make no difference at all. Put the bulk of the money you intend to spend on the speakers that sounds good to you[3][4], find an amp that can drive them properly, and go with a cheap DAC. .Maybe spend a bit more for the next step up, if you like the way it looks better, or get a DAC/amp combo if you want fewer metal boxes in your life.
If your ears are less tin than mine, or you just like blowing money on expensive electronics, then I just wasted two minutes of your time, and you should ignore this.
[1] Great speakers would, in fact, make a huge difference. [2] Switched for reasons involving a toddler, a stick, and said toddler's father buying me off afterwards. [3] or phones, if you lean that way. [4] but also, watch yard sales/Craigslist/acquaintances who are moving - you can find great speakers for very cheap.
Definitely agree though, what you're listening on(headphones or speakers) for the most part is more important than all the parts in between. Source material is of course important as well up to a certain point. Many "audiophiles" get too caught up in consumerism and snake oil. When it comes down to it your budget options these days for DAC's and amps give a lot of bang for the buck and I have doubts of any $1000+ stuff doing anything more than the maybe 1% you're missing out on...at least as far as headphones go, haven't dabbled into speakers myself, don't have the desk space even for a modest setup.