Submitted by spamrundie t3_zv5idw in headphones
G433 connect through USB while HD599SE connects directly to motherboard (ASUS TUF Gaming B550-PLUS).
The HD599 sounds very muddy and has a bloated base. As a result, voices aren't very clear. G433 doesn't have much bass, but has clearer highs.
Is the problem my motherboard? I connected the headphones to LINE OUT. I've heard a lot of praise for these headphones so I didn't expect this result. They're very comfy tho.
rtings have graphed both your headphones so you can compare them if you're curious
Sennheiser's graph is much smoother and neutral than the G433 (which has a bump in the mid range), which ig is a good thing. I think I'll just have to get used to the headphones lol
I usually see people said like that but I actually wonder if the new headphone I hear is better than the old one or I just think it good when my brain get used to it?
Line out is usually for connecting an external amplifier and the current going through it is not designed for headphones to be plugged directly to it. There should be a headphone out on your case or possibly elsewhere on the MB.
That being said, new headphones can take awhile for your brain to adjust.
I tried connecting it to the front panel audio header of my case, but Windows itsn't detecting anything. I might be missing some drivers for the AAFP port. However in the motherboard's manual it says Line Out connects to headphones and speakers.
have you connected the front audio connectors to your motherboard header?
Yes this morning I reconnected them and now the front panel works. Obviously there's no change in sound.
I don't know if this is the case for you too, but apparently the Realtek Audio Manager has been replaced with the Audio Console (from the microsoft store). Kinda sucks I can't use the equaliser without enabling DTS, and there seems to be more options for a Realtek Digital Output (environment options, etc.) which my headphones apparently aren't (they're under the Speakers tab)
I noticed that too when updating to windows 11. I would recommend getting a dac, for the 599 the apple dongle dac should be sufficient. It's only a few bucks.
What improvements does the apple dongle dac give? Is it compatible with windows?
It probably (!) Has noticeably better sound than the onboard dac on your Mainbord. And it is compatible with windows
Is the EU version of the apple dongle good too? I live in the EU and importing from US is a bit too expensive
This is a common issue with the HD599's connected to a motherboard.
A 'simple' fix is to buy a Dac/Amp combo unit like the Fiio E10K (works really well with the HD599 and is fairly cheap) Or just get a USA Apple dongle (The EU apple dongles are a lot worse then the USA ones because of some EU regulations on sound output)
I live in the EU so getting the EU apple dongle is more convenient, is it worth getting?
Idk if it would be better then your motherboard output at that point, so couldn't tell you sorry
Are you sure you connected via the line output?
roveroverroverover t1_j1ndwsf wrote
This is a very common thing :) Many people buy new headphones and are disappointed because their brains haven't adjusted to its new sound signature
Read this thread I hope it'll make you feel a bit better: https://www.reddit.com/r/sennheiser/comments/k5i9ow/hd599_your_story_experience_where_to_go_next/