Beyerdynamic - DT 990 PRO (80 Ohm)

It depends on which model you got. The DT 990s come in a range of impedance levels- if you got the 80 ohm version or the Pro X model (48 ohm), chances are your motherboard really is enough to power them and buying an amp would have minimal benefits. If you're happy with the sound, don't go out of your way to spend more money on them.

I don't have a DAC myself but I believe Fiio's are meant to be good value. Again though if you're happy with the sound you're happy with it.

IMO open backed headsets make locating objects in 3D space easier for me vs. closed back. But headphones go north $ wise once you add gear like amp/dac, so here are some normal options. (No amp needed) Sennheiser HD 599 with their clip on mic - ~$165 if you find deal Price tracker included cuz you def missed out on holiday deals so you might wanna wait https://camelcamelcamel.com/product/B07Q7S7247 https://camelcamelcamel.com/product/B0FRVVG2JQ Philips Fidelio X2 i think works with clip on mics as well A step up would be like beyerdynamic DT 990 80 Ohms, those really plushy, but IDK about mic options, you may have to get a boom/clip on but if you wanna dive deep an amped set up with beyerdynamic DT 990 250 Ohms is also option. If $150 is too much, their are a few sub $100 with mics included I can find. HyperX Cloud Series can be found pretty cheap and isnt too bad. You got a TON of options tho, so shop around.

I currently have the Dt990 pros, though 80 ohms I believe, and I'm really happy of how they turned out to sound. Though keep in mind they are open back, so if there is some noise outside, you will hear it. Bonus points is that all the cushions are replaceable, so if one does start to wear down you can just get new ones and you're good to go for another few years.

DRT 990 Pros have been great for me, I like open backs so I can monitor the volume of my voice and not piss off my GF when I’m playing. It’s right at the boundary of your budget tho

The DT900's are only 48ohm, much easier to drive - DAC is kinda overkill. I have 250ohm 990 pro's as well so I know where you're coming from, but 'horses for courses', not everyone needs the same. DAC is a big expense for little benefit in OP's case.

I didn't do much comparing, but I had several headphones over the years, most of them pressed pretty hard on my head, giving me headaches and such but I've had Beyerdynamic DT-990 Pros for like 8 years now and I could wear them all day, they feel light and comfortable, no pressure sores anywhere and they are easily repaired if something breaks, over the time, due to how I put them on and take them off some small retainers or something broke and I just ordered replacements and swapped them out myself, same goes for the earmuffs, can be replaced when they get filthy and they sound really amazing aswell, but I'm no audiophile so I can't talk about the audio quality, but there is definitly a reason every PC in my audio engineering class had one of those :D

only now read your bonus about being stuffed into a backpack, so I probably wouldn't take the DT-990 Pros since they aren't really made for travel haha

>do you guys like these headphones for gaming? As worn as mine currently are, yeah, but not freshly new. The sound and the comfort is not great right out of the box >Would they be better than astros or any of those gaming headphones Comfort over sound? Probably Sound over comfort? There are better and cheaper options

I have dt990 pros and I love them to death. Super durable, great sound, and extremely comfortable unlike most headsets I had tried prior. BD makes good products.

i have two beyerdynamic headsets (custom game one and dt 990 pro). Both are +5yrs. Sometimes i need to replace the ear pads because they wear out, but are easy to get. My Razer, Logitech or roccat headsets never lasted that long.

Beyerdynamics DT 990 pro. Buy and never look back.