For any of these decent audiophile headphones you will want and likely need an amp. It’s pretty simple: you plug the amp into a wall, then connect one cable from your PC/laptop to the amp. Then you plug your headphones right into the amp. Your sound and volume will be massively improved and the added bonus is a nice volume knob on the amp. There are definitely cheaper amps than the Topping (which is actually an amp/DAC combo), but it will work for pretty much anything you throw at it.

I only got into wired IEMs within the last year or so, so far the only ones I've had problems with are the Moondrop Arias (internet chatter suggests its a very common problem, so I really think people should avoid it).

Gaming for hd8xx and dac, Valhalla 2 with hd600 for music. Mostly edm, and lofi (ironic)

Learn to live with it. I did.

That cable was the sole reason why I decided not to buy Chus, just from looking at the picture.

Maybe I was too brief and not very helpful. Or maybe I was trying to adjust expectations based on personal experience (an HD800 will sound better on a BIG amp than a phone or laptop). An Objective2 type of amp could be enough. But vermthrowaway and redditstinkt666 suggestions of dt770 or 80 ohm maybe a more sensible suggestion than mine based on the OP's post.

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990 are open-back headphones, 770 are closed. Open back in general have a bigger soundstage, a more "airy" feeling, a more natural and clear sound. But they don't block outside noise like closed-backs, so they're not useful in loud surroundings + they leak your sound out as well. Closed backs generally focus more in bass. If you never used an open-back I can't rly recommend the dt990 as they will possibly sound harsh and flat.

Mate you got my Zeros, I was thinking about getting Chus but upgraded.

Guess I should expect some Chus in the mail then.

Try Spinfit W1, FiiO HS18, AZLA SednaEarfit XELASTEC, Dunu S&S, etc. ear tips for possibly better fit/seal, noise reduction/isolation, and comfort.

The dimensions/sizing/measurements/etc. for most ear tips these days will be on Amazon/AliExpress/HiFiGo/etc. Unfortunately you have to blind buy the ear tips in order to get a feel for the dimensions/measurement/etc. that you like for your ears. Remember, this will also change with different IEMs as they'll have different nozzle length, nozzle angle, and so on.

More info on DIY IE 900, IE 200, et cetera: https://www.reddit.com/r/HeadphoneAdvice/comments/11qpf1g/recommendation_for_iem_as_closely_similar_in/jc5huke/

Click this sentence for more info on the importance of ear tips sizing, dimensions, et cetera.

Click this sentence for more info on XELASTECs and foam ear tips durability and sound changes.

Click this sentence for comfort and everything with ear tips.

Click this sentence for how to put ear tips on wide nozzles (basically aim it at different angles and force it, be careful not to overdo it as it can damage the core/stem/stalk/etc. of the ear tips).

This is how you should use Etymotics or really any IEM or TWS earbud to make sure you have that good/perfect fit for that vacuum seal (necessary for the bass to be properly produced): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KwXEqe6Gq4

TWS earbuds with ANC, Etymotics, ear tips, small flush low profile shells for better comfort, et cetera for noise reduction: https://www.reddit.com/r/HeadphoneAdvice/comments/126wsel/need_comfy_noice_cancelling_headphones_asap/jeccarq/

Noise reduction with TWS earbuds, IEMs, Bluetooth ANC headphones, et cetera: https://www.reddit.com/r/HeadphoneAdvice/comments/11r4zcl/looking_for_noise_isolating_earbuds_for_a/jc6pbld/

Do you have an amp?

Thanks for your input. I'll compare them further.

It is what it is, give it some time and you'll more or less forget it's there.

One cool little trick for temporary removal is to cover both ears with the base of your palms, then drum with your fingertips on the base of your skull for about 30 seconds. You'll get maybe 10-20 seconds worth of pure silence after you take your hands away, sometimes it won't be quite as loud when it comes back too (can be useful if its keeping you awake). Doesn't sound like a lot, but if you've lived with non stop eeeeeeeeeeeeeee for years on end, it's honestly pretty surreal to not hear it at all, even for a few seconds.

Too much for me atm.
How does the 80 ohm compare to the 250? Again, I appreciate better quality, but I'm mostly gaming and not mixing audio tracks or anything.

What would the main differences between the 990 and 770 be (80 ohm both)

Hmmm no worries, I may just order the full replacement headband. Looks really good

Thank you for that more reasonable answer. This guy was just looking for a simple answer, not just a bunch of elitist snark.

Unfortunately I am not familiar with the 545s, but it may fit them.

Lol you don't. Every entry level amp will be more than enough.

First off, definitely book an appointment with your local ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) doctor. Sometimes they're overbooked and so you have to wait months.

If you are feeling anxious about it, you can try calling the local hospitals, urgent care clinics, walk-in clinics, etc. and ask them about the emergency ENT hours. The ENTs for hospitals are usually on call, and they're for more immediate things, but you might be able to catch one already there.

If your hearing is not like suddenly gone (this is called sudden hearing loss), they're probably just gonna deprioritize you and so you have to wait for several hours.

If you encounter sudden hearing loss, or random tinnitus/et cetera, maybe go to the ER for the (hearing) steroids: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/11m5yc5/hypersensitivity_and_tinnitus_after_96db_sound/jbgt88m/

Here's a bit more info on IEMs, hearing health, earwax cleaning, parametric EQ to compensate, et cetera: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/11nwy92/uneven_headphones/jbplupa/

Info about measuring decibels, hearing health, et cetera here: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/11a4cpm/are_few_second_peaks_into_8285_db_still_safe_when/j9riw7q/

Some info about tinnitus/hyperacusis/etc. here: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/123847b/fatigue_tinnitus_from_planar_magnetic_hifiman/jdtv492/ and https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/121xwtm/whats_with_my_ears_only_music_feels_unbearable/jdol26x/ and https://www.reddit.com/r/HeadphoneAdvice/comments/11ycxnn/advice_with_preventing_tinnitus/jd7615t/

ASMR can help act as background noise to mask the tinnitus/et cetera: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/126dei8/soundstage_hearing_problems_and_how_the_brain_can/je933bq/

Yes, there is no cure to tinnitus/etc. at the moment, but visit /r/tinnitusresearch for more hope as there's a lot of progress being made with the research and treatments. Some say we'll get the products/treatments before or around 2030.

People don't realize how debilitating tinnitus can be and so it's just ignored in the mainstream.

After a while you do get used to tinnitus so just try to endure for now. Habituating to tinnitus can take days, weeks, months, years, so just try to research about what the causes are, how to potentially (don't fall for snake oil cures/etc.) reduce it, etc.

And then after you spend a day or week researching about tinnitus, try to not think about it ever again. A lot of us only really get reminded that we have tinnitus when other people talk about it or when things are really silent, say for example when you have IEMs with that vacuum seal and you are idle or not playing sounds, the tinnitus can be super loud.

But yup, just chill for now and try not to get stressed over it. As some people can go into really bad places once they realize that the treatments/etc. for tinnitus, hidden hearing loss, etc. is like several years if not decades away.

Here's what you can maybe do directly with tinnitus intensity (I am not a medical professional so take this with precaution): https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/ul7gyx/listening_needs_with_sensitive_hearing/i7vodcu/

Basically take Vitamin D3 + Vitamin K2 and also magnesium glycinate. Make sure the magnesium is the pure glycinate version or if you can afford it, the L-threonate version (supposedly there's some other benefits to L-threonate, but keep in mind that supplements are filled with snake oil, just like the audio hobby). As otherwise the oxide, citrate, etc. versions of magnesium will give you diarrhea or like liquify your poop, so just eat nutrient bars or food with fiber to solidify/harden your poop.

Again, most /r/Supplements are basically snake oil, but visit that subreddit for the brands to use for more effective magnesium (as sometimes brand skirt the efficacy even if they're properly certified by the governments/etc.).

If you have access to Costco, you can get like a quarter of a year or even half a year's worth of supplements for like $30 or so.

Like Costco has Kirkland Vitamin D3 1000IU for $5, and it's 2 bottles of 360 pieces of Vitamin D3, lol.

Then if you want to risk anhedonia, etc. there's also NAC. But again, research the side effects of NAC as some people have really averse reactions to it. Plus it also doesn't really help with tinnitus for some people.

What Vitamin D3 (+ Vitamin K2) and magnesium glycinate will usually do is help with the brain fog, anxiety, etc. and this can help lead the focus away from your realization that you have tinnitus. So basically you'll have a clearer mind but then with that energy you can then focus on less annoying things like tinnitus.

Oh and I almost forgot L-theanine. So you know tea or those beverages that make you calm, a lot of them have L-theanine in them and that's basically the calming ingredient. L-theanine is a proven legit thing, though don't take too much as some people get headaches/etc. or something like that.

NAC also helps with brain fog, etc. but again, it can sometimes be expensive or actually it's unavailable for some people these days due to regulations (can't believe they actually prohibited NAC because of COVID-19 usage and classified it as a drug, smh, but that's a different story). And yes, the side effects can be quite pronounced, so do some research about it as some people see no benefit when using it to deal with tinnitus. Though just note that it's like magnesium/Vitamin D3/etc. as NAC can sometimes help with the brain fog, focus, etc. for some people.

FYI, I am not a medical doctor or in the medical industry. I do have a lot of family (and friends) that work in hospitals/clinics/etc. but that bears nothing as a lot of them are anti-vax and so on, like it's so irrational since they're doctors, nurses, etc. But it is what it is. I'm basically the only one wearing ((K)N95) masks still every time I go outside, and some of those folks that interact with at-risk people (the elderly, overweight, immunocompromised, etc.) just don't take proper precautions anymore.

The point in saying that is because some people are reporting tinnitus from the Moderna/Pfizer/etc. vaccines. And same thing when you get actual COVID-19 from other people. So always wear a mask at all times.

Even if the risk of tinnitus/etc. is increased with the vaccines, please believe in science and progress and get regular vaccinations. It is a trade off, but look at all those people suffering from Long COVID and other neurological/cardiological/etc. problems.

Once again, definitely see an actual certified ENT doctor. They'll probably say the same thing that there's no cure for tinnitus/etc. but at least it'll help give you reassurances that a medical professional IRL gave the diagnosis/etc. to you.

I'd love to if I could get my hands on them.

JH13s, about 11 years old. Repaired and recalibrated a few times by the company. Etymotic ER6i lasted until the cables disintegrated (they were like 6 years old).

Question, how does the strap connect? I have a pair of 545s, and parts are interchangeable, but the tan that holds the headband pads are more of a ring than a tab compared to the 600s

No worries. You will need a desktop amp like the Topping DX3 Pro +, which was recently on sale for $160. I’m not sure about portable options, someone else will need to comment, but there is probably a decent option to make them sound good.

https://www.reddit.com/r/HeadphoneAdvice/comments/smosum/any_recommendation_of_ampdac_for_dt_990_pro_250/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=2&utm_term=1

Hifiman sells spare headbands on there website And headbands on eBay for HiFiMan Headphones