Advice Needed!

[Peppermint Duck]

So I'm pretty new to this whole headphone thing, but know you guys are experts so I'm hoping you can help me out. I have a pair of HD497s, which sound pretty decent I suppose, but now think I'd like better. Looking around, on price and quality terms, Sennheiser seem the guys to stick with and of course I'm drawn to their 'audiophile level' hd580+ range. Thing is I've caught my eye on the hd650s, but in truth I don't know how exactly they'd sound better, just that they have a better frequency range etc.

Everyone goes on about setup, but I don't know the first thing about headphone amps - why do we need them, how much are they?

Also, I worry about the source I'm using to 'power' the phones. I have portables, probably pick up an mp3 player soon, but I mainly use my computer to listen to music. It's all stored in lossless form and I have a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz soundcard. Bare in mind I'm going to buy a new system this summer, hopefully with a top of the range sound card i.e. Audgity 2 Platinum, or whatever the top may be at that point.

So can anyone help me out? Worth getting a pair of hd650s? Or should I be starting lower of hd580s. My point being, I'll just get more and more into to it and may eventually go for the higher model anyway...

[dj_mocok]

actually 580 is not as far as 650 i think...
i think the most suggested cans for beginners here is probably Grado SR60 ?

[elrod-tom]

I'd strongly suggest starting out relatively slowly, building gradually, and deciding what you like before going full boat one way or the other.

Start with an amp, maybe something moderately priced that will handle a number of different types of cans reasonably well. Personally, I'd suggest a Ray Samuels Emmeline XP-7, which is a "portable" battery powered amp with optional power supply. It's reasonably priced (approx $500), and will do nicely with any of the cans you've mentioned. HeadRoom makes some nice amps as well. There are a number of vendors who manufacture tube amps as well, but I think that solid state is the way to go when initially getting into this.

I'd probably then consider any one of a number of mid-level cans - Sennheiser HD580/600, AKG K501, Grado SR225. Consider what kind of music you will listen to when you make your selection. Some cans are better for more active, forward music (Grado) than others IMHO.

Don't be afraid to buy used, as this is a learning process. You will like some things more than others, and it will take a while to figure this out. If you're like most of us, you'll churn gear quite regularly. Therefore, there is always a fresh layer of used gear out there from which to choose.

Oh, and in closing, spend most of your money on your source. Headphones and amps are important, but if your front end is not up to the task, it may actually seem worse with better headphone gear!!

Hope this helps...

[Peppermint Duck]

Well I mainly listen to classic rock.

[dj_mocok]

gee...el-rod tom, you called that "as a start" ? your start might be my "high-end". hehe.. cant imagine your holy grail then...
since he likes rock, i still think grado sr60 or sr80 is a good choice.

[AdamZuf]

senns are everywhere. why won't you go and audition the senns, buddy?

grados are also worth taking a look, if you're into rock. IMO they are more worth having a look then HD580/HD600. i haven't heard the HD650, so i can't tell.
if you're listening to rock, and want to go with senns, i see no reason to prefer the HD600 on top of the HD580, which are very, very similar..but the HD580 are a little bit less refined, which actually will go a little bit better with the energy of rock.

[Peppermint Duck]

As far as I can tell the Grados you speak of are low end though? Shouldn't I be looking more at the 225 level? Anyway, some hd580s just went for around £75 on ebay. I may be able to get them cheaper, or around that price, so would it be worth going with them? New from the best sennheiser dealer on ebay they're £135, in store around £150.

[dj_mocok]

Originally Posted by AudiophileBill

Bare in mind I'm going to buy a new system this summer, hopefully with a top of the range sound card i.e. Audgity 2 Platinum, or whatever the top may be at that point.

im just suggesting that grado RS60 or RS80 based on what you are going to use as the source. i dont really know how much "beginner" is your level... personally, i think anything more than RS80 to use for audigy card is an overkill.

[Peppermint Duck]

Oh ok. How much better would the 80s be vs. my current hd497s?

[AdamZuf]

Originally Posted by dj_mocok

im just suggesting that grado RS60 or RS80 based on what you are going to use as the source. i dont really know how much "beginner" is your level... personally, i think anything more than RS80 to use for audigy card is an overkill.

not always true; it's overgeneralizing. one should check to see what his ears are telling him. it's true that a low quality SC will not take full advantage of the headphones, but to decide if that's an overkill (compared to improvement when going to a better model and its price) is an individual descision.

[bhd812]

for me I started out with muying the 325's. then worked my way to a ra-1 amp then a nice cdp then the rs-1's.


my point is if willing to spend then go 325's. after you get used to those youll look at 225's as a joke.

but of course try them out first before you buy.

[bhd812]

also the best way to try out different headphones and amps is to attend a local meet.

where are you located?

[dj_mocok]

all i can say is, dont jump straight to something just because its high end or expensive (especially if you are new and havent tried many different kinds of headphones yet), some people can be very happy with lower end or mid end phones.

[Peppermint Duck]

I've been hearing the sennheisers arn't brilliant for rock, and the Grados are better suited, in particular the 225s. Would that be true?

[bhd812]

I personaly dont like the 225's but i love the 325's for rock/metal


thats just me, alot of others believe the 225 is the rock god....


its yours ears that are the judge, if ur willing to spend buy both, keep for a few months then sell the ones you dont like.

ill buy the 225's off you cause youll be selling them