Complements please… - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

jernmo · 08-06-2008, 04:44 PM

I am looking to add to my existing collection with another comfortable full sized headphone. I want good build quality, I prefer circumaural to supraaural, I don’t have a preference between open or closed, but I want something that is going to make me grin from ear to ear!

My existing lineup is why I am looking for something to complement them. I love each of the below headphones that I own. I have just noticed a habit of mine that was created because of the K81DJ’s. Read on…

Home:
Senn HD595: I love these headphones. They are my favorites by far. Extremely comfortable and they sound great for nearly all types of music. These are my most often used headphones (at home). I listen to these a few times a week.

Alessandro MS1: These are a great headphone for rock and/or roll. They sound very good, but they are far less comfortable than my 595’s so they don’t get used all that much. I am considering some mods for these.

Work:
AKG K81DJ: Great portable headphone once you remove the foam liner. The clamp was significantly reduced when I received my replacement pair. These phones have a lot of bass. I use these nearly every day at the office. They are not comfortable enough or detailed enough for me to use as my home headphone but they are fun.

Senn PX100: I use these mostly when It’s quiet around (which isn’t that often) or when I want an even more portable solution than the K81s. These are a great bang for the buck headphone.

Others for other reasons, but they don’t get used that much: MX400, KSC75, Sony EX81s, Senn MX75.

So here’s what happens… I use the K81DJ’s so often at work that when I get home and throw on the immensely comfortable HD595’s I feel a slight lacking in quantity of bass. I don’t like to EQ, and I just want a touch more bass (sometimes). I don’t think I would ever want to replace my 595’s, I may consider giving up my MS1’s if what I end up getting is that much better, but I’m just kind of shopping for an addition.

Here’s my short list so far:
Beyerdynamic DT880 pro: Mixed reviews and I haven’t heard theses yet.
Senn HD650: Always a great choice, I have heard and love these, but I was kind of thinking about a completely different direction (since I own 5 Sennheiser headphones already).
Beyerdynamic DT990 pro: I have not heard these either, but I understand from reading the reviews that they seem to be Bass heavy and Treble heavy at the same time (doesn’t sound like my cup of tea).

Not really considering:
ATH A900: My buddy has these and they seem a little bloated. I prefer my 595’s to these in nearly every way.
AKG K701: I would prefer the HD650’s to these so I don’t think I’ll go down this route either.

So what else should I be looking at?

What do you think of my current considerations?

Am I a nut that should just keep his hard earned money and be happy with what I have?

kejar31 · 08-06-2008, 05:01 PM

I know the feeling. I had 595's and loved them but was feeling the need to upgrade do the the lack of bass. I ended up going with a pair of HD580's and haven't looked back. I to, wanted to keep the 595's but after comparing the two I knew I would no longer use the 595's so I ended up selling them. While the 580's are no longer available you can pick up a set of HD600's which sound the same. Please note: you will need a amp for the HD600's to get them to shine.

jernmo · 08-06-2008, 07:25 PM

I think if I was going to go with a 600 I'd end up going with a 650. I know the 600 is really well liked in this forum and I haven't personally heard it, but I think from the reviews I read that the 650 would be more up my alley.

I would like to sample more non Sennheiser sounds as well though. That was why I was thinking about the the Beyer's. Any other thoughts?

silverrain · 08-06-2008, 08:58 PM

Ultrasone PRO 750 first choice,
PRO 2500 second choice.

750 has a bit more highs, both have great (NOT bloated) bass.

jernmo · 08-07-2008, 02:18 PM

I have never heard any of the Ultrasone line. Anyone know if there is a place to sample them in the Metro Detroit area?

dfkt · 08-07-2008, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by silverrain

Ultrasone PRO 750 first choice,
PRO 2500 second choice.

750 has a bit more highs, both have great (NOT bloated) bass.

In that case I'd vote for the HFI-780...

tjumper78 · 08-07-2008, 03:36 PM

i think you'll love hd600 if you like the sound of hd595 and ms1. hd650 was too bassy for me, so i tried hd600. to my ears, it is like a good combo of ms2 and hd650.

Shahrose · 08-07-2008, 08:42 PM

i know you said you want to try a different route than the hd650...but it really sounds like the perfect headphone for you.

i also agree with silverrain...if you do decide to take a different direction with your headphones, go try the proline 750 (i like them better than the hd650)

jernmo · 08-08-2008, 12:52 AM

So no one seems to think the DT880 is right for me then huh?

I was kind of hoping that everyone would say "Go for the 880, you won't regret it!" Mostly because they look so nice and comfortable!

nickchen · 08-08-2008, 02:23 PM

I personally regard the DT880 as the best exemplar out of the teutonic bunch. Problem is that this is only to be applied to the 2003 model, the actual model was tweaked to look better (worked) and to sound more gradoish (didn't work IMO). But if you can get a 2nd hand 2003 DT880, don't hesitate, exceptional good product.

However, be careful buying blindly a Ultrasone. Every Ultrasone I listened to turned out to be only a DT990 for the poor (and that includes even the precious UE9).

Getting a HD650 propably isn't so wrong. I doubt that the slowpoke HD595 will get any usage then though.