In financial CONFUSION! Thanks alot head-fi :)

[myk7000]

Okay so after hours of research (but unfortunately I couldn't demo alot of the headphones due to the insane weather around here) I had finally made a decision.

I had a budget of about 100, which extended to 150 which extended to 200, and is standing at a possible 250 now..... which I am very unhappy with myself about to be honest.

So currently I have following things:
IEM: Shure SCL4
Open: Grado SR60 with Bowls
Closed: K81DJ

These in total cost me about $182 together.

Now I am second guessing myself after reading and reading and find myself immediately wanting more.

In the Open phones, I keep hearing the HD555 is better than the SR60 and so I find myself wanting those.
In the Closed phones, I keep hearing the DT770/80 is amazing and I keep wanting those.

I now am possibly (if i get them) looking at spending almost 300 dollars for these headphones together.

The question is, will this really be necessary? I know its very subjective on myself, but what do you guys feel about it. And if I were to make certain compromises (for instance im looking to downgrade my IEMs to CX300s and sell the SCL4 cuz they just dont do it for me that well) is it worth the upgrade to the dt770 and hd555? Please let me know what you think. I would obviously like to spend as least money as possible!

The open and closed phones will be used on my laptop with M-Audio Fast Track Pro Headphone amp powering them, and the IEM is for portable use.

[SawaFish]

Well, you should ask yourself if you want an open AND a closed headphone or that just one (closed) is enough. That way you can save money and still buy a better one. Generally for portable use isolation and comfort weigh more than SQ. I would take a 'cheap' portable IEM like the Etymotic ER6i or ATH-CK7 and a more expensive closed headphone to use with your laptop.

I myself don't have a great use for open headphones since I've got great speakers to use when I don't need isolation.

Edit: Try getting them used at the forums here, if you wait a while there are some pretty good deals now and then...

[scytheavatar]

Yeah, you need to ask yourself if there's really a need to get both an open and closed phone. In any case the HD555 is an small improvement from the SR60 at best and you might as well save up your money and go for something like the SR225. What type of music do you listen to? What are you happy/unhappy about with your present phones? Just because people say that the DT770 or HD555 is amazing doesn't mean that you'll find them amazing.

[JMCIII]

Another point to ponder before spending your money: can the headphones I'm interested in be run to satisfying levels without an amp? If not, then that one more thing you'll have to budget for or not get the full benefit from your purchase. There are some very good full sized headphones that can be used without an amp but many need an amp to get them to get them to sound their best.

[ph0rk]

Unless there is a real need, I'd try and compress the open and closed phones into one headphone, possibly with an amp. Then, use your IEM when you need isolation - closed phones don't isolate very much anyway. An air conditioner at home? sure. A bus? No way.

[myk7000]

Well im not sure if the M-audio fast track pro headphone amp even counts as an amp but thats what I'm using to drive them.

Well hmm, if I only had one set of cans at home, then I guess it comes down to dt770/80, hd555, or sr60 with bowls.

I listen to just about EVERYTHING so I need something well rounded, I just don't know which one is for me....

[lucky]

The HD555 are great well-rounded phones; I picked them over the SR60/80 because I listen to more than rock. They're also extraordinarily comfortable; like IEMs, I can wear them for hours at a time. However, I'd advise you to look beyond the purchase and make sure there isn't something else you'd start hankering for a month later. It's hard to predict the future, but a simple thought exercise might keep you from spending money on A when you really want B down the line.

[kingkevo25]

I agree with everybody above and I recommend looking into just one headphone. I would sell both your open and closed cans and add some money together for just one. The dt770, Denon d2000 or Senn hd595 are all at about the same price. And I'd keep the SCL4.

[Death_Metalhead]

Actually, this is not always true Johnsomething... uh effectic.

[imademymark]

for one closed headphones generally have a different sort of bass response.

but i'm a grado fanboy so i guess i'll have to agree