SHOCK HORROR, I think I prefer cheap headphones...

[pbirkett]

....At least properly amped, and with a half decent source, even fairly cheap headphones can sound bloody excellent IMO. I've spent the last couple of weeks listening to my Beyer DT531, which are just £60, out of my X-Can v3 and Terratec soundcard, and they sound much more than their pricetag suggests.

Sure they arent as revealing or clear as say the CD3000's, but are unpretentious, unfatiguing, and just plain boogie like hell. They are very forgiving of my bad stuff, and when the good stuff comes, they still sound bloomin excellent. They are lighter, look cheaper and more plasticy than high end cans, but they are soo comfortable.

So whats the point to this thread? Well, just to tell people that they should not rule out cheaper cans just because they are cheaper, when given a good signal they can still sound amazing, and because of the compromises in neutrality found in lower end cans, can even sound a lot more fun than most of the high end stuff.

I still havent found any headphone yet that boogies like the DT531 given a decent signal...

[jpelg]

Originally posted by pbirkett
my Beyer DT531...are unpretentious, unfatiguing, and just plain boogie like hell.

I still havent found any headphone yet that boogies like the DT531

Originally posted by lini
Current favourites: Beyerdynamic DT531 - "The old Groovalizer"

Just so Manfred doesn't have to say 'I told you so' .

[pbirkett]

Hehe,

The thing is, the DT531s still amaze me, and I have a hard time accepting these are cheap phones, and sometimes think that more pricey ones *must* be better, but thats proved not to be the case on more than one (or 2, 3, 4, 5.... etc) occaisions

I've recommended the DT531 to at least half a dozen people now, who've gone on to buy them, and they are all delighted!

In fact theres only one person who I know whos heard them who doesnt like them, and I am sure he always disagrees with me anyway for the sake of disagreeing

[Joe Bloggs]

lini doesn't call them the 'groovelizer' for nothing

[Iron_Dreamer]

Too bad they're much harder to come by in the U.S.

On a related not, I don't think the less expensive can > more expensive can is a new phenomena, since many have preferred the SR225 to the higher Grado models.

[lan]

Could it be that nearly any headphone properly amped with a decent source might not be that bad.

I remember trying clipons or something at the NYC headfi meet. We plugged it into the Cary 300SEI or something. I should make an adaptor and try some "cheapo" headphones on the blockhead

[pbirkett]

The thing I've noticed, which is very welcome, is that good recordings still are allowed to shine, but bad ones are treat much more respectfully, and are still put forward in a listenable manner. OK, so theres not quite the clarity, or detail of the better models, but its a HELL of a lot close than many people would imagine, and in some ways, they even sound better, more involving for sure.

I am surely having second thoughts about whether I really need the HD650's now, its just the fact of forgetting that I am listening to cheaper cans, that little niggle that says more expensive always equals better, buts its subsiding with each passing minute of listening to these. Its ironic that all I needed to bring myself a much better listening experience was to use the cans I've always liked with a good amp, and turn them into something i love

[ADS]

Have you heard the DT880s?

[Eagle_Driver]

Originally posted by ADS
Have you heard the DT880s?

As pbirkett had said, he had owned DT880s.

[daycart1]

Hehe. A lot depends on what you listen to and in what circumstances. I could easily imagine someone's thinking that the Koss KSC 35 (about 30 bucks) sounded better than anything else with that nice smooth bass if they were outdoors and listening to a "non-audiophile" recording.

[wallijonn]

Why are you calling them "cheap"? At 60 pounds or $125US they are in their right niche ($100-$200), which I say is the minimum for a minimum level of satisfaction for most people (best return on investment potential, or best performance per dollar).

So, if they were slightly better made, and they charged $150US, would it make for a better sounding headphone?

There are a few headphones which many consider to be bargains. It would seem that you take this view with the DT531.

It's good to have more than 1 good headphone. For anyone who has a "medium" system the DT531 will probably please.

[mjg]

Hi Pbirket,

I hear ya, it's not all about price. It might be worthwhile considering a source upgrade though. I never heard my cd3000 rock untill they had a source/amp combo that did them justice. They still perform 'ok' per se with my computer dac combo, but my full blown sacd rig really does them justice.

Just my input.

[MacDEF]

A lot of people who are highly respected on Head-Fi (like lini and Snufkin) love the DT 531. If they were more easily available in the U.S., I suspect they'd have more fans I know they're on my wish list.

[bootman]

Originally posted by lan
Could it be that nearly any headphone properly amped with a decent source might not be that bad.

Bingo.
You have found the meaning of Head-fi.
You have grasped the pebble from our hand, grasshopper.

Originally posted by lan
I remember trying clipons or something at the NYC headfi meet. We plugged it into the Cary 300SEI or something. I should make an adaptor and try some "cheapo" headphones on the blockhead

Was that you who did that at the May meet?
It was a ridiculous combo but there were others that we tried in the same vein.

Example: The Stax 202 and 007t amp sounded really good together.

[lini]

Bad thing is: The DT531 has apparently been discontinued in the meantime. There should still be quite a few available in the retail channel, though - but I don't know for how long.

Of course, the K240S is a good alternative for just a tad more money (and probably with a wider availability) - but unfortunately it reacts more sensitive to output impedance (which should really low), whereas the DT531 also works fairly well with quite a few integrated amp and receivers... Well, at least there's still the DT250/250, which sounds very similar - just a bit more pronounced in the midrange (which is actually a good thing), but also a bit more compressed... It's also more expensive, though, and one has to deal with its comparatively short single-sided spiral cable (vs. 3 m straight double-sided cable on the DT531).

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

P.S.: MacDEF: Thanks for the compliment, btw. Me being well respected - I think I like that!