Yes, another n00b - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

AeRoN · #1 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006, 04:07 AM

Okay. Let's just say, that 5 hours ago, I had never heard the term "cans" used in reference to headphones. Anyway, since, I have been pouring over this forum's wealth of information. Frankly, I'm having a lot of trouble digesting everything.

I need help picking some headphones out. I have a budget of around $150 (for now) I would first purchase the phones, then an amp later, if needed. I'm the type of person who does hours of research before purchasing the "perfect" item, so I would like some guidance in the direction that I need to head.

I listen to a lot of Rock, Alternative, Trance/Techno, also some classical thrown into the mix. I want some cans that have great 3d "soundstage" quality, an aspect of listening that seems fascinating to me. (Brings back memories of 10 years ago in Disneyland, where they had an attraction set up where you were in total darkness, with headphones, and would listen your way through the ride. It was complete with directional headphones, that at the time seemed very nice. After some research, they appear to be PortaPro's, but I have no idea for I'm just judging by appearance.) Anyway, I do a lot of gaming, but, I would rather have headphones that are versatile enough to provide excellent quality when listening to music as well.

I currently own a pair of e2cs, unfortunatley, while abroad, I lost all of my plug-attatchments. They are excellent, but I felt like the music was inside of my head, accompanied with stretching of my ears, it was rather tiresome.

I think that I would like to gravitate towards a closed-phone type.

I have read so many reviews that I've become indecisive.

Suggestions?

DT770 PROs??

terance · #2 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006, 04:15 AM

do you need them for portable use?

for home use i would steer you towards the Grado SR-60, they are the gateway drug into the gardo line up, and sound very good straight out of an ipod. And at only 70 bucks you can probably find an amp to suit your needs as well.

If you looking for something to take on the go, you mentioned you liked the sound of the shure E2c. IEMs are one of those hit or miss things, but since you liked them you can get a pair of ety ER-4s for ~160 on amazon i think. Also the altec lansing iM716's are fairly cheap at ~100 bucks

the k81dj is also popular if your looking for something closed/sealed.

If your looking to buy an amp and a headphone combo, you could probably scrape buy with the grados, and i'm sure there are other combinations you could find as well

welcome to head-fi!!

ap3rtis · #3 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006, 04:28 AM

closed options with good soundstage... dt 770/80 and the audio technica a500/700/900 series get recommended alot.

Advil · #4 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006, 04:29 AM

I was going to say Sennheiser HD595 and nothing more!

But since you want closed, I suppose I'll say Audio Technica ATH-A900.

And jeez, some ksc-75's while you're at it.

pheonix991 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006, 04:52 AM

I love my a900's, but, I'm wanting some darth beyers.... The a900's are great, audiocubes has them for I think 180$. So, look into those.

AeRoN · #6 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006, 06:43 AM

Is an amp needed to run a pair of dt770 pros from an ipod?

vikaskoth · #7 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006, 07:17 AM

aeron, i was in a similar situation as you when i found this site a week ago. I came down to the a700 and a900, bought the a700 today because a user who had both said the difference is not very great unless you have a well trained ear also the a900 cheapest online were 190w/shipping at audiocubes. I got the a700 for 116(w/shipping + $10 off for using google checkout)-link below. good luck the people here are helpful.

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.proc...eed.AT+ATHA700

AeRoN · #8 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006, 07:32 AM

so what's the sound quality difference between the a700 and dt770

AeRoN · #9 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006, 08:29 AM

I've done some searching on the a900 vs dt770. now i'm seriously considering purchasing the a900s, but, i'm no expert, and is it worth it to spend the extra $50 on the a900s? or just go with teh a700s.

Spadge · #10 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006, 08:41 AM

From my experience the DT770/80's sound great... but only if you have a half decent amp to go with them...

Unamped out of a portable source they sound (to me) a little flabby and bloated. I only liked listening to them out of an amp.

I've not heard the other phones you mention... but the 770/80's are pretty good. They do have slightly recessed midrange, but that didn't bother me too much.

Be warned though that if you get the DT770/80's you'll then be bitten by the bug to upgrade them to Darth Beyers (see: http://www.headphile.com/page8.html)... then you can kiss your wallet goodbye...

Good luck
Paul

Uncle Erik · #11 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AeRoN

Brings back memories of 10 years ago in Disneyland, where they had an attraction set up where you were in total darkness, with headphones, and would listen your way through the ride. It was complete with directional headphones, that at the time seemed very nice. After some research, they appear to be PortaPro's, but I have no idea for I'm just judging by appearance.)

If memory serves, I believe that the Disney headphones were derived from the AKG K-1000. A few members here have Disney drivers from repairs done at AKG.

The K-1000 is, unfortunately, discontinued. They're available secondhand, but I don't know if you'd want to pay that much and then deal with the peculiarities of amplifying it.

But if you liked that, you might want to take a look at one of the Beyerdynamic DT880s for $149. You can find those here:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

The sound signature is similar to AKG and I think you'll like the soundstage, as well. They are open headphones, but I don't find sound leakage to be much of a problem.

For a slightly different sound signature, take a look at the Sennheiser HD-580, going around $139. Also, open, but they sound terrific and they're great with a lot of different music.

jdimitri · #12 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik

If memory serves, I believe that the Disney headphones were derived from the AKG K-1000. A few members here have Disney drivers from repairs done at AKG.

The K-1000 is, unfortunately, discontinued. They're available secondhand, but I don't know if you'd want to pay that much and then deal with the peculiarities of amplifying it.

But if you liked that, you might want to take a look at one of the Beyerdynamic DT880s for $149. You can find those here:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

The sound signature is similar to AKG and I think you'll like the soundstage, as well. They are open headphones, but I don't find sound leakage to be much of a problem.

For a slightly different sound signature, take a look at the Sennheiser HD-580, going around $139. Also, open, but they sound terrific and they're great with a lot of different music.

Disneyland and K1000?? I wish I was there!

AeRoN · #13 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006, 10:24 AM

Just did a bit of research and found a link to the attraction: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw...ionPage&bhcp=1

sadly, no information on the sound equipment used.

---and dt880 vs dt770... differences?

(i'm on an information overload at the moment, and am going to get to sleep)

it's going to be such a relief once I finally make a decision.

jdimitri · #14 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006, 10:35 AM

dt880 is a much more detailed headphone, less bass, maybe the same amount of mids or a tad more and a tad more highs

I'd say you'll probably enjoy hd595 or A900 more

AeRoN · #15 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006, 10:37 AM

--Let's just say that my ear isn't too well trained, i'm not saying I can't differentiate between the good and the bad, but...