Hello all!

After wading through more and more information and numerous recommendations, I am much closer to making a descision on my first ever hi quality headphones.

For anyone reading that never saw my first thread, I have been looking for a ~$200 headphone for recording and playing back music - mostly acoustic. African drums, guitar, piano, and vocals.

I am seriously considering the Senn HD595s. Since these are open I was wondering if anyone can weigh in with a similar set of cans that are closed that I could consider so as to eliminate any worry of picking up sound leak on recordings. The 595s are the only headphones that have stayed in the running the whole time and are all I am left with at this point.

What do you all think? Are there some possible downfalls that I should know about with these cans that I could do better with another set?

Thank you for the support you folks have shown me. I love the aural appreciation and fancy-pants air here!

HD595 suits quite well in this situation.

If you want more noise blocking, you might regard the closed Beyer DT250 (250 Ohms) - I did not have the opportunity to listen to the latter yet, but it's said to be in the golden middle between fun & neutrality.

Closed alternatives: AKG K271 (deadly neutral), AT A900 (more fun, huuuge soundscape).

It really depends on in what environment you are recording. I have been playing and recording metal bands for a long time. I really needed closed cans because with open ones I couldn't hear a thing.

The closed cans I had are the HD25 and the HD250II. They do not compare to the HD595 if you are going to use them for listening to classical music. But they are closed.

Thanks for the info guys. I was looking at the HD 25 earlier on. The only reason I forgot about it was because I got the impression that you were paying for portability, not sound quality. I will be using this in mosty quiet settings, but not in a proper studio, that is for sure.

I'm gonna look up a bit more on the AKG 271 (I was actually a bit interested in that one anyways) and the AT A900.

Thanks again!

The K271 is a great phone for monitoring because it's pretty accurate for a closed phone. However, it's probably not going to have the bass response you want, especially for african drums and acoustic music.

You can always try some DT880s. They should be around $200 if you get them second hand.

I think if I remember correctly that the DT880s are 250 ohms - out of the question - while the 595s are 50 and the the a900 are 80 - both realistic for me.

Now I am wondering about the intimacy/soundstage of these 2 phones in comparison with each other. Any opinions?

In respect of soundstage, A900 & Dt880 are quite on par - a monsterous large "concert hall-effect". The DT880 delivers more details but can sound boring with certain genres, whereas the A900 handles any genre well, but, as mentioned, not very neutral.

Remember that the Dt880 and K271 need to be amped.

I liked the A900 a lot! At the time of auditioning, probably as much if not more than K701.. It's just more 'fun'
It has amazing soundstage for a closed headphones.. absolutely stunning
Well, if you look at the drivers you'll see they're tilted, maybe that's where the magic's at, who knows
Take the safe way and take closed cans

DT880 on the other hand, i thought was alright at best. IMO it's a love it or hate it can, it's too bright for me

Ps. I just got the open darths in the mail.. It has magical soundstage, fun and (to a degree) resolution, the bass was overwhelming at first, but i learnt to love it.. in 5 mins. Stay tuned for reviews (headfive+open DB and Hornet+ES2 )

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Confusing to see the K501 in your sig then

Well.. K501 is almost the opposite of DT880
About the same level of bass, forward mids and neutral (or is it slightly attenuated?) highs

What would you guys say to the HD595s then? It's also easy to drive, and I won't be using an amp.

Would anyone be kind enough to point me to a comparison between the HD595 and the AT A900?

HD595: Slightly better for classical, folk & jazz, (very) slightly more comfortable, holy cow in the USA for some strange reason
A900: Much better for remainder of genres, better energy & drive, much better soundscape.

Wow, that assessment significantly tips the scale in the direction of the a900...I had thought that classical was a very challenging genre for any phone and a good measurement, but you say the 595 is better with classical, and the a900 is better with many other genres. How would you compare these 2 with acoustic/live music?