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Best Solution For Modern Orchestral Music?

post #1 of 21
5/29/07 at 2:24am
Thread Starter 
Updated 8/27/2008 (here)

Hi,

I currently have a pair of Sennheiser's HD555s plugged into the volume control of my Creative Inspire 5.1 5200 speakers, and am happy with the sound of it, but would like to move on to something greater I'm hoping I will be able to save up on the order of three to four hundred dollars this summer and buy a new pair of headphones, and if need be a nice amp. Hopefully

For I while now, I've been drooling over the HD650s, but recently started wondering if the HD595s (maybe with an amp, for the price difference) might be a better solution. Now, though, I'm starting to wonder if there might be a model from another brand that might work better for me... lol, I really don't know now....

Here are a few sample songs of the genre of music that I usually listen to... I rarely listen to any other types of music nowadays, in fact. All of it is orchestral, and most of it contains a choir.

http://www.myspace.com/audiomachine (Scroll down beneath the flash intro to the sample tracks player)
http://www.positionmusic.com/ (See the flash player below Orchestral Series Vol. 2, starting with Trinity)
http://www.talbotweb.info/music/02_Singapore.mp3 (From the Pirates 3 Soundtrack)
http://www.talbotweb.info/music/HeavenAndEarth.mp3
http://www.talbotweb.info/music/Armada.mp3
http://www.talbotweb.info/music/TriumphOfTheFallen.mp3
http://www.talbotweb.info/music/Dryka.mp3
(Apologies in advance if I shouldn't have posted the last few)

So, what would you guys suggest? What would do the music I listen to the most justice?

Thanks in advance
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post #2 of 21
5/29/07 at 2:37am
In my opinion, the HD 595's are too bright/lacking warmth for classical music, compared to the 650. You can get one quite cheap at around $250, and a decent amp (the Total Bithead might be a good starting point at $150 if you're using computer as a primary source).
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post #3 of 21
5/29/07 at 2:40am
Thread Starter 
I dislike most classical music I've heard, actually... oddly enough. But they, for the most part, would sound best on the same headphones, I suppose....

Yes, my computer is the source I use primarily, and I have already been eying the Total BitHead

Amazon seems to have the lowest prices I've seen on both the HD595's and the HD650's... $175 and $338, respectively, seems to be the trend (though both fluctuate depending on how many they have in stock).
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post #4 of 21
5/29/07 at 2:46am
Definitely the 650. I have not heard the 595 but I think the 650 is absolutely perfect for your music (yes, I clicked on the links and listened).
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post #5 of 21
5/29/07 at 2:54am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dept_of_Alchemy View Post
Definitely the 650. I have not heard the 595 but I think the 650 is absolutely perfect for your music (yes, I clicked on the links and listened).
That's what I've been thinking would be the best bet, but I'm impatient... Learn to go with my gut, I should

Hopefully I'll find a few web design and/or development jobs this summer that pay nicely
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post #6 of 21
5/29/07 at 12:56pm
Usually I suggest the K701, but your music samples are more grandiose, and the Senn could probably do more for them than an "accurate" phone. Be sure to tell us the results, or what adjustments you had to make to get your sound.
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post #7 of 21
5/29/07 at 8:16pm
If you like to hear the music with no coloration at all, go with the AKG K701, however if I were you, I would take a stronger look into HD580, 600 and 650... read them well, and choose!!
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post #8 of 21
5/30/07 at 8:05pm
Thread Starter 
Okay, I will go with the HD650s then

Quote:
Be sure to tell us the results, or what adjustments you had to make to get your sound.
Will do... But alas, it will probably be a month or so before I can earn enough to get them. *pout*

Since I won't be using them with my MP3 Player -- I've got the CX300-S's for that -- I'll probably just plan on getting the headphones first and then an amp after a few weeks.... My dad used to be a sound engineer, maybe he has some friends with some sort of amplification unit that would hold me over
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post #9 of 21
5/30/07 at 9:36pm
I think you made the right choice

BTW, your music is very good. I into the more classical classical music if you know what I mean. I never really listened to much film-style music, but I guess you have opened my eyes
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post #10 of 21
5/30/07 at 10:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by milkpowder View Post
I think you made the right choice

BTW, your music is very good. I into the more classical classical music if you know what I mean. I never really listened to much film-style music, but I guess you have opened my eyes
I am in the same boat, while I listen to works more along the line of Mozart, this is really interesting and good music. I really don't have any headphone recommendations (I don't have that money yet) but I just thought the music was cool.
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post #11 of 21
5/30/07 at 10:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by spt1224 View Post
plugged into the volume control of my Creative Inspire 5.1 5200 speakers
headphones don't like that...
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post #12 of 21
5/30/07 at 10:32pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by feh1325 View Post
headphones don't like that...
LOL okay....
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post #13 of 21
5/30/07 at 10:37pm
you're not getting the best quality sound from your hd555 by putting lower quality cables and components between the headphone and the source
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post #14 of 21
5/30/07 at 10:41pm
Thread Starter 
Oh, I know it. I only do so for the sake of convenience

When I get my new headphones I'll be sure to circumvent that problem

In the meantime, I will see if I can hear the difference by listening to my favorite songs both ways, the ones I know best.
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post #15 of 21
8/27/08 at 9:05pm
Thread Starter 
It's taken this long, (entirely too long, in my opinion), but I finally have a pair of HD650s, an E-MU 0404 USB, and a Little-Dot MK III (as well as a Micro+) on the way I'm hoping to have it all by the end of next week.

I should have had the 650s by now, but J&R's being really slow and annoying about it... ordered very early Sunday morning and they still haven't gotten them shipped yet. Should have gone with B&H or HeadRoom , but too late now. I've waited this long, I suppose I can wait a bit longer

The 0404 is coming from American Musical Supply and is due here next week.

Somehow, I have the feeling I'll be getting the amps before the 650s....
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