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ATH-AD2000, RS-1 or SR-325i for a Koss A250 lover?

post #1 of 13
4/20/08 at 5:31pm
Thread Starter 
I have some Koss A250s which I love. However I wonder about their ability to deliver long term given their build quality. I have been interested in the AD2000s for a while and am wondering how they compare to the Koss? What other phones would people recommend to someone that loves the A250s but are a little more durable. What about Grados? SR-325i? RS-1?

My source is either an iMod or FUBAR II and I have a Cute Beyond amp.

Thanks.
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post #2 of 13
4/20/08 at 5:41pm
What's your budget for your cans and an amp? Or, what amp are you now using?

I forgot I had the Koss A250 briefly, unamped, and did not like it but that was before I started using an equalizer.
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post #3 of 13
4/20/08 at 5:55pm
Thread Starter 
No budget really just vaguely thinking at this stage. Certainly no higher (or not much higher) than the AD2000s at $600. My amp is a Cute beyond, I don't want to spend any more in that department so its gotta be enough to drive them.
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post #4 of 13
4/21/08 at 5:45am
Thread Starter 
bump
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post #5 of 13
4/21/08 at 7:13am
What exactly are you looking for / do you love in the Koss? Also what type of music do you listen to?

Or are you just looking for a good all arounder. As far as I have read, the 325 has harsh highs to some but not to others.

The RS-1 sounds amazing, people say it is colored, and bright.

The AD2000 is always recommended as a good all arounder.

Sorry I would get into more details but Ill let someone who has more experience with all of them.
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post #6 of 13
4/22/08 at 7:06am
Thread Starter 
It seems there are not that many A250 users around anymore. What I like about it is the speed, detail and clarity. I used to own some DT-880s which were very good but a little sterile. The Koss was the perfect replacement.

Maybe I will make a new thread based on the ER-4S, I think that might get more repsonses.
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post #7 of 13
4/22/08 at 9:12am
As far I can remember nc8000 have or had A250's, so try to send him an e-mail.
I had Cute encore once and found them a bit dry, not bad at all, just slightly dry. Use it with SR225 at the time and was quite happy. Also have heard it with RS1 and the results were not bad at all. Unfortunately can not say anything about AD2000, however I do believe Cute would drive them with ease.

Quote:
Originally Posted by redrich2000 View Post
It seems there are not that many A250 users around anymore. What I like about it is the speed, detail and clarity. I used to own some DT-880s which were very good but a little sterile. The Koss was the perfect replacement.

Maybe I will make a new thread based on the ER-4S, I think that might get more repsonses.
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post #8 of 13
4/22/08 at 5:34pm
redrich, I hate to be the one to tell you this, but as a former A250 owner and lover, the answer is clear: everything you love about the Koss, planar headphones will do better. Those Grados will certainly not do it, and no AT I've heard even comes close. (though I haven't heard the AD2000, I'd be very surprised if it differed so fundamentally from the many models I have heard.) So, orthos if you want to keep the same amp, or ideally some Koss ESP-950, which is what the A250 is trying to be anyway.
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post #9 of 13
4/22/08 at 5:49pm
Thread Starter 
What are planar headphones?
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post #10 of 13
4/22/08 at 7:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by redrich2000 View Post
What are planar headphones?
flat drivers, as opposed to dynamic domes or cones (or AMT corrugations, I suppose). Most planars are either orthodynamic (aka planar dynamic) or electrostatic.
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post #11 of 13
4/24/08 at 1:21pm
Thread Starter 
After reading through a bunch of threads I now think the choice should be between the AD2000, the W5000 and SA5000. These are three that seem to compete in the detail, speed, sparkle, energy, airyness and clarity stakes.

Out of those three I think the W5000 seem like the pick. Of the few people who have heard all these cans a number thought the W5000 better than the SA5000 in all respects. Also, given what people say about its soundstage, air and treble clarity it seems hard to imagine the AD2000 would be better, despite being open.

I had wanted an open phone because I love the airyness. But if the W5000 deliver that while not making my partner throw things at me to make me turn them down...

I am not about to run out and buy them so don't expect a W5000 v A250 review anytime soon. But one day...
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post #12 of 13
4/24/08 at 1:24pm
be careful about amping for W5000... they're rather picky about amping, while AD2K is less so.
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post #13 of 13
4/24/08 at 5:24pm
I say pick the W5000. Not because I know anything at all about their sound, but because they simply are the most beautiful headphones around. And you've seen this, haven't you?

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f10/at...-offer-313971/
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