Hey! Just like the title says, I am new here, and am looking for a new pair of headphones to replace my Panasonic Ht355.
I will be using these primarily on my computer, with my Audigy card, with games and music. I listen mostly to country, rock, and some old metal. I prefer a laid back sound; too much treble drives me nuts. As a comparison, my theater setup is based around a mix of old and new sets of Polk Audio speakers. I enjoy the rich midrange of their products, and their toned down high end.
I do NOT want to have to buy an amp YET. I may buy one down the road, but want them to sound good without, so I can use them with portibles occasionally.
Also, I'm leaning towards a closed headphone do to my fairly loud computer, and so my wife doesn't gripe about hearing my music
Do to the reading I have done through these and other forums, I am leaning towards the Beyer DT-250-80. Most folks seem to agree that they have a nice, easy sound to them; however, at the DT-250's price of$170, the Senn HD590's are about the same price, or I can get the HD-280's for $60 through a friend. $170 is over what I had in mind, but I'm willing to spend it, if it is worth it, but no more! ( And, I prefer to not be in the doghouse with the wife )
Anything else in that range I should consider? I want good comfort, so Grado's are probably out.
Unfortunately, since I live in the middle of nowhere, I have no options for listening to ANY of these headphones myself. I will have to get them online, or sent to me by my friend.
Has anyone compared these to each other?
Are the DT250's that much better than the HD-280's?
Am I going to become an addict, and have to sleep on the couch for a month, due to another hobby?

Thanks in advance!

Wahoox2


BTW - I just wanted to say how impressed I have been with this site, while reading up on all the cans out there the last 2 weeks. It's really refreshing to find an enthusiast site of ANY kind, with the level of civility that this place has. Just about every other place I see, for anything, is nothing more than everyone flaming each other.

Hiya wahoox2, welcome to Head-Fi

I'm not quite sure which way i'd send you on this one... the Beyers seem to have the sound you want... being laid back, but they're 80ohms and have a relatively low sensitivity... not good for computer use... whereas the Senns are brighter, on the same playing field as the Sony MDR-V6... which would be good for the soundcard, but not for you

The best combo would probably be the Beyers, and a CHA47 / mint tin amp....

...Have you looked around on the FS forum to see if there are any cheaper DT250s floating around?

Good luck

Duncan

why do i get the feeling that in time you're going to be a money laundering pro at hiding expenses just like the rest of us.

welcome to head-fi.

I prefer dt250 much more than senn 280
to me 280 is too bright .

wahoox2,

The 250-80 was my second headphone purchase and I've never regretted it. My initial purchase of the Grado SR80 was short lived. Great phones, but I needed some isolation when I did some late night console gaming because the wife had just given birth to our son. Whether I needed isolation from them or vice-versa is still debatable to this day!

250-80 version can run off a portable and you can still get decent sound from it....but an amp brings them to another level! I've used the 250-80 with a JMT built CHA47 Altoids amp (portable sources have been a CDP, MD, HD-MP3), better sound all around.

Sound - bass comparable to the venerable Sony V6, though not as boomy. The highs are a bit rolled off compared to the v6, but it's a different sound, not necessarily better or worse.

Construction - They may not fold up like the V6, but my son has managed to take the 250-80 off the bottom level of my headphone rack and dragged them around our condo. Still work flawlessly. I've taken several trips where I have slammed them into my backpack and not a scratch. I don't mind the coiled cord. I like the idea of the cord terminating to one side secured by a screw. It is easily replaceable.

Comfort - I've had gaming stints or listening sessions for 2-3 hours and the only thing I can say is, my ears became warm. The velvet earpads have been used as replacement pads on the V6s. Unless you have a large head, I don't think you'll have an issue. But you can bend the headband in an outward motion to get the right fit.

Isolation - Not Etys, but IMHO better than the V6. On the plane, the engine becomes a distant hum rather than a roar.

Highly recommended!

Regards - reynman

Duncan: I thought the advantage of the 250-80 was that it could be driven without an amp and still get good sound?

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You're not wrong... but with a sound-card, you're using a line level source... which is a different thing all together than using a PCDP... not really my thing...

...that being said... I do know some of the original soundcards (soundblaster at least) did have powered jacks, suitable for powering un-amped speakers.... so... if one of these sound-cards is used... then my comments are null and void

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right on tom.
I had the dt250-80 and it was driven fine out of my laptop and even slim-x. The sound quality out of slim-x was suprisingly good. Bass was very tight and deep. Drum was very realistic sounding. Vocal was nice and smooth!!
u gotta try it

I ask because I'm trying to figure a way to have music as cheap as possible while waiting for my amp to get finished(4-5 weeks). the 250-80 is one of my top choice's if I go without bying a used creek or something along those lines. If I get an amp I'll probably get the DT880's because my HD600/cardas are with the amp.

Well, it seems like DT-250's it will be then.

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I'd love to find a used set, and then maybe spend that saved money towards an amp, but I have looked everywhere, and I don't see anyone selling used ones.
Anone have any recommendations for online to buy a set? Preferably somewhere with a 30 guarantee, so I can try them out.


thanks