johnnycr said:

scootsit said:

Higher impedance cans (up to a point) are easier to drive as they require less current (V=I*R, raise R, and you need less current (I)). Nevertheless, they may not get sufficiently loud, which is as much about sensitivity as impedance. Nevertheless, all of your options here should work fine with an iPod, and most were designed for portable use. Amping may help low-impedance cans sound better (amps tend to have lower output-impedance) and high impedance cans sound louder. Nevertheless, this is a massive digression, nothing you've mentioned will have problems being driven by an iPod. Also, don't feel obligated to run out and buy an expensive amp. While it may improve some things modestly, most iPods have pretty decent amps and DACs.


Many feel the M50 overrated. I think there are probably better options at that price point. Namely, I'd wait for a sale and get the vmodas. Just FYI, the M80 recently was on sale at Radio Shack for $130, and is currently $140 on Amazon. If you're using your cans on the go, it might be relevant that aside from sounding great, probably among the best in this thread, the M80 is the first can to reach military specs for durability.




I didn't realize the V-Moda M80 is selling for only $140.  I would definitely go for that if I get the money.  Thanks for the info on impedance, sensitivity, portable amps, etc.  I guess I need to figure out my budget before I go any further... lol.  The Panasonic HTF600, Creative Aurvana Live!, and V-Moda M80 all seem like great options to me, but the price differences are huge.  I don't know if I'm willing to shell out more than $100 right now, so I'll probably go for the Panasonic or Creative headphones.  But if I get a surprise jumbo birthday check in the mail I might reconsider.

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All are good choices in their respective price ranges. You may want to start smaller. At $15, the Ksc75 are great. Another option is the KRK cans. I've never heard them, just their near field monitors, which were awesome . But, they're supposed to be great. All in all, I think you have some awesome options that will sound great with your iPod. A lot will depend on the signature you prefer. Don't feel pressured to spend tons. And while we're on value, Koss makes some awesome, great value stuff. The ksc75, portapros, and those all aluminum dj cans all have great reputations, though the last one may need an amp. Good luck!



One last thing, the CALs are amazing sounding for the price, but they're not super durable. If you have a preferred signature in mind, I may be able to help further

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southern cross said:

ljokerl, I abolutely loved this post, I just found it so informative (noob headfier here) that I come back to it every now and then just to learn something. I particularly like how you include and review very unexpensive gear as seriously as the high-end goodies: it's quite useful for beginners and, I guess so, for audiophiles looking for toss-in-the-backpack options. 
 
In those lines, I would love to see the Sennheiser HD201 in the budget-fi section of this review: I own a pair and I do think they are really good cans for their price, and a great option for those willing to make their first baby step into audiophilia... or at least their first step out of the standard-crappy-earbuds realm.

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johnnycr said:

Thanks for the additional help.  I'm still learning all the lingo around here so forgive me for using noob terminology.  I know that I like balanced bass and treble with miss slightly recessed.  Too much treble really bothers me, but there has to be enough treble to still come through with strong bass. I like bass, but not when it overpowers everything else.  I really enjoy my Sennheiser HD280 Pro headphones when I increase the bass and treble and lowered the miss a bit. I get bored with the HD280s at stock. They are just too flat for me.  I had a pair of AKG IEMs that I wasn't a huge fan of. They had good bass but the miss lower miss were too strong and they sounded muddy and way too warm. The treble was drowned out.  So I want something with good bass but not so much that it blows away the treble. I like clear highs but too much bothers me.  Hope that makes sense.  If you have questions let me know. 

Edit: Scootsit I see in your profile that you have the SHE3580 IEMs.  I have them too and I'm pretty happy with their sound signature.  Thought it would be helpful for you to know that since you've heard them.

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gangler said:

Thanks for your work here. Just made my choice for a new portable that much harder. I'm going to retire the HD 25 not so comfortable for me, I'm curious how the Beyer COP compares as that's the replacement I'm looking at right now. Who has heard both? What do you think?

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marko93101 said:

Ran into a bit of trouble with shifting the Denons, so I fear my budget may be reduced by a bit.
 
 
Was looking into the Shure SRH440s, the MDRs V6, and the CALs and HTF600s as mentioned above..
 
Just to be sure before I buy, which will be most suitable and fairly rugged for day to day life in college?

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armaegis said:

 
The COP is better for comfort (for me), but the HD25 is better sounding. The COP has more bass quantity when the vents are fully open... but that's about it. The HD25 easily has better balance and definition.

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djenkov said:

Hi,
 
I listen mainly to classical. My secondary music of choice is pop, rock and metal.
I searched a lot about this, but I couldn't manage to find any information, so I am sorry if you already answered the question. I'm torn between buying HD25-1 II and V-MODA M80. I see in reviews that the soundstage of the HD is not so good and frankly, I am in love with the design of the m80, so I really give myself reasons to buy them (but I won't if they are inferior for my main genre I listen to).
 
My question is:
Which of the two is better for classical? After that, are there any better options for that genre?
I am no expert by any means but aside from the soundstage how does the clarity and the instrument separation fare with these?
My budget is on the low end, so I can't afford to spend more than 200$(but I can look for good offers in the sales forums).

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