How are the Denon D2000 with movies?

You really need an amp to enjoy the D2000s, they sound so-so without but there are much better amp-less alternatives such as the JVC RX700 which I use my main movie/gaming headphone. Audio-Technica M50 is another popular option that is easy to power.

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The RX700 are terrific, I sold my D2000s in favor of them. You could pick up a Zero ($125) or Audio GD compass/fun ($250) which can be used as an amp and DAC which you will want unless you already have a great source.

Well, in all fairness, the D2000 does really need an amp to shine off portable devices.  But if you watch movies on your home tv and it's run through an AVR, then the D2000 is phenomenal.  They are a rather huge headphone.  Picture Princess Leia's hair on steroids.  The soundstage is quite spacious especially when you consider these are a closed back headphone.  The bass is certainly hits with enough authority to make action movies shine. 

When I ran these out of my run of the mill Yamaha receiver against my Edition 8's, I actually preferred my D2000.  I use the "Direct" setting on my receiver so that I'm getting true audio from the movie.  The bass of the D2000 doesn't come close to the Edition 8, but the soundstage was MUCH larger.  During a gun scene, I really though there was gun fire behind my head when I had my D2000's on. 

All that said, if you are watching movies on your portable device or a computer and without an amp, then you might not want to fork out the money for the Denon's just yet.  I don't think you'll do them justice until you plug them into receiver and let them run with a DVD or better yet, a blue ray. 

I haven't heard the M50 or the RX700/900 so I can't comment on their sound, but the D2000 sound, even unamped will be fun for movies. It does benefit a good amount from an amp, but I think you would also enjoy them plenty without, or out of a receiver if you have one.

Hmm, not sure how well it'll fit your music preferences. It would depend on what you're used to. If this is your first pair of "good" headphones I think you'll be pleased all around. If its not then you might be a bit more discerning. They'd do pop well, electronic would depend on what you value of the sound (I know some prefer D2000 sound trait for it, and others that like pretty much the opposite), alternative rock will be good (although there are ones that do it better, I don't think those would be as good as the D2000s for movies), and I think classical they're not great (but again, if you're not used to decent headphones you might think they sound quite good).

I would maybe say give the JVCs a try first, they don't cost much and will give you some reference. You could then maybe have a better understanding of what you'd want. I mean for that price you could actually probably get maybe 2-3 headphones to check out, or use the extra to get a better source (sound card, DAC, etc).

I would say it fits in nicely with your musical preferences.  Especially rock.  The one genre you listen to where they may be at their weakest is classical.  It could go either way.  These cans really lay down the bass, so sometimes that's what their best suited towards.  However, with that good amp, the width of the soundstage and the instrument placement will be very nice. 

What kind of amp are you thinking about getting?

Later down the road, I would say that if you want to really get a great movie experience, plug these into a full size system and watch a good blue ray movie.  That might not be the option for you currently, but if it becomes a goal down the road, you won't be disappointed. 
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonsupremous 

Well, in all fairness, the D2000 does really need an amp to shine off portable devices.  But if you watch movies on your home tv and it's run through an AVR, then the D2000 is phenomenal.  They are a rather huge headphone.  Picture Princess Leia's hair on steroids.  The soundstage is quite spacious especially when you consider these are a closed back headphone.  The bass is certainly hits with enough authority to make action movies shine. 

 

When I ran these out of my run of the mill Yamaha receiver against my Edition 8's, I actually preferred my D2000.  I use the "Direct" setting on my receiver so that I'm getting true audio from the movie.  The bass of the D2000 doesn't come close to the Edition 8, but the soundstage was MUCH larger.  During a gun scene, I really though there was gun fire behind my head when I had my D2000's on. 

 

All that said, if you are watching movies on your portable device or a computer and without an amp, then you might not want to fork out the money for the Denon's just yet.  I don't think you'll do them justice until you plug them into receiver and let them run with a DVD or better yet, a blue ray. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fatning 

Say i was to buy a $150 amp, would the D2000 then be a good match for movies? BTW, how does it suit my musical preferences? 

Yeah it would do alright, but so would the cheaper mentioned alternative. I think Denons popularity is to do with it's looks, it worked it's game on me and I ended up being disappointed. Don't go down that road, a popular headphone isn't always a good one. The $33 RX700 as mentioned above will give you a good idea of quality sound, from there you can decide if you want more soundstage and less bass: AKG K701, more bass and impact: Ultrasone. Forward mids, detailed sound: Sony SA/Grado and so on. When I started out I worked my way to owning a $1400 rig consisting of the D2000s and today my perfect rig costs little over $300, simply because I now know what I like.

My advice to you would be to spend the $33 on the JVCs, see how they sound, turn them up and if they crackle at high volumes you know you need to update your source. This doesn't have to be expensive, I have a $120 used Zero DAC/amp which (if works) can rival any source out there. I say if works because there are reports of Zeros dieing, it hasn't happened to me, I bought used and suggest you do the same.

Good choice, you really can't go wrong for the money. Once you've had a chance to become acquainted with them come back and let us know what you think, this way we can spend the rest of your budget! 

I think generally you can't go wrong with most Denon products. Not everything is perfect and they certainly have had their flaws but Denon is good stuff. I now use their IEM and I'm happy with it and consider it to be a high end product for the discerning audiophile. Ok, I'm now sounding like a commercial.