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Looking for best closed cans around $250

post #1 of 38
9/12/10 at 12:49am
Thread Starter 

Looking for good closed cans in 200$-350$ range. Overall sound quality is main importance. 

 

I have the sennheiser 380s and they are not for me. They may be too laid back.

 

Will mostly be using with ipod, unamped. Usually high bit rate mp3s(320kbps most of the time). Mostly rock music and live music but definitely some of everything. For portable use like airplane/car rides, and casual hanging out too, but not really walking around.

 

Some I am looking at are the HFI 780s and ATH A900s. What else should i consider, and what do you think is best?


Edited by nymets1 - 9/19/10 at 9:05am
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Sennheiser HD 380 PRO Headphones
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post #2 of 38
9/12/10 at 1:02am

Are you going to be walking around with them? If so then I wouldn't suggest the ATs. What type of sound do you like? The 780s are certainly not laid back. They're probably my most fun headphone and I'm actually thinking of selling my 900s because of them.

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post #3 of 38
9/12/10 at 1:08am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by clou91 View Post

Are you going to be walking around with them? If so then I wouldn't suggest the ATs. What type of sound do you like? The 780s are certainly not laid back. They're probably my most fun headphone and I'm actually thinking of selling my 900s because of them.


Probably just going to use them while being stationary on plane or car ride for most part. Do 780s change some of the sound to make it fun or just have fun bass and treble to bring it alive? thanks

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post #4 of 38
9/12/10 at 1:20am

I've honestly been listening to Ultrasones exclusively for so long that I probably don't have a good idea of what a neutral sounding headphone sounds like. A lot of people say the bass and treble are accentuated, but I also find the mids to be pretty forward sounding as well. The 780 mids are certainly much more forward than the 900. The 780 is a very fast, punchy, in you face headphone. That being said, the sound staging isn't bad either for such an aggressive can and instrument placement is very well defined. 

 

If you want a neutral sounding headphone, then you may want to look into the Shure SRH 840.

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post #5 of 38
9/12/10 at 9:42am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by clou91 View Post

I've honestly been listening to Ultrasones exclusively for so long that I probably don't have a good idea of what a neutral sounding headphone sounds like. A lot of people say the bass and treble are accentuated, but I also find the mids to be pretty forward sounding as well. The 780 mids are certainly much more forward than the 900. The 780 is a very fast, punchy, in you face headphone. That being said, the sound staging isn't bad either for such an aggressive can and instrument placement is very well defined. 

 

If you want a neutral sounding headphone, then you may want to look into the Shure SRH 840.

My senn380s are very neutral, which i think might be what i dont like, their boringness. Im not looking for changed sound, but more lively then the 380s for sure.
 

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post #6 of 38
9/12/10 at 9:45am

Beyerdynamic DT990 2005 editions are $199 on BHphotovideo.com on sale.  I just bought a pair yesterday.  They are the 250 ohm version.  You can power them with an ipod fine though.

 

You should also look into starting to listen to FLAC files maybe?  Not my business though.


Edited by wdahm519 - 9/12/10 at 9:46am
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post #7 of 38
9/12/10 at 12:02pm

You're wanting closed headphones for portable use from an iPod that have an energetic sound mostly for rock and live music. FWIR, I suggest considering the HD25-1 II. 

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post #8 of 38
9/12/10 at 1:48pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1Time View Post

You're wanting closed headphones for portable use from an iPod that have an energetic sound mostly for rock and live music. FWIR, I suggest considering the HD25-1 II. 


Yes basically exactly what im looking for. Dont have to be super portable, or extremely energetic, just not laid back and distant.

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post #9 of 38
9/12/10 at 2:32pm

HD 25 I II or esw9a.

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post #10 of 38
9/12/10 at 4:43pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Palpatine View Post

HD 25 I II or esw9a.


Any personal opinions on these. Especially esw9a?

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post #11 of 38
9/13/10 at 1:33am

HD25 I-II is good for rock and energetic song, it easy to drive despite 70 ohm. Also for upgrade later, you can change the cable easily to improve the SQ as what you like.

 

ESW9 has more polite treble than HD25, it brings the sound to smoother, mellower, which is really nice for vocal, but compare to HD25 with stock cable, sometimes I can feel a little bit lack of sparkle though. 

 

Both of them has good bass

 

Both of them also not really good for live recording, but in this case, ESW9 is better than HD25. (I don't think any portable headphones can have good staging which is needed for live recording)

 

If you ask me which is I like more, for my songs (Rock-Pop-Acoustic-Vocal Jazz), I prefer ESW9 sure.

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post #12 of 38
9/13/10 at 11:59am
Thread Starter 

I believe i am down to:

 

ATH-A900

Ultrasone HFI 780

ATH-ESW9A

 

Ultrasone pro 750 ?

 

Roughly in that order. Any other recommendations? Or opinions on any of these 4?

 

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post #13 of 38
9/13/10 at 12:10pm

I'd go for the ESW9A if I were you. Much easier to drive from an ipod than the other phones and the Ultrasones can sound too boomy without good amplification. 

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post #14 of 38
9/13/10 at 6:24pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by clou91 View Post

I'd go for the ESW9A if I were you. Much easier to drive from an ipod than the other phones and the Ultrasones can sound too boomy without good amplification. 


Ive read that a900 is very easy to drive also

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post #15 of 38
9/13/10 at 8:55pm
Thread Starter 

Down to A900s and ESW9As. Ultrasones are a little too fun and wild, need more accurate quality.

 

Can anyone provide anything on the A900s or ESW9As? Or any last ideas before i dive into these?

Can either of these be compared to M50s or senn 380 hd pro in any way, since i have heard both of these and compare?


Edited by nymets1 - 9/13/10 at 8:57pm
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Sennheiser HD 380 PRO Headphones
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