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Seeking Advice on First "Good" Cans Purchase

post #1 of 20
10/8/10 at 8:12am
Thread Starter 

First time poster here looking for some advice on diving into quality headphones. I never make bigger purchases without becoming intimately familiar with the options. That being said, I've done a lot of research the past few days on entry-level quality headphones and I came across this forum, which appears to be filled with friendly, knowledgeable people who may be willing to give some advice. 

 

So here's what I'm looking for. Closed full-size headphones with a nice range of sound without the need for an amp. I listen to a wide variety of music but tend to settle on indie rock, post-rock, all veins of metal, some hip-hop and the occasional jazz. My every day phones are a pair of UE MetroFi 200's. Certainly better than stock buds but I'd love some nice circumaural cans. I'm wise enough up to this point not to be looking at anything made by Bose or endorsed by Dr. Dre. Some sets that I've been looking at are the Audio-Technica ATH-M50's, Denon AH-D1001's and some Sennheisers (HD 380's, etc.). I'll be powering them with a 7th generation iPod Classic and a Sansa Clip+ mostly. I like what I've heard about Grado SR60/80's, but I'm concerned with open cans due to sound leak, both in and out, as I'll be using them to travel with frequently. 

 

I've been looking at used cans on eBay, on the FS/FT forums here, and on Amazon. I'd like to keep the price point around $150 or lower if possible. 

 

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. 

 

Thanks much.

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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Denon AHD1001K On-Ear Headphones (Black)
Denon AHD1001S On-Ear Headphones (Silver)
Grado SR60 Headphones
post #2 of 20
10/8/10 at 8:35am

Welcome to Head-Fi.

 

FWIR, the ATH-M50 is a popular choice in this price range for use without additional amplification. 

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post #3 of 20
10/8/10 at 8:44am

Some arguably superior sounding (though less popular) alternatives are Shure SRH440 and Beyerdynamic DT250.

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post #4 of 20
10/8/10 at 8:45am

Among the popular cans around the price point, in no particular order

 

1. ATH-M50

2. SRH840

3. SRH750DJ

4. HD25 1 II

5. DT770

6. GMP 8.35D

7. MS300

 

Try have a look at |joker| awesome review for portable headphone or Mike's headfonia closed can reviews.

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post #5 of 20
10/8/10 at 10:51am
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the welcome and the recommendations. Special thanks to toughnut for the Headfonia link. What a great site; I'm a big fan of his reviews and shootouts. I'm leaning towards the ATH-M50's as a jump-off point. I fear for where my wallet and I will be headed down the road, hahah.

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post #6 of 20
10/9/10 at 12:01pm
Thread Starter 

As an update, I've been looking into the V-Moda Crossfade LP's as both a higher quality headphone and headset solution for my smartphone. I've seen a few impressions and reviews on here that paint them in a pretty good light. Just curious if anyone else has any feedback. I'm planning on heading to the Apple Store to give them a listen this afternoon.  

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post #7 of 20
10/9/10 at 12:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ghostofkilroy View Post

As an update, I've been looking into the V-Moda Crossfade LP's as both a higher quality headphone and headset solution for my smartphone. I've seen a few impressions and reviews on here that paint them in a pretty good light. Just curious if anyone else has any feedback. I'm planning on heading to the Apple Store to give them a listen this afternoon.  



Generally I have hear they are not worth the price tag. My bets are on either the Shure SRH-840 or Sennheiser HD25. All of this really depends on the music you listen to the most. 

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post #8 of 20
10/9/10 at 3:47pm
Thread Starter 
So I had an opportunity to demo the Crossfades, Beat Solo's and Beat Studios. I have to say that although the Crossfades were leaps and bounds beyond both Monster products, I still didn't feel like I was listening to $200+ cans. I guess the journey continues. I wish I could give the HD 25-1 II's a listen but I may just dive in. Mike from Headfonia had a lot of good things to say about them, especially for Rock tracks.
Edited by ghostofkilroy - 10/9/10 at 3:48pm
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post #9 of 20
10/9/10 at 3:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ghostofkilroy View Post

So I had an opportunity to demo the Crossfades, Beat Solo's and Beat Studios. I have to say that although the Crossfades were leaps and bounds beyond both Monster products, I still didn't feel like I was listening to $200+ cans. I guess the journey continues. I wish I could give the HD 25-1 II's a listen but I may just dive in. Mike from Headfonia had a lot of good things to say about them, especially for Rock tracks.


I will tell you anything recommended on here will sound leaps and bounds better than whatever you see at the Apple store. 

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post #10 of 20
10/9/10 at 4:07pm

I haven't heard the M50, but HFI-780 does well with those genres. SR225i wouldn't be a bad choice either, except for the occasional hip hop. (edit:SR225i is open..go with HFI-780)


Edited by stuckonsound - 10/9/10 at 4:10pm
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post #11 of 20
10/10/10 at 8:12am

I have the M50's and they sound pretty good.  They have a balanced sound with reasonable bass although a narrower sound stage than more expensive headphones. They are also efficient, relatively portable,  comfortable and well built.  I have the Shure 840's and prefer the M50's.

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post #12 of 20
10/10/10 at 9:09am
Thread Starter 

Thanks to all who gave input. I decided to give the Sennheiser HD25-1 II's a go. I know the M50's get recommended fairly frequently on here but due to a heavy Rock/Metal collection and desire to use them out and about, I felt like the HD25-1's were the better choice. I'll give my impressions when they come in, hopefully later on this week.

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post #13 of 20
10/10/10 at 9:20am

For what it is worth, I would recommend the Ultrasone Pro750's for heavy rock.  They have killer bass and smooth even sound.   Senn's are not known for bass.  However, the cost is higher.  You can get them on Ebay for approx $270.

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post #14 of 20
10/10/10 at 10:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dubwicht View Post

For what it is worth, I would recommend the Ultrasone Pro750's for heavy rock.  They have killer bass and smooth even sound.   Senn's are not known for bass.  However, the cost is higher.  You can get them on Ebay for approx $270.


Senn's are not known for bass? Do you even know what you are talking about?

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by ghostofkilroy View Post

Thanks to all who gave input. I decided to give the Sennheiser HD25-1 II's a go. I know the M50's get recommended fairly frequently on here but due to a heavy Rock/Metal collection and desire to use them out and about, I felt like the HD25-1's were the better choice. I'll give my impressions when they come in, hopefully later on this week.


Score! Have fun with the new cans!

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post #15 of 20
10/10/10 at 12:10pm

Hi!

 

I have been thinking for a while, that I would upgrade my headphones. I currently have Sennheiser HD 415, which sound I like, cause these doesn't boost highs or lows, but sound is overall bit muddy. I have been considered between Sennheiser HD 650 and Beyerdynamic DT990 2005 edition. For now I run my current phones with PC and E-MU 0404 USB soundcard. Later I will buy amp for phones, but first better cans. I don't "care" if they doesn't sound superb yet, before I have bought amp for them.

 

I mainly use headphones to listen to music. I listen all around type music. Like 70'-80' Rock, classical, blues and sometimes rarely pop or dance music. So "all around" headphones would be great. What would you recommend? Would my two candidates fit for that?

 

And what would be the difference between DT990 2005 edition and DT990 Pro, except shell and price?

 

Sorry for my english skills :/

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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Denon AHD1001K On-Ear Headphones (Black)
Denon AHD1001S On-Ear Headphones (Silver)
Grado SR60 Headphones
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