++ FULL-SIZE HEADPHONE RECOMMENDATIONS THREAD++ CLOSED: Please post a thread in the Introductions, Help and Advice forum
Oct 20, 2011 at 11:42 PM Post #8,402 of 29,490
Man, the more reading of this forum and reviews I do, the more confused I get.  So many good options and varying opinions.  It seems like I should tailor my purchase to the music I listen to, is this a bad idea?
 
I've been under the impression that open headphones are "better" than closed ones.  Is this actually true?  I've been reading some reviews of the Denon 5000 that speak very highly of them, but they are closed, does this actually matter?
 
Oct 21, 2011 at 12:32 AM Post #8,404 of 29,490
I listen to all kinds of music like most people probably do on this forum, but I worship NIN & Smashing Pumpkins.  I guess ideally I'd have a headphone that could really sound great with their music, although they are different styles.  I also listen to a good amount of classical.  I am not totally sure of what headphones do what best though.  Here is the general, rough consensus of what I've gathered:
 
Sennheiser 650 - Seems to be universally respected and well thought of.  Hard to go wrong from what I've read.
 
Grado 325/Rs1/Rs2 - Opinions seem to vary greatly and I've read some interesting threads about their products.  Certainly intriguing, but might be better to avoid for now.
 
AKG 701/702 - Seems to be pretty well liked.  Might need to buy a new cable though from what it sounds like though.  
 
Denon 5000/7000 - I've read some glowing reviews of their headphones.  However, they are closed and I guess open always beats closed at the higher end.  If thats the case, I'll stick with open for now.
 
Beyer - Confuse me with their "semi open" terminology.  Some nice reviews though.
 
It seems like the 650's/AKG are my best bets, but I am not sure if they would really accentuate the music I really like.  I do plan on purchasing the e7 and e9 amps as well. 
 
Thanks to all advice.
 
 
 
Oct 21, 2011 at 1:07 AM Post #8,405 of 29,490

 
Quote:
Man, the more reading of this forum and reviews I do, the more confused I get.  So many good options and varying opinions.  It seems like I should tailor my purchase to the music I listen to, is this a bad idea?
 
I've been under the impression that open headphones are "better" than closed ones.  Is this actually true?  I've been reading some reviews of the Denon 5000 that speak very highly of them, but they are closed, does this actually matter?


While sound quality and tuning to match your preferences is good, comfort and function must also take priority. No sense playing good music if you can't stand to wear the headphones or can't hear them over the sound of a bus.
 
Open headphones *generally* have a better soundstage, less resonance/ringing, and flatter frequency response (namely less midbass hump present in many closed cans). However, there are many factors at play so you shouldn't judge purely on open vs closed.

 
Quote:
I listen to all kinds of music like most people probably do on this forum, but I worship NIN & Smashing Pumpkins.  I guess ideally I'd have a headphone that could really sound great with their music, although they are different styles.  I also listen to a good amount of classical.  I am not totally sure of what headphones do what best though.  Here is the general, rough consensus of what I've gathered:
 
Sennheiser 650 - Seems to be universally respected and well thought of.  Hard to go wrong from what I've read.
 
Grado 325/Rs1/Rs2 - Opinions seem to vary greatly and I've read some interesting threads about their products.  Certainly intriguing, but might be better to avoid for now.
 
AKG 701/702 - Seems to be pretty well liked.  Might need to buy a new cable though from what it sounds like though.  
 
Denon 5000/7000 - I've read some glowing reviews of their headphones.  However, they are closed and I guess open always beats closed at the higher end.  If thats the case, I'll stick with open for now.
 
Beyer - Confuse me with their "semi open" terminology.  Some nice reviews though.
 
It seems like the 650's/AKG are my best bets, but I am not sure if they would really accentuate the music I really like.  I do plan on purchasing the e7 and e9 amps as well. 
 
Thanks to all advice.
 
 


The Sennheiser is probably the safer bet (and if you're budget conscious, I did not find there to be much difference between the 600 and 650). The AKG tends to have a more midtreble focus which makes it feel more detailed but perhaps dryer sound, compared to the Senn which is more midbass for a so called warmer sound.
 
Both can be driven by the e7/e9 combo. I personally like the Senns from a tube amp. The AKGs are known to pair well with the e9.
 
Oct 21, 2011 at 9:25 AM Post #8,408 of 29,490
Thanks for the advice 
smile.gif

 
I'm a little confused about the DT990's:
 
"The DT 990 PPROs are open-backed headphones, which literally means the back of the ear cups aren’t totally covered with plastic. Open-back headphones make your playback to sound like you have a set of free-standing speakers right by your head, rather than echoing out at you from an enclosed space. Of course, the downside to this airy audio quality is you’ll be able to hear everything happening around you and everyone around you will hear your music. Therefore, the DT 990 PROs should really only be used indoors."
 
So this makes them some kind of open/closed hybrid?
confused.gif

 
Also, what happens when one uses a 600 ohm can without amplification, like in an ipod?  Which version is preferable for e7/e9 amps, the 250 or 600?
 
 
Oct 21, 2011 at 9:55 AM Post #8,409 of 29,490
No, they are completely open.  The DT880 is semi open (open/closed hybrid).  Also, no way you are going to play the 600 ohm version out of an iPod.  Hell, the 32 ohm version is underpowered by an iPod.  I think you would be fine with the 600 ohm version if you are only using it with a desktop amp.
 
Quote:
Thanks for the advice 
smile.gif

 
I'm a little confused about the DT990's:
 
"The DT 990 PPROs are open-backed headphones, which literally means the back of the ear cups aren’t totally covered with plastic. Open-back headphones make your playback to sound like you have a set of free-standing speakers right by your head, rather than echoing out at you from an enclosed space. Of course, the downside to this airy audio quality is you’ll be able to hear everything happening around you and everyone around you will hear your music. Therefore, the DT 990 PROs should really only be used indoors."
 
So this makes them some kind of open/closed hybrid?
confused.gif

 
Also, what happens when one uses a 600 ohm can without amplification, like in an ipod?  Which version is preferable for e7/e9 amps, the 250 or 600?
 



 
 
Oct 21, 2011 at 12:03 PM Post #8,410 of 29,490


Quote:
Thanks for suggestions 
 
Armaegis how about Audio Technica WS55 or SJ series?
 


I haven't heard either of those, sorry.
 

 
 
 
Oct 21, 2011 at 2:19 PM Post #8,411 of 29,490


Quote:
 
 

Of those listed, I would only consider the HD25 portable, and debatably the 940.
 
Maybe consider one of these... http://www.head-fi.org/t/574617/review-comparison-beyerdynamic-dt1350-t50p-sennheiser-hd25-1-ii-hd25-13-ii-pioneer-hdj-2000-v-moda-m80-aiaiai-tma-1
 

Honestly speaking Armaegis, I've already read your reviews ^_^
Loved it, but I've heard the HD25s, and it's an almost identical sound.
Any other suggestions, scratch portability actually.
 
 
 
Oct 21, 2011 at 3:12 PM Post #8,412 of 29,490

Yeah I'll check them out! I know we're talking about closed cans here but do you think the D1100 would beat out the SRH 440 in terms of soundstage? On that note, are there any closed cans with good soundstage? I feel like I'm being indecisive and would like some of everything
redface.gif
.
 
Quote:
You could also try out the Denon D1100. 
 


As always, I'm open to more suggestions. Here's what I'm looking for (in order of priority):
 
1. Something around $150 (Nothing over 200 taxed and shipped)
2. Durable
3. Closed
4. 65% music (electronic, pop/hip-hop, soft rock), 35% gaming (RTS, FPS)
5. Portable
6. Not Sennheiser (though if a pair of Senns are what fit the above needs, then I'll go with Senn)
 
Oct 21, 2011 at 4:01 PM Post #8,413 of 29,490
Why not Senns? Where are you located (taxes)? 
 
Stab in the dark would be Senn HD25-1 II.
 
Quote:
Yeah I'll check them out! I know we're talking about closed cans here but do you think the D1100 would beat out the SRH 440 in terms of soundstage? On that note, are there any closed cans with good soundstage? I feel like I'm being indecisive and would like some of everything
redface.gif
.
 

As always, I'm open to more suggestions. Here's what I'm looking for (in order of priority):
 
1. Something around $150 (Nothing over 200 taxed and shipped)
2. Durable
3. Closed
4. 65% music (electronic, pop/hip-hop, soft rock), 35% gaming (RTS, FPS)
5. Portable
6. Not Sennheiser (though if a pair of Senns are what fit the above needs, then I'll go with Senn)



 
 
 
Oct 21, 2011 at 4:15 PM Post #8,414 of 29,490
Hey all, I'm new to Head-Fi!
 
I'm in the market for some closed cans <= $100. I'm a computer enthusiast who enjoys music (most commonly classical, but do enjoy pop music as well), and wants good, clean positional audio from games (particularly FPS). My current sound setup consists of an Asus Xonar DX sound card (which should have enough power to amp most headphones) and Sony MDR-XD200 (a $20 pair of cans.) I like bass, but not so much that it overshadows everything else.
 
I've done some research on the following, but am still unsure:
  1. Sennheiser HD 448
  2. Shure SRH-440
  3. Samson SR-850
  4. Sony MDR-V6
  5. Shure SRH-440
  6. Grado SR60i, SR80i
 
Please suggest which of these (or something entirely) would be best for my setup and usage habits. Thanks!
 
Oct 21, 2011 at 4:50 PM Post #8,415 of 29,490
Although the grado's may sound good, they're deffinatly open cans which means they won't fit your closed can needs.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top