++ FULL-SIZE HEADPHONE RECOMMENDATIONS THREAD++ i.e. Don't start a new thread: ask for advice... - Page 9

ok

Alright so I'm looking for some headphones that will contrast my HD-555's nicely. Around the same price, easily driven, closed and good for Metal and/or Electronic. Not interested in Grado. Go!

I've done enough sideways movement, and though it makes my wallet ache I think the only place left to go is up (not right away mind you). I'm wondering if I should move up to the really expensive headphones, or waddle around in amp land?

My sound preferences tend towards dark and almost muddy. I love mids and enjoy a good midbass thump/warmth. I do like to have my high end detail, but am overall sensitive to high frequencies. I have no preference for open or closed, and typically prefer circumaural for comfort although light supras are ok too.

Those I like but...

Senn PX100-ii - portable, great sound, lacking ultimately in crisp detail

AKG K240 Sextetts (MP) - my favourites; great warm mids, is there anything that takes this sound and makes it better?

Phiaton MS 400 - deep and rich bass/midbass, great forward mids, even though it's all a bit muddy sometimes

Grado HF-2 - I love the detail and aggressiveness of the Grado sound, but it's also fatiguing after a while

just ok: Denon D2000, D5000 MarkL mod (good, but no wow factor), AKG K701 (meh, lacking bottom end), Senn 580/600/650 (good, but no wow factor, don't quite fit right, but I like these more than the Denons)

did not like: Beyer 770 and 990 (where are my mids? shrill highs), Ultrasone Pro 650/750 (weird stage)

I had orthos for a bit (Fostex T40 (v1), Yamaha YH-1), and I really liked them, but lacked the amp to properly bring them to their potential.

The AKG K340 (both bass heavy and light) were also fascinating, but once again I didn't have an amp to bring them to their full potential. They also didn't fit properly.

**********

So where should I go from here? Is there anywhere left to go in the mid-fi world, or am I climbing into 4 digit land after this? I run things off an iBasso D10 or feed into a Bottlehead Crack OTL tube amp (I used to have a tube/hybrid with lots of power, but sold it).

Also, bear in mind that I live in Canada so availability is an issue, not to mention stupid prices and taxes/duties/shipping/etc.

Whoa, off topic post, but you live in Winnipeg? That's rad. I live about 30 min away. :3

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFroese 

Whoa, off topic post, but you live in Winnipeg? That's rad. I live about 30 min away. :3

Cool. We've had a few meets so far, with the next one tentatively planned for early February. Here's the massive thread: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/429399/ic-winnipeg-meet

Looking to upgrade, please help me find some new headphones!

Background:

• So I’m facing upgrade fever, currently I have a few “decent” audio products, but there are so many choices in my price range ($250-300, maybe larger amount if it is an amazing upgrade)
• Current audio equipment:AT-AD700, M-Audio Bx5a Deluxe Speakers, and Asus Xonar Essence ST sound card
• I like my Bx5a speakers but I only want to upgrade to better headphones if they sound A LOT better than my speakers.
• I’d like to use these headphones for music, movies, and a little bit of gaming (can be decent for gaming).

Music genres I listen to:

• Indie
• Electronic
• Rock
• Small portion of Hip-Hop

Amp-

                -Currently using Xonar Essence ST, but I will upgrade to a solid, external amp sometime. That being said, recommend headphones with that consideration of buying an amp sometime in the future.

I.E.: Please don’t say “X,Y, and Z headphones are great for your unamped system”.

(No offense, all opinions are welcome)

Current Research/Thoughts: I have spent a lot of time reading reviews threads, etc… but there are great opinions for every headphone.

• I’m looking at the following headphones, Denon D2000, Beyerdynamic DT880/990, and Sennheiser HD650s.
• D7000- I can get these for $584 brand new, shipped, but, I’m not sure if it is worth it to buy such expensive headphones.
• I read “Mad Lust Envy’s” comparison between the 990/D7000 and it made me want the Denons, but still, the price is quite high.
• I was thinking, the Denon headphones seem easy to drive (off my Essence), and if I were to buy an amp for $250 headphones it would be around $200. In that aspect, are the Denon’s a better buy?

And of course a TLDR for you busy members: Need new headphones, will upgrade amp, budget: $250-300 maybe more for a huge upgrade value.

Thank you very much for your time and effort in helping me fulfill my quest for better audio.

Just returned my THIRD pair of Denon D2000's due to quality issues; first pair right screw holding on the cup hinge broke, another pair had a loose screw that had no ability to tighten, and the third came with a kinked headband....

I love these headphones without a doubt, just not sure if I should get them from a different supplier or switch headphones completely....

Thanks.

@ifusion

I don't have your soundcard, but from what I've read, the in-built amp in the ST/STX should be rather powerful, so I'd think hard before upgrading.

Regarding the DT-xxx I'd recommend this thread:

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/513393/guide-sonic-differences-between-dt770-dt990-models-more

Alessandro MS1? heheheh sorry, couldn't resist. Hm... M50 then. or fischer audio FA-003?

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFroese 

Alright so I'm looking for some headphones that will contrast my HD-555's nicely. Around the same price, easily driven, closed and good for Metal and/or Electronic. Not interested in Grado. Go!

@johnreimer, thegeometer, JFroese, & ifusion:

Check out Sennheiser's HD25 - great quality/value closed headphones that are well worth a try.

Though well-defined, they're quite bassy headphones, so for those using iTunes in any way (iPhone, P.C. etc), the bass reducer EQ preset could be just the thing for listening to classical music and other genres/styles.

Apologies, I hadn't noticed this dedicated so i posted this elsewhere, too.

As the title suggests, I need a little help choosing between the following headphones:

• AUDIO-TECHNICA ATH-AD500
• Sennheiser HD 280 PRO
• Sennheiser HD 555

There is a possibility I may be able to add the AUDIO-TECHNICA ATH-A500 but they are currently out of stock and also cost quite a lot more than those mentioned above.

These headphones are approximately the same price and represent the limit of what I am able to obtain locally and within my budget. Unfortunately, I am not able to order on-line and facilities don't exist for listening to the products prior to purchase.

The headphones will be used primarily for listening to music although I also watch a movie now and again. The source of both music and movies will be my computer, using the on-board Realtek HD audio. I will purchase an ASUS Xonar Essence STX sometime next year. As far as I'm aware, headphone amps are not available locally.

My musical tastes range from opera through classic rock and pop, all of which is in lossless format and fed via foobar2000. My environment is quiet and sound leakage from the open phones won't represent a major problem.

I don't live in the US and there is only one outlet available in my city that stocks quality headphones. What I've listed above is what's available.

Thanks for any help.

The HD555 would be nice open phones. If you want a decent closed one, i would recommend the ATH M50 which sells around 115.

Quote:

Originally Posted by inarc 

Hey everyone,

 

I'm looking to get my first pair of nice headphones, with a budget of $50-$100.  I don't mind buying refurbished/open box items.  I prefer a natural, realistic, detailed sound that isn't too harsh.  I'm thinking an open air headphone might be better, as I will usually listen to these at home in a quiet environment.  I listen to a variety of genres: primarily vocal stuff (like Norah Jones, etc.), jazz, rock, and some hip hop/rap.  Deep or strong bass isn't a necessity to me, and I plan on using an amp in the future.

 

I was looking at the Sennheiser HD 555's, and they seem like nice all-around phones, but I was wondering if anyone here knew of anything that will be better for my money/tastes.

 

Thanks for the help!

I've been in the market for a decent set of headphones for a few months now.  I've done a great deal of research reading through articles and reviews online.  What's so surprising is the sheer amount of manufacturers and models that exist today.  It's a rather daunting task trying to find exactly what you want.  And as with all headphone purchases, unless you try before you buy, you are taking a shot in the dark.  I've found this out the hard way and it has cost me.  This is really my biggest concern, the closest store that has demo models available is over 100 miles away, not including the trip back.

So with that possibility out of the question, I've decided to take that "shot in the dark", but not without a little confidence first.  I was hoping some fellow audiophiles could point me in the right direction with my next purchase.

- The most amount of money I'd like to spend is $200.00 USD but if there's some compelling reason why I should spend more, I might go a little over.  Now I know this is going to be a point of debate.  Some will say "You won't find audiophile grade cans for $200".  And I can agree with that, to an extent.  But notice I said decent set of headphones, I'm not looking for the best of the best or even close.

- Open-air headphones are a must.  I will be using these in the privacy of my own home so there is no concern about bothering people on an airplane or on a bus.  I'm fully aware of the sonic differences between closed and open, and from what I've gathered, open is the way to go if you're looking for audio fidelity.

- Comfortability is also a factor here, not a huge factor though.  I dislike headphones that clamp on your head like a vise or and/or are rough on the ears but at the same time, I'm willing to endur some discomfort if it's the right price and open-air.

The pair I'm looking at right now are these:

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD595-Performance-Premiere-Headphones/dp/B0001FTVE0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1293251963&sr=8-1

From what I understand, these are an absolute steal at that price.  They're comfortable and open-air.  The only thing that's stoping me from buying these right now is this:  Bass.  I've read several reviews from websites and owners that say these headphones are "lacking in the bass department".  Before I go any further with that, I just want to say that I do plan on running my headphones through an amplifier.  Exactly which amplifier, I do not know but I will come to a decision sooner or later.  The reason why I bring this up is simple, the first thing to go out with underpowered headphones is usually the bass.  And bass is important to me.  I listen to mostly dance and electronic music so I need that deep, rich, warm bass to provide that energy and excitement.  Without it, tracks sound dull and lifeless.  But please don't get me wrong, I am not a basshead.  I don't want the bass drowning out vocals and other frequencies.  I guess you can say I want something that's balanced for highs, mids and lows.  The HD595's seem to do that well, and I'm really hoping the people who complained about the bass weren't driving them properly and/or are giving subjective opinions because I am rather interested in these cans.

I'm sorry for the wall of text, treat if how you like it makes no difference to me.  I'm just asking for some suggestions here, anybody got some?