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++ FULL-SIZE HEADPHONE RECOMMENDATIONS THREAD++ i.e. Don't start a new thread: ask for advice... - Page 1323

post #19831 of 28944
10/7/12 at 8:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by KG Jag View Post


I'll start with a word on warning.  In my experience the headphone out of an Onkyo A/V receiver is very weak.  It probably won't adequately power an HD 650 and certainly won't drive most if not not all planars.  It's not like the 70's and 80's when receiver headphone jacks could power about anything you plugged in--and included 600 Ohm dynamic headphones.

If you want a quality and affordable portable amp that will drive almost anything except planars, the HeadRoom Total Airhead is still on sale for half price ($49.00):

http://www.headphone.com/headphone-amps/amplifiers/headroom-total-airhead.php

You should plan on getting a desk top amp at minimum and perhaps an amp/dac in either one piece (purchase) or two.  I'm old school and still do my serious music listening on CD & vinyl.  So for me, the amp alone is enough.  My guess is that you will end up with both (perhaps in a combo unit).  Good desktop equipment that will push planars starts at about $225 to $250 a pop.  Some (among many) examples are the Schiit Asgard amp & Bifrost dac, Matrix M Stage and Audio-gd NFB 12.1 (amp + dac).  What you select will greatly depend on how it pairs with the cans you ultimately buy.

With regard to cans--the HD 650 (and older more neutral) HD 600 are classics and still hold up very well.  Above them the best buy new is the HE-500.

Thanks kindly for the advice, it sounds like I'm better off to save my $ for now and research a little harder. $250 isn't bad at all for a good amp! I'd rather be able to drive some good planars

This site is great!
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post #19832 of 28944
10/7/12 at 11:10am

I need new headphones for around 100-150 euro. I'll be using them for 60% music and 40% gaming with my Asus Xonar DG. I listen to rock/metal, examples: Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Ozzy Osbourne...

 

I have taken a look at the AD-700s and the Grados. The AD700s seem to be only good for gaming and the Grados only for rock.

 

Also, will a Fiio E10 be a big improvement over the Xonar DG? I'm thinking of buying one, but i'd still use the Xonar for gaming.


Edited by yezz12 - 10/7/12 at 11:12am
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post #19833 of 28944
10/7/12 at 11:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by yezz12 View Post

I need new headphones for around 100-150 euro. I'll be using them for 60% music and 40% gaming with my Asus Xonar DG. I listen to rock/metal, examples: Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Ozzy Osbourne...

 

I have taken a look at the AD-700s and the Grados. The AD700s seem to be only good for gaming and the Grados only for rock.

 

Also, will a Fiio E10 be a big improvement over the Xonar DG? I'm thinking of buying one, but i'd still use the Xonar for gaming.

Takstar Hi2050 (Technical Pro HPT990) headphones, semi-open. sells in the USA for $50.

For the kind of headphones I'm recommending, just keep using the Xonar DG.

Have you tried the "Unified Xonar Drivers" from Brainbit?

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post #19834 of 28944
10/7/12 at 12:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PurpleAngel View Post

Takstar Hi2050 (Technical Pro HPT990) headphones, semi-open. sells in the USA for $50.

For the kind of headphones I'm recommending, just keep using the Xonar DG.

Have you tried the "Unified Xonar Drivers" from Brainbit?


Isn't there anything better? I can spend more. Do those have a wide soundstage?

 

Now that you mention - i'll try them.

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post #19835 of 28944
10/7/12 at 12:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason Bourne View Post

Hey everyone, 

 

I was re-directed to this forum for advice by a few people (that said this was the place for headphone's on the net) and need some advice or guidance in the right direction if you will in regards to getting a set of capable headphone for my home theatre setup. Basically Im in dire need of a set of cans to enjoy my blu-ray movies and the odd gaming session on my ps3. My surround sound system simply put is too loud for everyone else in the house. My budget right now is kind of slim but its not that anemic either that I cant get something decent I hope. Im not sure if I can even afford an amped setup or what an amp could do for me (sorry headphone amp newb here) in my situation as the headphones will be strictly be for movie viewing and not really music listening. But if its something I should consider in the future or future proof myself for now please suggest away.

 

Ill consider maybe saving up for it if the benefits will be that great. So needless to say these headphone's are never leaving home and will just be used inside my theatre room (with my ps3 as source or the a/v receiver I guess that the ps3 is connected to for audio right now) exclusively so I have no need for noise cancelling either. I guess what Im hoping for from the headphone's is the best possible re-creation of 5.1 (possibly 7.1?) surround sound with some good bass (im not a bass-head so just some nice bass that gets the intended impact of the scene across) and nice quality audio. Budget is around $150-$220 at the moment... I know its not much and I have a lot of requirements, lol, but Im hoping something in that range will deliver what Im looking for. I assume an amped setup is out of the question in that price range for the moment but I don't mind suggestions for amped setups to keep in mind for later. I have read there are actual headphones with 5.1 setups inside them?!

 

I have seen the Sennheiser HD 558 & 598 seen as good recommendations multiple places online... would those be a suitable candidate for my use?

 

Im eternally grateful for any responses to help me out in advance and I hope I have given enough information for proper advice. So Thanks and I hope to participate in the community here and learn more!

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by KG Jag View Post


Don't know much about the subject, except the Ultrasone S-Logic tries to capture surround sound.  Also these links to products may hold some interest for you:

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Surround-Sound-Headphones/ci/16225/N/4220238603

 

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDRDS6500-Digital-Surround-Headphones/dp/B004P15HD0

 

 

Hey, Thanks for the reply, KG Jag, I will check out those avenues. It doesn't look much is out there in the way of home theatre headphone's for surround sound. Just the few simulated surround sound options. 

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post #19836 of 28944
10/7/12 at 12:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by yezz12 View Post

Isn't there anything better? I can spend more. Do those have a wide sound stage?

Now that you mention - I'll try them.

With the Xonar DG, you kind of limited as to headphone that plug into it and will sound their best.

Senn HD558s will work with the Xonar DG, but your paying $175.

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post #19837 of 28944
10/7/12 at 12:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason Bourne View Post

 

 

 

Hey, Thanks for the reply, KG Jag, I will check out those avenues. It doesn't look much is out there in the way of home theatre headphone's for surround sound. Just the few simulated surround sound options. 

This is for gaming, but I would imagine it may help you as well seeing how it pertains to soundstage and positioning:

 

http://www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad-lust-envys-headphone-gaming-guide-updated-9-29-2012-he-400-edited

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post #19838 of 28944
10/7/12 at 1:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hipster2010 View Post

This is for gaming, but I would imagine it may help you as well seeing how it pertains to soundstage and positioning:

 

http://www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad-lust-envys-headphone-gaming-guide-updated-9-29-2012-he-400-edited

 

Wow, thats an amazing thread that is very relevant. THANK YOU so much! I dont know how I will make it through reading that behemoth of a thread but Ill try to slowly read through the important parts. That Mixamp + headphones looks like a winning combo that can be done for around under $400 with a good set of quality headphones in that thread. Its over what I wanted to spend but Ill have to just figure out a way ;) Ill read it more properly first before making any decisions.

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post #19839 of 28944
10/7/12 at 1:31pm

Hi

 

I am looking for a pair of headphones as a backup to my custom Starkey SA-43 iems.

 

Of course, the sound has to be of a very high standard. 

 

My iems are almost perfect for me except the bass does not go down to the absolute lowest registers.

 

I am looking for a pair of headphones that output sound as close to the source as possible. If there is little bass in the song, then I want it that way.

If there is super low sub bass frequencies in the song, then I would like the headphone to have the ability to output it.

 

tl;dr: Need headphones with great technical ability and can output sound from the highest to the lowest frequencies only when required. I do not want the sound enhanced in any way.

 

Budget is around £150

 

Thanks

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post #19840 of 28944
10/7/12 at 1:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PurpleAngel View Post

With the Xonar DG, you kind of limited as to headphone that plug into it and will sound their best.

Senn HD558s will work with the Xonar DG, but your paying $175.


Any headphone+sound card then?


Edited by yezz12 - 10/7/12 at 1:45pm
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post #19841 of 28944
10/7/12 at 3:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by KG Jag View Post


I have never hear it.  What was its sound signature? 

 

How hard was it to drive and what will you be driving your new can with?

 

Are you looking for another closed or closed DJ can, or are other options, including open cans, OK with you?

 

If you budget is different from about $240, tell us what it is.

 

Tbh i really dont know what its sound signature was. Was using it for street wear, and powered it through my Samsung Galaxy S3.

Atm all options are open to me closed and open cans. My budget is 400$.
 

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post #19842 of 28944
10/7/12 at 3:31pm

Hello, I've been lurking, I suppose, on this forum for at least a year and I've only just decided to join now because I'm very confused about what to purchase. Bit nervous about posting.
I'd like some advice on headphones that would work for me. I've been making lists of potential ones but I'm not sure about them due to lack of reviews, so I came here to get recommendations.

Some information:
Budget: $0-$60 (I'm haven't much money.) I'd also like to able to purchase them on Amazon. (Are reviews there trustworthy?)
Music tastes: I have a rather eclectic music taste, but I'll try to sum it up; Electronic, Jazz, Classical, Japanese music (J-pop, Vocaloid, Electronic, some J-rock), The Beatles, R&B sometimes, sometimes a bit of Classic Rock, and Funk sometimes. I like old films and music. I listen to some of everything, I guess. I like listening to the voices in songs a lot. I'm not sure if much bass is suited to my music tastes, but I like it sometimes.  So an all-around kind would be nice.
Purpose: In-home. For listening to music (and maybe occasionally shows). I'll be using them often to play digital piano. I don't think it matters much if it leaks or if inside noise comes in, but I'd rather it not. I'd like it to be comfortable as I'd be using them for hours. I won't be using an amp.
Portability: Optional.
Style: Anything is fine.


I'd just like a pair of good quality headphones for the price range. Concerns are sound quality, then comfort, then build, I suppose.
As for headphones, I've wanted to try the type like Koss Portapro (haha) but I'm not sure about supra-aural sorts, so. I'd like the circum-aural kind, then, but I'm open to trying supra-aural kinds if they're good.
Anyway, there's just too much information to process, and I'm not sure which ones to buy. I don't know whether to get open-backed ones or closed-back. I think I'm fine with either but maybe prefer closed-back a bit more.
I really can't list specific ones I'm looking at, because there are just too many options.


I've said a lot, and I'm most likely asking a lot, too. So I'd just like to say thank you all in advance.


Edited by daisyhawkins - 10/7/12 at 6:29pm
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post #19843 of 28944
10/7/12 at 4:07pm

Ok i've decided to bite the bullet and splash out on an Uber pair of headphones for use at home.

I'm looking for something no more than about £300 pounds but preferably around £200-£250.

These will only be used at home so i'm not too worried about sound leakage. I listen to just about every style of music bar rap so i'm looking for a well rounded pair of cans. A nice wide range, good bass and nice trebles and highs, (I'd prefer a pleasant sound to an accurate one).

I will probably be pluging it into my computer and possibly my phone but i may buy an amp in the future.

Thanks in advance.

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post #19844 of 28944
10/7/12 at 4:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by humanoid View Post

 

Tbh i really dont know what its sound signature was. Was using it for street wear, and powered it through my Samsung Galaxy S3.

Atm all options are open to me closed and open cans. My budget is 400$.
 


Based on what you said and the questions you didn't answer, I'm assuming that you are looking for a $400-ish can to listen to unknown quality music files from a portable phone without much power.  That's not my thing or area of much direct experience.  The best i can tell you is check out the new Senn Momentum (it's currently featured on the home page) and the new Denon line of cans replacing the D2000 through 7000.

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post #19845 of 28944
10/7/12 at 4:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by x5_spoonman View Post

Hi

 

I am looking for a pair of headphones as a backup to my custom Starkey SA-43 iems.

 

Of course, the sound has to be of a very high standard. 

 

My iems are almost perfect for me except the bass does not go down to the absolute lowest registers.

 

I am looking for a pair of headphones that output sound as close to the source as possible. If there is little bass in the song, then I want it that way.

If there is super low sub bass frequencies in the song, then I would like the headphone to have the ability to output it.

 

tl;dr: Need headphones with great technical ability and can output sound from the highest to the lowest frequencies only when required. I do not want the sound enhanced in any way.

 

Budget is around £150

 

Thanks


Don't know UK prices, but I don't think such a can is currently on the market.  You would probably have to go way above your budget to reach the open/semi-open Beyer DT 880, HiFiMan HE-400 and closed Ultrasone Pro 750 before you're in that ballpark.

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Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › ++ FULL-SIZE HEADPHONE RECOMMENDATIONS THREAD++ i.e. Don't start a new thread: ask for advice HERE! [Please read OP]