++ FULL-SIZE HEADPHONE RECOMMENDATIONS THREAD++ i.e. Don't start a new thread: ask for advice... - Page 1397

Hi, I'm trying to decide on a pair of headphones mostly for casual music playing, and I'm going to run them straight out of my iPhone and/or computer. I'm not a basshead or audiophile, and I don't think I'll really notice any subtle recessions or differences, as I have been using mostly the stock Apple earbuds, and the AKG K77's occasionally. I really like the sound of the K77's, but I want an upgrade, so I've come to a choice between the Sony XB500, the ATH M50, the DJ1/HFI-580 and the DJ1 Pro/PRO550. I have done my research on these headphones, and from what I've seen, the XB500 are real basshead cans, the ATH M50 gives a very flat response, the HFI-580's are sort of balanced, but have a little more colorful bass, and the PRO550 has a larger soundstage than the 580's, but with less bass and bass impact. I mostly listen to electronic music(like DnB, dubstep, house, trance), so I do want some big bass, just not overpowering. My budget is around $150(I'm not really the type to pay a lot for some cans), and I'm kind of leaning to the 580/M50's, but I'm interested now in the others. 

Can any audiophiles help me out?

Quote:

Originally Posted by somniare 

Hey guys, I currently have a sony v6 with fiio e17. I'm looking to purchase a new closed headphones with a budget of $300 ~ $400. Please bear with me, as I think my taste in music is quite different. I'll try my best to describe, but it won't hurt if you can just google a bit hehe. I usually listen to touhou and vocaloid (covers too) songs, which I think it would fit somewhere in the electronica area. I also listen to some jpop and kpop (Supercell, YUI, SNSD, T-ARA, etc). I've set my eyes on the AKG k550, but I wanted a detachable cable preferably. Can anyone provide me some suggestions?

 

much thanks!

bump :x

Hi so im between the UE 9000 or the Sennheiser MM 450.

I like electronic music (mostly) and alternative.

I currently have the Bose AE2i so i want better sound that these ones...

Please help me decide.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sudden98 

Hi all. I have a pair of Sennheiser PX 100-II which i'm happy with for day to day use.

 

Going to be doing some air travel in a few days (so quick recommendations would be much appreciated!) and wanted something which are comfortable for very long durations and have excellent sound naturally. Noise cancelling might be a plus, but not that fussed about it (unless people here highly recommend the feature for air travel).

 

Only other time they would be used is for lounging around the house/hotel, but this use will be severly limited - maybe 1 month out of the year (essentially if I go on holiday somewhere).

 

Unsure about budget, but I think a max of £200. That will roughly work out to about $300. Cheaper would be better obviously without sacrificing too much sound quality.

 

Any recommendations would be most welcome!

Right up until I read your budget, I was going to highly reccomend the Bose Quiet Comfort 15. Bose (next to Beats and Sony) are unfortunately some of the world's most counterfieted headphones, so I'd reccomend going to into a store to buy them. Just looking on the Apple UK store unfortunately the budget is a little out of your range at 280 pounds.

If you can stretch your budget that far I do highly reccomend them. They are often criticised for not having enough bass, but I spent 2 hours wearing them on the weekend connected to a HTC One X and the bass is definitely there, it's just not prominent and boomy - some EQ in a music player can help you get there though if that's what you'd really prefer. Excellent midrange and treble, which is what I prefer on a plane as i'm usually watching tv shows or movies or listening to podcasts rather than music.

The next best thing though, and arguably much better value than the QC15's for what you get is the Audio Technica ATH-ANC9. These are available for 169 pounds on ebay UK - but that's coming from Hong Kong and it sounds like you don't have that kind of time to wait. These have several modes that block out various freuqencies of outside noise based on airplanes, office/crowd noise and a "library" mode which is a place I thought was quiet enough, but aparently not.

I have the Audio Technica ATH-ANC27 and whilst they were just OK at blocking out noise and not great on comfort, the bass was almost too heavy where i found myself changing phone sound settings as a result. I don't own a pair of ANC9's myself so i can't tell you how good they sound, but there are plenty of reviews on youtube, plus there is also this:

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2012/09/battlemodo-the-best-noise-cancelling-headphones/

They are just rating the ANC9's so highly because of price though - they only put the Bose in 4th place because of the cost of them.

In trying to get any of these headphones quickly, you might also consider airport and duty free stores selling headphones. Sometimes they can be a bit more pricey, but to have them straight away it might not be such a crazy idea to go to the airport a day or two before your flight and shop around a bit.

Hope that helps a bit, and good luck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sanotter 

Looking for some closed headphones that are over the ear, VERY comfy and dont leak too much sound. Dont mind if they let sound in, but as long as i can listen to them at a decent volume and people dont get too irritated around me, its fine. 

 

I listen to mostly electro house and female vocals, and I'm looking for nice bass extension, not too boomy, and really nice/slightly forward mids, along with smooth, slightly rolled off highs as I don't like bright headphones.

 

Don't mind the styling, removable cable is preferred although if it's solid and won't break I don't mind.

 

Don't mind a little bit of clamp.

 

Budget is max 200GBP (about 250-300$) 

 

Might be able to factor in a headphone amp if necessary. I have a Galaxy s3 that I will use with an E7 on the go.

 

Thanks!

Have you considered the Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro's? They fit all of your criteria and will work well with your E7. I use an E11 with them myself and the bass output is terrific and doesn't go over the top of everything else. When i'm wearing them I listen to drum and bass, hip hop, UK garage, and even some top40 occaisonally and this combination works really well with all of them.

Just make sure you get the 80 ohm model, or else the Fiio range would be too underpowered to drive the big 250 ohm model. The 80 ohm model is what I have, and sounds terrific (with an amp - without one it sounds tinny and distorted connected to my HTC One X)

Quote:

Originally Posted by cel4145 

 

Check out the Ultrasone HFI-2400 and Ultrasone 750 Pro. Ultrasones have nice bass response and do very well with your primary listening genres. 

Mm, i'm really not a fan of foldable headphones, they feel too flimsy and unstable imo. But, i'll definitely take them into consideration.

Hey guys, I was thinking about asking for some akg k550 for Christmas. I've read a lot of good reviews, and I think that they'll suit my purposes quite well (folk, indie rock, contemporary christian, and Christian Rock). I don't want a complete absence of bass, just enough bass to balance out the spectrum, as I have Sony mdr-xb500 for my Christian Rap and EDM music. I'm looking for some headphones that focus more on treble. How is the soundstage of the 550s, and the mids and highs? Also, do they benefit from an amp like the Fiio E11? I'm a newb, and I'd appreciate you guys help. Thanks.

k550...u need to put it ON your head to get an answer. 

"the seal the seal the seal ..."

On mine, it sounded like tat is what u need. :P

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc-holliday 


The K550 works well with the E11 IMO because I like to use the bass boost function on that amp to fill out when a little more bass is required. They are fairly sensitive and I also run them direct from my portable Sansa player.
I would not consider them a sparkly or a headphone with treble emphasis. The mids are quite natural to my ears and have an overall nice neutral presentation but not to the point of boringness. One of my favorites.
If you are looking for more sparkle you might try the DT880 beyerdynamic. The E11 will also be a suitable amp for the 80 or 250 ohm version. I'm told even the 600 ohm version is sensitive enough to run off that amp. I run my DT770 250 ohm on the E11 all the time with plenty of headroom to spare on low gain (volume at 4 to 5 out of 10)
Edit: Two more things on the 550. One people with smallish heads or glasses wearers have trouble getting a good seal. With a bad seal they sound very thin.
Also the K551 is coming out this month. It is a more portable version if you are interested in that kind of thing. 4 foot cable, ipod control etc. Just letting you know

Thanks I appreciate it. I wasn't looking for a particularly "sparkly" headphone, so the 550s sound about right. Just a little more treble than the thumpin' mdr-xb500s. I also have quite a large noggin. I wear a 7 3/4 fitted hat, and I don't wear glasses, so the seal should be good. I'm also interested in a very spacious soundstage, and I've heard that these are great for a closed headphone. I've also heard that the isolation on the 550s is good, and that's important to me also.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angular Mo 

I am looking for:

best mids for under $300, Open, over-the-ear full size headphone - to use at basement home office.

 

I have not yet experienced bass detail - curious about it.

 

I thought I had wanted treble detail, but the KRK 8400's hurt (even after burn-in)

 

> many years ago, I owned Grado 125, and enjoyed them.... but, that was before I got into portable amps, I forget their sound..

> AKG's seem interesting, I recall thinking they had refined power, maybe less raw punch, maybe less of a monitor than I have been accustomed to, I don't know enough...

> Classic rock, (Zep), Jazz, Zappa, Steely Dan, Vocalists (Lambert Hendricks Ross, Ella, Tony Bennet) and some stupid disco.  I like separation and soundstage.

 

 

I own:

DT 770 Pro 80s - recessed mids

KRK KNS 8400 - treble is piercing, hurts my ears, harsh monitor.

ATH-50m - out at Jay's to be re-cabled for the past month...so, I kinda forget what they sound like.

JVC-S500 - my portable commuter cans.

 

At home I use either:

 

MBP > Schiit BiFrost > Denon CD Receiver UD-M31 > headphone

or

iPhone or iPad or iTouch  > HRT iStreamer > iBasso Warbler P4 > Headphone 

Any recommendations?  I received only one reply.