++ FULL-SIZE HEADPHONE RECOMMENDATIONS THREAD++ i.e. Don't start a new thread: ask for advice... - Page 1579

Originally Posted by hawkster27 

Wow, with 24,000 posts, I'll be surprised if my question finds an answer, but head fi seems pretty adamant this is the place to start. 

 

I have a pair of Klipsch Forte IIs which I love.  I would never listen to headphones given my druthers, but sometimes it is necessary (the wife is sleeping).  I have a pair of Shure SRH840s, which are OK, but I want an experience closer to "open room with speakers."  I recently auditioned the Grado SR225is, having recently read good things about open back designs, but they didn't offer enough difference to warrant the switch.  The PSB M4Us claim to have Room Feel (tm), but I dunno (no audition yet).  So, any ideas on a $ 200 - 400 pair of cans that give that open room feeling? 

 

Note: I don't need noise cancelling, and all earbuds are out.
 

Originally Posted by stereolab 

Howdy folks,

I've been researching headphones and amp/dac pairings for the last few months and since bonuses are due at work, I've decided to upgrade my current setup: HD-595 & Pico Dac/Amp combo. I have $1500 to $2000 to spend and so far I'm interested in the LCD-2, HE-500, and T1 (used) paired possibly with Schiit Bifrost and Lyr or Asgard. I listen to a wide range of genres (lots of Radiohead, Tori Amos, Bjork, Fever Ray/Knife, Rush, Armin van Buuren, and MBV) so a jack of all trades setup would be preferred. I have FLAC recordings, but as of late I've been listening to Spotify premium, thus I'd like a phone that performs well with subpar source material.

I realize I may be asking a bit much from one setup. Hopefully some folks may be able to offer a head-fi novice some suggestions to best maximize his bang-for-the-buck.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by cecirdr 

I own some hd650s that I use an xcan amp to drive with 320kbps files from my iPhone. I love that set up. The sound is in my sweet spot and it makes me happy. But alas, I'm tethered. The line out device I'm using just isn't tolerant to being moved much. I have some great shure iems that I use when I exercise. I love them, but they're not my sennheisers. I've thought about getting the momentums to get more of that sennheiser sound without being tethered as long as I'm just moving around and not working out. But actually, I'd rather have open headphones.

Are there any low impedance open headphones that could be driven from an iPhone? I think the closed momentums would be ok, but I'd hate to lose the highs I have with my 650s. What headphones might get me close to a hd650 sound without requiring an amp? Does something like that even exist?

Music I listen to ranges from BUCK-TICK to Solar Fields, classical to industrial metal and then bouncing over to Infected Mushroom.

Thanks for any advice.

Originally Posted by Chaottic 

I was recently looking to pick up a new pair of headphones. Currently all I have owned is the stock apple headphones and a pair of Seinn HD 428. I was looking at the Audio-Technica ATH-M50 and they seem to get great reviews. Are these gonna give me a noticeable difference in quality from my HD 428 and are they good for just casual listening since I won't use them for any mixing? Open to recommendations in the same price range.

Originally Posted by miceblue 

I would recommend a Shure SRH940, although the mid-bass might be not as pronounced as a Grado. The K 701's (or the Q 701's) are kind of the open-back, more relaxing version of the SRH940 with a tad bit more bass extension.

Originally Posted by raglandtigercan 

I have been investigating the purchase of a set of closed full-size headphones for about a month. I really enjoy reading all the information available on this site. I have also been reading Tyll's really helpful site and have found that very helpful as well. Just as a caveat, I'm pretty new to all this!

 

I started my headphone research with a purchase of the Sennheiser Momentum's. I enjoyed the sound but the fit just wasn't right for me. After an hour or so, they hurt my ears. I always felt like my ears were being squashed inside the ear cups. The sound was nice and warm though I would have preferred a little more treble emphasis - not brassy mind you just a very small, smidgen more. They are in my price range $200 - $400.00

 

I have returned the Momentum's because of the fit (or lack thereof!) and now I'm trying out the Logitech UE6000. Much more comfortable! I don't think the sound is as nice as the Momentum's. I haven't done any appreciable burn in, just listened to them for about 5-10 hours so far. I feel that the sound in passive mode is a little flat and lacks oomph...I know - very technical. Also, the build quality is not nearly as nice as the Momentum's. In fact I had the whole force the cable into the female end of the phones problem. They just aren't as convincing a can as the Momentum's. Also, the UE6000 hurts the top of my head a little bit after I wear them for a few hours.

 

I have taken my iPad with some music to demo to Best Buy to try out the AKG K550. I really like that headphone! Sounds wonderful and I certainly like the "sound stage" which seems much more open to me than either the Momentum's or the UE6000. So I guess I like the AKG sound?!? Also, the AKG K550 is very comfortable and it seems to be really well built.

 

I don't plan on using the headphones I will be getting outside or for travel, though I could, it's just not a priority.I also really don't care about a control for the iPad or an iPhone.

 

I plan to have the phones connected to either my MacPro or to an iPad which hold my iTunes collection of Apple Lossless tunes that I have ripped from a CD library.

 

I listen to many, many different types of music but no hip-hop, rap. A little bit of electronica, some classical, lots of piano, classical and jazz (Bill Evans, Alan Broadbent) and I particularly like indie female vocalists in a folk vein, (Hem, Kathleen Edwards, Joni Mitchell, etc.) some country though not much, mostly "classical" country - Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton, Jerry Jeff Walker. I'm also big into Neil Young, some blues, and some R & B and have been trying different phones (like the AKG K550 at Best Buy) with early Cat Stevens, some classical and a few other test songs and albums. I definitely am not a bass head!

 

On my short list currently is the AKG K550. I am still giving the Logitech UE6000 a chance, I'm just not thrilled - to me, the UE6000 just sounds a bit flat and lifeless in passive mode and way overblown in NC mode. Also, the cord is too short and sorta' ugly.

 

I am also interested in the AKG K267 except they are not that available and certainly haven't been reviewed extensively. Comfort is important and one thing I like about the AKG K550's is the long cord.

 

Currently, I would like a set of cans that don't need an amp, though I would be open to getting one down the road. That way I can use the headphones I eventually purchase with my iPad without having to have an external DAC, headphone amp.

 

I hope I have spelled out a little bit about what I hope to get in a new headphone.

 

Any thoughts, comments or suggestions?

 

TIA

Originally Posted by inline79 

Hey full-size experts,

 

I want to replace my HD555s (tape modded).  I also have a D2000 and Sextett, but want something to complement both AND expand soundstage.  I found the HD555(595?) to have extremely dull treble.

So to sum up:

 

- Superwide soundstage

- warmish, with clear treble and mids

- <$200

 

ring any bells?  I already had one suggestion for HD580.
 

Originally Posted by stereolab 

Howdy folks,

I've been researching headphones and amp/dac pairings for the last few months and since bonuses are due at work, I've decided to upgrade my current setup: HD-595 & Pico Dac/Amp combo. I have $1500 to $2000 to spend and so far I'm interested in the LCD-2, HE-500, and T1 (used) paired possibly with Schiit Bifrost and Lyr or Asgard. I listen to a wide range of genres (lots of Radiohead, Tori Amos, Bjork, Fever Ray/Knife, Rush, Armin van Buuren, and MBV) so a jack of all trades setup would be preferred. I have FLAC recordings, but as of late I've been listening to Spotify premium, thus I'd like a phone that performs well with subpar source material.

I realize I may be asking a bit much from one setup. Hopefully some folks may be able to offer a head-fi novice some suggestions to best maximize his bang-for-the-buck.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Christo4 

How are the Shure 940 regarding sibilance? I usually have problems with female voices especially.

Originally Posted by MightyChimp 

Please someone help me :( I have no way to test them. 

 

I'm legit going to make a decision based on what you guys say.

 

I'm now thinking the LCD-3s might be the best option..  but I'm not sure if they work well with a sub-par amp / comfort. 

Originally Posted by eucariote 

 

LCD-2 Bamboo are a better option- 99% of the headphone for 50% the price.  And they're light.  Don't worry about getting another amp, I run my LCD-2 off a udac sometimes in the kitchen and they still sound amazing.  With the savings you can get another amp, or upgrade later after you've heard them off a powerful amp and think it's worth the premium..

Originally Posted by miceblue 

Weight: 550 g, without cable.

^ that's considered light? O_O

Every time I've tried the LCD-2's they were like lead weights on the side of my head. I'm always afraid of them falling off and breaking someone else's $1000 headphone.

Originally Posted by eucariote 

 

That's the weight of the rosewood cups.  The bamboo ones are lighter.