++ FULL-SIZE HEADPHONE RECOMMENDATIONS THREAD++ i.e. Don't start a new thread: ask for advice... - Page 1749

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeywreck 

I made a thread about this earlier because I didn't notice this thread.. I'll just copy and paste what I typed here and maybe I'll get more responses.

 

I have the Audio Technica ATH-M50s.. I'm a little disappointed. I think I was expecting too much out of them. When I compare them with my Skullcandy Hesh 2.0, I'm not hearing much of a difference.. nothing sounds very new, and I can't tell if sometimes when I hear a song sounding better than the last time I've heard it if it's because of a placebo effect or if it's the headphones. I'm new to what people would call really good headphones.. I got this because I heard great things about it, but now I'm unsure whether I was just listening to a lot of loyal fans (the equivalent of Linux fans or Ron Paul fans)..

 

Again, The sound doesn't sound much different compared to my year-old Skullcandy Hesh 2.0.. I'm not noticing anything different. I'm considering going to the store later to try others on. What are your recommendations? Should I keep these and give them some time or get something else? I listen to all genres. I don't have anything more specific than my favorite being post-hardcore and hip hop.. but it ranges daily. I'm listening to Wiz Khalifa but an hour ago I was listening to a Live album of Celia Cruz (salsa).. I do like bass, but I don't want anything unneccessary like what Beats would give me.

 

Comfort is not my top priority, sound is. However, I would want at least something better than the Hesh that I've been using.. It was hard as a rock. It literally crushes your skull.. and also my ears would hurt after hours of use.

 

Seeing how I spent $200 already because of warranty (which I don't really need) and taxes and the fact that the store already charges too much for the headphones, I guess my price range is up to $200.

 

The top recommendation I've seen from lurking is ATH-M50s.. or maybe it used to be the most recommended. What are the others? Could I get at least some educated guess on what would be best for me from reading what I typed?

I now have the Sennheisers HD 380 PRO. I thought I had enough time to try them on at Guitar Center but I still feel like I'm trying it on. I'll let you know how it is. Not as much bass, which I liked on the ATH-M50s.. I cant say if it sounds better yet. I'll let you know.

Anyone compared these to the ATH-M50s? if so, what were your thoughts?

Quote:

Originally Posted by roguegeek 

 

There are others to look at, but first...

• Budget of $200.
• Where/how do you plan on using these can?
• What are your isolation needs? Open or closed cans?
• What kind of music do you listen to and what's the format/bit rate?
• What source device will it be coming from and what amp, if any, will you be using?
• Do you know what kind of signature you're trying to find?

First of all thanks for the reply...

Now let me try and answer those.

So, you got my budget.

I plan on using them mostly in my house, though I'd like something thats a bit portable and that I might also be able to use while going to college (by wich I ride a train and a subway, so lot of background noise there). So by that I guess I'd prefer closed cans, also I dont like how the open ones leek (I own an ATH AD700).

I listen to electronic music mostly, or at least I'd like some headphones for that type of music specifically. Mp3 format mostly, and bit rate varies, though I like to get my music in 320kbps. Though some are as low as 192.

Device would be an ipod if I'll be moving around, or my computer. I've got a Xi-Fi Titanium on it (wich i bought mostly for gaming, mind you).

And I don't really know what kind of signature I'm trying to find, I haven't really put much thought on it, but I guess for electronic music bass is good, but i don't want a headphone thats just pure bass. I wish i could help you a bit more here, but I honestly don't know.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GREQ 

Quote:

Originally Posted by KG Jag 

If you have to dump your RS2i, only the HE 500 is a clear step up.  The 500 is neutral with it all there.  You can read about the 400, 500 and even your Grado here:

 

http://www.head-fi.org/t/634201/battle-of-the-flagships-57-headphones-compared-update-hifiman-he-400-added-12-24-12

Thanks for the reply, but I've read those reviews too many times already 

 

I'm looking to hear some real life differences from people who have lived with both or at least done direct A-B comparisons.

While I agree with a lot of the things said in the "57 Flagships" about all the headphones I've heard listed there, I don't want to base a 700 euro decision on one man's opinions. 

But you see, I happen to agree with that one man on most of his reviews of cans that I also have heard.  I own the the HE 500 and RS2i and have spent a bit of time listening to the HE 400, most recently at the Head-Fi meet in Austin held earlier this month.

The Grado and HE 400 are both colored cans.  The HE 400 has (net) forward and slightly funky mids.  To me the weakness of the Grado is its very bright treble.  Still--both are very good cans.

On the other hand the HE 500 is just about dead neutral with no real weaknesses.  Nothing is lacking.  Nothing sounds off.  There are other cans that also have it all and do certain things even better, but all of them cost significantly more than the HE 500.  The only negative things I can say about the HE 500 is that is fairly heavy and it needs a somewhat powerful amp to properly drive it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KG Jag 

Yes--it should be enough to upgrade--based on a rough idea what you can get in Australia for that money.

 

What is the format of your music and other sounds you will putting into these cans?

 

Describe the sound signature that you are seeking?

I will probably be buying from http://headphones.com.au/ or http://www.addictedtoaudio.com.au/ for an idea of cost in Australia.

At the moment format is CD and FLAC so only digital formats at the moment, these will primarily be used for music and maybe a movie from time to time.

As for sound signature, I'm new to describing this and not sure if I have to sacrifice certain likes for others and apologies if the following is just stupid:

Things I like:

• Warm, punchy bass
• Detailed mids
• Dynamics
• Good soundstage

Things I don't like

• Boomy bass

-Budget: 600$

-Where? Inside only, closed vs. open doesn't matter, would prefer open for the better soundstage some offer

-Music Format/bit rate: Itunes 256 dl to Apple Lossless & or FLAC, currently most of my music is apple lossless

-Genre's: light rock to heavy metal, electronic/dance/trance (A State of Trance), classical (game+movie OST's..Assassin's Crred & Halo)

-Source: PC/360/PS3 connected to a Denon 1713 receiver, not sure if it is capable of driving 250-600 ohms headphones...link to specs

-Current Headphones: Denon D2000, would like something with less sibilance and recessed mids

-Local Headphones I can try out: Sennheiser Momentum (350$), Denon D600 (550$ in Canada lulz) and a bunch of Bose models Best Buy Canada sells

HE-400 are not available in Canada, the following are and are decently priced and have caught my mind, but only Amazon has a few which I can try out without paying hefty restocking fees & return shipping: Beyerdynamic T90, AKG Q701 (Amazon), Sony MDR-1R, Sony 7520 (Amazon), Sennhesier HD 600/650 (Amazon).  The AKG and Sony models scare me because they only have one year warranties.  I would be willing to try the Sony 7520's and AKG then order them from Sonic Electronix to get they extra warranty.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesterphile 

Quote:

Originally Posted by KG Jag 

Yes--it should be enough to upgrade--based on a rough idea what you can get in Australia for that money.

 

What is the format of your music and other sounds you will putting into these cans?

 

Describe the sound signature that you are seeking?

I will probably be buying from http://headphones.com.au/ or http://www.addictedtoaudio.com.au/ for an idea of cost in Australia.

 

At the moment format is CD and FLAC so only digital formats at the moment, these will primarily be used for music and maybe a movie from time to time.

 

As for sound signature, I'm new to describing this and not sure if I have to sacrifice certain likes for others and apologies if the following is just stupid:

 

Things I like:

• Warm, punchy bass
• Detailed mids
• Dynamics
• Good soundstage

 

Things I don't like

• Boomy bass

The HD 650 is an excellent match, but per your link is about $100 over your budget.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KG Jag 

The HD 650 is an excellent match, but per your link is about $100 over your budget.

I'm open to second hand buying, I'll have a look around.

There are some Beyerdynamic T90s for sale on the forums for $450... would they be any good?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesterphile 

I'm open to second hand buying, I'll have a look around.

 

There are some Beyerdynamic T90s for sale on the forums for $450... would they be any good?

You can get HD650's off Kogan for $349, although they're currently sold out. It might be worth giving them a call to see when new stock will be in.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dryvadeum 

You can get HD650's off Kogan for $349, although they're currently sold out. It might be worth giving them a call to see when new stock will be in.

Thanks, I'll have a look. I'm browsing Headphones.com.au and looking at a few models I've been recommended (here and elsewhere)

Options at the moment seem to be HD650, HE400, or Beyerdynamic T90s. The HE400 being the only ones I could afford new. I could save a little more I know, but even then, as long as they're in good nick, there's nothing wrong with used right?

Unfortunately the Central Coast appears to be devoid of any quality audio stores I can try these in. Are you aware of any stores in the area (noticed you're around here too)?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesterphile 

Thanks, I'll have a look. I'm browsing Headphones.com.au and looking at a few models I've been recommended (here and elsewhere)

 

Options at the moment seem to be HD650, HE400, or Beyerdynamic T90s. The HE400 being the only ones I could afford new. I could save a little more I know, but even then, as long as they're in good nick, there's nothing wrong with used right?

 

Unfortunately the Central Coast appears to be devoid of any quality audio stores I can try these in. Are you aware of any stores in the area (noticed you're around here too)?

Haha, definitely no audiophile grade stores on the coast unfortunately. There's Castle Hill Hifi - they have a lot of Sennheiser headphones you can audition. Where abouts on the coast are you from?

Quote:

Originally Posted by dryvadeum 

Haha, definitely no audiophile grade stores on the coast unfortunately. There's Castle Hill Hifi - they have a lot of Sennheiser headphones you can audition. Where abouts on the coast are you from?

I'm down the Gosford end of the coast, yourself? I may have to pop down to Castle Hill on the weekend. They have the 650s for $500 too!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesterphile 

I'm down the Gosford end of the coast, yourself? I may have to pop down to Castle Hill on the weekend. They have the 650s for $500 too!

I'm just at Green Point - I didn't think I'd find a fellow coasty head-fier on here lol! I recently acquired the HE 400's and they're quite good - a clear step up from dynamic drivers. I'm not sure you'd like them though as their mids are a bit recessed, but the bass is very nicely present and tactile.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesterphile 

Quote:

Originally Posted by KG Jag 

The HD 650 is an excellent match, but per your link is about $100 over your budget.

I'm open to second hand buying, I'll have a look around.

 

There are some Beyerdynamic T90s for sale on the forums for $450... would they be any good?

Not for the money.  If you want a Beyers full sized can go with either the DT 880 or T1.  If you want portable, get the DT 1350.

hi everyone,

I'm looking for some around-ear headphones in the price range 100-170$

i don't like rap, hip-hop, electronic, etc. my music is more on the side of punk, rock, jazz, blues, ska, classical guitar, instrumental, etc.

I'll be using a laptop as a source because I'm only using them at home.

I'm not a bass-head.

I've done a wide research of headphones and based on many internet comments it seems like the sennheiser hd558/hd595 are the ones that fit me best. I don't really have a place to try them, there's not many places to try headphones where i live. i wanted to hear some opinions about these headphones, and if there is a suggestion about better headphones please tell me. is there a big difference between these two headphones? should i buy them? thanks for the attention

Quote:

Originally Posted by EkChuah97 

hi everyone,

I'm looking for some around-ear headphones in the price range 100-170$

i don't like rap, hip-hop, electronic, etc. my music is more on the side of punk, rock, jazz, blues, ska, classical guitar, instrumental, etc.

I'll be using a laptop as a source because I'm only using them at home.

I'm not a bass-head.

I've done a wide research of headphones and based on many internet comments it seems like the sennheiser hd558/hd595 are the ones that fit me best. I don't really have a place to try them, there's not many places to try headphones where i live. i wanted to hear some opinions about these headphones, and if there is a suggestion about better headphones please tell me. is there a big difference between these two headphones? should i buy them? thanks for the attention

Both are very good and use the same drivers.  I would suggest an amp or amp/dac for you to get the most out of them vs. just on board computer audio.