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New headphones, around $240

post #1 of 53
3/12/11 at 10:07am
Thread Starter 

Hey!

 

I'm somewhat new to this forum but i think i've posted at the right place.

 

My current Steelseries Siberia V1 is giving some humming sound from the left driver when playing heavy basslines. Nothing that bothers me when listening to "normal music" but it might get worse. And if they break i don't want to be without headphones for too long :P

 

I've planned on buying an Asus Xonar DX soundcard, and making my own amplifier (if needed, something like the cmoy). Regarding the headphones, the AKG K601 looks comfortable. Similar design to my Siberia (which i like).

 

What do you suggest i should buy?

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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Sennheiser HD 595 Headphones
beyerdynamic DT 440 Premium Headphones
beyerdynamic DT 860 Premium Headphones
post #2 of 53
3/12/11 at 11:41am

I might be able to help if you gave more details:

-genre of music?

-type of sound? (bright ,warm,etc)

-Gaming? just music?

-portable? home use?

- sound leakage? isolation?

 

Hopefully I can help, if not some one else might.

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post #3 of 53
3/12/11 at 12:40pm
Thread Starter 

 

-genre of music?

I listen to pretty much everything. But mostly rock. But also blues.

 

-type of sound? (bright ,warm,etc)

I'm not sure. I think anything fits me fine.

 

-Gaming? just music?

I will play games, and use the headphones. But good sound in games isn't important at all for me, and i guess any headphones in this segment will be well enough for me. So, music is the top priority.

 

-portable? home use?

Will use them at home, with my computer.

 

- sound leakage? isolation?

I'd prefer to hear what's going on around me. And with "closed" headphones i think it will get quite warm and sweaty since i wear them quite long.

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post #4 of 53
3/12/11 at 1:21pm

Well then, some suggestions for ya:

 

AKG K240MKII, K601(you'll most likely need an amp with these)

 

Beyerdynamic DT440, DT860

 

Grado SR225i

 

Sennheiser HD595, HD598

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post #5 of 53
3/12/11 at 1:56pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the tips.

 

AKG K242 HD
AKG K240 MK II
AKG K601
Sennheiser HD595

 

That's a list of headphones i could think of buying. I really prefer the AKG-design. Looks much better, and more comfortable (i own a pair of Steelseries Siberia V1 with a similar design).

 

I'll see if i can find a place to try these out. And those cost around 1100-1300 swedish kronor which gives me some extra money to spend on the amplifier.

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post #6 of 53
3/12/11 at 2:13pm

You should also try the AKG 272. It´s a closed version of the 242. I compared the two quite a lot before i decided to get the 272.

I liked the sound of both but the 272 sounded better.

Men det är ju en smaksak;-)

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post #7 of 53
3/12/11 at 2:16pm

I prefer 240S (about the same as 242's) over K601 and definitely over 595. Keep some money in your pocket and buy K240 Studio (exactly the same cans as 240 MKII)

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post #8 of 53
3/12/11 at 2:18pm
Thread Starter 

Do you experience high temperatures when wearing them for many hours straight? To be honest i have nothing against closed headphones. But i've heard that open ones have a "spacier" and "lighter" sound. I'm no basshead at all, i want neutral FR. 

 

Jo, smaken är som baken. Enorm.

:)

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post #9 of 53
3/12/11 at 2:35pm

Well, after a few hours my ears starts to get quite warm. But I don´t feel any discomfort. Just amazing neutral music with a lot of details.

And the do isolate wery well. And sometimes that is very nice because of my two happy kids.

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post #10 of 53
3/12/11 at 2:40pm
Thread Starter 

Okay. Seems like i might have to borrow some (if possible) to decide myself if i can live with them or not.

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post #11 of 53
3/12/11 at 5:24pm

hehe, looks like you got yourself quite a bit of help!

 

I could also second the 240S/MKII,  you could easily wear them for long periods of time without getting sweaty.

And from what I've read. people say the 240 and the 272's are very differen. Some people say that the 272 sound signature is very close to that of the K701, and if that's true, That is quite the diffference, being a K701 owner.

 

I have no hands-on experience with the 272, but it has been described mostly as a slightly brighter headphones, due to a lack of bass. This would definitely will have more of a neutral sound to it.

The 240's have lots of mid-bass, giving it a warm sound signature, not necessarily boomy, but I think it gives a smoother feel to the rest of the spectrum. has a more laid-back feel.

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post #12 of 53
3/13/11 at 8:40am
Thread Starter 

Okay, i've changed my mind a little.

Open/closed doesn't matter as long as the closed wont lack comfort. I can easlily wear them for 5-6 hours straight and i don't want them to be uncomfortable.

Is it true or is it a myth that open headphones have a larger soundstage, and a bit more "airy" sound than closed ones do?

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post #13 of 53
3/13/11 at 9:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rullknufs View Post

Okay, i've changed my mind a little.

Open/closed doesn't matter as long as the closed wont lack comfort. I can easlily wear them for 5-6 hours straight and i don't want them to be uncomfortable.

Is it true or is it a myth that open headphones have a larger soundstage, and a bit more "airy" sound than closed ones do?



Indeed what you have read is true, although there are closed back headphones with excellent soundstages(Denon, Audio-Technica for example).  Here are some additional suggestions for ya:

 

AKG K 271MKII

 

Audio-Technica ATH-A700, A900

 

Beyerdynamic DT 660, DT 770 32 Ohm

 

Denon AH-D1100, D2000(if you can stretch you budget a bit)

 

Shure SRH840

 

Ultrasone HFi-780, PRO 750

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post #14 of 53
3/13/11 at 9:41am
Thread Starter 

I'm a little bit in love with the AKG headband design. And afaik the non-headband ones are quite uncomfortable. But i'll see if i can try headphones somewhere and get a feel.

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post #15 of 53
3/13/11 at 9:48am

I think you'd like the Audio-Technica AD900. Open sound, huge soundstage, comfortable, and it's a great all-rounder that works well with many different types of music. It also sounds great without an amp, so you'll be happy with it until you get one. I'm really surprised that no one else has recommended it... It immediately came to mind when I read your posts.

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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Sennheiser HD 595 Headphones
beyerdynamic DT 440 Premium Headphones
beyerdynamic DT 860 Premium Headphones
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