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BEST closed back headphone for classical music

post #1 of 45
5/24/11 at 11:31am
Thread Starter 

Hi all,

 

I know there are other threads dedicated to "closed headphone" for "classical music", yet I still hope to suck you all into this thread. So,

 

Which is the best headphone (and the whole system built upon it) for classical music, provided that it will not disturb people around you (which means it has to be closed-back headphone, right?) ?

 

To start with, I've been thinking about D7000, and STAX SR-4070. Are there any other options?

 

 

 


Edited by Pabro - 5/24/11 at 2:21pm
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

AUDIO TECHNICA-HEADPHONES W5000
Audio-Technica ATH-A900 Headphones
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AKG K 271 MK II
post #2 of 45
5/24/11 at 11:38am

D7000 is my choice.

HE-6 is another good choice, but I've only heard it, and haven't owned it.

 

The D7k (with my home rig, and to my ears, blah blah) does exactly what I want with classical. It provides the sonority and authority for both bombast and chamber. Vocals are exquisite (especially a capella ensembles like Stile Antico). The highs are crisp but not shrill, so that the instruments have 'air', while the bottom end is full and rich for tympany or double bass. The mids are said to be recessed slightly, but I've never found the mids to be anything but beautiful.

 

They are closed, but don't isolate very well. Better than HD-800 (or even the HE-6), so you get some attenuation of external noises.

 

Good luck.

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post #3 of 45
5/24/11 at 12:42pm

ATH-A900's is another option. 

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post #4 of 45
5/24/11 at 12:51pm

I haven't heard any of these ..but..

I would also look into other woody headphones.

 

ATH-W5000, ATH-A2000X, ATH-W1000X

JVC DX1000

 

 

There is also Edition Edition 10

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post #5 of 45
5/24/11 at 1:04pm

Just try the K-271MKll superb mids for vocals and strings.

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post #6 of 45
5/24/11 at 1:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nullstring View Post

I haven't heard any of these ..but..

I would also look into other woody headphones.

 

ATH-W5000, ATH-A2000X, ATH-W1000X

JVC DX1000

 

 


I was gonna suggest all of them, it seems that I am a bit too late. I have heard all of them and can clearly say they are all excellent for classical in their own right.

W5000 is smooth and detailed but coloured mids and the bright treble can be harsh.
A2000X is airy and detailed, having the best soundstaging out of the brunch but bass can be slightly lacking.
W1000X is warm and punchy but slightly lacking in details and soundstage.
DX1000 is warm and punchy and detailed but not as airy as the W5000 and A2000X. They also looks extremely strange when you are wearing them. tongue.gif
Edited by Ra97oR - 5/24/11 at 1:20pm
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post #7 of 45
5/24/11 at 1:35pm
Thread Starter 

I'm not so sure about the ATH series. I heard they are good for vocal work, female voice, etc...But they seem to be a little too colored for classical music playback. Anyone agrees?

 

I'm currently using AKG K271 MKII, but, I keep thinking the high frequency of this headphone is a little too bright, making it not that balanced for classical. The strings sounds too good (compared with other instruments), which makes the hearing experience a little fatigue. Although I agree there will be no better closed back 'phone under $300 that can play classical better, or is there (say, the D2000? )

 

In the past when I choose headphone for classical, I usually go for a German made 'phone, rather than a Japan made. Denon seems to be an exception. It's quite balanced and natural. I heard the classical under D2000 before, and am impressed. But D2000 is better for pop, vocal, and other type of music, so I can't help wondering if its more expensive brothers, D5000 and D7000, will give much better performance in classical. (and I'm glad to hear comments from shane55 to confirm this, thank you! ).

 

 

It seems that there are only a few flagship that is closed-back, so we are left with not much choices. How about the STAX 4070? That's the only closed-back electrostat 'phone available in the market ... can anyone comment on its performance in classical? o2smile.gif

 


Edited by Pabro - 5/24/11 at 2:21pm
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post #8 of 45
5/24/11 at 1:44pm
The A2000X is very balanced, slightly dipped in the bass. DX1000 is very good too. I found them both beating the current German flagships from Sennheiser and Beyer. I also quite like the Beyer T1 too, but they are not closed, HD800 is just too thin IMO.

I suggest the DX1000 seeing what you are after, I haven't heard the Edtion 10 myself so I cannot comment on it, but if it sound anything like the Ed8, I suggest you don't go for them in classical.

Seeing you are building a whole system, I totally recommend you to hear the headphones themselves first hand before getting them new. If you can't find a dealer or attend a meet, buy it used and sell with minimal loss, instead of buying new blind from only others opinion and lose a lot when selling.

I found the DX1000 more balanced than the D7000, the mids are no longer lacking on the DX1000, but still retain the weighty low end and crisp highs.
Edited by Ra97oR - 5/24/11 at 1:47pm
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post #9 of 45
5/24/11 at 1:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pabro View Post

I'm not so sure about the ATH series. I heard they are good for vocal work, female voice, etc...But they seem to be a little too colored for classical music playback. Anyone agrees?

 

I'm currently using AKG K271 MKII, but, I keep thinking the high frequency of this headphone is a little too bright, making it not that balanced for classical. The strings sounds too good (compared with other instruments), which makes the hearing experience a little fatigue. Although I agree there will be no better closed back 'phone under $300 that can play classical better, or is there (say, the D2000? )

 

In the past when I choose headphone for classical, I usually go for a German made 'phone, rather than a Japan made.

 

 

It seems that there are only a few flagship that is closed-back, so we are left with not much choices. How about the STAX 4170? That's the only closed-back electrostat 'phone available in the market ... can anyone comment on its performance in classical? o2smile.gif

 


 

If the K-271 is a little too bright, you can still go with the German made 'phone, like the GMP 8.35 for the best insulation and sound. The other hps that I can recommend you are the Sony CD-3000, and the Stax 4070 for extra $$$$. happy_face1.gif

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post #10 of 45
5/24/11 at 3:15pm

I didn't really like W5000's with classical.

 

I''ll add one to the already given suggestions: Beyerdynamic T5p (the closed tesla)

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post #11 of 45
5/24/11 at 3:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Proglover View Post

I didn't really like W5000's with classical.

 

I''ll add one to the already given suggestions: Beyerdynamic T5p (the closed tesla)


For me, its more like "I didn't really like the W5000 at all". But there are many that loved how they sound, so I can't discredit that. The W5000 is indeed extremely smooth.
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post #12 of 45
5/24/11 at 4:02pm

I put my vote towards the W5000 as well. It's like they were made for the genre.

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post #13 of 45
5/24/11 at 6:10pm

Denon D5000's. Good soundstage, smooth and detailed. 

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post #14 of 45
5/24/11 at 7:27pm

^ X2.  D7000 & D5000 really are great with classical music.

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post #15 of 45
6/9/11 at 9:14pm
Thread Starter 

Just got the D7000, and spent a little time with it. Truly a very good headphone for classical music. Really sad that I'll need to part with them soon.

 

How about GMP 450 Pro? From what I read they seem to be perfect for classical music. Although they are designed to be used in the recording room for monitoring, they might perform just as well as an audiophile headphone. Do they lack the musicality owing to their monitor nature? Any thoughts? beyersmile.png

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Gear mentioned in this thread:

AUDIO TECHNICA-HEADPHONES W5000
Audio-Technica ATH-A900 Headphones
Powered by NexTag
AKG K 271 MK II
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