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Shure 940 - only $209 and a great deal even at $300

They don't need a amp to sound great, but do benefit from one.

Other choice is HD598, but they are pretty amp dependent in the lower mids and upper lows.

EDIT: Add to cart for $209

Heya,

The E9 is special. It's quite powerful for it's cost. So don't knock it. For $100, it's doing what $250 amps do. It's just not a fancy-pants name, yet.

Sounds like you need a neutral headphone that isn't bass-shy. Right away, I would point you towards the HD598 and BeyerDynamic DT880. Neutrals that can be made to do some bass when needed for a genre. Even in your description you sound like you want everything, which is what someone who is neutral basically wants. Also, look into the Hifiman HE-300 (dynamic). It's a new kid on the block, but not that expensive, and a pretty smooth headphone too, that sort of does a bit of everything.

Very best,

Quote:

Originally Posted by BotByte 

Shure 940 - only $209

Excellent deal!! (and yes these are great headphones for an avid IEM person!)

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Ok nevermind ...

Heya,

Woa... at nearly $200, the SRH940 is ridiculously hard to beat. Only someone who must have absolute moar bass will need to look at another headphone.

SRH940 + ZO? If that combo actually produces the ultimately mid-tier sound, I'd.... well, clearly I'd buy it, again. Heh.

Very best,

If you're primarily listening at home, you might try the headphone jack on your receiver (if you have one).  It might outperform the E9.  The E9 is a good portable amp, but like most portable amps it's low voltage.

The Shure SRH940 is a steal for the price.  I've only heard them at a meet, but was very impressed.  That said, I plan to settle on orthodynamics for home use, probably Hifiman HE-5LE or HE-500.

I also second the recommendation of the Beyerdynamic DT880.  That's my favorite headphone in their line other than the T1, which isn't worth the price (to me).  You could also consider Grados.  They would go great with your E9.  My favorites as far as bang-for-the-buck are the SR225s.

The 940 really has bass that you hear more than feel, so on a kick drum you'll get a tiny thump, but oddly enough the lower bass has more kick to it. Still it's very nice bass, it sounds tonally accurate unlike the 840s and has great extension.

Quote:

Originally Posted by planx 

I really like the sound of the SRH940s... Just worried about the Bass however because some reviews say that the bass is good but needs a BIT more kick in it... Your opinions if you tried them?

 

It's really high quality and accurate bass but you need a good amplifier and high volume to get that extra kick out of it that's missing, at least that's the way I felt.

just go with the Shure....you won't regret it. If it's your first full size then you can't go wrong with it. Being a monitor headphones you will get all the detail you want, nice bass, and good mids. plus the price they are going right now is hard to beat. It is also a plus that is a closed headphone, you can make it a portable if you like and have some very decent isolation. The better you amp it the more the Shures will reward you with sound.

From the list that you have:

AKG K701

AKG Q701

Denon D2000

Senn HD650

Senn HD598

Shure SRH940

I haven't heard the Akg Q701's (although I definitely want one myself) and i havent heard the Shure SRH940 (but will try it considering that I am a shure fan). But with the remaining headphones on the list, the D2000's are probably the best all around performers for even the most eclectic of tastes. They will match up nicely with house and dubstep as well as soft rock and pop. As far as jazz and classical are concerned, it would depend heavily on what you listen to. Classical piano = K701, orchestra and large ensembles = Hd650, opera =Hd650. I would also recommend the k701's if you like trance (particularly goa). As far as Jazz goes, its a toss up. 

Ahh.  For some reason I was unaware that Fiio makes a desktop amp.  I've heard the E3, E5, E6, and E7.  I'll have to try to listen to the E9.

Hey, your list has some great headphones, my personal pick for a first pair would be either the hd650 or the shure 940s. However, if you are also considering other headphones, I would highly recommend you to try orthodynamics like the Audeze LCD 2s and the Hifiman range. They are amazing and imo quite superior to any iem that I have owned/tried including models such as the jh13, 16 and um miracle. For any of the headphones, you should also set aside a nice ammount of cash for a good amp (and DAC). My personal recommendation would be the Burson 160 (D if you need a DAC), or if you can wait, follow me and get a Schiit Statement DAC and Statement Amp. However, you should try the gear out yourself and find out which suits you personal tastes best.

denon d2000. You will be happy for a long time with that best decision.