Full sized headphone recommendations? - Page 2

Are you also looking for a good all-arounder? I find the denons to be good at multiple genres.

What price are you talking?

If you liked the SE425 - but want better bass and top end, I'd go straight to the DT880 or the HD600.

For the record, I also had the SE425's for quite a while.

All IMO - from actually hearing them .....

DT880 mids aren't quite as forward.  The bass is extended, defined, punchy and fast.  Highs have quite a bit of sparkle and are very detailed.  Soundstage is quite good, pretty accurate, but not excessively wide or deep.  Responds really well to tubes, and helps bring the mid-range out a little.  Very slightly U shaped.

HD600 in comparison has wonderful mids, but lighter bass than the DT880, not quite as extended, but still pretty well defined.  The highs aren't as shimmery/sparkly, and not quite as detailed - but still nice and bright.  Again responds really well to tubes.  HD600 slightly more relaxed sound than the DT880.

Both are really comfortable cans to wear.  The HD600 can be a bit clampy at first - but over time it seems to relax a bit.  Both are quite neutral (not overemphasised anywhere in the spectrum).

Both need amping.

On some of the other suggestions ...... DT990 can be a fun can for Rock - remind me quite a bit of the TF10 - but definitely quite U/V shaped.  Mids are not their strongpoint and take a back seat.  I haven't spent any time with the new HD650 - but found the older ones were a little too bassy for my tastes and didn't have enough top end.  Newer HD650's may have solved this.  Great cans nevertheless - I just preferred the HD600.

Although the grados are supra-aural, I love their sound.  If you want to dip your toes in the water for very little money, order an Alessandro MS1i online - about USD 100 delivered.  It's fantastic value!  You can change things a lot with modding and they are a great complimentary can if you plan to permanently have a couple of headphones eventually.  I've now given mine a full woody along with a few other mods - and I now have 2 perfectly complimentary cans (MS1i and HD600).

If you want to try the DT880 first - give Jaben a call - ask for Josh - and see if he'd be prepared to lend you a demo set of DT880 Pros to try.  He was really good with me and I ended up buying them.  For the HD600, keep an eye on the FS forum.

If you have any more questions specifically about the DT880, HD600, or MS1i, PM me.

First up - I'm assuming you talking DT880 vs SRH840 - yes?

I've owned both, and spent plenty of time with both - and still rate both very highly.

1. Price - obviously the SRH840 - incredible value for money.
2. Comfort - the Beyers - comfiest can I've ever worn.
3. Build quality - both pretty good, but the Beyers are better.
4. Soundstage - Beyers by a considerable margin - remember you are comparing open and closed cans though.
5. Clarity and separation.  While both are very good IMO - the Beyer is again better by a considerable margin - it has wonderful extension both ways.  DT880 is very detailed.
6. Overall signature: - both balanced but ......
   SRH 840 has mids more forward, and has a bit of a mid-bass hump (which can get a little loose/boomy for some tracks) - not as extended either high or low.
   DT880 has very slightly U shape, with small emphasis on both low and high end, wonderful extension.  Can sound a little dry at times - wonderful with tubes.
7. Amplification (assuming you getting either 250 ohm or 600 ohm DT880)
   Shure doesn't need amping - but does benefit from it.  Can be run straight out of an ipod.
   DT880 needs decent amping - without it they sound lifeless and flat

Hope this helps.

Nik - you'll definitely need an amp.  The DT880 needs the power.  Also - if they give you a reasonably newish demo unit, make sure you give them time to burn in.  I was never a believer in burn in until I got my DT880.  I didn't use pink noise or stuff them in a drawer or anything like that either - I just used them.  After the 'honeymoon' period wore off - I wasn't overly impressed after a couple of days - but grew to love them more and more as I spent more time with them.  After a couple of weeks - I felt that the sound changed.  It could have been placebo, or me burning in - but the thing I noticed was extension (both ends).  YMMV.

If you're contacting Josh (Jaben) to organise a demo/trial version, talk to him about amping.  If you wnat a cheap but very good desktop amp, the Audio-gd NFB-12 is really good.  The warmish tone helps the DT880 (and my HD600) as well.  But Josh can give you a few ideas from the stock he has.  Beware if he gives you a PortaTube to try - it is addicting - especially with the DT880s!  I was part of the demo program for that and after a week bought it.  Still paying it off - but worth it.

Good luck - I think you'll enjoy them.

And when you can afford it, don't forget my tiop ont he MS1is - they are a real blast, and fantastic value for money