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Best Upgrade from m50s with a pair of headphones that doesn't necessarily need an amp?

post #1 of 12
11/5/11 at 12:42pm
Thread Starter 

I've been using these for over a year and have loved their pounding sound however I would like to move up from these. I would like cans that offer better detail, sound stage and overall better experience for music (preferably rock, trance, hip hop, metal)...

 

Budget: $300-$350

 

Amp: Recommended but not necessary. Down the line as budget allows I can toss one in and therefore improve the HP longevity by getting better sound out instead of having to buy a whole new HP.

 

Sources for the HeadPhones: On my PC through Creative X-Fi Titanium Sound card (90% usage). In my entertainment room through an A/V Receiver (10% usage)

 

Music source: 1411kbps (1.4Mbps) .wav format. So basically i'll be listening to a lot of 'CDs' with these...all backups are .mp3 @ 320 kbps for portable listening (let's not debate over FLAC vs .wav. I did ample research online and despite .FLACs benefits, opted for .wav simply because 1) I don't care for tags, 2) storage is cheap. 2TB externals can be bought for $60-$80)

 

It's my computer I can throw whatever I want on it :)

 

 

Currently own and use:

  • Triple.Fi 10 (home listening)
  • Senn HD598 (video games, classical, vocal, acoustic, and rock music)
  • Senn OCX 880 (for commuting and working out. Don't use my triple.fi, those are too expensive to replace. I've broken a lot of cords in the past by getting them caught in door handles and such)
  • Audio Technica m50s (hard rock, trance, hip hop)

 

Thanks guys!

 

 

 

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post #2 of 12
11/5/11 at 2:29pm

Heya,


Denon D2000.

 

Very best,

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post #3 of 12
11/5/11 at 2:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MalVeauX View Post

Heya,


Denon D2000.

 

Very best,



I could not agree more. I just got a pair and ... what an investment!

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post #4 of 12
11/5/11 at 2:39pm

Exclusively closed or are open headphones an option too?

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post #5 of 12
11/5/11 at 3:41pm
Thread Starter 

Well from what I hear and read closed cans really add to the oomph.

 

I use Sennheiser HD598 currently, how much more will I be getting from an open can around $300-$350?

 

The senn is great for music I listed above but can def use something that works astoundingly well for everything else....

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post #6 of 12
11/5/11 at 3:45pm
Thread Starter 

For instance I listen to a lot of Smashing Pumpkins. Their mellow tracks really shine on the HD598, but then their heavier stuff doesn't.

 

 

Thanks Mal and wishmaker

From what I've read so far the Denon 2000 will solve that problem. They are solid for pretty much all kinds of music. Now just need to find a deal on them. Black Friday isn't far away, I wonder what kind of deal amazon throws this time...Got the Triple.Fi there last year...

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post #7 of 12
11/5/11 at 3:49pm

Nothing works perfectly with 'everything else'

 

The Denon D2000 will rule with your hip hop and reasonably paced trance ~ but with fast rock

or speedy electronic beats they show their weakness ~ they're a bit slow and muddy with

such music IMHO.

 

Every headphone has a weakness, if I were you I'd pick a closed, bass friendly model

with emphasis on club beat music and an open can that will reproduce natural airy

rock and ambient music. Can't lose that way, it's an acceptable trade off.

 

HD598 (which is a good open can you already have) + an

Ultrasone 580 for example would be one choice among many depending on your taste and needs.

 

or a Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro for the bassy stuff. Good speed too.

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post #8 of 12
11/5/11 at 3:57pm

Denon D2000

 

Also Fischer FA-011 if you'd like to try an astonishing (for the price) open can.

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post #9 of 12
11/5/11 at 5:03pm
Thread Starter 

My trance artists are pretty much more or less the ones who produce smooth grooves and punchy rhythms:

Deadmau5

Morgan Page

Paul Oakenfold

Armin van burren

 

 

Breakdown of listening times

Trance: 20%

Easy Rock (Acoustic/Classics): 35% [Senn HD598 cover this]

Easy listening (vocal/acoustic) and classical:  35% [Senn HD cover this]

Hard rock/Heavy metal: 5% 

Hip Hop: 4%

 

If they Denon 2000 are better in all departments than the M50s, I don't see how I have anything to lose. I like the m50s but I really want a much better headphone. Thanks for the input Gwarmi and ilikepooters.

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post #10 of 12
11/6/11 at 7:30am

Depends on what you're looking for. I personally went for the Ultrasone route with a Pro 900. Huge difference in treble extension, detail and soundstage   (for me at least) and bass was naturally an amazing step up. I've come to notice the mids are a bit recessed but coming from a M50, that won't really be too much of a concern for you, I presume.

 

Haven't heard the D2000 but people seem to describe it as a better balanced closed headphone than the Pro 900.

 

For that price range, you're also looking at a Senn HD650 or a DT990 800ohm but both of those rely quite a bit on amping.


Edited by rezel - 11/6/11 at 7:38am
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post #11 of 12
11/6/11 at 2:48pm
Thread Starter 

thx guys! anyone know where I can score a deal on them? Most authorized stores have them for $349. 

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

JR audio, call them up they will give you a deal on the d2k.... You may also want to take a look at Ultrasone Pro900

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