Getting a new pair of head phones (over-ear) for christmas, first pair need help

Forget the Audeze LCD-2 ~ It's a $800USD+ headphone that requires special accessories to be able

to perform. It is also open like a pair of speakers on your head, everyone will hear everything.

Ultrasone 580 I find is a better can to the M50 but it's really down to preference, you won't

be disappointed if this is your first decent headphone 

Quote:

Originally Posted by reaperbrah 

So i looked through your site and found out that the Audez'e LCD-2 Planar Magnetic Headphones is the best kind , but I can't find it on amazon.  Anyway, I was also reccommended the Audio Technica ATH-M50 brah are these any good?  I want to use these for everyday computer use such as music, movies, etc.  So noise-isolating would be best.  The music I listen to is Trance, Heavy Rock, and some rap.  So any suggestions would be great. Thanks.

You need to state some clear price point here, because the LCD-2 and M50 are in completely different realms. The M50 is around $150 and is a closed can that can easily be driven by an iPod, whereas the LCD-2 are a $945 ultra-headphone that requires an amp setup to run out of portable sources. Instead of wasting your money on high-end gear if you're only listening to it from a computer source, just stay with the M50.

Now that there is a price limit the search can begin.  As already stated to run a pair of LCD-2s would require adequate amplification and source so you're looking well in excess of $2000.00 just to get started down that route.   Do you want open or closed headphones?  Will you be needing a headphone amplifier?  ... what about a DAC?  What's your source?  Will you be listening to proper lossless format (flac/ape or WAV) or an undesireable low bitrate MP3 format?  What sound signature are you looking for - bass-head, or non-colored?  Do you want circumaural or binaural?  Do you prefer over the ear, on the ear or IEM's?  Lots of questions to answer and things to consider.

Quote:

Originally Posted by reaperbrah 

Yeah these will be my first audiophile headphones.  So the M50's are good for everyday use?  Or something else?  I can go up to $300 in headphones.
 

 

Ok, so you're into rock, trance and rap.

The M50's and the Ultrasone 580's are options, another which fits the budget would be

the Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 80ohm ~ lots of clean bass, decent for rock and closed.

Excellent construction, superior to both the M50 and 580 in all aspects as an opinion.

All you need is a simple Fiio E10 or E7 (the E7 is portable but not as powerful as the E10)

amplifier at home to power them to their best. The E10 also has a built-in DAC (soundcard)

that connects via USB, this will be superior to your onboard laptop sound.

Sorted, $300 well spent.

Quote:

Originally Posted by reaperbrah 

I just asked in the big thread and was reccomended the Sean HD380, are these really good as well?

Could be a contender ~ I've heard the older 280 Pro, not the HD380 and it was ok, quite balanced sounding without

any sort of bias towards excessive bass or extended highs.

What Hi-Fi Magazine gave the 380 a decent write-up,

Detail and clarity may not be their strongest suit when compared to other cans in the price range

but the whole package might make the dollars well spent.

• For

  Punch powerful sound; great design; very portable

• Against

  The Grado SR60i is a touch more revealing – and it's a bit cheaper; lack some refinement