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Absolutely Confused, Looking at SRH440,840, AKG K271, ATH M50. Help

post #1 of 14
11/18/11 at 4:14pm
Thread Starter 

I just started a job at a really quiet office, and I've been using my Shure SE530's and I find it annoying to constantly take them out and put them back in when I talk to someone. I started exploring full size headphone options, and the more i look the more confused i get.

 

What I'll be using is just my iPhone 4, unamped, I want something that I can wear for hours and hours on end. Wont make my ears warm/hot, and has a similar sound curve to my SE530's.

 

If not for the one I've been looking at, what would be recommended? Budget is ~250 max.

 

I want as little sound leakage as possible, the office is quiet.

 

Right now im leaning towards the Shure 440's.

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post #2 of 14
11/18/11 at 4:26pm

Get the shure srh840. Great great headphones and from what i read they are quite similar to the se530s.

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post #3 of 14
11/19/11 at 6:11pm

the akg is a no go- needs a strong amp.

 

the 440 is a little bright without an amp. the m50 or 840 will probably make u happy

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post #4 of 14
11/19/11 at 8:26pm
Thread Starter 

i went to guitar center today and tried both the m50 and the 840. i bought the m50's. i was listening to the m50 when i got home, i listened for 10ish minutes and my ear drums got really tired. the volume was not loud at all, and they were just not comfortable to listen to (audio wise). i ordered the ad700 and ad900 from amazon to compare, but i'll be taking the m50 back tomorrow. (im hoping its a sound stage issue, the m50's just sounded like i had speakers right up to my ears)

 

 

i'm perhaps going to look into amps soon, so i might open up another can of worms.


Edited by kchau - 11/19/11 at 9:20pm
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post #5 of 14
11/20/11 at 4:04pm

SRH840 kill the K271 & M50 in sound quality imo.  They're reminiscent of SE530s with their gentle treble and warm mids.  The SRH940 (which I prefer) have more treble, which might make them more like SE535.  Both SRH840 or 940 are among the very best options for a closed headphone under $500.

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post #6 of 14
11/20/11 at 5:01pm


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by ourfpshero View Post

the 440 is a little bright without an amp.


Are the 440s different with an amp? I've had mine for a year or so, and my biggest complaint has always been how bright they tend to be at monitoring volume. I had been planning on buying a pair of Senn HD 600s to diversify my selection, but if the Shures sound better with an amp, I might have to get a hybrid amp instead of a cheap tube.

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post #7 of 14
11/20/11 at 5:35pm

Another option could be to use the PTH for the Shure SE530's so you don't have to take them out and then buying a graham slee voyager headphone amp if you wanted to upgrade the sound. It can be connected via the line out of your iPhone 4 to bypass the iPhones built in inferior headphone out. Then again if you want new headphones go for it ^^

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post #8 of 14
11/20/11 at 5:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kchau View Post

i went to guitar center today and tried both the m50 and the 840. i bought the m50's. i was listening to the m50 when i got home, i listened for 10ish minutes and my ear drums got really tired. the volume was not loud at all, and they were just not comfortable to listen to (audio wise). i ordered the ad700 and ad900 from amazon to compare, but i'll be taking the m50 back tomorrow. (im hoping its a sound stage issue, the m50's just sounded like i had speakers right up to my ears)

 

 

i'm perhaps going to look into amps soon, so i might open up another can of worms.


Heya,

 

You should really have sampled other brand headphones and stepped away from three audiotechnicas in a row.

 

You should have nabbed something else to try like: Shure SRH840, Beyer DT700 PRO, AKG K272 HD, Ultrasone HFI 780, Audiotechnica A900, Fischer Audio FA-003, etc, if you wanted a closed headphone.

 

But I expect you'll like the AD900. So, that works out I suppose. Good luck.

 

Very best,

 

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post #9 of 14
11/20/11 at 5:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kchau View Post

I just started a job at a really quiet office, and I've been using my Shure SE530's and I find it annoying to constantly take them out and put them back in when I talk to someone.


Have you considered the shure "push-to-hear" device ?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000PWRWKO

 

 

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post #10 of 14
11/20/11 at 10:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dariuz View Post

Another option could be to use the PTH for the Shure SE530's so you don't have to take them out and then buying a graham slee voyager headphone amp if you wanted to upgrade the sound. It can be connected via the line out of your iPhone 4 to bypass the iPhones built in inferior headphone out. Then again if you want new headphones go for it ^^



Iphones have excellent headphone outs actually. I can say this with confidence because i own an iphone 4.

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post #11 of 14
11/21/11 at 2:33am

SRH840. no-brainer

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post #12 of 14
11/21/11 at 6:01am

None of the above, Fischer Audio FA003

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post #13 of 14
11/21/11 at 4:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by eucariote View Post

SRH840 kill the K271 & M50 in sound quality imo.  They're reminiscent of SE530s with their gentle treble and warm mids.  The SRH940 (which I prefer) have more treble, which might make them more like SE535.  Both SRH840 or 940 are among the very best options for a closed headphone under $500.


I would disagree, though I have not heard the M50. I have both the K271 (velour pads), and the SRH840. The 840s are fun (kinda), but the 271 is much more detailed/neutral though a bit light in the bass. The Fischer Audio FA003 are nice; modded Fostex T50RPs would probably be my vote for best closed headphone under $500 (I have a pair and gave up my 840s because I don't use them).

 

Amps I use are both Gilmore Dynalos, at work, with K271s and at home with the Fostex/Shure/AKG K601s.

 

EDIT: The Fostex's require an amp; 840s are easy to drive, and the K271s aren't too bad to drive.

 


Edited by Pars - 11/21/11 at 5:01pm
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post #14 of 14
11/28/11 at 10:17pm
Thread Starter 

Thank you for all your replies, I'll try to address the biggest suggestions here:

 

I have the PTH device, but I feel REALLY awkward talking to people, especially my manager with earphones in, I think it's a respect thing and I want to give them my full attention (and i want them to know I'm not distracted talking to them)

 

I tried the AD700 for a little bit, still had the same issue as the M50, eardrums got sore. not to mention the thing creaks.

 

Just got the AD900 today, LOVE IT. doing the burn in right now. Already my eardrums are happier than with the AD700 (maybe its a angled driver thing?). I just hope the sound bleed isnt bad at the office with low listening levels. It seems like i love the sound of open-backs, but perhaps i will resume my search for a closed headphone later down the road.

 

The reason why I wanted to try stick to the audio technicas, was because i like the headphone style (the double wire on top, no adjusting necessary). I'm not a fan of the folding and adjusting headphones.

 

I did try the SRH840, the M50 was just more comfortable at the store. I wish I would have taken it home though instead of the M50.

 

So, I would like to ask you all. What is a good amp to pair with an iPhone 4S w/ sendstation dock dongle, and the AD900? 

 

I've been looking into tubes, and i don't know if thats something i want.(i want warm sound, lots of depth, easy on the ears)

 

edit: after 4ish hours of burn-in (switching between pink-noise and various kinds of music) the highs have really mellowed out. WOW these are amazing. Gonna keep playing rotations of music and pink noise overnight and take these to work in the morning. I think the AD900's are a winner.

 


Edited by kchau - 11/28/11 at 10:33pm
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