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best headphones for me?

post #1 of 7
11/19/11 at 5:05am
Thread Starter 

hi all, 

I've just joined head fi and I'm looking for some help. I'm interested in getting some good over ear headphones for listening to at home mainly, i have a budget of up to £350 to spend and i already have a few ideas about what headphones to get. i have considered the Audio Technica ATH M50 headphones, the AKG Q701's and the Sennheiser HD 650's (although i respect the fact that the 650's need an amp) having said that, ill mainly be listening to my headphones using my mac as a source or maybe my iPhone. i have heard good things about all of the three headphones and really don't have a clue which to get (if any at all) i respect that the audio technica's are the cheapest of the three, but that doesn't necessarily make the others better, or does it? anyway, currently i do not have any over ear headphones, or on ear headphones, i only have a pair of monster turbine pro gold's, which I'm pretty impressed with. i like the bass that i get from them as i like rap and pop music but i also like calmer and much clearer and defined music too. the turbines offer good bass while being very clear and precise at the same time. now, my problem is that id like some over ear headphones that would replicate that and suit my taste while also being relatively stylish. i like the style of the Q701's but I've heard that the bass is slightly under powering. is this true? so yeah at the moment I'm favouring the AKG's and the Audio Technica's, but am curious a to the difference due to the large price gap. does anyone have any suggestions to alternate headphones or whih of the three would most suit me? and also would an amp be recommended and if so what sort? any help would be greatly appreciated, thankyou in advance. (and sorry for me rambling on)

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post #2 of 7
11/19/11 at 5:13am

 

I recommend a Fiio E10 Dac/Amp that will run off your Mac's USB, it will replace the Mac's onboard sound

processing and amplify the signal to your headphones. Good price too.

 

It's not a hugely powerful amp but for the price it's excellent, especially if you choose a set of

cans like the Audio Technica AD900's ~ very spacious cans that are great with delicate music,

don't expect big bass but a solid impact instead ~ they're not for bassheads but you can't have

both in the one can ~ not unless you want to spend over 800 pounds alone just for the headphones.

 

Q701's need a serious amp to get going, they will sound lifeless and thin out of your Mac,

the Fiio E10 above is also not powerful enough to juice them. They need $$$ amplification.

 

Audio Technica M50 is an all round monitoring can, coming from the Turbines you risk being

seriously disappointed. They're good for a bass hit but the definition, clarity and separation 

is not there for the money. They're a rugged set of cans but I don't see you being blown away

by them coming from the Turbines.

 

AD900's will be an excellent, comfortable introduction to the world of full sized, easily driven

cans coupled with the Fiio E10.

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post #3 of 7
11/19/11 at 5:15am

 

HD650 is more or less like the Q701 ~ they're a great can but being in the UK ~ you'd need 550 quid or so

to really buy them and build a good rig around them, unless you were able to pick them up for 200 quid

second hand.

 

 

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post #4 of 7
11/19/11 at 5:15am

Heya,

 

The Q701's are good detailed headphones with a huge (synthetic sounding) sound stage. The bass is rather light. Some total 701/2 fans will say the bass is "right" but anyone that actually listens to music with gobs of wonderful bass (30hz slamming) will wonder where the bass is at. Also the AKG will need an amplifier. The M50's will kick your face in with bass, it's decent with pretty good bass response, but it's sound stage is cramped and small and the treble is harsh. The M50 will not need an amp though. The HD650 is a laid back smooth listen, not overly bassy (despite what people say, this headphone is not that bassy, I've got bassier headphones; the HD650 is simply a little more bassy than a flat neutral headphone is). The HD650 will do everything relatively well and is very easy to listen to. But it needs serious amplification so you'll have to get an amp too.

 

Do you need closed back for walking around? Open air is ok for you?

 

A Denon D5000 might be in order for you.

 

Very best,

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post #5 of 7
11/19/11 at 5:34am
Thread Starter 

thank you very much for both of your replies, so if i understand correctly the m50's are for bass heads but lack in clarity? so pretty much cheap beats hd's then. bass isn't my number 1 concern but as long as i get some headphones with respectable bass ill be happy. and it doesn't sound like the HD 650's would be an affordable option so thank you both for your advice. and I'm open to having wither an open back or closed headphone as i won't be using them in public so whichever is best will do me. thanks 

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post #6 of 7
11/19/11 at 5:42am

Heya,

 

Some headphones to consider:

 

Shure SRH840 - Pretty neutral, closed back, clear, will do pretty much everything justice (I would suggest this over an M50).

DT770 PRO - Relatively bassy headphone that has some bright treble but is clear and great with most genres, very comfortable (velor pads) and isolating (very nice looking too).

Fischer Audio FA-003 (and FA-002W woodback) - Neutral, very comfortable, the woodback version of the FA002 looks very, very nice, good reference quality sound, and isolating.

Ultrasone HFI 580 - Bassy, metallic sounding phone with some bright treble and good attack, relatively isolating, and looks nice.

Denon D2000 - Pretty flat sounding (neutral) with some very capable sub-bass, a little bright, very comfortable and very classy looking.

 

Those are all closed back and require minimal amplification so no crazy things are needed (like a big expensive desktop amp; some may require a little amp, like a Fiio E7 or ibasso Zero, but that's also portable).

 

Very best,

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post #7 of 7
11/19/11 at 5:50am
Thread Starter 

Hi, thanks for your reply, I will definitely consider the headphones that you have suggested, they seem very respectable and good quality for the money. In respect of the fiio amps, will they work with iPhones? Because the vast majority of my music is on my phone and I don't tend to be on my computer at all times. In regards to the headphones, I have heard good things about the ultrasones, however they look slightly flimsy, is this the case? And also in regards to the Q701's, would you say that they are a consideration or should I not bother looking further into them?

thanks, Benji 

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