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Unamped bass headphones, stuck in decision

post #1 of 14
Thread Starter 

Hello all. I've recently bought a pair of PX200-IIs, and although I found them quite to my liking for acoustic and classical music (while studying etc), my main casual style is heavy metal, and by that heavy metal with some bass. What I really liked about the PX200s was the instrument separation and the detail, however the bass is almost nonexistent. Now, I want to buy a pair of cans for listening to metal music. And I want some deep, thumping bass! Although I don't want recessed mids, they do not have to be as good as the PX200s (AFAIK this is where they shine), but I want some good highs. They can be a bit harsh and aggressive, it would not create a big deal. I will listen unamped btw. So my main picks are:

- MDR-XB500 (for about $60-80)

- ATH-M50 (For about $140)
- ATH-ES7 (for about $65, but I want full sized headphones)
- AKG K240 (for about $210)
- Grado SR80i (for about $150, a bit overpriced perhaps)
- AH D1100 (for €200, way too much for my budget but if it's a no brainer could perhaps get it)
 -HD 212 Pro DJ (for €70)

Again, this will be mainly for metal (Meshuggah, Symphony X, Megadeth, Nevermore, Bloodbath, Opeth etc.). Highs are more important than mids, but still I don't want metallic vocals.  Instrument separation and details should be good. So what do you recommend? Thanks.

PS I live in Turkey so many headphones will not be available for me to buy.
PPS I can play around with some equalization.


Edited by lkmg - 11/24/11 at 1:26am
post #2 of 14
Thread Starter 

Hello? Anybody there?

post #3 of 14


- MDR-XB500 (for about $60-80) = might be a little bit too dark for those kinds of music, the bass might overshadow the other aspects

- ATH-M50 (For about $140) = Neutral, slightly recessed mids, good for rock and metal imo
- ATH-ES7 (for about $65, but I want full sized headphones) = never heard its sound
- AKG K240 (for about $210) = never heard its sound
- Grado SR80i (for about $150, a bit overpriced perhaps) = I'd suggest you go with the little brother, sr60i, I love them for metal, seriously..
- AH D1100 (for €200, way too much for my budget but if it's a no brainer could perhaps get it) = never heard them
-HD 212 Pro DJ (for €70) = never heard  them

 

 

my recommendation would be sr60i, it is less bright than the 80i but still has the instrument separation, mids, clarity in good quality, plus the bass is great, not too much but enough to keep you headbanging the whole time. but then again this is just my opinion.. and kinda biased since I own one and loving it.

post #4 of 14

+2 on the Grado SR60i for metal, I keep trying other cans, but I find myself coming back to the sr60, it sounds so good, and is very moddable

post #5 of 14
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the answers! The main thing is I cannot find the 60is anywhere. I only have access to the 80is. Why are the 60is a better choice? Do they have something that the 80is don't or are the cans I found just too much overpriced and not worth the upgrades?

post #6 of 14

Grados are king at that price point, especially for those genres.

I'd also go for the SR60i, as the improvement that the SR80i brings is marginal at best. You can also easily mod them if you ever want more bass out of them. But if the SR80i is the only one available, just go for that one. It sure as hell won't sound worse than the SR60i.

 

Even at $150 the SR80s are well worth the money and easily leave the other headphones you mentioned behind when it comes to music enjoyment IMO. You gotta get some bowl pads for them though  L3000.gif

 

post #7 of 14
Thread Starter 

Some research told me that the XB500s bass was aimed more at dubstep/electronic while the M50 and the Grados have a more metal/rock oriented bass. Is this true? 

post #8 of 14
Thread Starter 

If this is an important change, I'll be getting a Fiio e5 soon. Will this have any impact on my choice? Still Grados recommended? 

post #9 of 14

Get the Fiio E6 instead. It's the same price and it's a much improved version. It has very good synergy with my Grados I and highly recommend it.

Grados are more mid bass oriented, they don't have much sub bass compared to an XB500.  If you listen to a lot of dubstep you might like the Sony better, but for everything else I'd go for the Grados.

post #10 of 14

I will say that while the bass isn't absolutely HUGE like some headphones, the M50 has very good tight bass response that is really kick ass for powerful metal. All while not sacrificing tonal balance for the most part. I am not a fan of the SR80i at any price really, it is just way too similar the SR60i which I love for rock and pop rock but metal I wasn't that satisfied. They are good though, don't get me lying. Neither though really is amazing for dubstep and electronica with the heavy big nasty bass. The XB series(the XB700 most of all) can really bring that all out for the price.

post #11 of 14
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the replies. I however will probably be opting more likely for a closed pair, since I will most likely listen to my music in the service bus as well, with other people sleeping, and I'm not really sure if I can listen to the Grados without being sworn at. Although this will be a weird comparison comparing an IEM to a full sized headphone, how does the bass of the M50 compare to the Senn CX300-II? I found the bass of them to be sufficient and powerful. I can also presumably get the Beyer DT770 Pro for €187 and the HD 25 for about $180-190 but I doubt that the Fiio 5/6 plus my iphone will be able to drive them sufficiently. 

post #12 of 14
Quote:
Originally Posted by lkmg View Post

Thanks for the replies. I however will probably be opting more likely for a closed pair, since I will most likely listen to my music in the service bus as well, with other people sleeping, and I'm not really sure if I can listen to the Grados without being sworn at. Although this will be a weird comparison comparing an IEM to a full sized headphone, how does the bass of the M50 compare to the Senn CX300-II? I found the bass of them to be sufficient and powerful. I can also presumably get the Beyer DT770 Pro for €187 and the HD 25 for about $180-190 but I doubt that the Fiio 5/6 plus my iphone will be able to drive them sufficiently. 



The HD 25-1 II's are very easy to drive  You could drive them straight from your iphone, although I prefer some amplification..  Either e5/e6 would be enough imo.

post #13 of 14

Was considering again the GMP 8.3 series, they go unamped and from reviews it seams that it is better than senns, but hd 25 1 is such a fun 'phone, if it clamped less it would be "the" fun headphone for me.

post #14 of 14
Thread Starter 

To wrap up, I'm left with the ATH-M50, the HD 25, the XB500 and if it's REALLY that overwhelmingly good the SR80i for the sake of home-only listening. 

I listen to heavy metal (Meshuggah, Opeth, Bloodbath, Symphony X are my favorites) and want a punchy, tight, heavy bass but not with the sacrifice of the other components. 
Will drive through the Fiio E5.
I want a fun and an aggressive headphone. Forward is good. 
 

I have NO access to ANY Ultrasone or Shure models if anyone was going to advise any.
I listen to a lot of classical music but my PX200-II can handle them pretty well so I want a big, bad heavy metal headphone.

And I have like a week to decide. 

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