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Need advice please (noob)

post #1 of 10
11/28/11 at 2:57pm
Thread Starter 

Hey everyone,

 

Although I'm sure you've seen this same thread posted 1,000 times, I'm gonna go ahead and ask for advice anyways after searching the archives for the past hour.

 

I'm looking for headphone and amp recommendations.  I listen to a lot of live music (Phish, Mule, etc...), mostly rock, but not generally super heavy stuff.  But I also try to find new music all the time in many different genres: folk, indie, electronica, whatever.  I also have a recording setup, using a Presonus Firepod as my interface, and I mostly play and record guitar.

 

It seems that I am in the market for an open headphone, around $300 or less. I've seen recs for the sennheiser HD600 and HD598, and Grado 225i.  Unfortunately for me, I live in the middle of nowhere and can't really drive anywhere to listen to different models to test them out, so I'm gonna have to go on advice I get from here, order them online, and hope for the best.

 

And I'll need an amp for when I'm not at the computer, but I assume I will have to decide on a pair of new phones before getting that far.

 

What other information can I give you to help me find a pair that is right for me?

 

Thanks

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post #2 of 10
11/28/11 at 2:58pm
Thread Starter 

Sorry, of course now I see the

"Buying headphones? Seeking guidance? DON'T START A NEW THREAD. Ask for advice HERE!"

 

thread for the first time

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post #3 of 10
11/28/11 at 3:25pm

 

 Regarding those three good headphones, the HD600 is the only one that will need a fairly beefy desktop amplifier

 to sound it's best.

 

 The other two are sensitive and non demanding on amplification, any amplification (as long as it's clean) will improve

 the sound but it's not an absolute necessity like it is with the HD600.

 

 Differences?

 

 Well I prefer the HD600 to the HD598, it's a close call, both offer a very balanced sound, not too bassy or very

 sharp in the highs. Some will love this, others will say it's boring for rock.

 

 The 225i is a different beast ~ it's uniquely colored and tuned for rock and other string instruments, you're either

 a fan or you're not, but if you are then you'll love them alot because they do rock like no other headphone. Lots

 of bass impact, extended highs and the natural tone of guitar especially is pretty much unparalled.

 

 However some find the up front presentation (read: you're literally listening from Eric Clapton's armpit) a bit

 too front row, and then there is the basic comfort level ~ it's not award winning but it suits most people.

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post #4 of 10
11/28/11 at 3:42pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the info Gwarmi!  It's a pretty tough decision to make without personally hearing the difference first.  Is there a particular headphone that would be better for listening to live music vs. studio stuff?

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post #5 of 10
11/28/11 at 3:53pm

I've found that my HD598s do live music wonderful justice. They really recreate the ambiance of a stadium or concert hall fantastically. I can't comment on the HD600  as I've never tried it but I have tried a pair of Grados and I wasn't particularly impressed. If you listen to the HD598 exclusively, for a long period of time, much like the Ety ER4, you realise they are a really special pair of 'phones.

 

Hope this helps!

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post #6 of 10
11/28/11 at 3:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by doopuy View Post

Thanks for the info Gwarmi!  It's a pretty tough decision to make without personally hearing the difference first.  Is there a particular headphone that would be better for listening to live music vs. studio stuff?



 Not really sure what you mean but I'm guessing you're referring to sound-stage with live recordings, again

 it's record material dependent ~ the HD598 or HD600 will offer a slightly bigger, wider sense of sound with

 a very good live recording but for a small acoustic performance I still prefer Grado myself

 

 A good example would be Eric Clapton Unplugged, small venue, acoustic guitar ~ no need for a massive

 hall like sound stage ~ it works nicely on the Grado.

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post #7 of 10
11/28/11 at 4:05pm
Thread Starter 

Alright, thanks for the input guys.  Based on what I've read here, plus what I got in a PM, I think I'll be going with the 598s. 

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post #8 of 10
11/28/11 at 4:17pm

I've auditioned the 598's a couple of times. I can say they are not as dark as the HD600's ime. A fun headphone to listen to. 

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post #9 of 10
11/28/11 at 6:26pm
Thread Starter 

Should I order a small amp too, or is it not really necessary?

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post #10 of 10
11/28/11 at 6:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by doopuy View Post

Should I order a small amp too, or is it not really necessary?



It comes to a personal choice. A fiio E5/E7 is fine. 

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