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Help a Noob choose, narrowed down a list...

post #1 of 18
12/20/11 at 5:52pm
Thread Starter 

Hi all, After reading these forums for a few days, I got an idea of some decent cans that are in my price range.

 

What i'm looking for is a set that is good for gaming (which is what about 66% of the use will be) while still sounding good for music (I listen to MP3's on my comp, would prefer a good bass but by no means headthumping). I'm leaning towards a closed set because I'm not sure if I want the leakage of an open and how much they leak anyways. However, I will still consider an open set.

 

Even above sound, I would say comfort is the #1 priority. When i'm gaming and listening to music, I will be wearing them for hours and hours. I want a set that will not hurt my ears or give me a headache (would prefer they go completely around the ear and not sit on them). I almost want to forget I have them on. This is the most difficult thing to judge reading reviews because whereas I know i'll generally get good sound out of certain cans, I can't judge the comfort because everyone has different shaped heads.

 

A few things i'm not sure of include whether a closed or open set is better for gaming or whether a set of neutral cans is preferred for gaming/music.

 

All that said, here is the list I compiled so far and prices according to a quick search on amazon.com.

 

Open Cans:

Sennheiser HD 518 - $90 - Supposedly sound great and are extremely comfortable, however, are open and will leak sound. Does anybody own these and know how bad the leakage is? Do I have to turn it way up or will you hear it down the hall no matter what volume? (If the leakage isn't bad, this probably would be my #1 choice).

 

Sennheiser HD 558 - $140 - Good sound/comfort. Extreme leakage though?

 

Closed Cans:

Sennheiser HD 380 - $141 - From what I read good sound and good isolation but may be uncomfortable/tight. Can anyone confirm the fit?

 

Shure SRH840 - Read that they're neutral. How is noise blocking/leakage and comfort?

 

Brainwavz HM5 - Really intrigued by these. Read they're neutral sound, seem extremely comfortable just looking at them. How is noise blocking/leakage on these?

 

Beyerdynamic DT770 - A little expensive for me but maybe I can find on sale if they worth it.

 

Not really interested in ATH - M50 but if anybody has other suggestions beyond these sets, i'd be very interested in hearing which one and your experience with it. Other sets i've seen include Sony MDR7506 and KRK KNS8400.

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post #2 of 18
12/20/11 at 6:33pm

Of those, I'd pick the HM5. The FA-003 which they're based on is known to have great comfort, high SQ for the cost, and they have -15dBr of isolation, which is pretty good for a closed headphone. 
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by audiogamer View Post

Hi all, After reading these forums for a few days, I got an idea of some decent cans that are in my price range.

 

What i'm looking for is a set that is good for gaming (which is what about 66% of the use will be) while still sounding good for music (I listen to MP3's on my comp, would prefer a good bass but by no means headthumping). I'm leaning towards a closed set because I'm not sure if I want the leakage of an open and how much they leak anyways. However, I will still consider an open set.

 

Even above sound, I would say comfort is the #1 priority. When i'm gaming and listening to music, I will be wearing them for hours and hours. I want a set that will not hurt my ears or give me a headache (would prefer they go completely around the ear and not sit on them). I almost want to forget I have them on. This is the most difficult thing to judge reading reviews because whereas I know i'll generally get good sound out of certain cans, I can't judge the comfort because everyone has different shaped heads.

 

A few things i'm not sure of include whether a closed or open set is better for gaming or whether a set of neutral cans is preferred for gaming/music.

 

All that said, here is the list I compiled so far and prices according to a quick search on amazon.com.

 

Open Cans:

Sennheiser HD 518 - $90 - Supposedly sound great and are extremely comfortable, however, are open and will leak sound. Does anybody own these and know how bad the leakage is? Do I have to turn it way up or will you hear it down the hall no matter what volume? (If the leakage isn't bad, this probably would be my #1 choice).

 

Sennheiser HD 558 - $140 - Good sound/comfort. Extreme leakage though?

 

Closed Cans:

Sennheiser HD 380 - $141 - From what I read good sound and good isolation but may be uncomfortable/tight. Can anyone confirm the fit?

 

Shure SRH840 - Read that they're neutral. How is noise blocking/leakage and comfort?

 

Brainwavz HM5 - Really intrigued by these. Read they're neutral sound, seem extremely comfortable just looking at them. How is noise blocking/leakage on these?

 

Beyerdynamic DT770 - A little expensive for me but maybe I can find on sale if they worth it.

 

Not really interested in ATH - M50 but if anybody has other suggestions beyond these sets, i'd be very interested in hearing which one and your experience with it. Other sets i've seen include Sony MDR7506 and KRK KNS8400.



 

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post #3 of 18
12/20/11 at 7:03pm

I concur with the HM5, though you may not easily get a pair soon. Head-Fi has taken up pretty much all the orders for them. However, there's a reason for that. They sound very much like an open headphone, with a clear soundstage and great presentation. They're pretty comfortable (though I'd still say Sennheisers would give you maximum comfort) and are surprisingly lightweight for their size.

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post #4 of 18
12/20/11 at 7:47pm
Thread Starter 

thanks ssrock64, do you have a set of hm5s? if so, can you comment on the long term comfort?

 

also, you say they sound open, however, i'm hoping that doesn't mean they leak sound?

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post #5 of 18
12/21/11 at 7:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by audiogamer View Post

thanks ssrock64, do you have a set of hm5s? if so, can you comment on the long term comfort?

 

also, you say they sound open, however, i'm hoping that doesn't mean they leak sound?



I don't own the HM5, but I have thoroughly auditioned the Fischer Audio FA-003 and briefly auditioned the HM5 (both use the same shell, etc.) and it is very comfortable. I also have a pair of my own FA-003's on the way from Russia because I like them so much. By open-sounding, I mean that the instrument separation and "airiness" is very good on the HM5. It has no leakage problems whatsoever, but it sounds great. I think you'll like them.

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post #6 of 18
12/21/11 at 8:04pm
Thread Starter 

thanks you guys for the response. I'm leaning toward a set of HM5's. Sennheiser 558 is still in play as well but I really like what i'm hearing about these new HM5's.

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post #7 of 18
12/21/11 at 8:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ssrock64 View Post



I don't own the HM5, but I have thoroughly auditioned the Fischer Audio FA-003 and briefly auditioned the HM5 (both use the same shell, etc.) and it is very comfortable. I also have a pair of my own FA-003's on the way from Russia because I like them so much. By open-sounding, I mean that the instrument separation and "airiness" is very good on the HM5. It has no leakage problems whatsoever, but it sounds great. I think you'll like them.



So you're among the few people who have heard both the FA-003s and HM5s.  Do they indeed sound the same as everyone is assuming?

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post #8 of 18
12/21/11 at 10:34pm

What sound card is in your computer?

 

Sennheiser HD-558s are a really good price right now at Electronics Expo.

After putting the HD-558s in the E E shopping cart, use the coupon code "BOUNTII".

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post #9 of 18
12/22/11 at 4:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stochastic View Post



So you're among the few people who have heard both the FA-003s and HM5s.  Do they indeed sound the same as everyone is assuming?



I only heard the HM5 for about ten minutes and without my usual test tracks, so I couldn't tell you with absolute confidence that they're the same. However, they certainly sounded like the exact same cans, the only difference being accessories.

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post #10 of 18
12/22/11 at 6:14am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by PurpleAngel View Post

What sound card is in your computer?

 

Sennheiser HD-558s are a really good price right now at Electronics Expo.

After putting the HD-558s in the E E shopping cart, use the coupon code "BOUNTII".



I have a soundblaster x-fi platinum which is essentially the extreme music card paired with the 5.25 I/O drive (which does have a 1/4 headphone jack).

Probably not the best card in the world for listening, I may need to upgrade. Any idea on if it can power HM5's? Some sources i read say the I/O drive does amplify a bit but some say it doesn't at all.

 

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post #11 of 18
12/22/11 at 6:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by audiogamer View Post



I have a soundblaster x-fi platinum which is essentially the extreme music card paired with the 5.25 I/O drive (which does have a 1/4 headphone jack).

Probably not the best card in the world for listening, I may need to upgrade. Any idea on if it can power HM5's? Some sources i read say the I/O drive does amplify a bit but some say it doesn't at all.

 


You shouldn't have troubles coming out of a computer with powering anything that doesn't have extreme impedance. The only concern on mid-fi cans with computer use is the quality of the output, not the power of it. This is general, and I could be wrong in this case, but it's generally how it works. You'll get 90% of the possible sound from a computer without needing an amp.

 

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post #12 of 18
12/22/11 at 7:15am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ssrock64 View Post


You shouldn't have troubles coming out of a computer with powering anything that doesn't have extreme impedance. The only concern on mid-fi cans with computer use is the quality of the output, not the power of it. This is general, and I could be wrong in this case, but it's generally how it works. You'll get 90% of the possible sound from a computer without needing an amp.

 



Good to hear, if not, i was thinking about just getting a asus xonar dg which has a built in amp. its going for $27 on amazon with a $10 rebate.

 

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post #13 of 18
12/22/11 at 8:01am

This can be misleading. Many mid-fi cans are fine with computer audio, but there are a few notable exceptions which really should be paired with a dedicated amp. (It also depends on your definition of mid-fi a bit.) For example, the Fostex T50RP deserves an amp, or any of the K701/2 series. The DT770 or DT880 sometimes drops to the price range I'd call mid-fi and they'd also sometimes need an amp. It's not black and white, but most mid-fi does well. 
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by ssrock64 View Post


You shouldn't have troubles coming out of a computer with powering anything that doesn't have extreme impedance. The only concern on mid-fi cans with computer use is the quality of the output, not the power of it. This is general, and I could be wrong in this case, but it's generally how it works. You'll get 90% of the possible sound from a computer without needing an amp.

 



 

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post #14 of 18
12/22/11 at 8:04am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by SanjiWatsuki View Post

This can be misleading. Many mid-fi cans are fine with computer audio, but there are a few notable exceptions which really should be paired with a dedicated amp. (It also depends on your definition of mid-fi a bit.) For example, the Fostex T50RP deserves an amp, or any of the K701/2 series. The DT770 or DT880 sometimes drops to the price range I'd call mid-fi and they'd also sometimes need an amp. It's not black and white, but most mid-fi does well. 
 



 



Thanks Sanji, the Brainwavz hm5, if I recall correctly, are rated at 60ohm I believe. Do you think these will be ok without amplification?

 

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post #15 of 18
12/22/11 at 8:14am

They have a very high sensitivity rating, so those are fine. 
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by audiogamer View Post



Thanks Sanji, the Brainwavz hm5, if I recall correctly, are rated at 60ohm I believe. Do you think these will be ok without amplification?

 



 

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