big soundstage, solid bass about $400? (open or closed?)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktodac3298 

a little background on me: I produce music and have also worked a lot in the live field. Recently I have become more and more interested in just enjoying listening to music. Normally, I'm a speaker guy, I like the bass I can get from my sub and the wide stereo spectrum. But in my apartment and on the go, speakers aren't always the best options. I listen to a range of music, but mostly hip hop and top 40 type stuff, but supplemented with plenty of classical and jazz, and some rock

 

I want a big soundstage and I know everything should be accurate, but I am a little of a bass head. Right now I just have the Yahama RH3C. I was thinking of getting the ATH-M50. But going back and forth between my yahamas and the ATs I could notice a difference, but I wanted there to be more a difference, and I am fine paying more. So like I mentioned in the title, I'm looking for a big soundstage and solid bass for about $400...closed-back would be preferred so I could use them in a library or something without disturbing others, but if openback means a bigger sound stage, im fine with that. I'm also fine putting down another 100 or so for an amp if needed. It would be awesome if someone could give me an open and closed back recommendation and compare them. Thanks sooo much!

 

Also, I'm open to any suggestions, but based on searches so far I have been looking at the HD650s and the Denon AHD2000s. If the sound quality is comparable i'd go with the closed denons.

I have the Denon 5000s and I modded them making them open-back cans. They are so much better than stock IMO. I never owned the HD650s but I owned pairs of IE8s which are the IEM version of the 650 and my modded Denon 5000s are way better, even after I upgraded my IE8s cable with a silver cable (that also took them to a whole new level as well). If you are a bass head the Denons will easily fill that niche. They have very sparkly treble and tons of bass. The D2000s mid range is a bit recessed though due to the treble and bass. With the open back mod that would eliminate that issue and you could always use a source to compensate for the mids (mid-centric amp or DAC). What I like about the mod is that it doesn't have to be permanent at all and easily testable and reversible. The cables are a mile-long though lol not sure if you'd consider that portable? But I've heard stories of people walking down the street with these cans.

Look up Denon D5000 if you can find them used for around $400.. I'm not sure how much they cost used? Ultrasone Pro 900 (more bass, possibly a bit less sub bass than D5000, but much faster and punchier, also more recessed mids), Pro 2900 (open, best soundstage of those three). None of them isolate that well, the Denon's leak more than Pro 900.

If you can get the Denons on sale the (5000s or 7000s) they are very much worth the money. If you are in the USA you can get a refurb pair of Denon 5000s for around $380.00 (DAKmart.com) and get a 2 year square trade warranty and save money. I was lucky and got my pair new from amazon for $399.00 when they usually retail around 500+ (up to $700.00).

Denon D5000 for around $400 is a steal. Retail price in Sweden is $875 for them.. way overpriced here as usual. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by lee730 

If you can get the Denons on sale the (5000s or 7000s) they are very much worth the money. If you are in the USA you can get a refurb pair of Denon 5000s for around $380.00 (DAKmart.com) and get a 2 year square trade warranty and save money. I was lucky and got my pair new from amazon for $399.00 when they usually retail around 500+ (up to $700.00).

M50 has a very small soundstage. Hfi580 is better if you want stay under 150$ headphone.

If you want bass and a relatively big soudstage, its pro2900 (open), or D5000 (close) (based on reviews).

D2000 is also very good, has recessed mids and good bass, but lesser than pro2900 in quality and quantity imo. Pro2900 soundstage is also better but D2000 is less expensive.

Concerning HD650, you need a good amp for fully enjoy this headphone.

DT770 Pro 80

great bass, nice soundstage. 

Quote:

Denon D5000 for around $400 is a steal. Retail price in Sweden is $875 for them.. way overpriced here as usual. 

Outchhh, I never thought to find more expensive than in France,lol. D5000 in France 750-800€/ D7000 950-1100+ (crazy). Denon don't like the Europe.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DVDRey 

 

 

Outchhh, I never thought to find more expensive than in France,lol. D5000 in France 750-800€/ D7000 950-1100+ (crazy). Denon don't like the Europe.

At those prices I'd start looking into customs :) Starkey SA-43.

If you do any mastering, I think the Denon D5000 are up to the task, provided you account for the enhanced bass.  They benefit from amplification, but they are designed to be used without any; and while both the D2000 and D5000 are closed, they are not necessarily good at preventing sound from leaking out.  You might disturb others in a library if you are listening at a relatively loud volume, and conversely, they aren't that spectacular at isolating you from outside noise.  They are very comfortable though, and you could wear them without issue until you finally passed out from exhaustion.

The D5000 generally have a big soundstage with a solid bass, and I see them online for just over $400 doing a Google shopping query. 

I've never had the opportunity to test the D2000 against my D5000, and they seem incredibly similar in design, with just a minimal difference in build quality, so perhaps the D2000 is a good bet for you?  This is a good review on the differences between the two models. 

http://www.techenclave.com/audio-zone/denon-ah-d2000-vs-ah-d5000-183841.html

Did you ever consider trying to open-back mod sonitus? I feel the denon 5000s really benefit with that extra sub bass with the mod as you can hear how deep the bass extends and how clean it is. The treble is very airy and so much more revealing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lee730 

Did you ever consider trying to open-back mod sonitus? I feel the denon 5000s really benefit with that extra sub bass with the mod as you can hear how deep the bass extends and how clean it is. The treble is very airy and so much more revealing.

I read the entire thread on the topic, and then spent hours reading everything I could find about the subject of the open-back mod with the Denons.  I decided that if I wanted to attempt to improve the sound quality of my headphones, I'd look for a different pair, rather than brutalize a pair in an attempt to force it to have the characteristics I was seeking.  As a minimum, I might one day remove the backs and see if I enjoy the sound more, but considering how much I love the benefits that the completely closed back design provides, I sincerely doubt the open-back mod is going to be my cup of tea.  I might love the open-back mod, but I am not ready to try that now.  If I was disappointed with the D5000 in my current setup, then perhaps I would likely be interested. 

My listening environment is not that quiet, so any open headphone will have a disadvantage in my critiquing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonitus mirus 

I read the entire thread on the topic, and then spent hours reading everything I could find about the subject of the open-back mod with the Denons.  I decided that if I wanted to attempt to improve the sound quality of my headphones, I'd look for a different pair, rather than brutalize a pair in an attempt to force it to have the characteristics I was seeking.  As a minimum, I might one day remove the backs and see if I enjoy the sound more, but considering how much I love the benefits that the completely closed back design provides, I sincerely doubt the open-back mod is going to be my cup of tea.  I might love the open-back mod, but I am not ready to try that now.  If I was disappointed with the D5000 in my current setup, then perhaps I would likely be interested. 

 

My listening environment is not that quiet, so any open headphone will have a disadvantage in my critiquing.

True. Can't argue there. Before though I had issues with how flabby and overpowering the bass could be (sub bass) on the denons. Not on all songs but it was noticeable on songs with heavy bass presence as is. I was skeptical myself about trying the mod initially but when I found out it could be tested by just removing the cups and unclipping the ear pads from the frame, I figured why not. I would have sold them if not and just kept my FX700s.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktodac3298 

a little background on me: I produce music and have also worked a lot in the live field. Recently I have become more and more interested in just enjoying listening to music. Normally, I'm a speaker guy, I like the bass I can get from my sub and the wide stereo spectrum. But in my apartment and on the go, speakers aren't always the best options. I listen to a range of music, but mostly hip hop and top 40 type stuff, but supplemented with plenty of classical and jazz, and some rock

 

I want a big soundstage and I know everything should be accurate, but I am a little of a bass head. Right now I just have the Yahama RH3C. I was thinking of getting the ATH-M50. But going back and forth between my yahamas and the ATs I could notice a difference, but I wanted there to be more a difference, and I am fine paying more. So like I mentioned in the title, I'm looking for a big soundstage and solid bass for about $400...closedback would be preferred so I could use them in a library or something without disturbing others, but if openback means a bigger soundstage, im fine with that. I'm also fine putting down another 100 or so for an amp if needed. It would be awesome if someone could give me an open and closed back recommendation and compare them. Thanks sooo much!

 

Also, I'm open to any suggestions, but based on searches so far I have been looking at the HD650s and the Denon AHD2000s. If the sound quality is comparable i'd go with the closed denons.

I think you should really try out the cans first before you buy. The HD650 is dark sounding (veiled, muddy) and coloured (imo). Since you work a lot doing live music, I'm guessing you want a neutral and accurate reproduction. Get a DT880p (600ohm) and a tube amp. It's the most neutral sounding out of the Beyerdynamic lineup, has decent soundstage, solid bass (not more, not less) and is a good all rounder.

I will have to give the open-back mod a try, instead of maintaining my foolish stubbornness and remaining set in my ways.

I listen to Bassnectar and hear no flabby bass with my D5000s through a Schiit Asgard.  However, I have heard flabby bass when attempting to listen to similar music without amplification or minimal amping, such as through the headphone jack on my iPod or Sansa Fuze, and even with my TotalAirhead amp.   I understand that amplification should not improve the sound quality of these headphones, but I notice a significant improvement when these are amped, at least with regards to volume headroom. 

Ah!  Nevertheless, I will not be attempting this tonight, but I may go for it this extended holiday weekend.