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need help with upgrade plz!

post #1 of 17
12/26/11 at 3:21pm
Thread Starter 

Hey guys im new to high grade headphones.

 

I currently have the sennheiser HD555's.

 

My computers sound card is dying as we speak so im going to purchase the Asus Xonar

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132010

it has a built in amp as most of u probably know.

 

I am also looking into buying a quality set of headphones. Don't really wanna spend over 300.

I mainly listen to instrumental, indie and folk. But i listen to basically everything, those 3 are just my most enjoyed i guess. So base what headphones to get off those 3 genres if possible.

 

I am looking at the AKG Q701 or sennheiser HD598

 

should i get either of those or is there a diff pair that would be better for me.

 

any help would be great

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post #2 of 17
12/26/11 at 3:48pm

Do you prefer something that's more neutral (a "flat" sound signature) or do you like one part of the sound spectrum (bass, mids, highs) to come out more? Do you also plan on using the cans as a portable headphone at all?

 

I'll give you one warning without knowing these answers yet: The Q701 is a very polarizing can that some people love and others hate. I personally didn't find them all that thrilling.

 

And welcome to Head-Fi!

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post #3 of 17
12/26/11 at 3:57pm
Thread Starter 

i like mids. I want some bass but nothing crazy. like i said i dont listen to much bass heavy music. Im more concerned about the over all sound i guess.

 

And no, i wont be using the cans for portable use. I dont want to break them or get them stolen or anything. Will only be using these for my comp. I have some ear buds for my ipod which work fine while im at my campus and stuff.

 

also about ur comment on the Q701, i have heard that but i mean i can always return them. I play counter strike with someone who owns them and listens to most of the same music i do and he likes them but u never know, maybe i wont


Edited by jla1991 - 12/26/11 at 4:02pm
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post #4 of 17
12/26/11 at 4:10pm

Just going through the repertoire of what I've personally auditioned in your price range, I'd recommend the Fischer Audio FA-003 and its twin siblings, the Brainwavz HM5 and LINDY Premium Hi-Fi (it has not been officially confirmed if all three of these are technically the same headphone, but the general consensus it that they are). It's not open but sounds very open for a closed can (with a soundstage great for gaming), it has silky mids that capture guitar and vocals wonderfully, and it's not lacking at all in bass definition.

 

For your genres you probably want to stay away from oft-recommended cans here like the M50 and HFI-580 because they'd misrepresent your music with too much bass. The FA-003 has great definition and precision in all ranges without drowning any of them out.

 

Sincerely,

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post #5 of 17
12/26/11 at 4:22pm
Thread Starter 

im i just briefly looked at those. I will do more research on them when i have more time later tonight but im not a fan of leather ear pads. Also i dono if i want a closed can. But i will do more research on them. Thanks for the feedback!

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post #6 of 17
12/26/11 at 4:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jla1991 View Post

im i just briefly looked at those. I will do more research on them when i have more time later tonight but im not a fan of leather ear pads.



The FA-003 come with velour pads as an accessory, but those also can be weird to wear if you don't like them. Good luck searching and get back to the thread when you have further questions or ideas!

 

Sincerely,

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post #7 of 17
12/26/11 at 4:29pm

 

Quote:
i like mids. I want some bass but nothing crazy. like i said i dont listen to much bass heavy music. Im more concerned about the over all sound i guess.

 

HD598 can be effectively a very good choice if you don't want spend too much for HD600/650.

SRH940 if you like mids or SRH840 is you want a more balanced sound.

 

Ath-AD series, like AD900/1000/2000 have also wonderful mids, HFi 2400 is also very good, but can have some harsh treble.

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post #8 of 17
12/26/11 at 4:32pm
Thread Starter 

are velour pads like the cloth almost? like what hd555 have?

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post #9 of 17
12/26/11 at 4:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jla1991 View Post

are velour pads like the cloth almost? like what hd555 have?



Yes, they are.

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post #10 of 17
12/26/11 at 4:42pm
Thread Starter 

well thats good. thats the ear pads i like :)

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post #11 of 17
12/26/11 at 7:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jla1991 View Post

well thats good. thats the ear pads i like :)



 

Just make sure that you do as much research as possible to get the right choice, and tell us your impressions when you've bought it.

 

Sincerely,

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post #12 of 17
12/26/11 at 7:58pm
Thread Starter 

will do, still leaning on the Q701. Mixed emotions all around on them but i think im gonna give em a shot. not 100% sure yet tho

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post #13 of 17
12/26/11 at 8:10pm

Q701 is veery revealing, I personally like how it sounds (one of my favs is ER-4S for IEMs), good luck with your purchase though. Without trying I would have went for HD598 or HD650s though.

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post #14 of 17
12/27/11 at 1:26pm
Thread Starter 

so i just ordered that sound card and the AKG Q701's

 

whenever i get them ill be back with my opinion on them :)

 

1st thing im gonna listen to with them is either explosions in the sky or pink floyd :)

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post #15 of 17
12/27/11 at 2:41pm

Just a heads-up, it's recommended that the Q701s have about 300 hours of burn-in to achieve their optimal sound, so don't give up if you're initially disappointed.

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