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Need Help Selecting my Birthday Present (500$ headphones)

post #1 of 25
12/31/11 at 4:53am
Thread Starter 

So about 10 years ago I started to get into the headphone hobby however, never had enough money to purchase any of the better headphones because of more pressing college expenses.  Once again after reading this blog for about a year now, I have a renewed interest in headphones.  I have about $1000 dollars to spend on the headphone and portable amp. 

Headphone Requirements 

1) I am looking for a closed set of cans with good isolation as these will be used at work on my computer, and the library.

2) Must be Over the Ear or Full Size Cans.

3) The music I mainly listen to is Rock, Accoustic Rock, Blues, Jazz. However, every once in a while, maybe 10% of the time,  I will play House music or Rap.

4) Needs to have bass, but I do not want the headphone to be bassy

5) I have about ~$500 to spend on the headphones themselves. Can go up to $700 at the expense of the amp (~300). 

 

I am also looking for a Portable Amp, I would prefer it to be on the smaller side to allow for easy transportability. I have about $500 to spend on the amp. 

 

 

LOOKING TO GET OPINIONS ON A NICE PAIR OF HEADPHONES AND AMP. THANKS!

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post #2 of 25
12/31/11 at 5:05am
denon d5000 and ibasso d12
Edited by darren700 - 12/31/11 at 5:09am
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post #3 of 25
12/31/11 at 6:16am
Thread Starter 

Please put prices for future posters, maybe not on the headphones but atleast the amps as I am unfamiliar with amps. Any recommendations on a slightly smaller amp.

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post #4 of 25
12/31/11 at 7:34am

Maybe Thunderpants? And small amp I do not know what you recomend becuase it suppose to be big compromise in this price tag and sizes. Maybe something powerfull from RSA but I do not think these portable things is worth. There is big posibility that you dont will be happy.    

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post #5 of 25
12/31/11 at 7:35am

It's kinda hard to find a headphone that meets all of your requirements.

Most of High-End headphones are open design. AFAIK, only Audio-Technica and DENON offer some closed cans. 

If i was you, i'd go for:

1) DENON D2K(350$) + decent portable amp+dac combo(200$) = 550$

2) SONY MDR 7506(150$) (don't be confused by the price, they meet your requirements fully) + decent portable amp+dac combo(200$) = 350$

Denon option would give you powerful subbass, not overwhelming midbass and upperbass, flat mids and noticeably sibilant highs with wide soundstage. Easy to listen on high volume for long periods. They're bulky, doesn't isolate well.

Sony option would give you nearly the same as the Denon, but much narrower "in the head" soundstage, no sibilance. They're light, foldable, and there is a carrying bag for easy transportation. Easy to listen on high volume for long periods. Isolation is more than decent. Somewhat cheap looking. If you go for these, be sure to buy them from an authorized dealer, cheap chinese clones are everywhere. 

Both options offer rich and balanced sound.

 

If you want to know why i don't suggest D5K, i would say they're way too bassy (midbass is overwhelming). Didn't listened D7K though.

 

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post #6 of 25
12/31/11 at 7:55am

Or maybe something like this will be better for you Beyerdynamic T70p (according to specs it can be used even with portable source).

Anyway you did not write what exactly will be your source if your source is basic soundcard in your computer then only amp is not solution for you.


Edited by knopi - 12/31/11 at 8:05am
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post #7 of 25
12/31/11 at 9:58am
Thread Starter 

They mainly will be used with a standard computer/laptop sound card when I am at work or the library(90% of the time). I do not plan on using these with my Ipod, however situations may arise where I will want to use this on my ipod. 

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post #8 of 25
12/31/11 at 10:01am
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the insight, seems like everyone loves the denon line. I was thinking of getting the d2k and markl moding it after the warranty is up to increase the balance and clarity. However, I have heard some concern regarding the noise isolation on these phones and being as these will be used in a quiet work place and the library, will the sound leakage be bothersome for my neighbors?

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post #9 of 25
12/31/11 at 10:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dsclaw88 View Post

Thanks for the insight, seems like everyone loves the denon line. I was thinking of getting the d2k and markl moding it after the warranty is up to increase the balance and clarity. However, I have heard some concern regarding the noise isolation on these phones and being as these will be used in a quiet work place and the library, will the sound leakage be bothersome for my neighbors?



I would suggest picking up a D2000's used from the classifieds and mod them right away! I have done the mark L mod too mine, which alone offers a great improvement, but i went further and bought D7000 cups (from lawton audio), J$money pads, and had them recabled with silver. They now sound amazing and nothing like the stock D2000's. I wont be selling these ever, IMO they would give the D7000 a run for its money but i dont have one to compare.

 

The sound leakage isnt that bad, i think people blow that statement out of proportion. If you have it cranked to the max yes people will hear them, but at normal-moderate listening levels no-one beyond 3-5 feet will hear anything.


Edited by darren700 - 12/31/11 at 10:33am
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post #10 of 25
12/31/11 at 11:53am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by darren700 View Post



I would suggest picking up a D2000's used from the classifieds and mod them right away! I have done the mark L mod too mine, which alone offers a great improvement, but i went further and bought D7000 cups (from lawton audio), J$money pads, and had them recabled with silver. They now sound amazing and nothing like the stock D2000's. I wont be selling these ever, IMO they would give the D7000 a run for its money but i dont have one to compare.

 

The sound leakage isnt that bad, i think people blow that statement out of proportion. If you have it cranked to the max yes people will hear them, but at normal-moderate listening levels no-one beyond 3-5 feet will hear anything.



Thanks for clarifying the isolation. I was thinking of doing the exact same thing, maybe minus the recabling because that is quite expensive and I do not have the expendable cash. What do the J$money pads do?

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post #11 of 25
12/31/11 at 11:59am
D5k or 7k depending on the amp dac you get.
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post #12 of 25
12/31/11 at 1:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dsclaw88 View Post



Thanks for clarifying the isolation. I was thinking of doing the exact same thing, maybe minus the recabling because that is quite expensive and I do not have the expendable cash. What do the J$money pads do?

the jmoney pads are made of lambskin leather and are angled so you get a better soundstage as opposed to stuffing the stock pads in the mark l mod. However, from what I've heard the quality of them has dropped recently, so maybe used ones are your best option if you want, they are not cheap though at $65 new
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post #13 of 25
12/31/11 at 1:45pm

beyer t70?

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post #14 of 25
12/31/11 at 10:41pm
Thread Starter 

Anyone have recommendations regarding a small amp, maybe beyond portable, ultraportable. Something like the FIOO but maybe better?

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post #15 of 25
1/1/12 at 12:02am

I like the DT150 better than any sub-$1000 closed headphones. Very meaty sound with great bass, and unlike the D2000 has very good midrange.

 

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