Need Help Selecting my Birthday Present (500$ headphones) - Page 2

The best idea is to find a place that will let you try various decent headphones so you can judge for yourself how they fit you and which you prefer as far as sound. The Sony 7506 (aka V6) isn't bad for the price, however if you are looking for a more detailed midrange, you will prefer the Sony V900HD(aka 7509HD) or the Sennheiser HD380 pro. You might also want to check out the Beyerdynamic DT770(I guess the 80 ohm version?). The Audio Technica ATH-M50 is very popular.

As others pointed out, for use with your notebook, you might want to get something like the Fiio E10 or Fiio E7, not just for the amplification, but to bypass the DAC circuitry in your notebook.

I also recommend the Denon D7000 or D5000. I've only heard and own the D2000, and I think it would fill the requirements you've listed for the most part. So I'm sure the higher tiered Denons would do just as well if not better. As previously stated Denons do leak sound but it's not that bad, I agree with what darren said about them. And they are VERY comfortable, I can wear them all day compared to my Grado 325is and Beyerdynamic DT880.

Also I recommend looking at the portable amp/dacs iBasso has to offer.

I'll weigh in on the Denons as well.  Th D7000 is a brilliant headphone in my opinion, but pricey at north of $600 even used most of the time (I think there is a pair on the FS sight for $580 right now?).  That said, the D5000 is also excellent, and to me, the D2000 is very close to the D5000.  Close enough for me, that between the two, I would choose the D2000.  The Denon's don't leak out too badly, but outside noise does leak in pretty easily - though it was never an issue for me.  The Pico DAC / amp combo pairs nicely with the Denons.

Another choice I haven't seen mentioned yet is the DT1350.  Very portable, well built, bood bass, nice balance.  It isn't perfect by any stretch though.  Pricy for portables, not all that comfortable, some say timbral issues, though I love mine.

Ultrasone also has among others, the HFI 780, Pro 750 and Pro 900.  I haven't tried the 900, but the HFI 780 fails on comfort and being really, really brittle/shrill/ bright.  Same for the 750's - both again in my opinion.  Others do like them.  I've been curious about the 900, will probably try them someday.  They will have similar comfort issues though.  The midrange (anything below the "Editon" series) seem to use a similar frame that squeezes fairly hard, and has a stiff, narrow pad for the headband that quickly feels like a fulcrum digging into my head.

What about IEMs?  : )

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsclaw88 

I disagree with you on the d2000 being sufficient for library listening it leaks too much. Your neighbor who is 2 feet away, sitting in the chair beside you, can hear the music even at moderate volume levels. Need more suggestions, on quality headphones that are portable (can carry them in a backpack), full size, closed, and provide good isolation.

I've never noticed that with my D7k's. You have to crank it up to super volumes to even get a bit of leakage. The only time I've ever heard someone's when they were wearing my D7k's was someone I know at work. Thing is, he has his apple buds on so loud that you can hear them on the other side of the office, about 30 feet away. And with the D7k's it was just a moderate whisper of leakage. And again, he was the only person that listened to music loud enough for there to be any leakage at all.

The Pro 750's leak quite a bit more than the D7k's actually. I usually listen to music at around 15 on my amp. At 20, there is leakage with the Pro 750's. My friend from work was listening to them at almost 40. I would say the D7k's start leaking somewhere in the range of about 30-35.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsclaw88 

Maybe it was how I had them settled on my ears then? I will look into this again. Thanks 

I had to fiddle with the earpads for a bit before they really fit. They also loosen up after a bit and form a better seal.

A lot of people seem to recommend the Denons for you, worth at least another shot. ;)

Denon AH-D2/5000 D2000 - D2000 around 200 used around 350 new D5000 around 400 used 500 new D7000

Objective 2 amp (haven't recieved mine yet, will give impressions once i get it today or tomorrow) it's technically portable but it's too big to be used as a portable (transportable)

I guess a CMOY or a E11 or something for portable