Recommendations for over the ear, preferably open air headphones for around $200 - Page 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowei006 

anyone else with my on SRH840? for sub $200?

 

Yeah, I think that would be a good recommendation, going from the reviews and the general rumour about them. I haven't had any first hand contact with them, so I couldn't really know myself, but yeah - the consensus on them seems to be that they're not especially bass heavy.

I'd rethink the FiiO E11 amp in this scenario though. The E11 is a great little portable amp for the money, however, this doesn't seem to be for portable use and if any kindof external amp would be used, I'd recommend something more stationary - a "desktop amp". Although, my remcommendation would be to test the cans through that headphone-out to see if it sounds good enough for TS. In short, I don't think an amp is needed here and if it turns out to be needed - a portable amp that needs USB-recharging every 10 hours of use wouldn't be optimal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coq de Combat 

Yeah, I think that would be a good recommendation, going from the reviews and the general rumour about them. I haven't had any first hand contact with them, so I couldn't really know myself, but yeah - the consensus on them seems to be that they're not especially bass heavy.

 

I'd rethink the FiiO E11 amp in this scenario though. The E11 is a great little portable amp for the money, however, this doesn't seem to be for portable use and if any kindof external amp would be used, I'd recommend something more stationary - a "desktop amp". Although, my remcommendation would be to test the cans through that headphone-out to see if it sounds good enough for TS. In short, I don't think an amp is needed here and if it turns out to be needed - a portable amp that needs USB-recharging every 10 hours of use wouldn't be optimal.

we still have yet to ehar if he is using portable or desktop.
 

hahah. yeah i was confused a couple hours ago too on who i was really talking to or recommending stuff to :)

Guys,

I'll give the Shure 840 a try over the Grado SR225i and see how I like the sound compared to my SR80.

Thanks again,

Wiggy

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiggy 

Guys,

 

I'll give the Shure 840 a try over the Grado SR225i and see how I like the sound compared to my SR80.

 

Thanks again,

Wiggy

no problem. but all the headphones you have their "should" be amped for full potential. the 840's are  a lot more neutral 

Forgot one more important note. Will I give up soundstaging by going with Shure over Grado?

Wiggy

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiggy 

Forgot one more important note. Will I give up soundstaging by going with Shure over Grado?

 

Wiggy

.....yeah. you are talking about going from full open to full closed. the only closed ones with a decent soundstage are ultrasone's. Do most mind it though? No, a lot of headphone supremuses have grado's and shure's and talk about shure's much much more.

try it out. u will probably like them. most like the SRH840s

Thanks for the recommendations, much appreciated!

Wiggy

Quote:

Originally Posted by EC09 

Looks like Wiggy took over the thread, but that's okay. I'm looking for something desktop. I understand most headphones should be paired with an amp, but what would be the best unamped headphone for around the price? It's not a necessary for them to be open, but I don't need isolation and would like a big soundstage.

Grado/Allesandro MS1 or MS2. If i remember correctly. the MS1 doesn't need to be amped(but will benefit) it's an update o the SR80i. the MS2 is $200 and in your range...however last i check it needs to be amped.

These are on ear. not over ear. but it doesn't matter anyway since you don't need isolation. other than these. i know very few other headphones in this price range that have a fully opened design

AKG 240 MkII is also a very good mention, but if i remember..same case as all the others..need to be amped

ok let me just say this EC09 and for all other newbies happening onto this STOP SAYING "NO AMP" you are in the big boy leagues now. Get an amp, most need an amp! Not because it's not enought to be driven but bc the amp makes it sound soo much better! AND because most headphones, even the ones in the $100 range don't get enough power for real music listening.

I now recommend either Grado MS1 with E11 amp = total $160

Or: AKG K240 Mk II with E11 amp = total $200

Since you are a desktop user. I would recommend the E10 more, but the E10 is $80 compared to $65 with the E11. the E10 isn't as bass punchy as the E11 but is higher quality as it has a DAC and is more clear overal.

Very few headphones are open in this price range. the aKG's are over ear and are semi open. giving you good bass,soundstage and what not. and both are comforrtable. soem like the grado sound, some don't. try them out

The only other heapdhones i can recommend are ultrasone's..but they don't hve the soundstage that the Grado's are offering with their open design, you can still check them out though

Ultrasone HFI 580 and HFI 780.. these don't need to be amped. but again. improve a lot with an amp.

if you need me to elaborate on any of my topics/subjects. feel free to ask :)

any other ranked head fiers want to add to this list. im sure i got it all thoguh :/

Quote:

Originally Posted by EC09 

Thank you for your recommendations. I will be sure to look into these and after I decide on one, go to a local store to try them out with an amp! 

for the lower classed headphones you might not notice much with an amp. The amp for the $100 headphones makes a long term improvement. as in if you quickly a/B then you won't hear much. it's when you do long term listening with an amp and then without that you go......where's the F is my amp?

it's...pretypretty largely noticable on the higher class ones.

HFi2400, not analytical, very good bass in quality and quantity, warm signature, large soudstage... but need an amp.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DVDRey 

 

 

HFi2400, not analytical, very good bass in quality and quantity, warm signature, large soudstage... but need an amp.

 

wow. you rarely hear about these.