Hi Head-fi,
I have to thank you all first for introducing me to the world of good sound. I have been a passive member of Head-fi for over 5 years!! But I have been using it more like Wikipedia than a forum!! I never felt the need to ask anything, because I found all the answers I needed by just browsing through.
Skip this part if you dont want the history!
--------
When I was in college, I was living in a dark era called Aroma, the local $2 earphones! (But, they still have my back... about that later). I got into small time music production and needed some good headphones. When I came to know that there are headphones that even costs $2000, I was like 'Are they serious? How much better can the sound get anyway?!'. So I kept my budget pretty low, thinking that would be a smart move. But luckily, I came across head-fi and after reading a lot of threads, decided to get a PX-100. That was the beginning. I was blown away by the difference in sound. I was hearing things I had never heard in my favourite songs. Even in the songs I myself made lol! But I didnt think of an upgrade until I got a degree and a job. Then again, after studying Head-fi, I chose to buy a HD555 and then did a mod to it that increased its soundstage and bass punch and made it similar to 595. I was skeptical at first, but it actually did change the sound. I tested a lot, A/B, modding just one can, etc. Definitely sound was a LOT better than PX100 and I never touched any other hps/eps again... I even stopped using my speakers. Life was beautiful.....
-------
... Until someone stole by headphones!! I got pretty pissed off. I had to produce a remix of I'm Not a Gangsta by Lights Over Paris. And since I lost my HD595 (and my PX100's driver blew up), I had to do the mixing with my $2 earphones! But I guess I still managed to do a decent job with them. I'm glad I dint throw em away!
In case anyone wants to listen to my work, here are the links -
Anyway, after a month of searching, I finally gave up and faced the truth. It's gone. I've got to get a new pair. And this time, I'm gonna get something that's gonna stay as THE hps I'd use for years to come.
Where I live, 99% of the people only buy cheap headphones from Philips and Panasonic. And now, Skull candy. They have not even heard of AKG/Beyer/Denon. But Senn is becoming famous. Hence, I cannot test any of these headphones before I buy them. And I can only order online. And I pay twice the amount U guys pay. I hate my life :(
So although my budget is 500$, I can only get hps that are available for under 300$ in the US. After a lot of reading, I finally came up with these.
Short List:
Superlux HD668B / Samson SR850
BeyerDynamic DT880 600 ohms
AKG K702 62 ohms
Those that didnt make it and why:
BeyerDynamic DT880 (32 and 250 ohms) - Lower sound quality than the 600 ohm version according to people here more knowledgeable than I am
Sennheiser HD600/650 - Veil or not, I do love the Sennheiser sound as both the headphones I had before where from Senn. But, I since it has a darker signature, I would tend to EQ up the high freqs of the master channel more than required to compensate for it. This would mean the final rendered track would be brighter than required.
Audio-Technica and Grado cans - they are more oriented towards the consumers looking for a great listening experience than studio purposes.
I have read great things about Superlux/Samson. But sadly, I have no way to test. I dont even know whether they would be an improvement over HD555/595. But I hope it is safe to assume they are not as good as DT880 or K702 (otherwise, they would have been mentioned in the top hps lists here and at headroom)
So we come down to two. The two phones from the trio. I have seen how threads about these go usually, so I would stay away from sensitive comparisons. From what I understand, DT880 accentuates highs more and bass less. HD650 is darker. And K702 lies in the middle. I thought, middle is good and I almost bought it through ebay when I came across this -
http://www.headfonia.com/old-school-trio-akg-k701-beyer-dt880-sennheiser-hd650/
I have also read a loooong thread about this specific comparison too. So I will keep that away as well.
What I want to know:
1) I like a wide soundstage. But not so much that there is no focus on the center. If I produce a 4/4 kick pattern, I want the kick sound coming from the exact center. I dont want it stretched. Mike's review at headfonia explains how he feels K702 has no focus. I read that the DT880 has a good soundstage as well, without losing focus. I have also read somewhere that both DT880 and K702 have similar soundstage.
Can someone who has/tried both the headphones please tell me what they feel about this when listening to "Madonna - Crazy For You" or a similar track.
2) I have an Avid Mbox Mini. Not the old Mbox or Mbox 2. This is the third version, some call it Mbox 3 Mini. It could power the 55 ohms HD555 really well. I had the volume control down to about 25%, which was pretty loud for me. Hence, I feel the 62 ohms K702 could be powered easily by it. I could be wrong, in which case the amp options I have are - HA400 Behringer, FiiO E6 and Pyle-Pro PHA40. (I dont think headroom amps ship internationally). Which of these would be able to drive the K702? Can they handle the DT880 as well? Or is my Mbox sufficient?
Points that influence my decision making (DT880 vs K702) -
1) I dont like metal and screeching/shrill sounds. But I like all the other genres like Pop, Rock, Electronic, Jazz, etc. Hence, K702. Read that the DT880 is a bit sharp sounding.
2) I love the look of K702 more, but read that DT880s headbands are more comfortable. Tie
3) Soundstage - havent decided. Need help.
4) Impedance - Need help.
I wish I could test these out once by playing something like Nick Lachey's Ghosts. I feel I wont be going wrong by chosing either of these heavyweights though.
Hope you guys can help me out.
Thanks to all again.
Ash
Edited by aswin - 1/19/12 at 5:35pm
