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Compliment for the ATH AD900s?

post #1 of 14
1/24/12 at 11:37am
Thread Starter 

 

I'm looking for a good pair of headphones to compliment my AD900s.  I had a pair of A700s and liked them, but I plan on selling them to a friend of mine, mainly because I prefer open phones for home use, and I don't really have any need for closed phones anymore.

 

The pair of headphones I've been interested in lately have been the AKG K701s.  But I've had a hard time finding amps that people recommend for it.  I prefer to buy anything I can off of amazon, and amazon has all the headphones but seems to really lack amps.  I was contemplating getting the FiiO E9, but I've heard it results in recessed mids.  I'm also not sure if it's sound signature is to similar to the AD900s or not to justify it. So some more opinions on this headphone would be nice.  As well as any other recommendations you guys can think of. 

 

I don't necessarily need something that compliments the faults of the AD900, as the AD900 fits my genres of music pretty well.  But I would really like to try a different sound, because I've only owned ATs.  So I'm open to all kinds of suggestions.  I don't have any amps, and my sound card is an HT Omega Claro.  I would set the price ceiling at around $500.

 

Thanks in advance for any help. atsmile.gif

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post #2 of 14
1/24/12 at 2:49pm

I was in a similar predicament, tried the MS Pros but they weren't for me, tried the MS2i, bingo.

 

I actually like the smaller soundstage as it compliments the AD900's large one well.

 

Also owned/sold:

 

sr225i

ad2000

Shure 440/940

DT880

AKG702

MS Pro

 

so as you can see, none of those were for me. Mainly a metal listener, though.


Edited by marts30 - 1/24/12 at 2:52pm
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post #3 of 14
1/24/12 at 2:55pm
Thread Starter 

How do you find the comfort to be on those?  The Grados/Allesandros always seem to look small to me, and like they rest more on the ear.  Usually that causes me considerable pain.  I have a pair of ath m35s, and they tend to hurt after a while from my ear not having enough room, and from the handband being a little hard.

 

I see that you also owned the K702.  what was your opinion on those compared to the ad900s?

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post #4 of 14
1/24/12 at 3:00pm

I honestly find the MS2 just as comfortable as the ad900, with comfy pads that is. I actually prefer the comfy pads resting on my ear, the ad900 my left ear slightly touches the driver (even with mod) and the velour gets a bit itchy. Bowl pads put too much pressure on the head, I can wear the MS2 for hours without discomfort. I found the MS pros more fatiguing - sound wise.

 

K702 is too similar to the ad900 to own as a complimentary pair imo, and the bass is probably weaker. Didn't own them for long.
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by arch9443 View Post

How do you find the comfort to be on those?  The Grados/Allesandros always seem to look small to me, and like they rest more on the ear.  Usually that causes me considerable pain.  I have a pair of ath m35s, and they tend to hurt after a while from my ear not having enough room, and from the handband being a little hard.

 

I see that you also owned the K702.  what was your opinion on those compared to the ad900s?



 


Edited by marts30 - 1/24/12 at 3:01pm
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post #5 of 14
1/24/12 at 3:04pm

If you want try a very different sound, try the Ultrasone HFi or pro series. 

 

What are your music genre ?

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post #6 of 14
1/24/12 at 3:34pm

I own the AD900's and the A900's. My pro 750 is a nice compliment. 

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post #7 of 14
1/24/12 at 3:37pm
Thread Starter 

I don't have a very specific music genre to be honest I listen to a lot of things.

 

I suppose the genres I listen to the most(in no particular order) are:

jpop

rock

jazz

electro

trip-hop

 

I also listen to some classical music.  The only genres I dislike (there are exceptions within these genres of course, but in general) are rap and country music.  Besides that I listen to pretty much everything depending on my mood.  A lot of the music I listen to I find due to friends recommending it, so the genres go everywhere. 

 

 

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post #8 of 14
1/24/12 at 3:42pm

Heya,

 

As a compliment, and largely due to your genres:

 

DT990 and outfit your phones with a NFB-12.

 

K70X is too similar to the AD900, I would get something pretty different.

 

Very best,

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post #9 of 14
1/24/12 at 4:10pm

 

Quote:

I suppose the genres I listen to the most(in no particular order) are:

jpop

rock

jazz

electro

trip-hop

 

If you try the HFi780 you ll have a very different sound,lol.

 

D2000/5000... should be also a good choicefor closed headphones.

 

For open headphones i ll think about the Pro2900/HFi2400/HD650/SR325is biggrin.gif ...

 

 

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post #10 of 14
1/24/12 at 4:15pm

Malveux's rec for the DT990 seems about on. 

 

Another set you might look at is the HD650.  I usually don't recommend them as a primary headphone, but I think they really do complement the AD900 nicely.

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post #11 of 14
1/24/12 at 4:58pm
Thread Starter 

I'd be interested in trying the 650s, but since I don't already have an amp that would push them out of my price range.  Although I probably could afford it if they were really worth it.  wink_face.gif

 

I'm gonna look into the nfb-12 a bit more.  I would like an amp that will work with future cans as well.  This seems like it may very well fit that bill, but I am very uneducated when it comes to amps.  that's the main reason why I bought AT cans when I started my adventures into head-fi.

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post #12 of 14
1/24/12 at 5:39pm

I used to own the AD900s.  I've never heard the K701s, but I do own some Q701s.  I've posted a couple times already on Q701 Vs. AD990 on how I think they differ, but I'd be happy to answer any questions about them.  I also have some DT990s right here that I'm testing, and you can ask about any headphones in my sig...

 

I'm not sure how different you want them?  Is there anything specific sound-wise your looking for?

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post #13 of 14
1/24/12 at 7:16pm
Thread Starter 

No, I don't really have a specific sound I'm going.  I'm more or less just wanting to try something that isn't AT.  Each camp has it's own "sound" I suppose.  And I'm only familiar with the AT sound. So I'm just looking for a little variety.  I don't have any benchmark for how different they should be... just looking to justify another headphone purchase really.tongue_smile.gif  

 

The main reason I want the K701 out of the K701/K702/Q701 line is simply because I think they look the best by far.  However I have seen many people think that the Q701 are superior sounding even if it's only a minor upgrade, so I've been considering those as well.  

 

What are your opinions on the DT990s, and what amp are you using them with, your m-stage?  I haven't had the chance to look around much at opinions on them, and was just about to do so.

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post #14 of 14
1/24/12 at 7:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by arch9443 View Post

No, I don't really have a specific sound I'm going.  I'm more or less just wanting to try something that isn't AT.  Each camp has it's own "sound" I suppose.  And I'm only familiar with the AT sound. So I'm just looking for a little variety.  I don't have any benchmark for how different they should be... just looking to justify another headphone purchase really.tongue_smile.gif  

 

The main reason I want the K701 out of the K701/K702/Q701 line is simply because I think they look the best by far.  However I have seen many people think that the Q701 are superior sounding even if it's only a minor upgrade, so I've been considering those as well.  

 

What are your opinions on the DT990s, and what amp are you using them with, your m-stage?  I haven't had the chance to look around much at opinions on them, and was just about to do so.


Right on.  Well I would describe the ATH-AD ("Air" series) house sound as being light and airy, go figure.  The AD700s are actually even more airy than AD900s, but they are missing some crucial low end and mids that the AD900s partially correct for.

 

Yes, I'm using the M-Stage and the HRT MS II for my source.  I will have a full review and comparison of the DT990/600 ohm to the Q701s up soon....but for know I can tell that what you will read on Head-Fi about the DT990s is mostly true, and that's that they have a pretty extreme "V" signature.  The highs are too extreme for me and sound unrealistically over emphasized and sparkly/sizzly.  I can't take them seriously for classical and other acoustic genres.  I'm also sorely missing the mids with them.  I prefer the DT880 sound to the DT990s.  The DT990s are known for their bass, but their actually quite similar to the Q701s in the bass department.

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