Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Upgrade from HARX700 ~150$
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Upgrade from HARX700 ~150$

post #1 of 6
2/9/12 at 5:09pm
Thread Starter 

Firstly, I've owned a pair of Philips SHP8500, Able Planet NC180B, Beats Studios, and HARX-700.  The able planets and beats were gifts and both sound terrible.  I've modded my HARX with the felt mod and foam mod.

 

-I enjoy listening to dubstep, pop, r&b, and modern movie and video game soundtracks.

-I really enjoy good separation and a large sound stage and I don't care if its in front or to the sides, as long as its wide.  I've never experienced a sound stage with depth so that might be cool.  (or is "depth" just a sound stage that's in front of you?)

-Preferably, I prefer closed or semi open because I will take the headphones out.  Also, I want the headphones to be usable outdoors.  They can't be ginormous like the HARX and make you look like your wearing an antenna XD

-I prefer over ear with plenty of room inside.

 

I also like clear vocals.  Can someone enlighten me as to the difference between mids and highs?  Mids seem to be vocals but I'd imagine that a female voice with a high range would extend into the highs.  So vocals should be mids and highs, but predominantly mids?

 

-Oh, and I have 150 dollars to spend, maximum 200 but I hope it'll be worth it compared to the kind of audio quality I've been experiencing with my current headphones.  If it's not enough of a jump in quality, then I'll consider a more expensive purchase later.

-Also, I will be perfectly happy with headphones that have a larger sound stage than the HARX while maintaining at least the same bass response and clarity for mids and highs.  I have no ear for "recessed" mids or highs so that shouldn't be a problem.  I'm not an audiophile but I'm 17 so I have no ear problems.  Thanks.


Edited by TheJT - 2/9/12 at 5:57pm
Reply
post #2 of 6
2/9/12 at 5:35pm

Based on everything you said, I think the Brainwavz HM5/Fischer Audio FA-003/LINDY Premium Hi-Fi would be a great choice. It is an extremely open-sounding headphone (while being physically closed), the instrument separation is way above par for the price range, and everything sound luscious without anything being overdone. The bass response is quite tight, and while it's not bass-heavy it still knows what impact means. Drums, especially, sound quite good on the FA-003/HM5. The mids make love to vocals and guitar, and the highs only continue the tradition. Last but not least, the soundstage is IMMENSE for a closed headphone. It boggles my mind that my FA-003 has more air and space in the sound than any other closed can anywhere near its price.

 

However, if you don't already own an amp and plan on using it with an mp3 player, you should probably pick up a JDS Labs CMoyBB V2.03  or FiiO E11.

Reply
post #3 of 6
2/9/12 at 5:43pm
Thread Starter 

Wow, thanks for the post.  I did a quick image search of the three headphones.  They look remarkably similar.  If anything, I'm guessing they all basically have the same sound since you use the same description to refer to all three.  Which ones do you actually own though?  I want to just trust your opinion on the ones you've auditioned.  Thanks.  Also, the pads look absolutely crazy XD

Reply
post #4 of 6
2/9/12 at 5:48pm

I'd point you more in the direction of Denon D2000s, which you might be able to find used under $200. They have a similar sound signature and are also easy to power but I think they'll handle those bass-heavy genres better.

Reply
post #5 of 6
2/9/12 at 5:56pm
Thread Starter 

I'll agree to that for now simply because the Brainwavz HM5/Fischer Audio FA-003/LINDY Premium Hi-Fi are way too big.  Part of the reason for the upgrade is because the HARX are huge and look ridiculous.  Thanks, I'll look into the D2000s.

Reply
post #6 of 6
2/12/12 at 9:06am
Thread Starter 

Well, I decided to just head over to my local costco and purchase a pair of v-moda crossfade lps for 80 bucks.  There's a 20 dollar discount off of 100 for them until sometime the end of february.  I understand that the lp2 and the m80/v80 have better sound but for more than double the price, I'm basically paying an extra 100 bucks for just slight improvements on the driver.  So, good deal for 80 dollars?

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Headphones (full-size)
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Upgrade from HARX700 ~150$