The Best all around headphones for $300 or a tick under
May 21, 2012 at 1:43 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 18
LiquidMusic

LiquidMusic

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My pallet in terms of sheer experience is very limited I've listened to a few Sennheiser, Grado, and Sony but that's about it for me. I really enjoy my HD 558's but I wish they had a tad more bass and aren't really that great of all around headphones. Don't get me wrong they are superb Jazz,Classical, and Light Rock cans, but they don't excel at anything that is bass heavy it seems. I am looking for a set of cans that I can take anywhere and listen to every genre pretty safely. I don't have too many nitpicks just throw me some suggestions and I'm willing to try it!
 
May 21, 2012 at 6:39 AM Post #5 of 18
The 2000's are very good phones indeed.
Recently you could buy them for about $225 or so; a steal.
 
Don't know what they're selling for now, but word is they're being discontinued.
So if you want them, it's a good idea to move quickly.
 
May 21, 2012 at 7:28 AM Post #6 of 18
I own the DT880 pro and would not recommend them for bass heavy music, they are very accurate, but don't have the bass I think you looking for. I would also recommend the Denon D2000.
 
May 21, 2012 at 1:36 PM Post #7 of 18
Quote:
stouty447 said:
I own the DT880 pro and would not recommend them for bass heavy music, they are very accurate, but don't have the bass I think you looking for. I would also recommend the Denon D2000.
Click to expand...


Yeah, re-reading the OP, it says he'd like "a tad more bass than the HD558" - and an all around better headphone.-
for about $300.
So the DT880 (amped) has those attributes IMO.
As do the other headphones mentioned in the thread.
 
But later in the OP it says "they [the 558's] don't excel at anything that is bass heavy it seems".
 
 
Also appears that some reference to using a receiver was edited out of the OP.
 
 
Question to the OP: Do you want a headphone that's going to excel at bass heavy music?
Or a headphone that has just a tad more bass than the Senn 558?
And are you intending to use an amp with these $300. headphones?
 
May 21, 2012 at 4:03 PM Post #8 of 18
Quote:
zazex said:
Yeah, re-reading the OP, it says he'd like "a tad more bass than the HD558" - and an all around better headphone.-
for about $300.
So the DT880 (amped) has those attributes IMO.
As do the other headphones mentioned in the thread.
 
But later in the OP it says "they [the 558's] don't excel at anything that is bass heavy it seems".
 
 
Also appears that some reference to using a receiver was edited out of the OP.
 
 
Question to the OP: Do you want a headphone that's going to excel at bass heavy music?
Or a headphone that has just a tad more bass than the Senn 558?
And are you intending to use an amp with these $300. headphones?
Click to expand...

 


I find that he DT880 are not that great for bass heavy music, maybe our pairs have a slightly different sound signature, or our amps are very different. I am using a receiver with mine, and they accurately reproduce the sound, but they don't have kickin bass that people like with that music.
 
People have different opinions though, so if you can, try several pairs and formulate your opinion.
 
May 21, 2012 at 7:05 PM Post #9 of 18
Quote:
stouty447 said:
 


I find that he DT880 are not that great for bass heavy music, maybe our pairs have a slightly different sound signature, or our amps are very different. I am using a receiver with mine, and they accurately reproduce the sound, but they don't have kickin bass that people like with that music.
 
People have different opinions though, so if you can, try several pairs and formulate your opinion.
Click to expand...

 
A misunderstanding, I think.  :)
 
 
What I was saying was that if the OP wanted only slightly more bass than the Sennheiser's, the DT880 would do that.
Plus be better in other ways too. 
 
But - I had initially missed the part of the post where the OP mentioned "bass heavy" music.
 
If the OP does want headphones that do well with bass heavy music, then clearly the DT880's are not
appropriate.
 
 
I'm trying to discern what the OP wants in terms of bass, because the post seems to be
a bit self-contradictory in that regard.
 
May 21, 2012 at 8:02 PM Post #10 of 18
Quote:
zazex said:
 
A misunderstanding, I think.  :)
 
 
What I was saying was that if the OP wanted only slightly more bass than the Sennheiser's, the DT880 would do that.
Plus be better in other ways too. 
 
But - I had initially missed the part of the post where the OP mentioned "bass heavy" music.
 
If the OP does want headphones that do well with bass heavy music, then clearly the DT880's are not
appropriate.
 
 
I'm trying to discern what the OP wants in terms of bass, because the post seems to be
a bit self-contradictory in that regard.
Click to expand...


:)
 
As for the point of this topic, I would still suggests the D2000's from Denon. If you think you might be upgrading headphones in the future you might consider a combined DAC/AMP and get Audio Technica ATH-M50's.
 
May 21, 2012 at 9:14 PM Post #11 of 18
Of course the easy pick is the d2k as others have said. But I'd go borrow $60 and get the he400 
biggrin.gif

 
May 21, 2012 at 9:33 PM Post #12 of 18
Your looking for a headphone that you can take anywhere? You mean a portable headphone or transportable? D2000 wouldn't really fit either of those unless you don't mind carrying a massive headphone with a 3M cable.
 
For a portable bassy headphone I'd recommend the WS55. Probably the most fun bass you will hear with vocals still sounding special.
 
May 21, 2012 at 11:06 PM Post #13 of 18
I'm looking for something that will fare well with all types of music, an all arounder more than anything the HD 558 bass is just a tad underwhelming when you listen to anything that is bass heavy. I don't really need an earthquake generator or anything just something that will suit more types of music. I use a USB Dac/amp for most of my music also transportable would be the better word but I guess I wouldn't mind being able to use it in more places. really like I said I'm not super nitpicky or anything just looking for suggestions to aid my looking.
 
May 21, 2012 at 11:36 PM Post #14 of 18
Quote:
liquidmusic said:
I'm looking for something that will fare well with all types of music, an all arounder more than anything the HD 558 bass is just a tad underwhelming when you listen to anything that is bass heavy. I don't really need an earthquake generator or anything just something that will suit more types of music. I use a USB Dac/amp for most of my music also transportable would be the better word but I guess I wouldn't mind being able to use it in more places. really like I said I'm not super nitpicky or anything just looking for suggestions to aid my looking.
Click to expand...

Again, Denon D2000,
FOR: Doesn't need an amp, has a pleasant all rounder SS, good bass, not overwhelming, tough 3m cable and Does benefit from a good DAC.
AGAINST: 3m cable, barely transportable, let alone portable.
 
May 22, 2012 at 2:39 AM Post #15 of 18
matttcg said:
Of course the easy pick is the d2k as others have said. But I'd go borrow $60 and get the he400 :D
Click to expand...

This.

Or if you can't swing that much, get the D2000.
 
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