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Taking my music to the next level (Help)

post #1 of 8
7/4/12 at 10:04pm
Thread Starter 

Hello audiofiles,
 I am a newcomer to your community and find myself in need of some guidance and wisdom from the masses at Head-Fi. I have just recently thrown down the shackles of apple earbuds and purchased my first quality pair of headphones and earbuds. I bought a pair of Phillips uptowns and RHA-m30's and I am really enjoying them. As time has progressed I realized that while I had made a quantum leap from audio garbage to good quality music, there was still so much room to enhance my music. Here in lies my dilemma, I am completely inexperienced and audiophile quality music equipment confuses me.
        While my music has mainly been focused around my iphone and computer I realized I needed a better source to truly utilize the investment I made in headphones. So I also bought a Rocoo P audio player which is on the way as I write to you. I have also committed to buy an Apogee Duet 2 to use as a desktop amplifier and DAC. I now need advice on which direction to go, I want to upgrade my headphones to match my upgraded source components.
          Below I have listed the different headphones I am considering and I need your help deciphering which is best suited for me. I like to listen to many different genres of music (Rock,Pop,Rap,Classical,Electronica) Though the first two genres are my favorites. I am not really looking for the most accurate sound, I much prefer very lush and warm sound thats fun to listen to. So coloration is not such a big issue. I like bass but I don't need to have my head rattled I'm not into dubstep so I don't need bass heavy headphones. Again my sources are a Rocoo P mobile player(class A amp), and a Apogee Duet 2. I am upgrading my music library to FLAC files to further improve the quality of my music. In terms of mobility I wouldn't mind restricting my purchase to home use only, however it would be nice if on occasion I could pair one of my headphones with the rocoo for office and light commuting use.

 

 

 

 

Headphones I am considering:

AKG Q701

Sennheiser HD 650

Beyerdynamic DT 880

Denon D-5000

 

Afterthought: Hifiman 300's

 

IEM's:

Clarityone's

Hifiman RE-262


Edited by obsesivegamer - 7/4/12 at 10:22pm
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post #2 of 8
7/4/12 at 11:02pm
I would suggest having a mobile set and a home set; and imho the mobile set can be cheapies (but some people don't agree, and that's fine - I just don't commute for a long enough period of time to be able to justify the purchase).

For what you're describing, I'm liking the Sennheiser HD 600 or the Kenwood KH-K1000. Both are right at $400.

What is the purpose of the Apogee? Seems like a lot of money for a lot of features you don't need at all. Your iPod/iPhone is fine for mobile use, and at home I'd say let's look at what you're using (CD player, computer, etc) and what it needs (if anything) - I'm not trying to denigrate you here, I'm just seeing money going in the potentially wrong direction. redface.gif
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post #3 of 8
7/4/12 at 11:25pm
Thread Starter 

While it is a lot of money It does feature a good quality Dac/amp combo, I am using a imac at home with lossless audio files, and I have a rather long commute and thus want a good quality mobile rig. Also from what I understood the hd-600 was significantly more neutral than the 650's and I tend to enjoy a slightly colored sound.
 

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post #4 of 8
7/5/12 at 12:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by obsesivegamer View Post

While it is a lot of money It does feature a good quality Dac/amp combo, I am using a imac at home with lossless audio files, and I have a rather long commute and thus want a good quality mobile rig. Also from what I understood the hd-600 was significantly more neutral than the 650's and I tend to enjoy a slightly colored sound.

It's not worth the money for the features you're using; plain and simple. Trust me on this. You asked for input - and you got it. If you're convinced you know better than don't ask for input. redface.gif

As far as the HD 600 vs the 650 - have you heard either? Do you understand that coloration is not a 1 to 10 kind of thing?

Anyways, none of those full-size open cans make sense for commuting, nor does lugging along a full computer and the Duet. IEMs are a good choice there, run from your iPod or whatever else. Simple is perfectly fine, and can mean high fidelity - you don't need to buy ten thousand dollars of gear to use your $300 headphones. rolleyes.gif
Edited by obobskivich - 7/5/12 at 12:44am
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post #5 of 8
7/5/12 at 10:18am
Thread Starter 

I don't mean to be confrontational but I did ask for help I think you simply misinterpreted my post. I want headphones to use at home. I was going to buy iem's to commute or just keep the buds I have.

I do understand that coloration is different for everyone and relates to personal taste but I infered that for similiar price the headphones were no identical and many people have stated that Sen's 650's have a more prominent base, which is something I want.
 

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post #6 of 8
7/5/12 at 10:37am
If you want a prominent bass, I'd stay away from the Q701.
The Q701 are very bass light and I wouldn't recommend them for a bsashead.
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post #7 of 8
7/5/12 at 10:53am

HE-300 seems to be like the most reasonable of your selection.

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post #8 of 8
7/5/12 at 1:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by obsesivegamer View Post

I don't mean to be confrontational but I did ask for help I think you simply misinterpreted my post. I want headphones to use at home. I was going to buy iem's to commute or just keep the buds I have.
I do understand that coloration is different for everyone and relates to personal taste but I infered that for similiar price the headphones were no identical and many people have stated that Sen's 650's have a more prominent base, which is something I want.

 

Yes, I've been advocating IEMs and separate headphones. My point is that the Appogee is probably a mis-use of your funds. Regarding the two Sennheisers - I've heard both sides of the argument; that the HD 650 is the darkest and bassiest, and that the HD 580 is v-curveiest and bassiest. For $100 less, I'd take the 600 over the 650. And return the Duet for something more appropriate. I wouldn't be making comparisons/arguments between headphones you haven't heard - it'll confuse the issue for you (this isn't meant as an attack, just friendly advice - it's very easy to get confuzzled by reading lots of reviews of a lot of gear you haven't tried; once you have a frame of reference, those reviews starting making a lot more sense). redface.gif

If you really want prominent bass (two s'), the KH-K1000 are a better choice.
Edited by obobskivich - 7/5/12 at 1:50pm
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