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Help me out, need some new headphones

post #1 of 10
12/1/12 at 6:03pm
Thread Starter 

So, Im in the market for some new headphones, but I need some advice. I don't know much about headphones, but I like my music to sound good. I have a set of Koss Pro DJ 100s that I like a lot, but now Im in the market for a better set. I mainly listen to indie folk (Sufjan Stevens, Fleet Foxes, Iron and Wine, etc), indie rock (Death Cab for Cutie, Band of Horses, The Shins), classic rock, some punk rock, and some reggae-rock (Rebelution, Slightly Stoopid, Iration). My budget is around $350ish. I've heard nothing but great things about Senn HD 650s, but they are out of my price range. Is it risky, or a good idea to go used? I've also heard good things about Senn HD 598s, which are a good price. Opinions? Thanks.

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post #2 of 10
12/1/12 at 6:30pm

The 598 are supposed to be a very nice headphone... But dakmart.com (who is the authorized reseller for refurbished sennheiser products) can get you in on those hd650s or the hd600 for under your budget.

 

There are mixed reviews of dakmart, but I think if you don't expect great customer service, just a good price and for the headphones to come in the mail, you'd be happy.

 

Personally, I've become a big AKG fan - are into open or closed headphones? The AKG 550 (closed) and the q701 (open) are both nice and under your $350 budget.

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post #3 of 10
12/1/12 at 7:33pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the input.

 

Also, I will be using a Mac and an Ipod for listening if that makes a difference.

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post #4 of 10
12/2/12 at 9:19pm

Well - when you start spending around that much on headphones, many of them become a little harder to drive with a computer/ipod soundcard. Lots of people get an external amp or an external amp/dac combo to run the headphones. Not all headphones, mind you - Grado's are very easily driveable with a computer 3.5mm output. Doesn't mean that they can't improve with amping, just that they will sound strong without the amp.


I am pretty sure that the 598 are going to be a safe bet through the computer. They'd probably improve with amp but it would be a good place to start. The 650s and 600s don't neccesarily need an amp but you won't reach their full potential without one. 

 

If it were me - I'd probably go for the HD 598 and spend the remainder of the budget on an amp like the ibasso d-zero. That amp has a built in DAC that you can use in conjunction with your computer, but it is also portable and you can use it with your ipod. There are other similar amps out there, I just know that the d-zero is priced nice at $109 and while it isn't an amazing amp, it is certainly good.

 

Add yourself an inexpensive fiio L3 or L9 to take advantage of the line out capability of the ipod and you'd have a nice little starter audiophile setup good for both home and portable usage.

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post #5 of 10
12/3/12 at 4:05am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by dmort View Post

Well - when you start spending around that much on headphones, many of them become a little harder to drive with a computer/ipod soundcard. Lots of people get an external amp or an external amp/dac combo to run the headphones. Not all headphones, mind you - Grado's are very easily driveable with a computer 3.5mm output. Doesn't mean that they can't improve with amping, just that they will sound strong without the amp.


I am pretty sure that the 598 are going to be a safe bet through the computer. They'd probably improve with amp but it would be a good place to start. The 650s and 600s don't neccesarily need an amp but you won't reach their full potential without one. 

 

If it were me - I'd probably go for the HD 598 and spend the remainder of the budget on an amp like the ibasso d-zero. That amp has a built in DAC that you can use in conjunction with your computer, but it is also portable and you can use it with your ipod. There are other similar amps out there, I just know that the d-zero is priced nice at $109 and while it isn't an amazing amp, it is certainly good.

 

Add yourself an inexpensive fiio L3 or L9 to take advantage of the line out capability of the ipod and you'd have a nice little starter audiophile setup good for both home and portable usage.

Would an Ibasso work better than a fiio e11? I am interested in the external DAC, however, because I've heard the iPod Touch 3G DAC isn't very good. And if I just got the iBasso for my Koss headphones, how much of an improvement would I be getting by upgrading to Senn hd 598s? I've been reading up more on the Koss Pro DJ 100s, and I realize now that they probably weren't being amplified properly.

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post #6 of 10
12/3/12 at 4:16am

I have no issue with you getting a great deal on a used 650 here. Just check the seller's feedback and ask questions. I have bought LOTS of used headphones here without issue.

 

It's a great hp...

 

gL!!

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post #7 of 10
12/3/12 at 4:22am

Soundmagic HP200

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post #8 of 10
12/3/12 at 4:58am

The fiio e11 is a nice little amp! But it doesn't have a DAC for use with a computer. Of course you can still use it with your computer, you'd need a mini to mini cable. But the ibasso d-zero provides a usb input so you can bypass the mac's DAC. With a device like the ibasso you can hit both portable and home use - as I said, it is a nice starter option.

 

If you really want 650s you should just get 650s and a reasonable amp solution. If you get the 598s but you really wanted the 650s you are just going to end up eventually spending the money twice buying the 650s later on. Get what you want now and prevent (delay??) the eventual upgraditis. 

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post #9 of 10
12/9/12 at 10:27am
Thread Starter 

Ibasso D-zero + 598s or F11 + 598s? 

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post #10 of 10
12/11/12 at 10:59pm
Well, I think you mean the e11 as the F11 is the LOD dock to mini adapter thingy... Both the ibasso and the fiio are solid - I think you'd have to read around a bit to figure out which you'd like better (or just go for whichever is available used here in the forum). Here's another suggestion... Headroom Total Bithead. I tend to forget about the headroom gear, but that is a very well regarded amp/dac that does what the d-zero and the e11 do.

Also, correct me if I am wrong, but the e11 is an amp only I believe.
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