So long story here, but hear me out - I apologize in advance.
I've been researching and auditioning headphones pretty extensively for the past few months, but I can't seem to make a decision. In December, I picked up a pair of m50s on amazon for $105. I very much enjoyed them, but I often listen to headphones while drifting off to sleep and sometimes I fall asleep in them. By the end of January (just two months of use) the pleather had become hard/cracking likely because the pads aren't very breathable and are rather susceptible to sweat/oil.
I then returned the m50s to amazon and picked up some dt770s from Guitar Center for $190, which I thought because they had velour pads, this would resolve my issue. Unamped, I found I did not like the sound as much as my m50s, and they were far more inconvenient due to the very long cable (the m50s were conveniently coiled). They just felt less sensitive, more lifeless.
In a last ditch effort, I went big. I ordered a Fiio e07k Andes and some AKG Q701s to audition against the dt770s with proper amplification. While I wanted to love the Q701s, and indeed, they felt very good on my head, I just found the bass lacking even through the DAC and the highs were quite prominent and very fatiguing to my ears. Amped, the dt770s didn't change enough that I was happy spending an extra $100 for a barely appreciable difference to my ears. Thus, I returned them both and am now in headphone limbo.
Now, here's where I'm at. I primarily use my headphones to listen to music - primarily rock, classic rock, and metal, but occasionally some modern top-40 stuff. Just as often, I use them to watch/stream movies and play games on my laptop and iPhone. I also use them to monitor my keyboard using a 1/4" jack.
Based on my experiences with the aforementioned headphones, here's what I like about each that I'd like to preserve in my next pair:
M50: While the sound is a bit "V-shaped," I don't mind it, and it actually made my piano sound really good. I also enjoyed the folding prowess (cups swivel, pads fold inward). I liked the shortness of the cable as it made it a more portable solution for my iPhone
dt770: The velour ear pads were very comfortable and the 1/8" jack fit in my iPhone without having to remove my massive case
q701: Fashion forward design, really nice big soundstage which made games and movies pretty immersive. I liked the roomier ear pads as well and the sheer lightness of the cans on my head compared to my previous two. I could barely tell they were on.
So here's what I'm looking for:
Something portable that works with my iPhone with the case on and has a shorter cable (mic/ volume controls would be a bonus). A folding design would also be preferable and some sort of case/ pouch for travel.
Adapts easily to a 1/4" jack to be used with my keyboard. Perhaps even a removable cable with a longer cable to use at home.
Great sounding with the types of music described above, but not so flat as to make movies/ games boring. So I guess I'm not opposed to "fun" sounding headphones, but as always, something audiophile quality is always a nice touch.
I'm looking into:
Sennheiser Momentums (which I've heard are cramped and perhaps a little flat or boring sounding)
V-Moda M-100s (which I've seen can be overly bass heavy which I'm worried might kill an instrumental guitar track, for example)
Sony MDR-1R (seem like lower build quality for $300, unsure of sound)
Logitech UE6000 (I've heard the active noise cancellation colors the sound and they seem to have a problem with the cable being loose in connecting to the phones)
Does anyone own (or heard) any of the above and can offer any advice? Or perhaps you have another suggestion not yet on my radar? If all fails, I'll probably just pick up another pair of m50s, perhaps in white, and try to be more careful with the pads.
I've been researching and auditioning headphones pretty extensively for the past few months, but I can't seem to make a decision. In December, I picked up a pair of m50s on amazon for $105. I very much enjoyed them, but I often listen to headphones while drifting off to sleep and sometimes I fall asleep in them. By the end of January (just two months of use) the pleather had become hard/cracking likely because the pads aren't very breathable and are rather susceptible to sweat/oil.
I then returned the m50s to amazon and picked up some dt770s from Guitar Center for $190, which I thought because they had velour pads, this would resolve my issue. Unamped, I found I did not like the sound as much as my m50s, and they were far more inconvenient due to the very long cable (the m50s were conveniently coiled). They just felt less sensitive, more lifeless.
In a last ditch effort, I went big. I ordered a Fiio e07k Andes and some AKG Q701s to audition against the dt770s with proper amplification. While I wanted to love the Q701s, and indeed, they felt very good on my head, I just found the bass lacking even through the DAC and the highs were quite prominent and very fatiguing to my ears. Amped, the dt770s didn't change enough that I was happy spending an extra $100 for a barely appreciable difference to my ears. Thus, I returned them both and am now in headphone limbo.
Now, here's where I'm at. I primarily use my headphones to listen to music - primarily rock, classic rock, and metal, but occasionally some modern top-40 stuff. Just as often, I use them to watch/stream movies and play games on my laptop and iPhone. I also use them to monitor my keyboard using a 1/4" jack.
Based on my experiences with the aforementioned headphones, here's what I like about each that I'd like to preserve in my next pair:
M50: While the sound is a bit "V-shaped," I don't mind it, and it actually made my piano sound really good. I also enjoyed the folding prowess (cups swivel, pads fold inward). I liked the shortness of the cable as it made it a more portable solution for my iPhone
dt770: The velour ear pads were very comfortable and the 1/8" jack fit in my iPhone without having to remove my massive case
q701: Fashion forward design, really nice big soundstage which made games and movies pretty immersive. I liked the roomier ear pads as well and the sheer lightness of the cans on my head compared to my previous two. I could barely tell they were on.
So here's what I'm looking for:
Something portable that works with my iPhone with the case on and has a shorter cable (mic/ volume controls would be a bonus). A folding design would also be preferable and some sort of case/ pouch for travel.
Adapts easily to a 1/4" jack to be used with my keyboard. Perhaps even a removable cable with a longer cable to use at home.
Great sounding with the types of music described above, but not so flat as to make movies/ games boring. So I guess I'm not opposed to "fun" sounding headphones, but as always, something audiophile quality is always a nice touch.
I'm looking into:
Sennheiser Momentums (which I've heard are cramped and perhaps a little flat or boring sounding)
V-Moda M-100s (which I've seen can be overly bass heavy which I'm worried might kill an instrumental guitar track, for example)
Sony MDR-1R (seem like lower build quality for $300, unsure of sound)
Logitech UE6000 (I've heard the active noise cancellation colors the sound and they seem to have a problem with the cable being loose in connecting to the phones)
Does anyone own (or heard) any of the above and can offer any advice? Or perhaps you have another suggestion not yet on my radar? If all fails, I'll probably just pick up another pair of m50s, perhaps in white, and try to be more careful with the pads.
