Looking for $200-$300 Headphones + $100-$200 DAC/Amp
Dec 25, 2013 at 11:03 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 12
mapleRABBIT

mapleRABBIT

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Budget: $200-$300 Headphones, $100-$200 DAC/Amp.
Source: Desktop Laptop, iPhone.
Requirements for Isolation: Doesn't matter, looking for a good pair of headphones for home use only.
Preferred Type of Headphone: Full-sized, over ear.
Preferred tonal balance: Balanced 
Past headphones: ATH-M50s
Preferred Music: Electronic, K-pop, Rock, Pop, Rap
 
Dec 26, 2013 at 1:39 AM Post #3 of 12
maplerabbit said:
  Budget: $200-$300 Headphones, $100-$200 DAC/Amp.
Source: Desktop Laptop, iPhone.
Requirements for Isolation: Doesn't matter, looking for a good pair of headphones for home use only.
Preferred Type of Headphone: Full-sized, over ear.
Preferred tonal balance: Balanced 
Past headphones: ATH-M50s
Preferred Music: Electronic, K-pop, Rock, Pop, Rap
Click to expand...

Audio Technica ATH-A900X closed headphones, $220
Hifiman Velour ear pads, $10+shipping
FiiO E10 USB-DAC-Amp, $75
 
Dec 26, 2013 at 5:45 AM Post #4 of 12
maplerabbit said:
  Budget: $200-$300 Headphones, $100-$200 DAC/Amp.
Source: Desktop Laptop, iPhone.
Requirements for Isolation: Doesn't matter, looking for a good pair of headphones for home use only.
Preferred Type of Headphone: Full-sized, over ear.
Preferred tonal balance: Balanced 
Past headphones: ATH-M50s
Preferred Music: Electronic, K-pop, Rock, Pop, Rap
Click to expand...

Hello,
 
The Philips X1 with an after market cable + FiiO E17K will do you good or you can go for the AKG K712 Pro + Schiit Magni & Modi :)
 
Hope it helps,
Billson 
 
Dec 26, 2013 at 10:56 PM Post #5 of 12
purpleangel said:
  Audio Technica ATH-A900X closed headphones, $220
Hifiman Velour ear pads, $10+shipping
FiiO E10 USB-DAC-Amp, $75
Click to expand...

Why velour ear pads?
 

Quote:
billsonchang007 said:
  Hello,
 
The Philips X1 with an after market cable + FiiO E17K will do you good or you can go for the AKG K712 Pro + Schiit Magni & Modi :)
 
Hope it helps,
Billson 
Click to expand...


I think the K172s are a bit out of my budget. 

Also apparently my uncle has an old unused amp, a Pioneer VSX-D510. Is this of any use?
 
Dec 26, 2013 at 11:47 PM Post #6 of 12
maplerabbit said:
 
I think the K172s are a bit out of my budget. 

Also apparently my uncle has an old unused amp, a Pioneer VSX-D510. Is this of any use?
Click to expand...

You could get the Beyerdynamic DT880 pro 250-Ohm headphones, use the VSX-D510 as the headphone amplifier, for use with desktop or laptop or iPhone.
 
If you wanted to use the IPhone on the move get small portable headphones.
 
Dec 26, 2013 at 11:52 PM Post #7 of 12
one question, which would help alot: How did you like the ATH M50? What exactly did you like about them, what did you not? (like tonal sounding, bass-quality (punch, precision), isolation (means, you want again closed cans, or maybe more open because you did not like the isolation?)
 
You could also set the prices abit different. Beyerdynamic T70 (more natural sounding than ATH M50, and more bright), which is sometimes sold for 350€ (amazon.es), insteat 450-500€.
Also the T90 (open version) for 400-450€.
Both dont really require an expensive amp, so a cheap Fiio E10 would do the job just as fine.
 
Remember, the Headphone itself is MUCH more important for the Sound, than the DAC/AMPs.
 
Dec 27, 2013 at 12:30 AM Post #8 of 12
 
purpleangel said:
  You could get the Beyerdynamic DT880 pro 250-Ohm headphones, use the VSX-D510 as the headphone amplifier, for use with desktop or laptop or iPhone.
 
If you wanted to use the IPhone on the move get small portable headphones.
 
Click to expand...


My total budget is $500. If I use the VSX-D510 as the headphone amplifier which DAC should I get?
Nah, I'm planning to use my M50s as portable headphones. 

Quote:
darkseth said:
  one question, which would help alot: How did you like the ATH M50? What exactly did you like about them, what did you not? (like tonal sounding, bass-quality (punch, precision), isolation (means, you want again closed cans, or maybe more open because you did not like the isolation?)
 
You could also set the prices abit different. Beyerdynamic T70 (more natural sounding than ATH M50, and more bright), which is sometimes sold for 350€ (amazon.es), insteat 450-500€.
Also the T90 (open version) for 400-450€.
Both dont really require an expensive amp, so a cheap Fiio E10 would do the job just as fine.
 
Remember, the Headphone itself is MUCH more important for the Sound, than the DAC/AMPs.
Click to expand...

Generally, I liked the the tone of the M50s except I felt like the mids could be a bit better. I liked the punchy bass from the M50s and I'd like my next headphones to have good bass as well. I'm not sure about isolation though, the isolation was good for when I was travelling but I didn't really need it at home. I'm not sure if I want closed or open headphones (haven't tried open).  

How should I spend my $500 budget? (Provided that I now have an amp).
 
Dec 27, 2013 at 12:43 AM Post #9 of 12
Dec 27, 2013 at 7:24 AM Post #11 of 12
Well my budget's changed since I've acquired an amp.  
I can spend $400-$500 for a pair of headphones + DAC. 
I've been looking at the 
AKG K712 Pro
Hifiman HE-400

but I'm open to all suggestions.
 
Dec 27, 2013 at 8:07 AM Post #12 of 12
maplerabbit said:
  Well my budget's changed since I've acquired an amp.  
I can spend $400-$500 for a pair of headphones + DAC. 
I've been looking at the 
AKG K712 Pro
Hifiman HE-400

but I'm open to all suggestions.
Click to expand...

The HE-400 have recessed upper mids; you will either love it or hate it. 
 
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