Hans31
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2015
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I'm looking for a single pair of headphones that can be played using my iPhone, or my computer without a headphone amplifier. Budget Absolute limit is 950 euros. ($1070).
They will not be played louder than 75 DB (due to hearing loss). I don't like in ears. Only over or on ears need apply, preferably closed.
Below is a list of the headphones I've listened to over the last week They are listed in order of preference:
1. Beyerdynamic T5P
2. Grado RS2E
3. Grado SR80E
4. Sennheiser HD600
5. Senheiser Momentum 2
6. Audioquest nighthawk
7. Hifi Man 400i
8. B&W P7
9. Sony MDR 1AB
10. B&W P5 S2
11.Harmon Kardon Soho Black
12. Bose QC 25i
13. Focal Spirit Classic
14 Phillipps Fidelio X1
14 Beyerdynamics T90 (250 ohm)
15 Beyerdynamics T70 (250 ohm)
16 Sennheiser Urbanite XL
17 JBL Synchross
18 Focal Spirit One
I've found I like headphones that make the music come alive, like a live performance as opposed to laid back neutrality. What I ideally would like is the resolving ability of the T5P/RS2E but with base power , grip, definition and depth.
Has anyone got any suggestions?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I used to Own Sennheiser HD 600's about 20 years ago but one of my family "borrowed" it and its not been returned yet. Currently have a pair of cheap headphones for Skype, but have not considered a new pair until my recent flight.
I've been looking at the initial recommendations for portable headphones and other top 50 lists. Deceided to get my feet wet and to listen to some cans, here are my impressions. It won't be mega detailed and i'm doing this from memory. I listened to these for roughly 10-40 mins each. Source was my iPhone 4S with full wav encoded tracks. Music listened to was the following:
Leftfield , Leftism - Release The Pressure.
I like this track, modern, lots of different melodies and effects , one for base heads and detail merchants alike. I found this track can be gripping with the right cans, but others it can sound veiled, polite and muddled
Unothodox Juke box, Bruno Mars - Gorilla
Just love Bruno's stuff, This track really rocks and combines a few genres. If headphones suck they won't get this right.
Greatest Composers, Bach, Organ concerto in D Minor BMV 596, performed by Donatas Maletskis
One of the most beautiful classic recordings I have ( Has everything, delicacy, rhythm, reverb, echoes, thunderous base power and scale, beauty etc- the whole nine yards).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've got a bit of a disclaimer. I am by no means an "audiophile", my hearing is shot to pieces due to rifle and plane noises. I can hear noises in the night but have trouble with whispers in my ear. I'd say worse than average for my age (40).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SQ = Sound quality
BQ = Build quality (Will they survive a run in with my 3 year old)
RW = Real worth, How much I think they are really worth/what I'd be prepared to pay for them based on there SQ.
Reference : Speaker/Home cinema system : - 9/10 (About 10000 euros worth of Marantz, Focal Micro Utopia Be's, Sunfire EQ Sub and Chord gizmos) source mac mini via Chord DAC.
Sennheiser HD600 (formerly owned)- Retail 300 Euros. SQ 6.5 /10 BQ 6/10 RW 300 - 350 Euros
From memory - these were non fatiguing but not warm either, tonally neutral without any due emphasis. State of the art at the time but no match for a proper speaker system. Fond memories of Nirvana, faith no more and schumann played through these. Used to use them for games too, and they were pretty damn good.If I still had these would be curious as to upgrading but probably just get the QC 25s as my travel companions and keep this one as my home pair.
Bose 25i Quiet Confort - Retail 299 Euros. SQ 4.5/ 10 , BQ 4/10 RW 160 Euros
This was on a number of recommended lists, and I keep on seeing these at the airport, heh I hate engine noise, these might do the trick. Well yes they do limit the external sound to a murmur, but at the expense of a very strange sensation. Kind of like pressure, weird feeling in the ear. Whatever, they play neutral and inoffensive, lacking detail with no particular emphasis in any frequency. However they are by no means the worst I've heard, and they are better to my ears than some others I listened to. If the price was 160 euros and I had a flight/holiday coming up I would buy these and be done.
Sony MDR 1 AB - Retail 163 Euros. SQ 5/10 BQ 5.5/10 RW 160 Euros
These were first up and I was pleasantly surpassed. Nice even warm sound, but not harsh. Sounded a bit veiled compared to the momentums, but had better base presence. Couldn't really tell if they had definition as well, (noisy superstore). Very comfortable, and nice looking.
JBL Synchros S700. Retail 200 Euros. SQ 3.5/10 BQ 5/10 RW 170 Euros
These were warm, but under defined, plenty of bass. It sounded like a lot of noise, but played through a thin cushion. I did not enjoy them.
Philips Fidelio X1. Retail 299 Euros SQ 4/10 BQ 5.5 /10 RW160 Euros
These were warm. But did not engage me. Felt a bit weird wearing them as the cans are enormous. Due to the noisy environment couldn't really tell if they had good definition. The Sony MDR 1 sounded better. i.e more enjoyable and was more comfortable. Sounded like I was listening through a cushion.
Sennheiser Urbanite XL over ear. Retail 250 Euros SQ 3.5/10 BQ 5.5 RW 160 Euros
Had high expectations, however the midrange was over emphasised but detailed. It did not sound like the bass & sub bass matched its midrange. Disappointing. Bruno sounded strident and without any body. I did not enjoy these.
Sennheiser Momentum (M2 OEI) over ear. Retail 180 Euros. SQ 5.2/10 BQ 5.5 RW 180 Euros
This was a breath of Fresh air after the Urbanites. Up to this point I preferred the Sony MDR 1 to all others in SQ and comfort. Listened to Bruno - Good, upfront and engaging, if a little strident. Bass did not go as deep as the Sony, but it just sounded better. Sony was more comfortable though. Didn't quite get a full workout with these as the security guard indicated closing time!!
2nd audition at a hifi shop local to me. Same things as initially noted they have a bit of a get up and go presentation however they are absolutely no match for the Grado SR series.
Harmon Kardon Soho Black. Retail 230 Euros SQ 4.5/10 BQ 3.5/10 RW 160 Euros
Tonally neutral but lack base. Think of a slightly more detailed Bose Q25i. They felt a little flimsy on my head though and think I would be very careful if I travelled with it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 2 in a proper hifi dealer.
B&W P5 S2. Retail 299 Euros. SQ 4.5/10 BQ 4/10 RW 200
These had a similar sonic signature to the HK solo. With better build. Warm/neutral sound with not a lot of bass. Materials and comfort were good though. Not an engaging sound. Didn't like Bruno through them.
B & W P7. Retail 399 Euros. SQ 5/10 BQ 4.5/10 RW 230
This was the first superior headphone out of the bunch I'd listened to up to. Warm relaxed sound, with better base extension than the P5 and momentums. However although it had base it did not convey power, drive or definition compared to the Grado SR series when playing Bruno or Leftfield. Overpriced.
Grado SR 80E . Retail 130 Euros SQ 6/10 BQ 4/10 RW 300 Euros
Wow. That was my first reaction. Up to that point all the headphones tested were lacking in something, and I couldn't put my finger on it until I heard these. They had drive detail openness, but not strident. Really in a completely different league. This little SR Put every headphone I tried bar its bigger brother and T5P to shame. The only limiting factor was that it felt base shy. Listened to all my tracks through this. What a bargain. I reckon the foam pads would be made mincemeat by my toddler though.
Focal Spirit One S. Retail 169 Euros. SQ 3/10 BQ 4.5/10 RW 80 Euros
Disappointing. A lot worse than the BMW P5 , HK and the QC25i. Played a little of Bruno before stoping. How did Focal get it so wrong. No drive or dynamism or base conveyed. Boring. Played as if through a pillow, lacking details.
Focal Spirit Classic . Retail 299 Euros. SQ 4.5/10 BQ 5/10 RW 170 Euros
A lot better than there other headphone. Not to B& W P7. Totally outclassed by the Grado SR80. Again no drive or verve. Although neutral it did not have the extension of the BMW. It had some detail but not enough to compete with Sennheisers momentums either.
Beyerdynamic T70 (250 Ohm). Retail 499 Euros SQ 4/10 BQ 5/10 RW 170 Euros
Neutral and not engaging. Felt like it was not loud enough and suspect impedance a problem for the phone.
Beyerdynamic T90 (250 Ohm). Retail 499 Euros SQ 4/10 BQ 5.10 RW 170 Euros
Same as above, a little more detailed.
Beyerdynamic T5P. Retail 949 Euros SQ 7.1/10 BQ 5/10 RW 420 Euros
This headphone is neutral. I would have put it away except for a couple of things that kept me wanting to try it again and again comparing it to the Grado SR2 E( Findings below). These had subtle and unobtrusive detail and definition. They do not immediately Rock like the Grado's but they do things no other headphone I tested did. With Leftfield they revealed a subtle base tune that the Grado's couldn't grasp, and with the Fugue they were effortless. Very Very similar to the HD600 from memory, but with better base definition. However they are deep base light, i.e they do not have adequate Deep Deep base, which makes me play it louder than is healthy. Catch 22. I would buy this if it were 500 euros cheaper.
Grado RS2E. Retail; 545 Euros SQ 7/10 BQ 4.5/10 RW 400 Euros
This headphone is to attack, verve and drive as the T5P is to neutral inoffensiveness. I enjoyed playing all the tracks from the organ to Leftfield. Better than the 80 SR in that it has obvious base and a smudge more detail,its better but not by nearly 400 euros its not. It is Competitive with the T5p, though both are deep base shy. The T5P is a better headphone, just. - The devils in the micro details. Again suspect my toddler would make mincemeat of the foam pads. If this was a closed design I would buy it.
Hifi Man HE400 i. Retail 599 Euros SQ 5/10 BQ 5/10 RW 180 Euros
I was strolling out of the shop when I encountered these. After the Grado and T5P monster session they felt veiled. and subdued. I had the same volume issue with this as the 250 Ohm beyers, suspect my phone was struggling to drive them. However they are just too big to seriously consider travelling with them.
Audioquest Nighthawk. Retail 599 Euros SQ 5/10 BQ 6/10 RW 230 Euros
These look nice and they play neutral in a nice way. It had detail though it felt veiled/smothered. I suspect my phone was having trouble driving them. Not in the same class as the T5P or RS2E. I like the way they look.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks
Hans
They will not be played louder than 75 DB (due to hearing loss). I don't like in ears. Only over or on ears need apply, preferably closed.
Below is a list of the headphones I've listened to over the last week They are listed in order of preference:
1. Beyerdynamic T5P
2. Grado RS2E
3. Grado SR80E
4. Sennheiser HD600
5. Senheiser Momentum 2
6. Audioquest nighthawk
7. Hifi Man 400i
8. B&W P7
9. Sony MDR 1AB
10. B&W P5 S2
11.Harmon Kardon Soho Black
12. Bose QC 25i
13. Focal Spirit Classic
14 Phillipps Fidelio X1
14 Beyerdynamics T90 (250 ohm)
15 Beyerdynamics T70 (250 ohm)
16 Sennheiser Urbanite XL
17 JBL Synchross
18 Focal Spirit One
I've found I like headphones that make the music come alive, like a live performance as opposed to laid back neutrality. What I ideally would like is the resolving ability of the T5P/RS2E but with base power , grip, definition and depth.
Has anyone got any suggestions?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I used to Own Sennheiser HD 600's about 20 years ago but one of my family "borrowed" it and its not been returned yet. Currently have a pair of cheap headphones for Skype, but have not considered a new pair until my recent flight.
I've been looking at the initial recommendations for portable headphones and other top 50 lists. Deceided to get my feet wet and to listen to some cans, here are my impressions. It won't be mega detailed and i'm doing this from memory. I listened to these for roughly 10-40 mins each. Source was my iPhone 4S with full wav encoded tracks. Music listened to was the following:
Leftfield , Leftism - Release The Pressure.
I like this track, modern, lots of different melodies and effects , one for base heads and detail merchants alike. I found this track can be gripping with the right cans, but others it can sound veiled, polite and muddled
Unothodox Juke box, Bruno Mars - Gorilla
Just love Bruno's stuff, This track really rocks and combines a few genres. If headphones suck they won't get this right.
Greatest Composers, Bach, Organ concerto in D Minor BMV 596, performed by Donatas Maletskis
One of the most beautiful classic recordings I have ( Has everything, delicacy, rhythm, reverb, echoes, thunderous base power and scale, beauty etc- the whole nine yards).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've got a bit of a disclaimer. I am by no means an "audiophile", my hearing is shot to pieces due to rifle and plane noises. I can hear noises in the night but have trouble with whispers in my ear. I'd say worse than average for my age (40).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SQ = Sound quality
BQ = Build quality (Will they survive a run in with my 3 year old)
RW = Real worth, How much I think they are really worth/what I'd be prepared to pay for them based on there SQ.
Reference : Speaker/Home cinema system : - 9/10 (About 10000 euros worth of Marantz, Focal Micro Utopia Be's, Sunfire EQ Sub and Chord gizmos) source mac mini via Chord DAC.
Sennheiser HD600 (formerly owned)- Retail 300 Euros. SQ 6.5 /10 BQ 6/10 RW 300 - 350 Euros
From memory - these were non fatiguing but not warm either, tonally neutral without any due emphasis. State of the art at the time but no match for a proper speaker system. Fond memories of Nirvana, faith no more and schumann played through these. Used to use them for games too, and they were pretty damn good.If I still had these would be curious as to upgrading but probably just get the QC 25s as my travel companions and keep this one as my home pair.
Bose 25i Quiet Confort - Retail 299 Euros. SQ 4.5/ 10 , BQ 4/10 RW 160 Euros
This was on a number of recommended lists, and I keep on seeing these at the airport, heh I hate engine noise, these might do the trick. Well yes they do limit the external sound to a murmur, but at the expense of a very strange sensation. Kind of like pressure, weird feeling in the ear. Whatever, they play neutral and inoffensive, lacking detail with no particular emphasis in any frequency. However they are by no means the worst I've heard, and they are better to my ears than some others I listened to. If the price was 160 euros and I had a flight/holiday coming up I would buy these and be done.
Sony MDR 1 AB - Retail 163 Euros. SQ 5/10 BQ 5.5/10 RW 160 Euros
These were first up and I was pleasantly surpassed. Nice even warm sound, but not harsh. Sounded a bit veiled compared to the momentums, but had better base presence. Couldn't really tell if they had definition as well, (noisy superstore). Very comfortable, and nice looking.
JBL Synchros S700. Retail 200 Euros. SQ 3.5/10 BQ 5/10 RW 170 Euros
These were warm, but under defined, plenty of bass. It sounded like a lot of noise, but played through a thin cushion. I did not enjoy them.
Philips Fidelio X1. Retail 299 Euros SQ 4/10 BQ 5.5 /10 RW160 Euros
These were warm. But did not engage me. Felt a bit weird wearing them as the cans are enormous. Due to the noisy environment couldn't really tell if they had good definition. The Sony MDR 1 sounded better. i.e more enjoyable and was more comfortable. Sounded like I was listening through a cushion.
Sennheiser Urbanite XL over ear. Retail 250 Euros SQ 3.5/10 BQ 5.5 RW 160 Euros
Had high expectations, however the midrange was over emphasised but detailed. It did not sound like the bass & sub bass matched its midrange. Disappointing. Bruno sounded strident and without any body. I did not enjoy these.
Sennheiser Momentum (M2 OEI) over ear. Retail 180 Euros. SQ 5.2/10 BQ 5.5 RW 180 Euros
This was a breath of Fresh air after the Urbanites. Up to this point I preferred the Sony MDR 1 to all others in SQ and comfort. Listened to Bruno - Good, upfront and engaging, if a little strident. Bass did not go as deep as the Sony, but it just sounded better. Sony was more comfortable though. Didn't quite get a full workout with these as the security guard indicated closing time!!
2nd audition at a hifi shop local to me. Same things as initially noted they have a bit of a get up and go presentation however they are absolutely no match for the Grado SR series.
Harmon Kardon Soho Black. Retail 230 Euros SQ 4.5/10 BQ 3.5/10 RW 160 Euros
Tonally neutral but lack base. Think of a slightly more detailed Bose Q25i. They felt a little flimsy on my head though and think I would be very careful if I travelled with it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 2 in a proper hifi dealer.
B&W P5 S2. Retail 299 Euros. SQ 4.5/10 BQ 4/10 RW 200
These had a similar sonic signature to the HK solo. With better build. Warm/neutral sound with not a lot of bass. Materials and comfort were good though. Not an engaging sound. Didn't like Bruno through them.
B & W P7. Retail 399 Euros. SQ 5/10 BQ 4.5/10 RW 230
This was the first superior headphone out of the bunch I'd listened to up to. Warm relaxed sound, with better base extension than the P5 and momentums. However although it had base it did not convey power, drive or definition compared to the Grado SR series when playing Bruno or Leftfield. Overpriced.
Grado SR 80E . Retail 130 Euros SQ 6/10 BQ 4/10 RW 300 Euros
Wow. That was my first reaction. Up to that point all the headphones tested were lacking in something, and I couldn't put my finger on it until I heard these. They had drive detail openness, but not strident. Really in a completely different league. This little SR Put every headphone I tried bar its bigger brother and T5P to shame. The only limiting factor was that it felt base shy. Listened to all my tracks through this. What a bargain. I reckon the foam pads would be made mincemeat by my toddler though.
Focal Spirit One S. Retail 169 Euros. SQ 3/10 BQ 4.5/10 RW 80 Euros
Disappointing. A lot worse than the BMW P5 , HK and the QC25i. Played a little of Bruno before stoping. How did Focal get it so wrong. No drive or dynamism or base conveyed. Boring. Played as if through a pillow, lacking details.
Focal Spirit Classic . Retail 299 Euros. SQ 4.5/10 BQ 5/10 RW 170 Euros
A lot better than there other headphone. Not to B& W P7. Totally outclassed by the Grado SR80. Again no drive or verve. Although neutral it did not have the extension of the BMW. It had some detail but not enough to compete with Sennheisers momentums either.
Beyerdynamic T70 (250 Ohm). Retail 499 Euros SQ 4/10 BQ 5/10 RW 170 Euros
Neutral and not engaging. Felt like it was not loud enough and suspect impedance a problem for the phone.
Beyerdynamic T90 (250 Ohm). Retail 499 Euros SQ 4/10 BQ 5.10 RW 170 Euros
Same as above, a little more detailed.
Beyerdynamic T5P. Retail 949 Euros SQ 7.1/10 BQ 5/10 RW 420 Euros
This headphone is neutral. I would have put it away except for a couple of things that kept me wanting to try it again and again comparing it to the Grado SR2 E( Findings below). These had subtle and unobtrusive detail and definition. They do not immediately Rock like the Grado's but they do things no other headphone I tested did. With Leftfield they revealed a subtle base tune that the Grado's couldn't grasp, and with the Fugue they were effortless. Very Very similar to the HD600 from memory, but with better base definition. However they are deep base light, i.e they do not have adequate Deep Deep base, which makes me play it louder than is healthy. Catch 22. I would buy this if it were 500 euros cheaper.
Grado RS2E. Retail; 545 Euros SQ 7/10 BQ 4.5/10 RW 400 Euros
This headphone is to attack, verve and drive as the T5P is to neutral inoffensiveness. I enjoyed playing all the tracks from the organ to Leftfield. Better than the 80 SR in that it has obvious base and a smudge more detail,its better but not by nearly 400 euros its not. It is Competitive with the T5p, though both are deep base shy. The T5P is a better headphone, just. - The devils in the micro details. Again suspect my toddler would make mincemeat of the foam pads. If this was a closed design I would buy it.
Hifi Man HE400 i. Retail 599 Euros SQ 5/10 BQ 5/10 RW 180 Euros
I was strolling out of the shop when I encountered these. After the Grado and T5P monster session they felt veiled. and subdued. I had the same volume issue with this as the 250 Ohm beyers, suspect my phone was struggling to drive them. However they are just too big to seriously consider travelling with them.
Audioquest Nighthawk. Retail 599 Euros SQ 5/10 BQ 6/10 RW 230 Euros
These look nice and they play neutral in a nice way. It had detail though it felt veiled/smothered. I suspect my phone was having trouble driving them. Not in the same class as the T5P or RS2E. I like the way they look.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks
Hans
