$500 for headphones, amp (if needed), and cables

prolly senn hd650 and a pimenta or other non portable amp. others will have an idea on that.

I'm pleased with my HD650's and Rega Ear for the most part. Those two would come to around 550. My biggest complaint, I think, is my sound card. Have to wait a couple months before I get paid again to replace my audigy 2.

I've got the HD 600s and CD3000 and i would define the CD3000 as exactly what you want...search for them. Senns are....a dull sound (or in a kinder word, laid back ) compared to the CD3000.

I'd really recommend them.

As far as the iPod Mini as a source is concerned, I'd suggest something simple as the Audio-Technica ATH-A900. Tonally it's somewhat similar to the CD3000, although in terms of capability it is quite different (read inferior). However on basic sources you're unlikely to be able to tell (or care about) a major difference. That, and it's ideal match are cheap decent amps like PIMETAs (not much point going higher for performance, as the A900 won't scale that far even assuming you have a quality source).


If you go for a basic PIMETA, that's about $150 change you've got out of your budget. If you're prepared to go slightly over-budget, you can add a pair of Sennheiser HD25-1 for probably the best portable HEADphone experience on the Mini.

I prefer the A900 to the CD3000 - so I sold my 3Ks. Reasons in the monster review thread linked below. Between 3K and 650 i'd not hesitate to get the 650s. Other option is the 595s, a small amp, and a decent source.

I feel i have to defend here.

Too bright, sometimes harsh

I wasn't worried about this one when i read up about the cd3ks, but when i first tried on these cans, i just thought OUCH. It is bright. But now it seems normal; i cannot see why others still seem to find them bright, though the cans are fatiguing and i do sometimes just want to stop listening unlike with the senns. They are a more enjoyable experience then the senns though.

emphasize source weaknesses

I can't comment on this greatly, but source as in the formats of the media (cd and mp3), definately. The detail is brought out more and sounds smoother to my ears then what the senns do.

bad presentation of vocals, especially female

Rubbish. Compared to the senns, it is MUCH more accurate. The treble rolloff seems to be what attributes to this on the senns...its as if the upper tones of the voice are just missing. Not the case with the sonys.

rolled off highs

When i started comparing these headphones, i found it unbelievable how much of a chunk of the upper end the senns was missing. If Sennheiser do anything to the next HD in the 580-650 series, they need to solve the treble rolloff. IMO, its unacceptable in an 'audiophile' headphone.

ety-like detail

Listening to my music now is like a new experience. I am hearing so much that i never heard with the senns. The sony's really bring everything out. This could be said as the music sound separated on the sony's rather then all jumbled together on the senns.

less bass than the competition

Agreed. The senns go down further and much more prevalent on tracks then the cd3ks. The cd3k's have more slam though, for those hard house tracks

At the moment, i'm finding it hard to find some music sounding good on the senns. I compared the phones with a classical album, and its signature material was beaten by the sonys. Quite simply, the instruments do not sound anywhere near real once you have heard the sony's.

I don't understand it though, the phones are so much better for positioning and generally overall in counter-strike than the sony's unlike in music. I am going to test it some more, but right now, the Sony's don't come close in overall for accuracy of positioning in gaming! I also love the fit and feel of the Sony's. The CD3000s can't touch the senns for comfort and fit. The senns clamp onto your head comfortably. The sony's are loose and do not seem to distribute the weight evenly over the top and side of the head like the senns, they dump all the weight on the top of your head.

Well thats all the crits i have for the Sony's but otherwise, they are the better phones. I read for a long while having the Senns about the Sony's and knew it was what i wanted, my kind of sound. Now i have them, it is exactly that. Head-fi just seems to go through phases, at the moment i think its the hating cd3000 phase

I hope that helps in your quest for the better headphone

$200.00 left for amp eh, try to find a perreaux sxh-1 ver 0.5
It got a good synergy with cd3k. as far as cd3k, the cheapest price for brand new is $380 from etronics.com
You can get much cheaper if you're willing to buy used in for sale forum.

Hmm, IMHO, Grados and a compatible amp sounds like a great idea.

Just two things should be noted to a would be grado owner - 1. they leak like crazy 2. most people find them slightly uncomforable. Other than that, they are amazing, especially for that wow effect.

Everybody had their favorite headphones. I'm not a fan of the CD3000s, but they have their fan club, and deservedly so. However, if you're looking for richness/body/tone there is no better headphone than the HD650.
As far as the Grados, they're definitely worth a listen. I like the SR225s, but their discomfort is too much for me. They're also not as full bodied as the Senns.
As always, try to audition what you can. That's the only way to find out what sounds good to you. Try to buy from somewhere that will let you return those cans that you don't want. You may pay a little more, but at least you get to make comparisons and buy the right can for you.