[urbanhusky]

Hi,
 
I prefer to listen to a varied field of genres, but my primary focus is on electronic music. I store all my music in lossless formats and use an ASUS Xonar Essence One DAC for playback.
I'm now looking for a pair of headphones to supplement the detailed sound of the DAC since my Sennheiser HD 25 aren't as well defined as the AKG k701 my brother has.
Driving power shouldn't be too much of a problem with the DAC - in fact it is a bit too powerful for the Sennheiser. The Sennheiser also seems to lack a bit in the midrange.
 
My budget is roughly 300€ and I prefer analytical, fast and detailed sound yet do not want to have the bass lacking as I find it on the AKG - or no midrange as with the Sennheiser.
 
So far I had my eyes on the Q701 - the replaceable cable is very appealing to me and some claim it to be a bit more of a bassy k701, which sounds like I could like it a lot.
However, my personal experience with headphones isn't that varied, at least in this price class, so I'd love to hear what others might suggest.
 
In essence, I'm searching for somewhat of a blend of the HD 25 and k701 - something analytical, yet with a present and controlled bass. I don't need to drown in bass though.
Isolation isn't required, should be comfortable to be worn for long periods of time (with glasses).
 
Any help in my search is greatly appreciated
 
regards,
urbanhusky

 

[Acix]

Maybe you can try some Ultrasones, like the PL/Pro-650, 2900. The other option will be to get a used Q701 with a used hp amp in your budget, like the Corda Meier headfive (around $160-180).

 

[urbanhusky]

Quote:

Maybe you can try some Ultrasones, like the PL/Pro-650, 2900. The other option will be to get a used Q701 with a used hp amp in your budget, like the Corda Meier headfive (around $160-180).

I don't need a dedicated amp, the DAC seems to have a lot of power. The Q701 would also fit nicely into my budget (~310€ on Amazon) that's why I mentioned them.

 

[ricerocket]

AKG K550. Many have described it as a bassier version of the Q701.
 
That said, there are also many who can't get it to fit their skulls. Apparently you can't have a tiny peanut head.
 
Review thread from someone who has listened to both: http://www.head-fi.org/t/599170/akg-k550-review-essentially-a-closed-back-k702-literally

 

[urbanhusky]

Thanks for suggesting the k550, I wasn't aware of them. However I fear that the already loud output of my DAC would be too much for them (its close to too much with the Sennheiser already). I'm also a rather short person with not the biggest head as well as wearing glasses, so I'm very sceptical if I'll get a nice fit with them (there's no shop even remotely close to me where I could try them on).
 
The Ultrasone are a tad out of what I'd be comfortable to spend (~400€ around here).

 

[urbanhusky]

P.S.: I'm now considering Sennheiser HD 600, as they are still within an acceptable price-range. Any objections? *g*
 

 

[daveDerek]

Quote:

P.S.: I'm now considering Sennheiser HD 600, as they are still within an acceptable price-range. Any objections? *g*

 
the hd600 is a great phone - when fed by a good source and amped decently. otherwise folks commonly complain it sounds dull and boring.  for your music i'd have to wonder if you'd prefer the hd650 (same caveats apply). 
 
you might want to look into the akg k181dj. it's much sturdier and better than the k81dj. i kept this in preference to the senn hd25, although they were close. it's very easy to drive. also it can be modded for even better sound.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/162552/official-k-81-dj-thread
http://www.head-fi.org/t/323653/akg-k181dj-review#post_4183439

 

[urbanhusky]

Quote:

 
the hd600 is a great phone - when fed by a good source and amped decently. otherwise folks commonly complain it sounds dull and boring.  for your music i'd have to wonder if you'd prefer the hd650 (same caveats apply). 
 
you might want to look into the akg k181dj. it's much sturdier and better than the k81dj. i kept this in preference to the senn hd25, although they were close. it's very easy to drive. also it can be modded for even better sound.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/162552/official-k-81-dj-thread
http://www.head-fi.org/t/323653/akg-k181dj-review#post_4183439

Hi,
 
the Xonar Essence One should drive headphones up to 600 ohm without any problems - the HD 25 is actually too sensitive for it because the lowest volume setting is already very loud.
I'm currently pondering whether to get the HD600, HD650 or a Beyerdynamic DT 880 (600 ohm version). The AKG Q701 also isn't fully out of the race yet.
Since I prefer very detailed and fast sound, I might just go for the HD600 or DT 880, but I'm not fully decided yet. The non-replaceable cable on the Beyerdynamic is something I find a bit worrisome.
 
I had the chance to listen to the AKG K181 DJ and absolutely loathed it. If I remember correctly, it sounded thin and definitely not as precise as I would have wanted. The HD 25 had the best resolution of all the DJ headphones I tried back then, but that's a different story for a different time.
 
I'm also looking for a definite upgrade, coming from the HD 25.
The Asus Xonar Essence One also isn't just some random "sound card", it is an asynchronous dedicated DAC with integrated headphone amp, swappable opamps etc.
 
Sadly I have found no shop yet that would actually let me try those cans :\

 

[daveDerek]

Quote:

 
the Xonar Essence One should drive headphones up to 600 ohm without any problems - the HD 25 is actually too sensitive for it because the lowest volume setting is already very loud.
I'm currently pondering whether to get the HD600, HD650 or a Beyerdynamic DT 880 (600 ohm version). The AKG Q701 also isn't fully out of the race yet.
Since I prefer very detailed and fast sound, I might just go for the HD600 or DT 880, but I'm not fully decided yet. The non-replaceable cable on the Beyerdynamic is something I find a bit worrisome.
 
Sadly I have found no shop yet that would actually let me try those cans :\

 
i'm not familiar with the xonar. that said one should not confuse quantity and quality. amplification is not about how loud it can drive the phone but how well it can drive the phone.
i wouldn't call the senns in particular, nor the beyer, highly detailed and fast sounding phones. if you want that you're probably better off looking for something like the sony sa5000. however i think that well run dt880s and hd6xxs are far more natural sounding, neutral, and enjoyable to listen to. i'm not sure why a non (conveniently - for they are always replaceable) replaceable cable is worrisome. if handled reasonably it should be fine, and if abused any phone is vulnerable, especially those senn connectors which can become loose and have problematic contact.
 
to listen to stuff, the heck with a shop. get yourself to some meets where you can try all kinds of stuff and have fun chatting with fellow headphone geeks. 

 

[urbanhusky]

I'm certain that the Essence One is able to deliver not only the power but also precision. It's a huge step upwards from the Essence D2X PCIe sound card. I'm constantly astonished just what additional level of detail I'm able to pick up even with my HD 25.
I've heard from a few of my friends that their AKG k701 had broken cables, which is why I'm hesitant to choose a headphone that doesn't allow to replace the cable easily - especially at those price ranges.
I'm not sure if I'll find anybody in my area that even owns a decent pair of headphones, let alone one of those specific models.
 
My question currently is: which headphones would be suitable mainly for electronic music? I like the bass of the HD 25 but things could be more refined. They are also lacking a lot of mids, which makes them very forgiving but I sometimes just want to listen very carefully to my collection of music - or perform yet another ABX test (mp3 vs lossless). This isn't an area the HD 25 is great at. They're certainly fun to listen though and very comfortable.
Still, I miss that detail other headphones could offer.
 

---

P.S.: Things I'm currently listening to are:
http://store.professorkliq.com/track/my-backpack
http://store.professorkliq.com/track/pangea
http://music.biggiantcircles.com/track/flicker-feat-chris-geehan
http://electrocado.bandcamp.com/track/derping-hamstain
http://ensnare8bit.blogspot.co.at/2011/08/impeccable-micro.html
http://protodome.bandcamp.com/track/bluenoise
http://dbsoundworks.bandcamp.com/track/forest-funk-ch-1-light-world

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4YvkZeLrjs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCpVQXpq9LE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrrAQ5eO6dI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsvNl1WiKkk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbv-PYhMHsw

progressive metal:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf415JTijDo

punk rock:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVKfcb3t30A

other songs:
radiohead - karma police
allan taylor - cold hard town

 

[urbanhusky]

I recently got to listen to an AKG Q701 and I wasn't impressed. It sounded thin and exhausting (driven with Native Instruments Audio2DJ, possibly not enough power?)
So now I'm pondering: HD650, DT990 or perhaps HD25-13 (600 ohm version of the HD25)?

 

[firev1]

Quote:

I recently got to listen to an AKG Q701 and I wasn't impressed. It sounded thin and exhausting (driven with Native Instruments Audio2DJ, possibly not enough power?)
So now I'm pondering: HD650, DT990 or perhaps HD25-13 (600 ohm version of the HD25)?

Some desktops run and hide from the Q701 so I'm really not surprised if random equipment can't drive it. Perhaps the HD650 would be a great choice? I was impressed by its sibling the HD600 and HD650 improves on the treble while supposedly having better bass.