[SoulSlayer]

Hello, I have got 200$ to spend on new headphones.
First of all - I'm not going to buy an amp for at least another year
Second- I am an all around music listener,I listen to everything but metal.
examples of songs I listen to: Avril Lavigne - Girlfriend,The Beatles.
I'm going to use the headphones on my PC and on an Ipod as well.
I was thinking of buying the HD595/DT880 are they good for all around?
Another possibility is buying the HD280PRO (80$) since I don't really care if they are open or close.

 

[SoulSlayer]

Any other headphone i should consider ?

 

[Bizzel]

I think the 595s will suit you well and they will improve when you buy an amp. You might also want to consider Grados, as they're also easy to drive.

 

[vesther]

Have you heard of "In-Ear Earphones" before? If so, I could come up with some recommendations:

* Shure SE210
* V-Moda Modaphones
* Ultimate Ears Metro-Fi
* Sennheiser CX300

These are low-profile earphones, but if you wanted a high-profile design, the Grado SR60 and SR80 would be nice.

 

[MusicallySilent]

For the 200 in ear range just in general you have
Shure E3 series
Etymotic ER4
Ultimate Ears Super.fi 5 pro and Extra Bass

Also check out
Grados sr225 possibly
Akg k601 (a bit over budget from some stores like 25 dollars)

The AKGs can be picky about source or atleast the next step up is...

Wait for some more ideas though

 

[Mindless]

A pair of used HD600 can be found for less than $200 I believe and that's some incredible 'phones for a small price. They are pretty allround in their sound and will benefit from amping / change of cables when things like that become interesting.

 

[kikkomang]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mindless /img/forum/go_quote.gif A pair of used HD600 can be found for less than $200 I believe and that's some incredible 'phones for a small price. They are pretty allround in their sound and will benefit from amping / change of cables when things like that become interesting.

i'm pretty sure the hd600's don't sound too good when they aren't amped...

 

[vesther]

I personally didn't like the HD600--I think the point of the message was to purchase a set of affordable headphones/ear-monitors without the need to utilize an amp.

 

[fatcat28037]

Consider buying used. I purchased an HD650 for $200 in perfect condition.

 

[Mindless]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kikkomang /img/forum/go_quote.gif i'm pretty sure the hd600's don't sound too good when they aren't amped...

I'm pretty sure they sound better than most cans that can be bought for under $200, regardless if they are amped or not. I owned them for years without an amp and it worked just fine. Sure, they benefit from amping, but they are by no means a bad headphone without one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vesther /img/forum/go_quote.gif I personally didn't like the HD600--I think the point of the message was to purchase a set of affordable headphones/ear-monitors without the need to utilize an amp.

I said they will benefit from amping when the time comes around, and the thread starter mentioned that he won't be buying an amp untill sometime next year.

Or better yet, as fatcat28037 suggested, get a pair of HD650 used.

 

[SoulSlayer]

I don't like in ear headphone (they hurt and are uncomfortable and I had tried very good ones) nor do I want used headphones.
How are the 280Pro for all around and is the 595 much better even without amping it? I'm going to use it more on my ipod

 

[feh1325]

make sure your files are at a high bitrate

 

[Mindless]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoulSlayer /img/forum/go_quote.gif I don't like in ear headphone (they hurt and are uncomfortable and I had tried very good ones) nor do I want used headphones. How are the 280Pro for all around and is the 595 much better even without amping it? I'm going to use it more on my ipod

I assure you, there is nothing wrong with used headphones. Most people here on Head-Fi take great care of their equipment. You wouldn't know the difference if you bought a used pair.

As for the 280 Pro... well, what can I say. They are some of the most bloated and veiled headphones I have ever heard. Muddy bass and overall just a really bad headphone for the price. I didn't like the pads of them either.

Maybe you should look at some Alessandro or Grado headphones? They might suit your all-round tastes.

 

[Ahobaka]

IMO, the 280Pro are some of the most horribly uncomfortable headphones I've ever used from the Sennheiser line. That and the soundquality isn't good imo. You'd be much more pleased with the lower HD212 Pro, at least I liked them more, in terms of both soundquality, build quality and how comfortable they are. The cable is also a pain on the 280Pro, I doin't like coiled ones.

At the time I tested the 280Pro I also had the HD570, way better imo. The 590 at the time was lightyears (overstatement, but you get the point) ahead of it, the 595 today should be no different.

In all honesty though, I've used the HD600 for several years without an amp and with the standard cable, they don't sound bad at all. But they surely get a great lift in detail and everything once they are properly amped. For purely portable use they are OK with their standard cable. Getting a replacement cable will butcher most if not all portable players, hence why I prefer my KSC75/Shure e4c on my ZV:M over the HD600 w/ Silver Dragon.

I think others can agree on this too, the HD600 are probably some of the best all-round headphones for any kind of music. They do sound better with acoustical pop/rock or classical music than pure rock/metal though.

 

[sarbruis]

My 580s improved about 30-40% when I got an amp. Though I thought they were great before the amp, I don't think they're worth buying if you're going to use them un-amped, just because there's so much potential that isn't being realized. I'd stick with something with much lower impedance if there's no amping involved (especially if you're using them straight from an iPod or PC without a good soundcard).