$300 opposite of Mini3/SR60 ?

[Justin Uthadude]

The source is an office computer (Vista) line out , listening to flac files. I want a second set of phones that sound good but have a different sound. I already have SR60s powered by a mini3. You've got $300, what do you suggest? I'm hoping for suggestions like millet starving student and AD700s or...

 

[LingLing1337]

Just for 'phones, the HD600 [Edit: make that the sennheiser line] are the polar opposite of the Grado line.

 

[Bullseye]

Well for me (a grado SR225 user) who has heard the senn hd600 and HD650 (in not very good conditions, truth be said), I don't think they are the complete opposite.

Just so you follow my thinking I explain. Grado cans are very colored cans. So the opposite would be to find something uncolored, such as the Etymotic ER4P/S or Phonak PFE, Fostex T50RP or Beyerdynamic DT48E.

They Etys, Phonak and Fostex are in your range, the Beyers are not.

When I heard the sennheiser HPs I mentioned I heard another type of coloration (sound signature), not an opposite Sound signature (which would be lack of coloration).

The Phonak PFE sound completely different to the grados. The Fostex too. Haven't heard the others, though.

 

[alphaphoenix]

May I suggest new or used Denon AH-D2000 and nice sounding tube amp like you mentioned, the starving student. The amp can be had for less $60 already built. Both will total under $300. However, if you're going to use the setup with your computer, getting just a solid state amp with a DAC should yield better sound with your existing Grado, unless you already use one, if this is the case, ignore this sentence.

LingLing1337 suggestion on the HD600 is a good one and the min3 will drive it fine. Both will have a very different sound signature.

 

[Bilavideo]

I agree. HD600 is an excellent choice for an alternative to the Grado presentation.

 

[Currawong]

If you want something radically different, Denon.