Advice Needed: Stuck in strange land without stores

[YardOBeef]

Ok, so you guys get a million of these questions. I've been reading this forum for hours, but you can only get so much from reading about audio and not being able to actually hear anything. I am looking for new headphones for under $125 (maybe $150). The problem is that there are no places in town that sells anything decent, so I can't test much.

I'm looking for something that:
Doesn't need to be portable
Not too muddy, not too tinny
Can reproduce what is on CD accurately
Not for games or movies
Play from computer
No sealed cans
Doesn't have to be ubercomfortable, but not cactus-cans

I am looking at:
Grado SR60 / SR80
Sennheiser HD 515
Audio-Technica a500
Alessandro MS 1

I mostly listen to folk and acoustic music, but I have a wide range.

I want something that can reproduce the sound accurately (doesn't everyone). I know Senns are kind or mellow and Grados are bright. I read that Audio-Technica are inbetween the two. That's about it. Any ideas, opinions, advice? Thanks.

YoB

 

[mr.karmalicious]

Are canalphones an option?

 

[YardOBeef]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.karmalicious Are canalphones an option?

Thanks for the quick reply. I don't think canal phones are an option because I have to sleep with earplugs every night since I live across the street from a noisy bar. It gets tiring.

YoB

 

[mr.karmalicious]

Eh, I like my E3's.

Out of the one's you posted, I've heard that the Audio-Technicas are the best. I haven't heard them, though, so don't quote me on that...

 

[catscratch]

The A500 is the most versatile out of everything that you've posted. It should do quite well with every kind of music. But, it's sealed - don't know if you were aware of that. It isolates fairly well, and with music playing at moderate volumes, you won't hear phones ring, doorbells chime, people talk, etc.

I don't think the HD515 will keep up with the other cans that you've listed. They're not bad for sure, but not A500/MS1/SR80 quality. The HD555 will do better, and can be had for <$100. The older 555 models were rated at 120 Ohms impedance, which is a bit hard to drive unamped, but the newer ones are 50 Ohms and shouldn't be a problem for most sources. The sound is warm and fairly rich, with decent balance across the audible spectrum. The 555 is the Sennheiser counterpart to the A500, and compares pretty well to it, though it's a close call.

I haven't heard the MS-1, but from what I've read, expect forward, aggressive sound, very good detail across the board, fairly bright tonal balance, and of course not the best comfort

But hey, these are Grados. It's a love/hate kinda thing. It's definitely one of the best sounding cans in your price range.

You may also consider the Sennheiser HD590. For acoustic music, it will be very good, and it's also very good for electronic music. Not quite so good for rock, but still quite passable. The HD590 has a fairly upfront and bright sound, but it also has a very strong bass. The midrange is somewhat recessed, which is why people bash them, but given enough power and with replacement cables that goes away. The 590 is an older model Sennheiser that was designed to compete against the 580 but had to be easier to drive. Well, it's not quite up to the 580, but it's in a different class than any of the cans that you've mentioned, and should sound correspondingly better overall (perhaps not that much better than MS-1, but more refined and well rounded). Deals on the 590 pop up from time to time on Amazon, and it can be found for as low as $130, though usually it retails at around $150-180. It needs an amp to shine, but can be used without one, and if an amp is in your future, then this may be a good option. For $130, this is the best sound that you can get (and probably for $150).

You can also go for the A700, which is $150. It should be a bit more detailed and refined than the A500 overall. Don't know if it's worth the extra $40, but this way you can buy something higher level and have no "should I have spent more?" regrets.

My advice is that, if you can't preview cans in advice, buy from someplace that has a return policy, so that you don't waste time and money reselling them at a used price somewhere else. You can even buy several models at once, and return the ones that you don't like.

 

[blessingx]

Well, I'd strip the Grados out right away. I personally think in most cases the Alessandro outperforms them (plus grows with better equipment and closer to an 'accurate' sound - if less bright). I also think the MS1 generally outperforms the HD555 (co-worker and I exchanged), but it's really more a preference thing as they're close. The Senns have the soundstage, the MS1 the detail, etc. That said I expect them to at least do the same to the HD515. Haven't heard the A500s, but if they're like the A900s, it's again a perference thing. ATs colder, articulate and isolating, the Aless warmer, fuller and more airy.

Personally, for $99 shipped, I don't know how anyone can go wrong with the MS1, especially with Earle (or Neko Case, Hem, etc.).

 

[infiskik]

not sure if anyone said i didnt see in my scan, but you said no sealed cans
the a500, 700 and 900 for that matter are closed.

the MS-1 are more then likely the popular choice, but the sr-125 fall into youre price range.

how about some AKG 501s? (possible might find some used for cheaper too)
if i was to buy a a new open full size cans it would prolly be the 501's, but they are said to be amp dependat for full potential.

if you want good and want to save some bucks the sr-60s are damn good for the money. or if you want to push your limit a bit maybe some h580s.

and ooooh yea, for the money im pretty impressed with my friedns hd555s.

 

[YardOBeef]

Thanks everyone for the info. I've narrowed it down to the Senn 555, AKG 501, and Alessandro MS1. Right now I think I'm leaning towards the MS1, but the more I look, the more expensive my choices seem to become. Ahhh...the choices in life. By the time I decide, I'll have wasted enough time to not make the extra research worth it. Hell, I should just buy something. MS1 it is...probably.

YoB

 

[johnjac]

In your price range the ms-1 is probably the best value and best sounding option- I know that it would be hard to do without mine.

 

[blessingx]

The K501s are great cans, but take a ton or power (more than HD5/6X0 in my experience). Only consider if you plan on spending several hundred more on amplification (and then look at the HD580s also).

 

[Nak Man]

Quote:

Originally Posted by blessingx The K501s are great cans, but take a ton or power (more than HD5/6X0 in my experience). Only consider if you plan on spending several hundred more on amplification (and then look at the HD580s also).

If you need bass, get 580 instead of 501. No matter how good that distant full bodied bass on 501 ... you'll miss them.

 

[BlackJackSkanz]

The last two posts hit it on the head. Without an amp, it is not worth the price of admission.

 

[YardOBeef]

I got the Allesandros recently. They are bitch-ass!

 

[BlackJackSkanz]

I belive you mean, beyacth ass!

To qoute the knight from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, "You have chosen, wisely."