AKG 240S => What's the next upgrade?

[Darius94523]

I've had my AKG 240S for a while and I've just gotten some money and I'm looking to sell off my old pair and pick up something new.

My set-up is usually Zen NX -> CMoy -> Phones, I'm looking for something in the $150-200 range that can be used in that setup.

A few choices I'm considering are Senn HD580s or AKG 501s, but I'm not sure if the CMoy will be able to drive them.

 

[kyrie]

Some ideas are:

Sennheiser HD595 (if I were you I'd go with this).
Grado SR225 is also a good option.

 

[commando]

Darius, you sound like you're selling just for the sake of buying something new. Unless there's something wrong with your existing cans, why would you do that? What else are you looking for in headphones - what weaknesses do your 240s have?

 

[Darius94523]

You hit on the spot, I'm willing to sell something I used to have in order to experience something new and possibly better. I love my AKG 240S, but I'm looking for something new, to bring it up to another level.

 

[commando]

What would you like improved? Stronger or lower bass? Better precision? Less of a veil? Comfort? Easier/harder to drive? It's hard to recommend new cans if we don't know what was wrong with the old ones.

 

[Darius94523]

I'm looking for something with some weaker bass with a similar level of mid and high clarity.

 

[elliot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darius94523 I'm looking for something with some weaker bass with a similar level of mid and high clarity.

I think you'll like the AKG K501. It actually has better mids and highs, along with weaker bass. The K501 is a great headphone (and great value!) if you don't need/want much bass impact.

 

[commando]

It sounds to me like CD3000s are in your future, but they're a bit more expensive than you want. I'd probably steer clear of Sennheisers in your place too.

From the 240s you're getting to the point of quickly diminishing returns - if you pay double for your headphones you might get 20% sound, if you pay quadrupe you might get an additional 10%. Quantifying this stuff is impossible, just don't expect magic.

I come over pretty grumpy on this thread don't I?

 

[Zoide]

Quote:

Originally Posted by commando I come over pretty grumpy on this thread don't I?

I used to think he was kinda scary, I must say

But then I discovered that he's a very cool guy.

The problem is the picture, it can be pretty intimidating

 

[commando]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoide The problem is the picture, it can be pretty intimidating

lol, you should see me when i'm in a bad mood

 

[sbulack]

A very inexpensive and quite good amp that may allow you to get the Senn HD580's or AKG 501's without concerns for driving them is the Headsave Mint-Vibe with a stock price of $60. Norm at www.headsave.com has multiple HD580 customers and has built at least one of his new amps for someone with AKG 501's and would be able to quote you on a Mint-Vibe suited to the HD580's or the AKG 501's, if you're interested in looking into it, that is.

 

[ReDVsion]

are you interested in another groovalizer, or is that a non-issue?

If you're interested in other groovalizers, the only other options I recall are the Beyerdynamic DT440s and the (discontinued) DT531s.

 

[Taurui]

If I wanted to uprade my "groovalizer", I'd probably buy Alessandro MS-2 as the descriptions of their sonic abilities sound amazing for that price

 

[NeilPeart]

I wouldn't call the SR225 and HD595 upgrades, rather side-grades. The CD3000 is an upgrade, but it really doesn't fit his qualifications. I think the K501 might be an upgrade, with (a lot) less bass and some of the best mids ever, but the DT880 sound like the way to go. It certainly has less bass than the K240S, and it is balanced, with nice Beyer mids. Try the K501, A900, DT880, DT531 (the OTHER groovalizer with a tighter more detailed sound), SR225, HD580; the 501, 580 and DT880 especially are good candidates, IMO.

 

[dj_mocok]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darius94523 You hit on the spot, I'm willing to sell something I used to have in order to experience something new and possibly better. I love my AKG 240S, but I'm looking for something new, to bring it up to another level.

hhmmm... never leave something that you really like, if you ask me.
its better to save money and get another one instead of selling the one you really like.