[alexjholland]

Which one of these two pairs of great headphones should I buy?

I'm looking at something to listen to Drum&Bass and heavy guitars with on my Microsoft Zune, with a little production use in the evenings.

I do however, have great monitors, so will not rely on them for mixdowns.

I'm looking for great sound quality and some thick, clean bass.

I do not want to use any kind of amp either..

As soon as my mind is made up I can order - I have nowhere to listen to these two models, so your advice would be very much appreciated!

Thanks,

Alex

 

[alexjholland]

Also, why do digital village offer two different models of the Q40?

M-Audio Studiophile Q40 Professional Headphones - DV247.COM

M-Audio Studiophile Q40 Closed-Back Dynamic Headphones - DV247.COM

 

[euphoracle]

Straight cable vs coiled is the only thing I can imagine... there's only 1 model.

 

[Almoxil]

The bass on the Q40s is great, but sometimes it tends to overshadow the mids, depending on the music -- EQ'ing the bass frequencies down may be needed. Other than that, they're great cans for the price, and built to last too.

Edit: within the $100 mark, you could also try the Ultrasone HFI-450. Or the HFI-550 for around $120. I've bought the latter, and I'm waiting them to be delivered. Ultrasone cans usually have great punchy bass.

Edit #2: The AKG K240 MK2 are being offered between $150 and $200 in online stores. In that price range you can get the Ultrasone HFI-580.

 

[alexjholland]

I appreciate the suggestion, but I think I'm going to go for the Q40 - my Zune doesn't have an EQ, so the extra bass boost sounds pretty good to me!

I listen to a lot of D&B and heavy guitars, so this is especially important.

 

[Acix]

The K-240MKll more suitable for studio use as monitor hp. I've found the Q40 to be boost on the bass.

 

[alexjholland]

Then that's exactly what I want - bearing in mind my Zune has no EQ, a bass boost would take their decent sound quality (in comparison to an ipod) and give it that little extra thump I need!

 

[buddhashenglong]

Oh yeah, welcome to HeadFi, sorry about your wallet.

 

[alexjholland]

Ha, I should survive this one I think - I can't see why I will need another pair anytime soon, but forums often have a way of convincing us otherwise.. Will post back when they arrive!

 

[Bigcg533]

get the akg headphones they sound really good for the price and you deff wont need an amp plus the build quality is amazin

 

[euphoracle]

I can only speak for the Q40s. I listen to hardstyle and hard house with them, and they're amazing, but it is a bit overpowering at times. Though, I'm a basshead, so I enjoy it :> They're not neutral, in other words (which is weird because they're marketed as monitors XD)

 

[alexjholland]

I think it's definitely the Q40 - the comments on the bass being big are pretty exciting. I do love my bass - as long as it's thick and controlled. The amount of people who say that despite this they are also great monitors is very reassuring - I haven't heard a bad word said!