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Zlashed,
if you want some really durable, affordable, and super awesome headphones for rock and gaming, and movies, you really can't beat the Audio Technica M50. Check it out. Amazon offers a 30-day return on them if you keep them and the box in new condition. And I've never known anyone whose gotten them and not loved them. They are a little tinny when you get them but that goes away after about 100 hours or so. It's like having your own dance club in your head, they are intimate, solid, and good for isolation as well. The normal model has a curled cord while the M50S has a straight cord which I like better.
I think the K702 is good for these things too, but only if you like the weaker, more expansive sound of the 702 like I do. They are certainly great for effects. But the M50 is a slamming headphone hands down, and very affordable for using for those purposes. Generally, when I watch movies or whatever I eat dinner, so I want a headphone that can get a little dirty or slopped around a bit at my computer desk. The M50 is solid and cheap(er), so it fits the bill better than most cans.
Have fun!
Sorry, but I couldn't help but resurrect this thread again!! The topic is just too engrossing for me. I appreciate your comments about the Audio-Technica ATH-M50 cans. I own them, and I totally agree with you on their quality. They do quite well for all kinds of music, but they certainly do well for rock. Good deep bass without being excessive or boomy. I would heartily recommend them to anyone. They usually well for about $150 on Amazon. Good price.
I have been debating about buying another headphone. I was contemplating the AKG K701, and then the K702, then found information about the Q701. I'll have to study this out, but I like what I've heard about the K702 and Q701 for far. Also interesting about your comments comparing the K701/K702 against the Beyerdynamics DT880. Thanks for that.
My other set of phones for classical, acoustic, early, Celtic, orchestral soundtrack, and other "non-rock" music is the Sennheiser HD598. I am currently trying to figure out where in the headphone universe they fit in within all the discussions I see online about the Sennheiser HD650/HD800, Beyerdynamic DT880, and AKG K701/702/Q701. There are other more expensive phones than these, but to be fair to the HD598 (normally $250), I don't want to include other phones that are beyond mortal ability to buy. Yeah, I know, the HD650 and HD800 are about $500 and $1500 respectively, but since they are Senns, well, I've included them here.
Anyway, I really like the nice soundstage and overall sound of the 598's, but I don't know how they would compare to these others. I have only had a chance to hear the HD650's, and really liked them. The highs seemed to be subtle, though still there, the bass was very nice and full, and mids very nice. I think there is a more satisfying front-to-back spaciousness with them compared to my 598's. Overall, the 650's are very smooth, which is what they are known for. I've never had a chance to hear the DT880 or the AKG models.
I would like to know if you've had any experience with how the 598's sound compared to the others I've mentioned. Perhaps someone else reading this post can also shed some light on the subject. The reason I want to know is that if my 598's are close enough to these others, then I'll probably not bother buying one of the others. However, I would like more of the front-to-back spaciousness and a tad more bass reach. Other than that, I can't really complain about my 598's, but if I'm missing something that another set of cans will give me, I'd sure like to know. Also, I need to confess that I've not yet been able to afford a headphone amp, and I'm mostly convinced that may improve my 598's enough at least for the bass issue. I'm presently running them through a Pioneer SX-312R receiver. Yeah, it's not a big audiophile piece of equipment, but it does pretty nicely for both my M50's and 598's, so far. So if I can get an amp, then maybe another set of phones is coming next. Just need a nudge toward phones that will be a good step up from the 598's, especially in that front-to-back sound.
Thanks.