Alessandro's vs. Sennheisers...

[HollisBrown]

I'm considering my first jump into the hi-fi world. I bought a pair of sr-60's about two years ago and returned them because I was satisfied with a pair of 20 dollar sony headphones. My ears have matured since then. I bought Sennheiser HD-202's that were much better but are now broken. Also have the KSC-75 but I lost the earclip so I can't listen to those. So now all my listening is done through my cheap computer speakers or my old sonys that I can hardly stand.

So I've narrowed my choices down to the HD-580's or the MS-1's. My source is a Creative Zen Touch and a 50 dollar CMOY amp I got off of eBay. I also have a Chaintech AV-710 in my computer.

I listen to a pretty broad range of music but here's a general sampling of the stuff I like to listen to a lot:

Neil Young (esp. After the Goldrush and Tonight's The Night)
Bob Dylan (60's stuff)
Bob Marley (Catch A Fire, Natty Dread)
Rolling Stones (Exile on Main Street, Let It Bleed)

I also listen to some jazz, some modern stuff (Gorillaz, Flaming Lips, Aphex Twin), some blues, a bit of rap, and a smattering of other artists (Elvis Costello, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Randy Newman...a bunch of others). I don't listen to a lot of classical but the reason I'm considering the HD-580's is because of all the praise they've gotten around here and other places.

So I guess the point of this long, rambling post is for a recommendation of which headphones I should buy. I'm leaning towards the MS-1's based on what I've heard of their sound signature, and the fact that I liked the KSC-75's more than the Sennheisers that I had previously.

Anyone have any other suggestions? Just trying to make sure I'm making the right choice here. Thanks for any help.

 

[rlyely]

get your self the HD595 overall a great headphone

 

[HollisBrown]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlyely /img/forum/go_quote.gif get your self the HD595 overall a great headphone

I'd like to, but they are significantly more expensive than either of my choices.

 

[Deftoned]

My vote goes to the Ms1's. Since you state that you preffered the Koss to the Sennheiser, if think you'd like the Ms1's best.

Just want to mention that I have never used the Ms1's, but I greatly prefer my Sr60's to both the HD580's and HD600's.

 

[F107plus5]

Yeah; probably the MS-1s at that. They are close to the KSC75s for sure.

I'm not gonna be much help here as I end up flipping a coin as to which cans to wear which day. Just depends on the music preferences and mood at the moment.

Be careful with the MS-1s though, those little buggers can be addictive.

 

[rockbottom]

Both are good in their own way.

If your amp has enough juice...I'd say go for the 580 or the 600...595 is a good alternative for low impedance, but 580 is said to be capable of even more at a lower price tag.

Grado/Alessandro are good with detail and very "up front"...IMO i really enjoy the RS-1 and SR80 with rock and live music.

 

[HollisBrown]

Ok, that's all I needed to hear.

Now, where should I buy the MS-1s?\

Thanks for the help.

 

[F107plus5]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HollisBrown /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ok, that's all I needed to hear. Now, where should I buy the MS-1s?\ Thanks for the help.

Probably the easiest place is right off the Alessandro web site. They sell for the same price all over the world with free shipping everywhere.

They don't always answer their e-mails or the phone, and depending on how back-ordered they and Grado are, it may take a while to get them. But most folks feel it's worth the wait. And nobody has ever not gotten them.

 

[tomb]

The reason 580's get the "classical" tag is 1) they're uncolored and neutral, and 2) they need a great amp to be really punchy.

Other than those two things, there's no way 580's should be relegated to just "classical." Meanwhile, they never fatique, respond well to whatever equalization you want, have a wonderful soundstage (Grado's/Allesandro's don't), are more comfortable by miles, and are a higher quality build. At the present price of $125, they are worthy of growing into.

 

[F107plus5]

I'm real happy with my HD600s, but to be honest I do tend to relegate them mostly to Classical.

But that has a lot more to do with my listening habits than the cans themselves. Other than the big classical stuff where I don't like sitting up next to the conductor at the podium, I am perfectly happy to be on stage or right in the studio with the performers.

Just like with the speaker system I spent years putting together. I prefer a more forward presentation.

So, for other than big classical and a few other less intimate recordings, the more forward presentation of my MS2i is what I more often reach for.

For classical, my HD600s are king! And I love them dearly!! They remind me of my speaker system with the surrounds and sub engaged.

My ears are a different matter also! I find my Alessandros to be the equal in comfort to my HD600s! The Senns Clamp is the problem for me. I can bend the headband of the MS-1 and MS2i for a perfect fit depending on which pads I'm wearing. I think that the HD600s ARE starting to conform, but they're not quite there yet!

As far as the soundstage; the MS2i aren't all that bad. My MS2i when amped is about "halfway or better" between the MS-1 and the HD600s. But for the more intimate stuff the slightly constricted soundstage actually feels quite natural.

....keep your elbows in; don't want to hit the instruments!

As far as quality of build...I dunno....my MS2i are absolutely flawless in fabrication and assembly! (ok; my MS-1s are not

) But then again; so are my HD600s perfect! The difference I see and feel when looking at them both, is a hand built set next to a machine built set.

Totally subjective! If ya like warm and relaxed and a few rows back, then the HD600s are great. If ya like it more exciting and up on the stage, then the Alessandros are the way to go!

 

[HollisBrown]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomb /img/forum/go_quote.gif The reason 580's get the "classical" tag is 1) they're uncolored and neutral, and 2) they need a great amp to be really punchy. Other than those two things, there's no way 580's should be relegated to just "classical." Meanwhile, they never fatique, respond well to whatever equalization you want, have a wonderful soundstage (Grado's/Allesandro's don't), are more comfortable by miles, and are a higher quality build. At the present price of $125, they are worthy of growing into.

The problem is, I don't have a great amp and probably won't have one for awhile. I'm going off to college soon so my money is much better spent on other things.

I just wish I could listen to both of them. The only thing I can do is say that I liked the KSC-75's more than the Sennheisers. With the Sennheisers I kept turning them up, hoping to get a more intimate sound and more detail. I like hearing the pick on the strings of the guitar and the pedals of the piano, so to speak. From what I understand, Sennheisers tend to remove this aspect of a recording and make it seem more far off.

 

[headphonejunkie]

Get the ms1's . They will sound great unamped. The 580's will need an amp to sound as good and they will probably never match the ms1's. I had some 80's and they were great but lacked some bass that is why I now have the 225's.For $175 you can get some 225's from TTVJ.com

 

[reivaj]

meh you dont need to grow into the ms1

it just kicks butt from the moment you put it on

also i know people talk about sound fatigue and ive heard the "brightest" of the grado line(325i) and i know the ms1 could easily be listened to for much longer sessions. the difference in sound was definitely there.

i remember a while back when i was looking for headphones and i asked the question of what others would put the value of the ms1 at rather than it being 100 and many agreed 180 would have been a more appropriate price. interesting

 

[F107plus5]

Oh Yeah; with your current situation; the MS-1 is a perfect next step. They don't mind being without an amp at all! And they do sound like the KSC75s so you'll feel right at home!

Like I said though; they can be addictive! A real Gateway Drug!!

 

[Dept_of_Alchemy]

HD580 is techically superior to the MS1... the 580 should also scale better with amplification. Please take note that we're in the middle of a MS FOTM season, so... take everyone comments with a grain of salt.