[KCK]

Note: I am a noob. (But at least I learned that term).

Have to admire you guys who advise on all these questions. From reading many of the posts here I have narrowed down my list, but each seems to have some drawback or another. I want the PERFECT pair! (And I'm the only one here like that)

In no particular order, with drawbacks:
Sony V6/7506: coiled cord not really 3M in actual use, hard to find (any suggestions?)
Senn PX-200: short cord (can it be extended??)
Senn 280, 497: tight
Grado SR60: I am not a rocker
Koss PortaPro: short cord?
Ultrasone 650 - where to buy?
Any wireless set - suggestions? Senn Rs65? Any good?

If you analyze the above, you will recognize my parameters:
1) Preferably under $100, but can go to $150 for exceptional 'phones that excel in all other categories below. In other words, budget depends, but really, really need to keep it under $200
2) Light, or at least not heavy
3) comfortable: me big head man! Squeezers need not apply (280 off the island?).
4) Distance to amp: must be at least 9 EASY feet (i.e., minimum without stretching so that the 'phones do not pull off)
5) No headphone amp. Using McIntosh integrated w/mini jack
6) Reasonably accurate. First pair of serious phones, so expectations are not sky-high. Ya, Senn 600 would be great, but I don't have the scratch for an amp, and don't know how much use they will get. Maybe 1 hr /day?
7) Willing to buy used tho' slim pickins as far as I can see.

I hope you take me somewhat seriously. Okay, I am no aficionado like 90% of youse guys, but feed me well and I might grow into one!

Oh- music choices: classical, jazz, classic rock, some country. No hard rock, rap or metal. (There - gave away my age!)

Thanks in advance.

 

[blessingx]

V6's can be found at Fry's on the West Coast. Also at MillionBuy.

If you're considering the Grados, you should probably add the Alessandro MS1's to your list. Also maybe Sony 780's and 580's.

From your list, I haven't heard the Ultrasones, but from the others, the 60's (though would go with the MS1's) and 497's stand out. Open is going to overall perform better than closed at this price point. If you bump up to the extreme $200 limit, I really like the Grado 225's (~$175). If you can drive them (don't know the McIntosh output) the Senn 580's are priced around the same. Used you may be able to find them for a little over a $100 in the For Sale forum.

 

[Jasper994]

Try the HD580's or the HD590's from Sennheiser, either one works very well with your music tastes. The HD590's would be easier to drive though. Both are very comfortable. You could get a longer cord for either one though both have a realtively long cord to start with. If you look hard I'm sure you could find either for near the top of your price range.

Aside from those, the 280's are nice especially if you happen to need isolation and sound pretty good with your music tastes (the above cans are better as long as you're in a quiet environment). As far as comfort goes, they are obnoxious out of the box... think headclamp! But once you've had them for a week or two they become pretty comfortable. The only down side for me is that I live in Southern Cal and the top of my head seems to be very pressure sensitive so when it's really hot the pleather pads slip and the cans end up putting a lot of pressure on the top of my head so I end up switching to my 590's. This would be perfectly okay but being as how it's so darn hot, I tend to have a lot of fans going (computer plus window fans and the 590's don't isolate... As far as the cord goes the coil is rather annoying at times but I think if you got some sort of clip and attatched them to your shirt all would be okay. The cord is user replaceable but it uses some funky connector and I don't know of anyone who has replaced the cord with a different one.

PX200's are nice but they won't compete with audiophile grade full sized cans and the cord, so far as I can tell, is not user replaceable.

V6 can usually be found at Tower Records (they carry the porta pro's as well/7506 at Guitar Center. Unfortunately I have no experience with either of these though I'll probably get the 7506's down the line sometime.

Good luck and welcome to Head-Fi, sorry about your wallet... (you'll understand that comment more and more the longer you continue to return to this site.)

 

[wallijonn]

Quote:

Originally posted by KCK 5) No headphone amp. Using McIntosh integrated w/mini jack

Is that a McIntosh amp or an Apple MacIntosh? (My days go back to the old McIntosh tube amps). What do you think is the headphone output impedance? If it's from an Integrated Circuit, it probably is under 50 ohms. In which case you might want to look at low impedance / high efficiency headphones. Seeing as the AKG K240S seems to be the flavour of the week, you might want to audition those, along with the Sony V6 (Beyer pads are about an extra $25, so the total will probably be about $100 (shipping & taxes were included)).

The Grado SR80/MS1 comes in at about 3.3 meters (10 feet), are light, the headband is easy to open, but you will probably need to make a cloth cover to attain better comfort. It will play just about everything well.

The DT531 is supposedly a foot tapper headphone which can usually be found for about $125. I do not know whether it extends enough, though.

There's always the supposedly fragile Phillips HP890 and the perenial favourite the Sennheiser HD580, along with the Sennhesiser HD590, the Phillips HP910 which can sometimes be found on EBay for $50, the Sony D66 Eggos which some people like, the power hungry/bass lacking K401/K501s, the Ultrasones from Meier Audio, the Beyer DT250-80, a used Audio Technica, like the A900X, ...

Wouldn't it be better if you could listen to some headphones at a Meet or MiniMeet?

 

[KCK]

Thanks for the responses and the PM. It is a Mac integrated amp - the computer did not even cross my mind as I was writing it - sorry for being so narrowminded

The local Guitar Center carries both V6 and 7506, so I will go in and try it for comfort and cord length. I am a little 'afraid' of tight sets as I am quite sensitive in the temple/ear region, so would like to try before I buy.

The 9 foot plus cord is of course, based on the closest I can get to the amp while still on a chair. Does either model of the Sony support an add-on/replacement cord?

Guitar Center has the Sonys for "around a hundred bucks", per the guy on the phone. Good or should be better? (I see Fry's/Outpost is $80 plus s&h.)

I guess you can see that, based on fit and comfort, I am leaning towards the Sony. Could not find much info on where to buy the Ultrasone - I am in the Atlanta area and of course, am not averse to buying on the web from reputable folks.

The Senn 497 from Amazon is still tempting for less than 50 bucks. How is the comfort/performance combination?

Thanks again.

 

[pbirkett]

I found the comfort of the 497's alright by bending the headband with some force, which slackened them off. That headband is very strong and you can bend it in the complete opposite direction without worry (and you need to to slacken these things off).

 

[Steve999]

The guitar center where I live price matches and they have a 30 day return policy. They took my Senn HD280s from $100 to $70 based on a printout from the internet. I would think you could do something similar for the Sony V6s. Both are fine phones with a wealth written about them here at head-fi.

The HD497s have an excellent sound, for my taste better than the V6s and in the general neighborhood of the HD280s. Stretching the headband on the HD497s for me was a must. I finally got them loose enough by bending them all the way backwards, so the backs of the headpieces touched each other, just as someone else suggested. They bend but they do not break, as the saying goes. It does take work and persistence to stretch them.

The HD280s are definitely a "tight set."

You can always get extension cords at rat shack and probably guitar center. Look carefully to get one cord for excatly what you need with the right size plugs and jacks.

Of the three, I prefer the HD280s, but I think many people would prefer the V6s or HD497s, so you really are entering the realm of personal preference here. The Sonys are fine phones, and really will hold there own against other closed phones, but with a very unique sound that emphasises low bass and high highs with a trimmed mid-bass and a forward-sloping (analytical and bright) midrange.

Happy hunting!

Quote:

Originally posted by KCK Thanks for the responses and the PM. It is a Mac integrated amp - the computer did not even cross my mind as I was writing it - sorry for being so narrowminded The local Guitar Center carries both V6 and 7506, so I will go in and try it for comfort and cord length. I am a little 'afraid' of tight sets as I am quite sensitive in the temple/ear region, so would like to try before I buy.

 

[wallijonn]

Quote:

Originally posted by KCK ...sorry for being so narrowminded.

You sir, are going to do fine here. I welcome you to Head-Fi.

The Ultrasones can only be gotten from Meier (as far as I know). Just click the Head-Fi "Meier" banner on the first Head-Fi page.

 

[noiseunit]

Quote:

Originally posted by wallijonn The Ultrasones can only be gotten from Meier (as far as I know). Just click the Head-Fi "Meier" banner on the first Head-Fi page.

not entirely true...mercenary audio in Boston carries Ultrasones last time i checked, albiet at an inflated price compared to Meier. there exists 1 or 2 other US sellers, but from what i remember they are horribly expensive and seem kind of shady...

 

[apropos]

kCK,

So have you made your choice yet? If not, i - from my personal experience - would encourage you to go with the Ultrasones. it is best to order them from Jan. I got mine in 11 days (instead of standard 14)!

A.

 

[bifcake]

I completely agree with Jasper. 590s are the way to go if you're not going to use an amp for the type of music you listen to. If you're planning on upgrading your source, and getting an amp, then you may want to consider 580s instead.

 

[wallijonn]

noiseunit,

do you know if the ultra low emission units sound different the the low emmission units?

 

[tommyatkins]

The portapros (or perhaps KSC-35s, if you don't mind clip ons) are nice, and will make good portable phones, if you later upgrade (IMO probably better than the other phones listed, but you've done good research) Also, i think there's a coupon out for half off on the portapros (and maybe the KCS35s) I'd look it up, but I need to go to bed. Maybe check it out. Finally, an extension cable might not be too bad of an idea, if you don't need the length all the time. (I think the portapros and KSC35's have 4' cords).

Anything you decide will probably be fine. Good luck.

TA