[mbezzo]

Hi all,
I've been hanging out here for the last month or so soaking up so incredibly much info on headphones, I'm completely and totally confused now! You guys are absolutely amazing - incredible amount of knowledge.

I'm very new to the whole headphone thing and just recently got a 30gb iPod. I immediately replaced the stock earbuds with KSC-35's and LOVE them. I'm using that as a portable set-up, but I'm now interested in a home set-up.

I'm looking to spend 100-150 bucks on a set of cans - but they need to be able to be driven from the S/M V6 amp. From what I can gather the Beyers are pretty much out - as are the Senns. Or am I wrong? I just today auditioned the Koss 4-AAT's with the mini and they just couldn't do it. Hardly any bass.

So far the Ultrasone HFI-650's seem to be the best bet. Any info on this would be greatly appreciated!! I just feel overwhelmed with all the choices and want to make sure I don't regret my purchase.

I would like closed so I don't bug others....


Thanks so much - and yes I've searched through tons of threads

Matt

On a side note - I found the KSC-35's to clip a bit tight on my ears. To make them significantly more comfy I cut some silcone tubing down one side and slipped it over the clips. It reallly helps a lot.

 

[purk]

Hi,

You should be able to use the Beyer or the Senn fine with the Ipod w/ Super Mini V6. I had the Super Mini V.3, and Mini, and they had no problem handle the HD-580, and HD-600. Do you want a close or open design. Narrow your choice will be nice.

Purk

 

[eric343]

I've never heard of that amp... does it by any chance stand for "Sadist/Masochist"?

 

[zeplin]

If you can, why have you ruled out the Beyers and Senns? If you are ruling out the Beyers and Senns just because of price alone, then I suggest you look for a used pair. Nothing wrong with that. I think both the Beyers and Senns are among the best phones when handling bass. Out of my Cosmic and Vintage SonyPCDP(D-350), which I am listening to as we speak, handle bass very, VERY well. Some say the bass on the Senns is sloppy and uncontrolled, I don't think so. Just pair them up with the right equipment and you're in bass heaven. And from what I've read, most Beyers are the king of bass. I've only heard the 250's, but I understand the DT880's, 770's, and such are the absolute bass kings. And, it's not just the bass that makes the phones mentioned above great, the mids especially on the Senns are incredibly rich and warm, while the highs are smooth and also kind of dry and natural (some say they are too distant). Defintely try to audition as much as possible! Good luck to you in your search.

Oh and welcome to head-fi, I am truely, deeply sorry about your wallet. You will know what I mean after you make your purchase and then want to upgrade, then upgrade again to find something better, and then upgrade again, then again and again, again, again, again, again, again, again, again, and again...IT NEVER ENDS ahhhhhhh!!!!!!

Sorry, I kinds went nuts there didn't I

 

[Rizumu]

Quote:

Originally posted by purk Hi, You should be able to use the Beyer or the Senn fine with the Ipod w/ Super Mini V6. I had the Super Mini V.3, and Mini, and they had no problem handle the HD-580, and HD-600. Do you want a close or open design. Narrow your choice will be nice. Purk

Don't mean to get on your case here, purk, but: "I would like closed so I don't bug others...."

The Utrasone does have very deep, accurate bass but they're not what I would consider "bass heavy" phones. If you want exaggerated bass maybe you could look into the Beyerdynamic DT-770. I have no idea what your amp is and if it could drive them though.

The Ultrasones are balanced sonically and provide plenty of isolation. I don't think you can go wrong with them if this is what you're looking for.

 

[purk]

Rizumu and Matt,

I was searching for it, but....he he...sorry. Anyway, if you can stretch your budget a little, you might can get the AT-900. Duncan have a good review on it. Sorry, I'm no help with Beyer. Never tried them.


Purk

 

[mbezzo]

Thanks Guys;
The Amps is a Xin Super Mini, the only reason I was initially put off by the Senns and Beyers in that price range was because of their impedence. The Koss Pro 4AAT's had an impedence of 250 ohms and the Super Mini could barely push that (even when using the 9 volt). Is there more to headphone efficiency than that? I know the Beyers are all 250 ohm as well, that's what makes me worry. Any comments on that?

Thanks,
Matt

 

[usc goose]

as the biggest and perhaps only supporter of the koss pro4aat here i have to say it takes at least 15 hours of burn in on these before you should render judgment. that and i think the bass is the tightest and most controlled out of any of my headphones. (check my profile) Even after burn in the midrange is still a touch hollow though. I use these mostly for techno and trance and music I want to drive into my head for some wake up or inspiration. That being said here was my initial impression.

http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showt...threadid=32438

 

[TravelLite]

Well, on paper anyway, the Koss PRO 4AAT at 250 ohms, 95 dB/mW, and the bass-rich Beyerdynamic DT770 PRO at 250 ohms, 96 db/mW, seem about the same as far as drive-ability goes.

I'll offer some suggestions, that were I you, I'd personally be interested in auditioning if actually paired-up with your portable amplifier and source.

Keep in mind though, these are just suggestions to research or audition. Some of these phones, although they might be classified as circumaural may not fit some people well in that role. In addition, AFAIK, at least two of the following only come with a 1/4" (6.3 mm) phone plug.

You'll probably have better luck finding a number of these in a pro-music store as opposed to other types of stores.

Beyerdynamic DT250-80, 80 ohms, 100 db/mW.

You already mentioned Ultrasone. As you probably know, the HFI-650 DVD Edition should have a little more bass than the HFI-650 Trackmaster. One unconfirmed report suggests that two new phones are planned, the HFI-550 DJ One and the HFI-550 Beatmaster, but I've no further info beyond just that.

AKG K171 Studio, supraaural, 55 ohms, 94 db/mW. And the AKG K271 Studio, circumaural, 55 ohms, 91 db/mW. There's very little info here on Head-Fi about these somewhat new phones.

The easy-to-drive Sony MDR-V6 and its professional twin, the MDR-7506 are generally well-regarded by Head-Fi members. Less well-regarded to one degree or another are the Sony MDR-7509, MDR-V700DJ, MDR-V900, and MDR-CD2000.

Audio-Technica ATH-D40fs, 66 ohms, 102 dB/mW. A bass-enhanced variant of the rather common ATH-M40fs. Again, not much info.

To reiterate, based on your criteria and hardware constraints, these are just a few suggestions to research and/or audition in person with your own gear.

Avoid disappointment, try before you buy!

TravelLite

 

[mbezzo]

Goose -
Your initial impression was what got me to go test the Koss'! They seemed like good phones, but quite power hungry - I just don't think the Super Mini has enough beef to do it. I really just want to get a good set of cans that will work wonderfully with what I have. I don't see myself buying a home amp or anything, at least not for awhile. (I know this is much easier to say than do, however

)

TravelLite - thanks for all the suggestions. I'm definitely gonna have to go audition some of these...

 

[mbezzo]

Hehe, okay. My budget just increased to around 200-250. Just sold something on ebay for WAY more than I thought it would go for....

I'm leaning toward beyers I think at the moment, although the Ultrasone's are interesting. Anybody know where to check these out in the Seattle area?

 

[usc goose]

good work on the ebay. hmmm, wondering if you would enjoy ety er4s since you can fund them. otherwise i'd say get some v6/7506s and/or some porta-pros.

edit: on second thought, don'r listen to me.

 

[MadDog5145]

I have seen a couple Beyer 770 for sale under $100 in the for sale forum. That gives you enough money for a meta 42. This gives you a very bass heavy combo.