[wetsandals]

Can someone suggest the best headphone and amp rig out there for the following preference?

My music pref: Classical, Orchestra
Requirement: Not too much on extreme highs (18~19kHz), Huge and realistic soundstage reform, detailed, not too much bass; instruments have their own "space"

Yeah, think about 1812, or Rachmininov piano concertos (my favorite), Mozart Requrium, Mozart Symphonie 41, which headphone will you use for the best sound if money is not a concern?

I heard a few from the showroom: AKG K501, Senn HD650, Beyer DT880 and DT990. Still, I want some suggestions. Thanks.

 

[Tachikoma]

Almost any electrostatic; the Stax SR-5NB gives excellent instrument separation even with my not-very-impressive back end.

 

[tourmaline]

Stax or sennheiser electrostatic headphones. Also sennheiser hd650 with good amp.

 

[augustwest]

I think your best bet is for a Sennheiser hd 580/600/650 headphone, paired with a lively amp like the Single Power PPX.

- augustwest

 

[Piotr Ryka]

I rather do not like this headphones, but for orchestral music AKG K701 is very good.

 

[seacard]

I listen to about 75% classical and am a classical performer (trumpet). If money were no concern, I would take the Sony R10.

Below that, I would look at K701, HD650, Sony Qualia, and DT880, in that order (note that I have not heard the AD2000, but from what people are saying, they would fit somewhere into this category, at least for classical).

Below that, I would look at Grado HP1000, K501, and the SA5000 (in no particular order).

My last tier would consist of the Grado RS-1, AT L3000, AT W5000, and Sony CD3000 (again, in no particular order).

AKG K1000 is the mystery headphone that goes somewhere in there. I've never really liked it, but from what I hear, it's great with the right amp. I can't imagine it ever being that great, but I can't comment on it because I've never heard it paired with that "magical" amp.

As for electrostats, I don't know yet... I would NOT get the SR404 based on my month with them, but I am thinking of giving them one more shot. So far, I'm extremely pleased with the HE60s, but I've only had them for 2 weeks and don't feel comfortable commenting on them yet. I have not had enough time with the HE90 or the Omega IIs to make an informed suggestion.

 

[TheMarchingMule]

K701.

 

[LFF]

Grado HP-2 or Senn HD-600. Both with nice amps of course.

 

[jagorev]

For dynamic headphones, I would doubt that you can do any better than the HD600 paired with a good amp (like the Micro, M^3, PPAv2, or a Gilmore Lite)

 

[fjf]

DT880.

 

[robm321]

The K1000 is my favorite for symphonies (and in general), but the GS-1000 is very close adding impact to the double basses that you don't get from the K-1000s.

I also agree with the Senn 600s, but you will NEED a good amp or they will get congested in complex passages. Look no further then the X-can v.3 -absolute synergy with the Senns. DT880 (new version) is good also.

 

[Audiofiler]

I agree with every post in this thread, and would have mentioned any/all of these...until I heard the Black Dragon GS1000, they kill them all..
Only a serious elect setup matches/exceeds the performance of the BDGS1,

WOW, to my ears.

 

[drarthurwells]

AKG K701.

Must get the best in related components and IC cable also for the most natural and realistic sound.

 

[AsuAmo76]

My list of cans (I owe all of them, but don't believe me as source and amp and power cords and interconnects and your ears will make the difference):

w5000 -> sa5000(difficult to drive) -> ms-pro -> dt880 -> hd600.

w5k - give you the kind of seducing, very charming and at the same time detailed sound;
sa5k - exceptional in details, clarity is out of this world if properly driven.
ms-pro - take more refined and "polite" RS-1, which is not necessary bad thing for classical
dt880 - not dark, not bright, not laid back, not forward. Not bad.
hd600 - no comment.

 

[darkninja67]

AKG K701 or the Senn HD600 w/ a good amp.