jhembach
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2011
- Posts
- 5
- Likes
- 0
Hi all,
I've spent countless hours reading this communities amazing reviews and discussions, but I feel stuck in my quest for a great pair of headphones and am hoping for some help.
For background: my only current headphones are a pair of q-jays IEMs (which I LOVE), and years ago I also had a pair of Sony MDR-V700DJs, which I sold because - well - I'm not a DJ, and they were terribly uncomfortable for extended listening (not their intended purpose, I know). I listen to a range of music - rock, pop, hip hop, even a little country. I'm starting to get into jazz more as well, but don't have a particular interest in classical.
I've been reading a lot about my headphone options, and a little on amps and DACs as well, and here's where I currently stand. The shortlist right now consists of:
B&W P5. I know this is probably the least impressive from a sonic perspective, but I lust after these on an irrational level and can't quite purge them from the list.
Sennheiser HD598. These seem very well-reviewed, and I very much like the unusual burlwood finish as well as the fact that they seem to be extremely comfortable.
Phiaton MS 400.
Grado SR80, SR125, SR225. A friend of mine has the 125s and I've always loved the sound of them.
AKG Q701
Obviously, the Phiaton and B&W have the advantage of being more portable, whereas the Sennheiser and Grados would be purely for home use.
I'm also wondering if in this price range, I'm better off getting the Grados or Sennheiser and adding a cheap DAC like the Fiio D3 and an amp like the E6, or getting a combo unit like an E7, or should I invest in something like an AKQ Q 701 and add a DAC/amp later down the road? I'm looking to invest no more in $300 in this Christmas gift to myself.
Sorry for the very broad array of questions, but I'm having a hard time finding a good place to start on this head-fi adventure...
I'm planning on testing them all out in-store this weekend, but would love to go armed with as much info as possible.
Thanks all!
I've spent countless hours reading this communities amazing reviews and discussions, but I feel stuck in my quest for a great pair of headphones and am hoping for some help.
For background: my only current headphones are a pair of q-jays IEMs (which I LOVE), and years ago I also had a pair of Sony MDR-V700DJs, which I sold because - well - I'm not a DJ, and they were terribly uncomfortable for extended listening (not their intended purpose, I know). I listen to a range of music - rock, pop, hip hop, even a little country. I'm starting to get into jazz more as well, but don't have a particular interest in classical.
I've been reading a lot about my headphone options, and a little on amps and DACs as well, and here's where I currently stand. The shortlist right now consists of:
B&W P5. I know this is probably the least impressive from a sonic perspective, but I lust after these on an irrational level and can't quite purge them from the list.
Sennheiser HD598. These seem very well-reviewed, and I very much like the unusual burlwood finish as well as the fact that they seem to be extremely comfortable.
Phiaton MS 400.
Grado SR80, SR125, SR225. A friend of mine has the 125s and I've always loved the sound of them.
AKG Q701
Obviously, the Phiaton and B&W have the advantage of being more portable, whereas the Sennheiser and Grados would be purely for home use.
I'm also wondering if in this price range, I'm better off getting the Grados or Sennheiser and adding a cheap DAC like the Fiio D3 and an amp like the E6, or getting a combo unit like an E7, or should I invest in something like an AKQ Q 701 and add a DAC/amp later down the road? I'm looking to invest no more in $300 in this Christmas gift to myself.
Sorry for the very broad array of questions, but I'm having a hard time finding a good place to start on this head-fi adventure...
I'm planning on testing them all out in-store this weekend, but would love to go armed with as much info as possible.
Thanks all!