[i44p6NinS7fj5ka]

Hi everyone,
 
Looking for some full-sized headphones to listen to music in the confort of my home, I recently purchased a pair of Sennheiser HD598, because of the great reviews I was reading everywhere. As it turns out, the confort is fantastic, but I have mixed feeling regarding the sound. The acoustic stuff I'm listening to sounds really clear and precise, and I have absolutely no complain about that part. Indie rock (Razorlight) and folk (Off monsters and men) stuff also sounds really nice to me.
 
But when I switch to some more agressive stuff and distorted guitars kick in (Lagwagon, Biffy Clyro, NOFX, etc.), I feel like the HD598 fails to restitute clear and crisp electric guitars. When hot switching between an old pair of HD201 and my brand new HD598, I tend to prefer the HD201's (that are about 10 times cheaper by the way...).
 
That was a bit of context !
 
Let's get on with my question
 
Assuming that : 
 
- I don't like bass heavy headphones, I like the bass to be delicate and precise
- I listen to stuff from NOFX to Bob Dylan (no hip-hop / pop / electro or any other "modern" stuff)
- I have a pair of Etymotic HF5 paired with custom-fit ear molds and I LOVE how they sound
- My main focus is how guitar and vocals sound
- And I love having a great level of detail in the sound I'm listening
 
What headphones would you guys recommend (open of closed) to listen to my music at home ?
 
NB : I'm willing to spend up to $200
 
Thanks everyone for your recommendations !

 

[serman005]

  Hi everyone,
 
Looking for some full-sized headphones to listen to music in the confort of my home, I recently purchased a pair of Sennheiser HD598, because of the great reviews I was reading everywhere. As it turns out, the confort is fantastic, but I have mixed feeling regarding the sound. The acoustic stuff I'm listening to sounds really clear and precise, and I have absolutely no complain about that part. Indie rock (Razorlight) and folk (Off monsters and men) stuff also sounds really nice to me.
 
But when I switch to some more agressive stuff and distorted guitars kick in (Lagwagon, Biffy Clyro, NOFX, etc.), I feel like the HD598 fails to restitute clear and crisp electric guitars. When hot switching between an old pair of HD201 and my brand new HD598, I tend to prefer the HD201's (that are about 10 times cheaper by the way...).
 
That was a bit of context !
 
Let's get on with my question
 
Assuming that : 
 
- I don't like bass heavy headphones, I like the bass to be delicate and precise
- I listen to stuff from NOFX to Bob Dylan (no hip-hop / pop / electro or any other "modern" stuff)
- I have a pair of Etymotic HF5 paired with custom-fit ear molds and I LOVE how they sound
- My main focus is how guitar and vocals sound
- And I love having a great level of detail in the sound I'm listening
 
What headphones would you guys recommend (open of closed) to listen to my music at home ?
 
NB : I'm willing to spend up to $200
 
Thanks everyone for your recommendations !

How important is the soundstage to you? And when you say you are primarily interested in how guitars (and vocals) sound, do you mean specifically and mostly distorted guitars?

 

[i44p6NinS7fj5ka]

Hi and thanks for answering.
 
I'd love to have a great soundstage, but it's not capital to me since I don't listen to much stuff where soundstage is vital.
 
As for guitars, I would say both : I'd like electric distorted guitars to sound crisp and vibrant, but also acoustic guitars to sound properly.

 

[serman005]

The Soundmagic HP150 comes to mind immediately, as does the AKG K550 and the K545 (more bass, smaller soundstage than the K550 and more portable). The K553 is a newer iteration that has been on Massdrop for $145 shipped in recent weeks. Quite a buy. You might read about all of those. I would stay away from the DT770, as I feel it is too v-shaped for your tastes, but that's just me. YMMV. You might also look at a Grado, renowned for their incredible guitar tones. The SR225e might be a good fit and its priced within your budget (barely). If you want to stretch your budget, the Philips Fidelio X2 is a very, very good can that you would no doubt love. There are threads for most of these cans on the full-size headphone forum where you can learn some more about them. As you no doubt know, the Grados and the X2 are open, like your 598, and the first four I suggested you look at are closed. If there is any way for you to try some of these out, that is best. Otherwise, amazon is a good choice, since you can easily return cans you decide you don't like. Good luck!!

 

[cel4145]

You owe it to youself to try some grados if you are a rock fan. Give the SR80e a try

 

[palvy]

BW P7, although they are more expensive. Perhaps P5?
Rammstein, Iron Maiden, G&R P7 lost to Denon M400. However, all other rock - I prefered P7

 

[ProtegeManiac]

 
Assuming that : 
 
- I don't like bass heavy headphones, I like the bass to be delicate and precise
- I listen to stuff from NOFX to Bob Dylan (no hip-hop / pop / electro or any other "modern" stuff)
- I have a pair of Etymotic HF5 paired with custom-fit ear molds and I LOVE how they sound
- My main focus is how guitar and vocals sound
- And I love having a great level of detail in the sound I'm listening

 

If you can use a supra aural earpad and isolation isn't a problem, Grado SR225e. It's not as neutral as the HF5, but anything that involves something along the lines of a Les Paul and  a Marshall sounds fantastic through these (for the price anyway). Just wear them a little forward of the ear canals (the rear of the earpads along the earlobes) to prevent having them firing directly into them (which tends to make the soundstage a bit too forward and everything coming at you all at once) and it'll be great.

 

[xylin6]

You owe it to yourself to try some grados if you are a rock fan. Give the SR80e a try

+1
 
 
 

 

[imackler]

Sounds like a potential Grado man to me too!

 

[i44p6NinS7fj5ka]

Hey everyone and thanks for all these great replies.
 
I've been looking at the AKG K550's lately, there are several great deals on these on the interwebs (around $100 to $120). Has everyone tried them, would they suit my needs ? They seem to be great all-arounders.
 
I'd love to give the Grados a listen, does anyone know how versatile these are ? Would they sound clear and precise on the more laid-back acoustic stuff I listen to ?
 
As for the other recommendations you guys made, most of them are either unavailable in Europe, or way above my price point.
 
Thanks again !

 

[Pedro Oliveira]

M50x and hd25 are awesome for rock in my opinion. Blink 182 and biffy clyro listener here...