god alien
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2012
- Posts
- 10
- Likes
- 0
Hello Head-Fi community. I am planning upgrade my current headphones (Sennheiser HD595/no amp), and I am looking to spend no more than $700 (headphones alone). I really enjoy the signature sound of my 595, and I would like to buy something that sounds similar but better of course. I like the airy sound that it provides as an open hp, and I also like the forwardness it has from the mids to the highs. I don't care much about the lower end (bass) but its always nice to have good balance. I also would like something that is not too hard to drive, so that I don't have to spend too much in a high power amp. From what I have been reading, some of my possible options are:
Shure SRH-1440
Shure SRH-1840
HIFIman HE-400
Sennheiser... (Hard to drive from what I have read; do recommend one if you consider it necessary).
From what I have read, the 1440s are really good hp for vocals because of its forward mids. What I am worried about is that it may be too bright (I don't really know much about levels of brightness so I am not sure if this would be something good or bad for me). Personally I think the 595s are relatively bright and I enjoy it, specially because its coupled with that airness of an open hp. It makes vocals and instruments sound more alive and detailed.
Now, the 1840 appeal me not only because of their look and build, or the fact that they are the flagship Shure hp, but because they seem to have a more balanced sound, and this would eliminate the possibility of overly aggressive highs (which seem to be an issue with the 1440s for some people). However, I am worried that I would prefer the more forward mids that the 1440 have, but I wouldn't mind a more musical sound (1840). Both seem good for vocals to me, but I think that the 1440s are more similar to the 595 than the 1840 are, sonically. I would like your feedback on this, as I think that both Shure headphones have more forward mids than the 595, but the 1840 mids seem darker or laid back when compared directly to the 1440. Once again, if that's the case, it leads me to believe that the 1440 mids might be too forward (hopefully my point is understandable). I would also like a soundstage similar or better (more enjoyable for vocals) than the 595.
The HIFIman HE-400 are a different story. Yes I have read that they are very good for what they cost. Yes I have even read about them being better than most headphones around that price range (if not the best) and beyond. But I have also read about the 4 revisions that have been released since launch. Four revisions. Two of them with issues and flaws. I have also read about people complaining about the costumer service and how they have waited months just to receive their replacement. First of all, I don't want to buy a pair of headphones this expensive, just to see how 2 more revisions are released before 2013, or even beyond. That in my opinion is just unacceptable. I am not saying its wrong, After all, HIFIman is just trying to correct some of the production or manufacturing errors in order to improve their products. But I don't expect high end (relatively) headphones to have major flaws in the first place. I normally wouldn't mind much about the brand or company history, but this is just going too far. I want reliable headphones that will last for a good amount of time, without the company releasing new versions every year. That just shows a lack of research, development and testing. Moving on to the sound, I have read that the 400s are really good overall headphones but I am not so sure about them being better than the Shure's for vocals. After all they seem to have less forward mids in comparison and more pronounced bass. Actually, I was very disappointed when I looked at the FR chart and saw the huge drop between 1000 and 10000 Hz. I am not sure how will that affect sound but to me it seems that vocals won't sound as impressive.
This is by no means a hate thread (towards HIFIman or anything like it. I am just laying down my opinions so that more experienced users can help me reach a decision.
Now lets talk about amps/dacs (USB).
To sum it up, I want something that of course, makes vocals and related genres sound better. Furthermore I want something that doesn't cost too much (around $150 max). Also, it has to be a good match for whichever headphone you might recommend. I don't care much about portability as I will use it with my desktop and it will stay there. From what I have read, my options could be:
Fiio E17
HRT headstreamer
As a side note, I also play a lot of video games and watch movies/tv shows on my computer, so it would be nice if the headphone/amp combination also performs well on this area. However, music is my priority. Some of the artist I listen to the most are: Adele, Pink, Kelly Clarkson, Maroon 5, FUN, Katy Perry, Christina Perri, One Direction, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, etc.
I would like to get some experienced feedback asap, as there are some good deals and coupons that I would like take advantage of. Feel free to recommend other products too. Thanks.
Shure SRH-1440
Shure SRH-1840
HIFIman HE-400
Sennheiser... (Hard to drive from what I have read; do recommend one if you consider it necessary).
From what I have read, the 1440s are really good hp for vocals because of its forward mids. What I am worried about is that it may be too bright (I don't really know much about levels of brightness so I am not sure if this would be something good or bad for me). Personally I think the 595s are relatively bright and I enjoy it, specially because its coupled with that airness of an open hp. It makes vocals and instruments sound more alive and detailed.
Now, the 1840 appeal me not only because of their look and build, or the fact that they are the flagship Shure hp, but because they seem to have a more balanced sound, and this would eliminate the possibility of overly aggressive highs (which seem to be an issue with the 1440s for some people). However, I am worried that I would prefer the more forward mids that the 1440 have, but I wouldn't mind a more musical sound (1840). Both seem good for vocals to me, but I think that the 1440s are more similar to the 595 than the 1840 are, sonically. I would like your feedback on this, as I think that both Shure headphones have more forward mids than the 595, but the 1840 mids seem darker or laid back when compared directly to the 1440. Once again, if that's the case, it leads me to believe that the 1440 mids might be too forward (hopefully my point is understandable). I would also like a soundstage similar or better (more enjoyable for vocals) than the 595.
The HIFIman HE-400 are a different story. Yes I have read that they are very good for what they cost. Yes I have even read about them being better than most headphones around that price range (if not the best) and beyond. But I have also read about the 4 revisions that have been released since launch. Four revisions. Two of them with issues and flaws. I have also read about people complaining about the costumer service and how they have waited months just to receive their replacement. First of all, I don't want to buy a pair of headphones this expensive, just to see how 2 more revisions are released before 2013, or even beyond. That in my opinion is just unacceptable. I am not saying its wrong, After all, HIFIman is just trying to correct some of the production or manufacturing errors in order to improve their products. But I don't expect high end (relatively) headphones to have major flaws in the first place. I normally wouldn't mind much about the brand or company history, but this is just going too far. I want reliable headphones that will last for a good amount of time, without the company releasing new versions every year. That just shows a lack of research, development and testing. Moving on to the sound, I have read that the 400s are really good overall headphones but I am not so sure about them being better than the Shure's for vocals. After all they seem to have less forward mids in comparison and more pronounced bass. Actually, I was very disappointed when I looked at the FR chart and saw the huge drop between 1000 and 10000 Hz. I am not sure how will that affect sound but to me it seems that vocals won't sound as impressive.
This is by no means a hate thread (towards HIFIman or anything like it. I am just laying down my opinions so that more experienced users can help me reach a decision.
Now lets talk about amps/dacs (USB).
To sum it up, I want something that of course, makes vocals and related genres sound better. Furthermore I want something that doesn't cost too much (around $150 max). Also, it has to be a good match for whichever headphone you might recommend. I don't care much about portability as I will use it with my desktop and it will stay there. From what I have read, my options could be:
Fiio E17
HRT headstreamer
As a side note, I also play a lot of video games and watch movies/tv shows on my computer, so it would be nice if the headphone/amp combination also performs well on this area. However, music is my priority. Some of the artist I listen to the most are: Adele, Pink, Kelly Clarkson, Maroon 5, FUN, Katy Perry, Christina Perri, One Direction, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, etc.
I would like to get some experienced feedback asap, as there are some good deals and coupons that I would like take advantage of. Feel free to recommend other products too. Thanks.