Best headphones for synthpop

[Lou Norman]

I'm getting the urge to upgrade my headphones. I currently listen to a pair of HD497s, which I've generally been very happy with (my only complaint is after a few hours of wearing them, they can get a little uncomfortable).

I was thinking about getting the HD600s, but after reading the forums for a while, I'm questioning if they're the best phones for the type of music I listen to. I primarily listen to synthpop, including a lot of stuff from the 80s. Some of the synth based music I listen to includes ABC, Alphaville, Wally Badarou, Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, John Foxx, Jan Hammer, Heaven 17, Kraftwerk, Kit Watkins, and Yello.

I'm thinking maybe a headphone like the Beyerdynamic DT 770 may be better suited for synthpop. Unfortunately, I can't find most of these more expensive headphones anywhere locally to audition. I don't care whether the headphone is open or closed, and I would like to keep the price under $250. I'm open to purchasing an amp later (again, I would like to keep the price of an amp under $250).

What do you think is the best headphone for synthpop?

Thanks,

Lou

 

[TimSchirmer]

Get HD600's and a Gilmore Lite.

I found that combo to be nice with electronica type stuff.

 

[fewtch]

I like 80's synth stuff (and electronica of all sorts) a lot on my HD-580s... but are they the best for this kind of music?

Not sure if there really is a "best" phones for that... you can sort of divide things into "headbanger music" or "classical/chillout music" as opposites and say that some phones are better for one than another, but I don't think you can take it down to individual musical genres and styles. Just mho.

 

[bong]

i think it also depends on your listening preference. if i want to have emphasis on synth-pop's electronic drum machines, i find the Sony MDR-V6/7506 work very well. the deep bass and the extended treble with the slightly recessed mids of these phones matches the cold, calculated soundscapes of synth stuff. i absolutely love listening to "Trans Europe Express" and "The Man Machine" with my MDR-7506.

however, if i want to balance out missing elements synth-pop's sound (which can be decidedly bereft of human touches), i find the etys ER6 to be a good match. these phones are super-neutral, and they keep the bass and treble in check. better yet, the Sony MDR-E888's smooth exaggerated midrange adds a bit to the cold synth-pop sound.

so what am i saying? i really don't think any one 'phone is good for any one kind of genre of music. it depends on my mood, really.

80's synth pop rulez!

 

[Dusty Chalk]

Well, both the DT770 and the HD600 require an amp to hear all the squeaky clean sawtooth waves and clearly delineated basslines of the best synthpop. (Yello, in particular, sounds stupendous over a good sound system.)

Actually, my favourite synth-pop phone is the AT A100Ti, but you can't get those any more...A1000? Maybe one of the non-limited-edition AT's...?

(You have to check out some current synthpop: The Nine [HDCD!], De/Vision, Melotron, Red Flag, and Beborn Beton being several of my favourites.)

 

[lini]

For synthpop? Mhm - Groovalizer!

For a closed construction, the Beyerdynamic DT250/250 is the Groovalizer of choice, for semi-open, see below (I'd recommend a good low impedance output amp for the K240S, though).

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini