Best (high-end) headphones for my tastes (within), recommendations?

[EricP]

I doubt many of you remember me (unless you were at the head-fi meet in January in Chicago) but I had an unfortunate employment situation that dictated that I had to sell my growing collection of cans, amps, and sources. I'm down to a pair of HD280 Pro, my KSC-75, and my ER-6, and my NAD C521BEE CDP. More than likely I will be purchasing a Total Bithead to listen from my computer, or a good sound card and an amp TBD.

I'm back, and my wallet is ready for a beating. I'm looking for a new pair of cans to enjoy. Top end of my price range is around $700, though it could be bent a little. Obviously lower is better since I can then spend that money on amps (and music!).

I listen to a lot of heavy music. Dream Theater, Lamb Of God, Rammstein, etc. I listen to a lot (but less) of not so heavy music: Ben Folds, Phish, Miles Davis, assorted electronic/dance, Maroon 5, etc. I need something that can handle the heavy stuff but still make me smile listening to the more detailed music. Bass doesn't have to be massive in quantity, but it has to be very tight and responsive, because the heavy music I listen to will make a headphone with even slightly sloppy bass sound horrible. My previous main cans were Beyer DT880s, and I loved them, but they were just slightly lacking in bass for my tastes. They must be extremely comfortable, as I wear them for long periods of time (6-8 hours at a time), and even my HD280 Pros, which aren't uncomfortable, get old after that period of time. I just have to take them off for a while.

Cans on my list:

Grado RS-1: I heard them at the Chicago meet and liked them. They just sounded natural. Not perfectly flat response, but I don't want that, I want something musical, I'm enjoying my headphones, not analyzing what comes out of them. I worry about comfort here.

Sony SA5000: I have heard nothing but spectacular things about these headphones. They are probably at the top of my list at this point, despite having never heard them. Are they really all that?

Sennheiser HD650: Is there a "I want a premier headphone" list without these? I'm just not sure about them because I've heard them compared to the DT880, which I liked, but I'm looking for something different. Will they provide that small bit of extra bass my DT880s lacked?

Cans not on my list that should be: You tell me! There are a whole lot of headphones out there that I haven't been made aware of yet.

 

[swift1112]

RS1's for rock man!! I have my eye on some RS2's for my rock and roll side!!

 

[kramer5150]

hope you have considered an amp? all of those need a decent amp circuit to get the most out of em.

my suggestion, MS2/DT880/HD650 + SR71... should fall under the $750 mark.

Garrett

 

[EricP]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kramer5150 hope you have considered an amp? all of those need a decent amp circuit to get the most out of em. my suggestion, MS2/DT880 + SR71 Garrett

yeah, I will either be using a total bithead or a good soundcard (EMU1212m or equivalent) with analog out to a to be determined amp

 

[overlunge]

Hi EricP,

Welcome back

I doubt things have changed much since you left us.

Having owned all three headphones previously. The conservative side of me would recommend the HD650, which I found a pleasure to listen to some of the progressive rock with... but if you are feeling advanturous, SA5000 is a good choice but people's impressions of SA5000 is still quite divided till this day. They are very good with some rock music but it will also reveal some of the recording defects that made some of my collections unlistenable. RS-1 is an all time favourite headphones for me, I don't like it as much with Dream Theatre, but that's just me.


Overlunge

 

[jjcha]

Sounds like a job for (Han) Solo and Darth Grado...

Best,

-Jason

 

[cheechoz]

Lucky you, if I had that loot to spend on cans, the RS-1 would be connected to my SR-71, and tucked under a pillow for a week straight (Changing batteries of course), and then I know I would be one happy headfier after that week!!!

 

[warpdriver]

Yeah, I'd narrow down your list to RS-1's, RS-2's, and HD650's.

The Grado's will provide a somewhat DT880-like sound (but with tighter and kickin' bass, and slightly edgier treble), and the HD650 will be like 880's but warmed up a notch or three (much goovier, thicker bass, with more laid back presentation)

 

[EricP]

re: RS-2, is it true that everyone who buys 'em just ends up getting RS-1s down the road anyway? Is that a testiment to how good the RS-2 is (leading to desire for the "next level") or a testiment to wishing they'd just got what they wanted (RS-1) in the first place? I had a short session with the RS-1 (<30 minutes) and was listening to music that wasn't really my style, but I liked them anyway. That made a big impression on me, that I was able to enjoy them while listening to music I don't listen to. The comfort thing, though, is my biggest hesitation on pulling the trigger. These will be on my head 6-8 hours a day and they have to be comfortable for those periods of time. Grados, at best, have mixed reviews about comfort.

re: Darth Grado, is he related to Darth Beyer? (haven't been logged into head-fi for a while)

 

[Jahn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjcha Sounds like a job for (Han) Solo and Darth Grado... Best, -Jason

Absolutely.

Out of your choices, I noticed that you said you thought the DT880 didn't have enough bass. If that's the case, you aren't going to be happy with the SA5K, which has less midbass/in your face bass than the DT880. HD650 has good bass, but it is a bit tame when compared to the Grado Slam of the RS-1. Especially since you enjoyed the RS-1 the last time you heard it, grab a used pair for 450 and snare a nice amp to go with it once you have the capital. Your headbangin' ears will thank you!

 

[mrdon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricP Sony SA5000: I have heard nothing but spectacular things about these headphones. They are probably at the top of my list at this point, despite having never heard them. Are they really all that?

YES, YES, YES. You will not be disappointed.

 

[warpdriver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricP re: RS-2, is it true that everyone who buys 'em just ends up getting RS-1s down the road anyway?

Seems like it doesn't it?
The RS-1 is the most refined and as you move up, that's what most people want.

 

[Stangs55]

Gilmore Lite -> HD650 is tough to beat for the price.

 

[chrisfromalbany]

I say the bass in lighter on the SA5000s but with SMv3 I find it to be just right. Although I didn't need the bass all the time and some pieces have enough bass on there own. But when I think it is missing or want more I use the bass boost on SMv3.

The grado bass is good but not as deep as the SA5000s. So there is no for certain answer. There are just positives and negatives. The SA5000s are much easiler to wear for longer periods of time. The detail of the SA5000s is greater then Rs-1s. The SA5000s aren't musical. I would say buy the rs-1s see if you like then. If you don't sell them get the SA5000s.

 

[EdipisReks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisfromalbany The grado bass is good but not as deep as the SA5000s. So there is no for certain answer.

have you heard the PS-1? it plumbs the depths