Best open all around headphones under $250
Jul 27, 2012 at 2:04 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 117

pichu

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Ok, so what is the best all around open headphone under $250? I listen to all music other than heavy metal and screamo. you can see the amps I have in my signature.
 
Jul 28, 2012 at 4:17 AM Post #4 of 117
DT880 600ohm
 
The O2 will swing it.
 
I derno having the HD650 kind of spoils everything else around the price range though.
 
Jul 28, 2012 at 4:30 AM Post #5 of 117
Go for the Sennheiser HD598.
If you can stretch your budget out to $300, you can get the HD600...
They retail for $400 but there is currently a deal on them at razordogdeals ebay page where you can offer them $300 for the 600s or probably quite a bit less on the 598 as well, I believe it's $50.
 
Jul 28, 2012 at 6:32 AM Post #7 of 117
Quote:
DT880 600ohm
 
The O2 will swing it.
 
I derno having the HD650 kind of spoils everything else around the price range though.


That's over budget ($340 +) in the U.S.  The 250 Ohm version is about $50 over budget.  Even the Pro version is slightly over budget.
 
Jul 28, 2012 at 6:33 AM Post #8 of 117
Quote:
Go for the Sennheiser HD598.
If you can stretch your budget out to $300, you can get the HD600...
They retail for $400 but there is currently a deal on them at razordogdeals ebay page where you can offer them $300 for the 600s or probably quite a bit less on the 598 as well, I believe it's $50.


He's already getting the HD 650 (see his sig).
 
Jul 28, 2012 at 7:05 AM Post #9 of 117
Jul 28, 2012 at 10:22 AM Post #11 of 117
well by getting I havent ordered. To me getting 650's sometimes  in the next 3 months. I need a open headphone ( never had expirience ) so I would like to try them out. Giving M50 to brother. So yeah, need open headphone. idk, I have heard the Q701 is more hated than loved. Are you sure its my choice? Need one that sound awesome in all music. Basically clear, big soundstage, no sharp ear piercing highs ( cough... ultrasone ) good lows like ultrasone, clear mids like Grado and so on.
 
Jul 28, 2012 at 11:29 AM Post #13 of 117
The HD 598 is a more verstaile Q701, though not necessarily better (that's arguable). Both are great for games. However, HD598 has more bass, rendering it better for movies and making it more diverse across the genres. In addition, its soundstage is just as big but more appropriate - Q701's soundstage can sound like you're in a cavern - for a wider series of genres. It's thicker sounding and generally more comfortable - physically, and has much less fatiguing treble. Basically the strengths of the HD598 are the treble, midrange, and soundstage. I think it's top tier in all three of those aspects of sound. 
 
I really want to try the HD 600. Apparently it has a worse soundstage and midrange than the HD598 but a more resolving sound. 
 
You're looking for lows like the Ultrasone. Unfortunately, open headphones in general do not have much lows. Sennheiser HD 650 does have a good amount of bass... but a bit unnatural one. It's too emphasized imo. The HD598's bass is like the sound of a heartbeat thump. It's not bad, especially for an open headphone.  Certainly better than the Q701's. Not sure about the HD 600's. I heard it has more bass than the HD 598 though. 
 
The Denons are semi-open. Do they count? 
 
Jul 28, 2012 at 3:17 PM Post #14 of 117
Quote:
anything but an allrounder 

 
I have to disagree.  Both the Q701 and HD 598 are excellent all arrounders--even for gamers.  Both are also excellent cans.  Between the two, I prefer the Q701 due to its clarity.  However, the Q701 is not the best choice for those looking for slam or prominent bass.  The HD 598 will be your choice if you are looking for a slightly veiled, smooth as velvet and a more forgiving can.
 
Jul 28, 2012 at 4:38 PM Post #15 of 117
Quote:
 
I have to disagree.  Both the Q701 and HD 598 are excellent all arrounders--even for gamers.  Both are also excellent cans.  Between the two, I prefer the Q701 due to its clarity.  However, the Q701 is not the best choice for those looking for slam or prominent bass.  The HD 598 will be your choice if you are looking for a slightly veiled, smooth as velvet and a more forgiving can.

And I have to point out, that I neither mentioned the HD598, which is actually far superior in any aspect compared to the K/Q70X, nor is the HD598 veiled. Actually, there is a 10k treble-spike, while the K701 is out of control. The earlier batches of the HD650 were a bit cold, but that doesn't affect the HD598... you know, it's a different phone.
http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/SennheiserHD598.pdf
... the HD 598 is actually a pretty good can.
 

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