Best open back headphones for $200
Dec 2, 2013 at 4:03 PM Post #16 of 28
newguy7 said:
   
Definitely PC, any suggestions?
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Sounds like the Sony MDR-MA900 is a good choice.
Maybe get an Asus Xonar DG (PCI) sound card, $26.80.
The older and cheaper the motherboard is, the more noticeable the Xonar DG will improve audio quality.
 
Dec 2, 2013 at 7:20 PM Post #19 of 28
benf said:
  We were talking about AD900x vs HD800 - not SA3000.
SA3000 has some really bad reviews on Amazon, 2 one-star reviews out of 5 reviews.
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I believe we were talking about the Sony as I mentioned the HD800 in comparison.
 
Regardless I wouldn't take any notice of Amazon reviews, better to read reviews on head-fi. Better still to do your own hands-on research.
 
In addition, and to stay on topic... I would say the Sony SA3k, Sennheiser HD600 and Beyerdynamic DT880 are some of the best open/semi-open headphones regardless of price.
 
Dec 2, 2013 at 7:34 PM Post #20 of 28
graphicism said:
   
I believe we were talking about the Sony as I mentioned the HD800 in comparison.
 
Regardless I wouldn't take any notice of Amazon reviews, better to read reviews on head-fi. Better still to do your own hands-on research.
 
In addition, and to stay on topic... I would say the Sony SA3k, Sennheiser HD600 and Beyerdynamic DT880 are some of the best open/semi-open headphones regardless of price.
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I sure wasn't. I was referring to the fact that in the Battle Of The Flagships thread AD900 is ranked above HD800 in value.
 
If SA3000 was really better than HD800 (at 1/7 the price), it probably wouldn't be discontinued and replaced with another 200$ model.
I think you just don't like the HD800's signature - it's very picky about the amps.
 
Dec 2, 2013 at 8:51 PM Post #22 of 28
benf said:
 
I sure wasn't. I was referring to the fact that in the Battle Of The Flagships thread AD900 is ranked above HD800 in value.
 
If SA3000 was really better than HD800 (at 1/7 the price), it probably wouldn't be discontinued and replaced with another 200$ model.
I think you just don't like the HD800's signature - it's very picky about the amps.
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I listen to headphones for transparency and detail retrieval, the Sony's are in my opinion king. The HD800 while perhaps a better all-rounder because of their desirable bass, simply don't have the warmth and punch [slam] of the SA's.
 
As far as the price goes, that's marketing for ya. Price something up and people find it more desirable. I will say this; the HD800 sounds more like a Sony SA than a HD600/HD650, make of that what you will.
 
May 23, 2014 at 3:24 AM Post #27 of 28
I have tried; ad 900x, 700x and Philips Fidelio x1. My overall view on the lot is;

if you cant do without ABSOLUTE clarity, detail where all the upper notes sound warm and Heavenly, then I would go for Philips.

If vocals are your prime objective then I would go for AD700x, and if you would rather get the best possible AIRY sounding soundstage and get a SMOOTH sounding MID range I would go with both 900X and 700x.

but that's my hearing not yours
 
May 25, 2014 at 12:38 PM Post #28 of 28
If you need a bang-for-buck amp, get the Schiit Magni or JDS O2.
 
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