[Davie]

I find myself dusting off my old classical CD collection as of late. I've been listening mostly to rock and jazz during the last year or so while I've been experimenting with different phones. I would be interested in opinions on the following:

1) Best phones for classical listening

2) Best phones for classical without an amp

3) Best phones for classical $100 or less


Thanks.

edit: I'm also thinking of getting something like this for my grandmother, so I should add:

4) Best grandma-friendly classical phones (i.e., nothing too street-style, dorky looking, or fidgety to put on.

 

[Zanth]

I guess this is very subjective...but...if rumours are correct...then the R10's would be the very best classical phones...maybe the Big O. From my experience...I would say the Grado HP-1's are fantastic but are hard to come by...leaving the RS-1's are my fav. That covers number 1.

2) RS-1's hands down. Without an amp they can live...and will smoke all other headphones that don't require an amp to sound great.

3) Best under $100...the Grado SR-60's. I would say hands down nothing touches them. And they can sound great without an amp especially. They are not "hip" at all and well...may remind your grandma of the old-school headphones from the '40s. So that covers 4 as well.

 

[wallijonn]

1] Senn 580/600
2] BD DT 250 - 80
3] Grado SR80 / Sony V6 / Senn 497
4] Senn 280?

that last one is tough! ha ha.

 

[andrzejpw]

Hmm,

1) Sennheiser Orpheus
2) Sony R10

3) Grado Sr-60s

 

[aeberbach]

1. AKG K1000
2. Etymotic ER-4P
3. Grado SR-60

 

[akar]

.

 

[FCJ]

Quote:

Originally posted by aeberbach 1. AKG K1000 2. Etymotic ER-4P 3. Grado SR-60

Ditto.

 

[MooGoesTheCow]

At around the $100 mark, I highly recommend the Grado SR-80. They have a classic style (although I know many of you don't care for it) which doesn't offend. They're lightweight, durable, and if the headband is bent out a little, comfortable. They can be driven from anything, and sound amazing.

Also at around $100-120, the AKG K240S is another great sounding headphone. Beautiful, easily more comfortable, and better sounding, IMO. However, they're a little more difficult to drive, and without an amp or powerful source, the Grados might be a better option.

 

[fredpb]

For your grandma? I would say the Sennheiser HD570's.
Easy to drive. Have decent bass, a slight peak at the high end, though not as brilliant as a Grado. Broken in, these will be nice for here, stylish, and comfortable. She will like them.

My personal choice for perfect classical music in my price ranges is...


Sennheiser HD600s (well broken in), MG HEAD OTL amp, and Clou Red or Blue.

This system connects via Straightwire Encore II intereconnects to a Rega Planet CD player and the rest of my system, including LP's.

 

[Luvya]

Or Senns 580. U can have them for just a little more than $100 and they are GREAT for classical music. I myself listen to classical music all the time and I think 580 serve this purpose well. If u listen to heavy metal or rock N roll...then forget about 580.

 

[JaZZ]

1) Good phones for classical listening:
HD 600 (well, I guess the Orpheus is even better, but...)

2) Good phones for classical without an amp:
SR 225 / ER-4P/X/S / HD 600

3) Good phones for classical $100 or less:
???

4) Good grandma-friendly classical phones:
HD 580 or some cheaper circumaural Sennheiser

 

[Davie]

Thanks for all the feedback. It's going to take me a while to work through it. One question comes to mind, though. I too have and love the Grado SR-60's. Headroom says that they're the only Grados that will work straight out of a portable. Can anyone speak how they compare in this respect to other Grado models? I feel that the lack of bass extension in the 60's makes them a good but less-than-ideal classical music headphone. How much improvement do the 80's offer in terms of bass?

 

[recephasan]

between the RS-1 and the RS-2, I find the RS-2 better for classical almost everytime

 

[Zanth]

I can't comment too much on how the 80's do compared to the 60's without an amp, but I can say the RS-1's will reveal a better sound overall even without the amp. Deeper more accurate bass, smoother tighter highs, and that lovely mid-range which is very open compared to the SR-60's.

 

[KillMatt]

Any closed headphone recommendations? I've been looking at some Beyer's but 770's seem to bass-heavy, and the 831's seem to not have enough bass, or so I've heard. I like classical with a little bit more bass, but not overboard.

~Matt