[New_To_Sound]

would these be a tier above all $60-$100 headphones?

I need:

sound quality in lows < 500Hz, highs > 6kHz (look at attachment)
3D postional accuracy (FPS/DVD)
works well with virtual surround
high efficiency and portable
isolation optional

Modified List (from feedback):
($100-$200)

a) Ultrasone HFI-650
b) Sony MDR-CD2000
c) Etymotic ER-6
d) Sennheiser PX250
e) Audio Technica ATHA900
f) Grado SR225
g) AKG 271
h) Sennheiser H580 ( a reference )


which three of these would you pick?


Thanks for your time,
New_To_Sound

 

[Eagle_Driver]

The following headphones should be eliminated from consideration due to them being in a lower price class (or put it this way, they are either typically priced in the $60-$100 range or they don't sound as good as the prices that you saw them for would warrant):

a) Denon AHD750 (discontinued)
b) Sony MDR-7506
c) Sennheiser HD497

Also, eliminate the following due to their efficiency that's low enough to require a separate amp for portable use:

a) AKG K501
b) AKG K401
c) Sennheiser HD580
d) Beyerdynamic DT931
e) Beyerdynamic DT880
f) Beyerdynamic DT831

That leaves only the two Ultrasones, the Grado, the Sony CD2000 and the Etymotic ER-6. But then again, all of those headphones will benefit from the use of a separate amp.

And yep, I repeat that $100 is way too much $$$ for the Sennheiser HD497. That 'phone lists for just $80, and can be purchased for as little as $50.

 

[hempcamp]

Out of a portable? Grado or Ultrasone, although I have not heard the Ultrasone it sounds like what you are looking for in terms of three dimensional sound.

--Chris

 

[New_To_Sound]

Eagle_driver,

you said your favorite headphones were:
Grado SR-225, Sennheiser HD 600 w/Cardas cable, Sony MDR-CD2000


Which one of your favs. do you like most for definition and postional accuracy?

Have you tried the Ultrasones?

 

[Eagle_Driver]

Unfortunately, all three of those 'phones are out of your stated price range (or at least at the upper end of that range), based on the prices that I paid for them. And I don't pay all that much attention to positional accuracy - that is, my hearing (or more specifically, the part of my brain that determines hearing) is too focused on detail to even determine soundstage or positioning.

And I currently have no access to Ultrasone headphones at present. I just couldn't find a place that even carries them for auditioning.

 

[jinxed84]

if youre gonna have grados in there for portables you should have the SR225's they can be found online for as low as $169. oh yeah, and they ROCK i vote SR225!

 

[Der Wolf]

In your first post you said you wanted about 12dB of isolation...

If that's the case, you can cross the Grados off your list. I'm a great Grado fan myself and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them at least for an audition. But they don't isolate. They just plain don't.

Have you considered the Sennheiser HD25? I don't know the exact price in the states, but they should be around 200$ I think. They sound good, isolate well, are kind of portable...

Good luck.


Lukas

 

[Eagle_Driver]

For that matter, then, cross out the Sony CD2000. and the Ultrasone HFI2000LE. That leaves only the Ultrasone HFI650LE (which I've never heard of - but there are now two models in that series to choose from: the HFI650 Trackmaster and the HFI700 DVD) and the Etymotic ER-6 from your original list.

 

[New_To_Sound]

Dude. you guys are good. I posted a similiar post on headwise 3 days ago and haven't got a response yet. Here I got many poll responses and replies.

Thanks Eagle Driver, you responded to all most all the posts on my thread.

This is one nice site.

You guys narrowed my search, I think I am going with the HFI650 or ER-6 + a DIY

input:
spdif digital 5.1 OR stereo analog->

(AC3 to Stereo Headphones Convertor)
[
Components:
AC3 Decoder (?mW) ->
LowPower DSP(3DHRTF,Spectral Conditioning)60Mips/30mW->
DAC: 24-bit/96kHz, SNR 102dB, 15mW ->
OpAmp (equalization,signal smoothing) 50mW
]

output:
-> Headphones (stereo)


How much power would this circuit require? voltage?cost?

Would this DIY bring back any of those crossed out for inefficiency?

 

[New_To_Sound]

Those of you who voted for the HFI-650, for what 3D apps did you use them, and how good is the 3D positional sound?

 

[Duncan]

Hmm...

I'm not into all the 3D stuff, so can't comment on that specifically, but i'm amazed that the Senn PX250s aren't on the list...

 

[Davie]

You should add the Sennheiser 280pro as an alternative, unless its 30db isolation is too much for your purposes. Otherwise, I think it fits your needs.

 

[D-EJ915]

I'm surprised there are no A-T cans on the list, I mean they make 'phones that are a lot better than a lot of those on that list.

 

[apropos]

Quote:

Originally posted by Eagle_Driver And yep, I repeat that $100 is way too much $$$ for the Sennheiser HD497. That 'phone lists for just $80, and can be purchased for as little as $50.

Right on. They used to be 46.95 on amazon, I believe, until recently. But now they are out of stock and the current price is 61.80.

a.

 

[Terry Toronto2]

What will you be using them for. If it is local commutte I would cross of the Grado's any outside noise make these baby's sound terrible and you really need an amp regardless and almost all of the headphones you listed are going to be off the list if you plan to commutte with them. (ie bus, train, subway, walking!) If you plan to do any or all of the above your options will be not as many!