Best Unamped, Open Headphone
Oct 4, 2009 at 5:51 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 49

peli_kan

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I'm working on a birthday present for a friend, I hope that you guys can lend a hand.

-open backed
-easily driven
-neutral frequency response
-the typicals, fast/soundstage/imaging/extension/comfort etc.

I'm willing to spend anywhere from $100 to $500, best examples at different pricepoints would be appreciated.

Candidates I've come up with myself:
Alessandro MS-1i
Audio Technica ATH-AD700
Audio Technica ATH-AD900 (How neutral are these?)
EDIT, ADDED:
Beyerdynamic dt880 32ohm (Is this easily driven?)

Hmmm brain cramp, help me out guys :s When I think of easily driven opens, I usually turn to Grados, but they're too colored for this case. Hmmm... something like a easily driven K601.
 
Oct 4, 2009 at 6:00 AM Post #3 of 49
Am I correct in assuming that the HD595 retains the house midrange bass hump? That would be trouble.

Just remembered the Beyerdynamic DT880 32ohm, yum.
 
Oct 4, 2009 at 7:24 AM Post #8 of 49
For budget AD700, if you want to really make their day AD900.

If they are rockers and soundstage is not the be all end all then I would say Allesandro MS1 or MS2 but only if they are not concerned about sound stage.

I found the HD595 to have to much veil in the midrange and be a bit to laid back for my tastes and it did seem to really need to have an amp to begin to compeat with the AD700/900 phones.

I have not heard the DT880 but have listened to the BD DT990 and found it had a severely recessed midrange with very uncomfortable highs.
 
Oct 4, 2009 at 8:45 AM Post #12 of 49
435S
 
Oct 4, 2009 at 10:45 AM Post #13 of 49
If the RS1 is within the OPs budget, why are we even suggesting anything else ? We should all be so lucky.
 
Oct 4, 2009 at 10:48 AM Post #14 of 49
The OP said no Grados. AD900 would probably be your best bet. The AD700 or MS1 would be ok too if you want something for around $100 but the MS1 isn't as comfortable nor does it have the soundstage of the AD700/AD900. Its midrange is also a bit recessed compared to the AD900.
From what I have read the DT880 needs an amp (even the 32ohm).
 
Oct 4, 2009 at 11:16 AM Post #15 of 49
Quote:

Originally Posted by VALIENTE /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Go for
Alessandro MS-1i = $ 99.00
or
Alessandro MS-1i = $ 299.00

The two headphones above are musically-easily driven for your heads.



Same headphones, but two totally different prices? Weird!
evil_smiley.gif
 

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