Hi head-fi, haven't been on this site for some time after a long hiatus from a short sojourn here. This can be attributed to (previously) growing disinterest in portable audio after having heard what a good speaker setup can do, but I am regretting my decision. My cheap audio-technica ath-fc700 has fallen apart and I am looking for an upgrade. I find it quite hard to articulate the sound sig I like, so I will just mention the headphone/IEMs I have auditioned (mostly for fun and from all budgets) and my impressions of them. Hopefully, that will be better able to convey my preferences and therefore get a better recommendation from you guys! My budget is about S$200, or ~US$160.
Here goes:
Sony MDR-EX600 - Heard them at an consumer electronics exhibition, which meant lots of noise when auditioning, but I found myself liking it. Isolation is obviously mediocre, but it has a splendidly open sound, great separation, soundstage and fantastic mids. A touch of graininess and slight colouration at the treble though, a little bit too lively, but bass texture was fantastic and extension decent. Insanely expensive prices locally though. I would like something along these lines, just with a smoother, less coloured treble with around the same level of separation + staging and the same quality of mids (perhaps a little more liquid but still clear) and bass texture, but with better extension and impact.
HD-800 (amped of course) - Stunningly transparent. Stunningly ruthless too on a pure SS setup too, with harsh treble.
Stax SR-009 (out of the the SS Stax energizer, whose model escapes me and the Reconessence Labs Invicta) - The brilliant neutrality in the bass to the low treble only accentuated the brightness of the headphone, but it was not the peaky sort of brightness. Very hard to describe, but it is something like an pearlescent sheen in the treble, that's not objectionable, but I find it hard to love. Didn't use any bassy tracks so no comment on that, but I'll imagine whatever recommendations I get for my budget will be less detailed overall by far. I would prefer a slightly darker treble and slightly more mid emphasis.
Audio-technica M50 - Crap. To my ears anyway. Recessed, grainy mids, metallic treble, lumpy bass.
Audio-technica FC700 - MOAR BASS. I found it hard to like. It's redeeming factor was that it had the same type of bass but a smidgen less textured than the M50, if that counts a lot in its favour. Where's the treble? Oh, it's right there hanging out with the mids. Not in the coherent, smooth manner that is preferred too.
Shure SRH440 - peaky treble again.
Ultrasone HFI-580 - I can tell you this. The staging of this was so messed up that I was not centerstage, or near any seats (whether front row or otherwise). Instead, the sound felt like it came from 5 metres directly below me. Metallic treble too.
LCD-3 out of RWA Isabellina and Burson ha-160 - Coloured as hell. Too much treble roll off. Too dark. Too much emphasis on the lower-mids. Dig the black background though, which I guess is good compared to everything but the SR-009.
Yeah, I guess I am a soundstage and separation freak that loves his mids on the slightly warm side of neutral and bass texture (perhaps a very slight bump in the midbass?) with an extended, smooth but detailed treble with mild sparkle, and a black, black background. I would prefer IEMs for commuting, because if I am at home, chances are I will be listening to my future speaker setup (only have my integrated amp right now ;_
. All for $200. Of course, I am not expecting the insane resolution of some of the cans I auditioned, but something that punches above its weight in overall resolution would be good. Oh, and it will be driven out of my Nokia N9. Since the Yamaha EPH-100, Rock-it sounds R-50 and most Vsonic (short of the Gr07 mk 2 and GR01, unfortunately) stuff are priced sanely here in Singapore, I was looking at those, but feel free to steer me onto any other recommendations, including on the used market. As far as I can see, both Ortofon IEMs are on sale on the used market for the highest end of my budget used.
Thanks!