[johnstac]

I'm still crushed over my recent experience with the Oppo PM-3s so Im wanting to rely on your expertise for some headphone suggestions. A couple of years back, I almost pulled the trigger on the Senn HD-800 but instead opted for the less expensive ATH-M50x. They are no slouch but I want to take it to the next level. I will say that having tried the PM-3s, I fell in love. I really liked them together with the HA-2 amp.

So I am still very much a noob here but I'll tell you what I can and then answer any questions if you have any. My budget is $400-$600. Having just bought the Oppo HA-2, I've decided to keep it in hopes of pairing it together with future headphones. I have a wide range of musical interest but if I had to narrow it down, I would say mostly classic rock and some easy listening. I won't embarrass myself with a list of groups but suffice to say, it ranges from the Carpenters to Led Zeppelin.

I am mostly resolved to closed back because much of my listening is in bed next to my snoring wife. I currently spend a lot of time with my Bose QC25. Not great for music but good for iOS gaming, and sometimes just to drown out the outside noise. If someone came along and made the argument for open back, I would listen. If the quality is that significantly better, I would be open to it. I just don't think that at my price point, it's going to make that much difference, I would have to sacrifice my listening time overnight as well. In any case, enough chasing that rabbit.

I honestly have not spent any time listening to a lot of headphones. None really, aside from the ones I bought. I treat headphones a bit like my fragrance collection. If enough people like a cologne, I will likely buy it sight unseen. I rely heavily on others experience and for the most part I haven't been disappointed. That is, with the exception of the PM-3s but only because of the comfort issue which is the next issue. I have a 7 3/4 head and if you aren't familiar with what that size represents I will describe it another way. Take the largest baseball cap you can find and then in the back, snap the pin in the very last hole, and you have my head. Honestly, the size isn't really that big an issue as I own 3 other Sennheisers and they all fit comfortably. The issue with the PM-3 was that the pads didn't fit well around my ears. I need headphones that have a good amount of room for larger ears. Not gigantic lol. They are just big ears on a big head.

I know I'm probably forgetting something but this post is already too long as it is. I appreciate any and all advice though and thanks for the read .

 

[cel4145]

I have a 7 3/4 head . . . .

I am 7 1/2". Try the NAD HP50. They've been a good fit for me.

Take the largest baseball cap you can find and then in the back, snap the pin in the very last hole, and you have my head.

No doubt. Seems like baseball hats have shrunk in recent years. Having a problem finding even ones that fit in the last pin hole. (lol)

 

[TimeLord]

A lot to take in, but it's good to be specific about what you're looking for. I personally found the PM-3 to be disappointing. Everything from the sound quality (I find they lack bass) to the fit. As a fellow owner of big ears, the comfort was not good.
 
Since your budget is up to $600, I am going to try to make the case for open-back headphones...
 
For someone relatively new to the hobby, I like to recommend the AKG K7XX. They are a great all-around open-back headphones. I use them with a desktop setup, but since you'll be using the HA-2, I just tested that setup to make sure the HA-2 doesn't have any issues driving the K7XX. The HA-2 had no problem driving them and they sounded very good. Carpenters are not my thing, but Zeppelin is right up my alley. Listening to Whole Lotta Love on the K7XX was quite pleasing. The bass guitar really shines. One of the strengths of the K7XX is its really wide sound stage, it works really well with genres that use traditional instruments. Listening to Ramble On, vocals and instruments have good separation and that wide sound stage lets you really imagine the performance.
 
It's incredibly difficult to achieve what I described above with closed-back headphones. The "closed-backs" that attempt to do this, often are not completely closed (they have ports and/or non-sealing pads) and often leak sound anyway. 
 
As I was typing this, I kept listening to Zeppelin and Moby Dick kicked on and the drum set was just fantastic! This alone is reason enough to go with them. LOL
 
Back to what I was trying to say... You can pick up a brand new set of the K7XX for $199.99 delivered. You do have to get them from Massdrop since they are exclusively sold there, but that drop is currently running, so no additional waiting other than to wait for the drop to complete.
 
This still leaves you with $400 to explore another closed-back or for true portability, an IEM.
 
BTW, how do you start with the HD-800 and end up with the ATH-M50x? That's quite a large difference. Also, what Senns do you own?

 

[Mr Head P Hones]

LOL yup starting with the HD700 and getting the m50 is like going to buy a for Ari and ending up with a ford escort
I say if you can stand it go with open bag also. LOL my wife hates my Open back headphones. LOL open bag Joe sound better to me then close

 

[Mr Head P Hones]

Get The 7xx in you should have enough left to get the Nad hp50

 

[johnstac]

BTW, how do you start with the HD-800 and end up with the ATH-M50x? That's quite a large difference. Also, what Senns do you own?

As I recall someone told me that the ATH–M50X sounded similar to the HD-800 for a lot less money. I couldn't say because I've never listened to the HD-800.

All of the Sennheiser's that I own are the lower models and they include : HD-280 Pro, PC-350 and some other model that I can think of at the moment .

 

[willowbrook]

As I recall someone told me that the ATH–M50X sounded similar to the HD-800 for a lot less money. I couldn't say because I've never listened to the HD-800.

All of the Sennheiser's that I own are the lower models and they include : HD-280 Pro, PC-350 and some other model that I can think of at the moment .

There is no way the m50x matches up to the standard of hd800

 

[TimeLord]

I happen to have both the ATH-M50x and the HD-800. I can't really say they are similar at all. They are both great headphones, but they're in different leagues as you can imagine.
 
Based on your current headphone lineup, I can safely say the K7XX will be a considerable upgrade.
 
If for some reason you don't think the K7XX will work for you, let me know what else you're looking at; I'll be glad to give you my opinion if I'm familiar with it.
 
Good luck.

 

[johnstac]

I happen to have both the ATH-M50x and the HD-800. I can't really say they are similar at all. They are both great headphones, but they're in different leagues as you can imagine.

Based on your current headphone lineup, I can safely say the K7XX will be a considerable upgrade.

If for some reason you don't think the K7XX will work for you, let me know what else you're looking at; I'll be glad to give you my opinion if I'm familiar with it.

Good luck.

I am absolutely going to buy them this week. In your opinion are the better or worse than the PM-3 or just different?

 

[johnstac]

Get The 7xx in you should have enough left to get the Nad hp50

What is a Nad HP50? Headphones? What do you like about them and why would they be good for me? Just curious if you have the time. Thanks.

 

[MaggotBrain]

I have a size 8 1/4 melon - even had to get my high school football helmet direct from Riddell - so I feel your frustration in finding headphones that fit.

For less than $600, you should be able to find a used pair of Ultrasone 8s if closed cans are what you're after. They have the most adjustability with a nice metal band. They sound great directly unamped from a smartphone.

I don't own any IEMs yet, but the offerings from campfire audio for the most part offer great bang for the buck from what I have heard at headphone shops.

 

[noclevername]

Depending on whether you want open back or closed for the prices cant really go wrong with the dt 990 or if you want to put a little money into them the HE-400i. 

 

[johnstac]

I have a size 8 1/4 melon - even had to get my high school football helmet direct from Riddell - so I feel your frustration in finding headphones that fit.

For less than $600, you should be able to find a used pair of Ultrasone 8s if closed cans are what you're after. They have the most adjustability with a nice metal band. They sound great directly unamped from a smartphone.

I don't own any IEMs yet, but the offerings from campfire audio for the most part offer great bang for the buck from what I have heard at headphone shops.

Just a couple of questions regarding your post. First, do you have personal experience with the Ultrasone 8s? How is the soundstage and quality? Are they over ear and do you own a them yourself?

Next, just curious why you suggested the IEMs. They seem so vastly different. In fact they seem to be the exact opposite of ove the ear headphones. Now honestly, I haven't used any in about 6 years; mostly because I find them uncomfortable after extended use. It is really hard for me to picture in ear buds sounding as good as over ear, particularly with bass. Anyway, just my .02

 

[TimeLord]

I am absolutely going to offer them this week. In your opinion are the better or worse than the PM-3 or just different?

I think the PM-3 makes too many compromises to be small, planar, and closed-back. The K7XX is much better strictly speaking about sound quality.

 

[johnstac]

Depending on whether you want open back or closed for the prices cant really go wrong with the dt 990 or if you want to put a little money into them the HE-400i. 

Can you be a bit more specific about why I can't go wrong with the DT990. Honestly, I haven't even looked them up yet but I just wondered if you suggested them for any particular reason. Was it that they fit people with larger heads? Do you own them? Soundstage? Quality?

I saw you mentioned the HE-400i and while I'm not familiar with them myself, I have seen them mentioned many times in the forums. I think it's a HiFi Man product? I guess I'll ask the same questions of this product as well. Thanks.