Choosing new headphones

[Alf]

OK, boys and girls. Here goes another help-me-waste-my-money thread.

I think that I would like to upgrade my headphones to something more “higher end”. The problem is that I cannot make my mind. I hope that you guys can help me to part with my money easily – you are so good at that.

What I have now:
* EMU 0404 with a self-made breakout cable
* PIMETA (soon to be upgraded to either M3 or PPA).
* Sennheiser HD590 with the original cable.

I like wide variety of music. Mostly rock with some deviations to smooth jazz, classic, and metal. Here are some examples: Mark Knopfler, Diana Krall, Eros Ramazzotti, Lifehouse, 3 Doors Down, Audioslave, Seether, Ill Nino.

What I do NOT like in my HD590 (well it could be the rest of my setup too):
* Presentation of the soundstage. The sound seems to spread around well but it is more behind me than in front of me. The most forefront sound is in my forehead. I also have a problem positioning instruments correctly listening to Chesky demo disk.
* Bass is a bit boomy in some compositions. While PIMETA improved the situation, some ‘boominess’ still remains.
* Classic music (and some other music) does not sound right – too flat and dull. Maybe those are wrong words but I simply do not like how it sounds.

What I would like to have in the new headphones:
* Comfort. I have big head and I would not like to wear a vice on my head. I guess Grado is not an option then.
* Clean and natural sound with excellent soundstage. The sound must be believable. I cannot say this about HD590.
* Good match for the upcoming amp upgrade.
* Good all-arounders. I may not be able to buy other headphones for quite some time. These will be my main/only headphones for at least 1 year.
* Reasonably priced. Under £300 would be perfect (around 500 US dollars)


I can get Sennheiser HD650 for £200, which is a good price. They are well reviewed and should be much better than my HD590. Two things stop me from buying these cans right now:
* I am afraid that I will not hear much improvement (or difference) over HD590.
* There so much talk about Sennheiser veil on this forum. (I have to admit that I don’t even understand what this means – just kidding)

The other top contender is Sony SA5000. They are somewhat expensive here in the UK – around £400. This is nearly twice the US price. I may import them from US and get them for under £300. Obviously there will much more hassle getting those. On the positive side, I have seen very favourable reviews and think that I may like the sound.

Will any of these headphones be good for me given my preferences? What would you recommend? Are there any other phones I should consider?

I need your input.

I desperately need your input.

 

[Veniogenesis]

My father owns the HD650 and I own the SA5000. I wouldn't consider myself an expert with headphones, but I guess it would not hurt if I pitched in some thoughts.

Amp: I cannot say much about this due to my lack of experience. From what I've heard from others - Both the HD650 and SA5000 would benefit with the M^3. I don't know how well the HD650 goes with the PPA, but if you get the SA5000, get the M^3 instead of the PPA.

Presentation of soundstage: HD650's soundstage is spread out. To me, I also experience the "soundstage behind me" phenomenon. The SA5000 has a smaller soundstage by just a little bit. The soundstage, unfortunately, also sounds "behind me".

Bass: The HD650 has controlled, rich bass. The SA5000 has an extremely controlled bass. It is not as rich as the HD650 by any means.

Classical music: The HD650 wins in this respect. Wonderful sound. The SA5000 is a bit too dry for a rich experience.

Comfort: Both are great. HD650 is better for those who have larger heads, but the SA5000 is also comfortable.

Believable soundstage: The HD650 "seems" to have a more believable sound due to its warmer nature as compared to the SA5000. The SA5000 reveals too much, which actually works against the believability of the sound in my personal opinion.




Summary:
Though I love my SA5000, I would suggest the HD650. It fits your specifications better in terms of sound, target genre of music, and price. Upgrade the cables, and you will further increase your experience.


That is all I have to say. Hope that helps!

 

[taymat]

From what I've read the hd590 is brighter and more bassy than the hd595, which is itself less bassy and brighter than the hd650. So I really wouldn't go with a hd595 or hd650 if you think you're hd590 makes music sounds flat and dull, with boomy bass. I'd wait to see what the updated beyerdynamic dt880 and akg k601/701 are like when they come out.
Grados are IMO too in your face for anything but classic rock and metal.
The sony sa5000s may suit you but beware, they are so revealing (if you ask me the frequency response graph and a few negative listening impressions indicate they were designed to sound analytical/critical, they're not really high end) you will need to upgrade your source and amp to suit them.

Also as you said they're expensive here in the UK, I think unbeatable were doing them for £380, which is more than the cost of three hd595's!

 

[Veniogenesis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by taymat I'd wait to see what the updated beyerdynamic dt880

Actually, I'm in favor of the DT880 with a M^3 as well.
I actually owned the DT880 for a while before I replaced it with the SA5000. It has a tight and non-boomy bass like the SA5000. It is not as revealing as the SA5000 and therefore allows you to enjoy your music more but also has a very wonderful soundstage. The soundstage of the DT880, in my experience, is actually located "in front" of the you unlike the Senns and SA5000. The DT880 is extremely comfortable; even more so than the SA5K and HD650.



Quote:

they were designed to sound analytical/critical, they're not really high end

I wouldn't say they're not high end. They're most definitely high end because of their ability to reveal details, both good details and bad details.

 

[Alf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Veniogenesis Though I love my SA5000, I would suggest the HD650. It fits your specifications better in terms of sound, target genre of music, and price. Upgrade the cables, and you will further increase your experience.

Thank you. This is an excellent answer. Exactly what I needed. Actually I went ahead and ordered HD650.


Quote:

Originally Posted by taymat I'd wait to see what the updated beyerdynamic dt880 and akg k601/701 are like when they come out.

Cannot wait - the urge to upgrade

When the updated phones are going to be available?

 

[Veniogenesis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alf When the updated phones are going to be available?

The AKG's are coming in at the end of October.

Have fun with the HD650!

Cheers!
Venio