Closed cans @ ATH-A700/900 price? K271S?

[rickyramjet]

Since my initial post here, which admittedly was messy and unfocused and received no reaction (perhaps rightly so), I've been reading and researching a little more. I've concluded that what I need are a pair of closed headphones. My price range is that of the models in the topic title say an absolute maximum of 200€/250$. Is there anything in that range that competes with the aforementioned models? Buying used would be an option but remember I'm in Europe. The crucial criteria are full-sized, circumaural, and I'd want them to sound good straight out of a computer's headphone out, since I'm not getting an amp anytime soon.

I was looking at the AKG K271 Studio but have no idea how they would perform unamped. So if anyone could shine their light here... any and all other suggestions and brands welcome.

 

[captainzoli]

Of the headphones you list, the only one I have and can comment on are the a900s, which I run right out of a computer without an amp most of the time. They do very well and I enjoy them, and therefore do recommend them. I'm sure others will be able to comment on the other models. I used to have the a700s a while back, but between them and the a900s, I would choose the a900s every time.

 

[Manny Calavera]

I have tried all of the above,and bought the Beyers in my signature

Beyerdynamic DT250-80's

These DT's need no amp.Off a 3rd gen Ipod I get about 5~ hours,9.5 with a 900mh after market battery.Volume levels are excellent as well.Bass kicks ass,and its got a very good level of noise seal,in or out.It really blocks out the outside noise well,and does a even better job of making sure those around you (on say a public bus) cannot hear anything at all,even at full volume!.I also have a pair of Senn 25sp 1's,but those broke very easily,and Senn refused to fix them under warranty.Good luck !

 

[qazwsx]

The K271S sounds very plain, but with a good amp they can sound pretty awesome.

The DT250 is pretty colorless with a slight hump in the bass and slightly rolled off highs. It is a great headphone for the studio or overall music listening.

The A900 has punchy bass and clean highs, but average mids.

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Out of everything you listed and mentioned DT250, K271S is the best choice for amped and A900 for ampless applications.

 

[rickyramjet]

Seems I was on the right track looking at the Audio-Technicas then. I guess the K721S is out due to the need for an amp. The Beyer DT250 have got me interested though. I suppose the 250 ohm version is not an option for unamped use?

Manny, could you elaborate on why you picked the Beyers over the A900? Thanks in advance.

 

[Andrew_WOT]

That should keep you busy for a while
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=221069

 

[rickyramjet]

Thanks for the link, I somehow missed that review even though I searched topic titles for "closed headphones". It seems the ATH-A900 come out on top for my taste and needs. Should be a big step up from the current Sennheiser earbuds.

Thanks for the help! Guess I'm off hunting for a good deal on these phones.

 

[Jaska]

I have owned the DT 250-80, and currently own the DT 250-250 as well as the K-271 S. Of all of these closed headphones, so far I have been most impressed by the K-271 S.

Since you don't have and don't plan on getting an amp for your headphones, I would say that the worst choice (unfortunately) would be the K-271 S. This is not because they're so difficult to drive; on the contrary, you will get plenty of volume from them straight from a computer soundcard, but the bass will be absolutely absent. When run from a decent amp, they have what I feel to be quite magical bass and, well, the rest of the frequency response is where these headphones beat the others.

The beyerdynamic DT 250-80 would be an excellent choice, in my opinion. I don't think they sound very different from the 250-Ohm version, but are easier to drive from a portable or computer soundcard. They are also far better suited to portable use than either the AKGs or the ATs.

I think you've decided on the ATs, so I would suggest checking them out at Audiocubes. The price is very good, and the shipping is very reasonable to Europe as well.

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Fully agree with everything Jaska said.
Except that I also used to own and like A900 and only after getting K271S realized how much I was missing.

 

[Jaska]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew_WOT /img/forum/go_quote.gif Fully agree with everything Jaska said. Except that I also used to own and like A900 and only after getting K271S realized how much I was missing.

The K-271 S is really an enjoyable headphone. I'm already dreading the time when my iPod battery runs out since I'll have to quit listening to them for a bit

.

I don't mean to take this thread off topic, but I want to say that one of the main reservations I had about buying the K-271 S was the fact that they have vinyl earpads. As it turns out, I actually like them a lot. I think they're the only headphones I've ever used that feel completely okay with such earpads. They create a great seal with almost no clamping whatsoever, so I actually find them more comfortable than the DT 250s (velour pads + higher clamping force).

To the OP, maybe you could consider spending $149 on a Total Bithead from HeadRoom and picking up the AKGs

? Any high-quality headphone would sound better through a nice amp/DAC combo than directly from a soundcard.

 

[Tomson]

A little offtopic, how does Proline 750 sound unamped compared to 271's?

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaska /img/forum/go_quote.gif I don't mean to take this thread off topic, but I want to say that one of the main reservations I had about buying the K-271 S was the fact that they have vinyl earpads. As it turns out, I actually like them a lot. I think they're the only headphones I've ever used that feel completely okay with such earpads. They create a great seal with almost no clamping whatsoever, so I actually find them more comfortable than the DT 250s (velour pads + higher clamping force).

Yes, but with velour pads they are much, much better. You just must get some from AKG.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomson /img/forum/go_quote.gif A little offtopic, how does Proline 750 sound unamped compared to 271's?

Not sure that anyone actually uses either unamped.
I had both, still have K271S.

 

[rickyramjet]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaska /img/forum/go_quote.gif To the OP, maybe you could consider spending $149 on a Total Bithead from HeadRoom and picking up the AKGs ? Any high-quality headphone would sound better through a nice amp/DAC combo than directly from a soundcard.

Well to be honest, it does sound rather tempting. I'm reading up on the options now, as I'm very much a newbie with these things. I'm not exactly in a rush to buy headphones, so I might as well wait until I've got some extra dough to spend on it. Wouldn't want to end up feeling like I'm missing out.