Closed cans for Classical Music? A900, AKG 271, HD25

[ddroit2005]

Hi, guys!

I have already found that there are many similar threads. But I can't find a proper answer for me. I have listened to iPod (4G Applelossless) + ER4P/S + Total Bit Head amp.

While a little bit tired with my canal phone, I would like to try a pair of closed phones. My potential candidates are A900, AKG 271 and HD 25.

According to many reviews, the A900LTD looks right to me. But the AudioCube does not have any more stock. They emailed me this morning.

I listen to music in library time to time. Most of them are classical music (80%) and musicals (20%).

It is hard for me to choose one without listening.

-------------------
Source: Ipod (3rd 40G, Apple Lossless), ThinkPad T22 iTune.

Headphone: Er4p/s, SR80. K701 is on my way.

Headamp: Total Bit Head. Aria is coming.

 

[TheSloth]

I've personally not had any good experiences with the AT sound signature with classical music. Something in the midrange that I'm sure is great for other genres, but for classical you really want something as flat as possible.

I can't advise beyond that, except that I'd actually quite like to hear suggestions as well. I'd love to have a decent closed can. I heard the 201's briefly and was very impressed for the price with classical music, but I haven't heard anything higher up the chain.

 

[Alucard]

If you want a A900LTD http://www.bluetin.com seems to have a few pairs left.

 

[ddroit2005]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSloth I've personally not had any good experiences with the AT sound signature with classical music. Something in the midrange that I'm sure is great for other genres, but for classical you really want something as flat as possible.

Yes, I have heard that problem from some people. Thank you for your prompt advice.

-------------------
Source: Ipod (3rd 40G, Apple Lossless), ThinkPad T22 iTune.

Headphone: Er4p/s, SR80. K701 is on my way.

Headamp: Total Bit Head. Aria is coming.

 

[ddroit2005]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alucard If you want a A900LTD http://www.bluetin.com seems to have a few pairs left.

I know. But their price is too much expensive.

What is your opinion of the A900LTD with classical music?

-------------------
Source: Ipod (3rd 40G, Apple Lossless), ThinkPad T22 iTune.

Headphone: Er4p/s, SR80. K701 is on my way.

Headamp: Total Bit Head. Aria is coming.

 

[KB]

I have not heard the a900's but I do own a pair of a900LTD's and HD280. Both sound great, of course the LTD's are better but they were over 300 bones. I found the HD280's to sound real real good for a closed can at that price $70, cant beat it.

 

[jagorev]

I believe the AKG K 271 is the best of the lot for classical. Beyer DT 250 is another great contender. Either one should sound good with your music, but both will require an amp to sound their best. Maybe the 250-80 model is relatively easier to drive.

I wouldn't suggest HD 25 - it's not very well balanced.

 

[episiarch]

I definitely wouldn't use an HD25 for classical. It has too much bass emphasis, which to me ruins the balance of sound in classical. Piano, for example, becomes very left-hand-dominated. The basses and cellos will swallow up the violins. You get the idea.

I don't really like the A900 for classical either. It too is notably bassy, but more importantly to me its presentation seems oddly colored: some voices and instruments are shoved to the background and others moved forward, in ways that don't feel at all right to me.

The K271 is a very balanced headphone and I do like it for classical. It does need an amp to sound its best, especially if you're going to be playing very dynamic music. I also find it less forgiving of a mediocre source than other headphones. Of the three you mentioned, the K271 is closest to your ER-4S in sound.

Best of all, IMO, would be a CD3000 if you can find it. Just a beautiful classical headphone that can reproduce every part of an orchestra in full detail. It barely provides any isolation, but it's not leaky like an open headphone.

 

[ddroit2005]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jagorev I believe the AKG K 271 is the best of the lot for classical. Beyer DT 250 is another great contender. Either one should sound good with your music, but both will require an amp to sound their best. Maybe the 250-80 model is relatively easier to drive. I wouldn't suggest HD 25 - it's not very well balanced.

Thank you for your advice, Jagorev. Well, the K271 has been one of my candidates for closed cans. But I worry about the light bass of the AKG K271.

How about the signature of the Beyer DT250? I have a total bit amp. I guess it might be enough for driving the dt 250.

Really HD25 is not good for classical music? Many people say it is one of the most balanced close phones.

-------------------
Source: Ipod (3rd 40G, Apple Lossless), ThinkPad T22 iTune, Samsung HD-DVD 950.

Headphone: Er4p/s, SR80. K701 is on my way.

Headamp: Total Bit Head. Aria is coming.

 

[ojnihs]

Another vote for the K271 for classical music amongst your choices there. I'm currently using them out of a RSA Hornet listening to some classical music and it sounds pretty good. They're definitely not as good as a good pair of open cans for classical, because for some reason, closed cans seem to make orchestral music sound just a bit strange to my ears, like they're playing in a cave or something.

The K271 is a very well balanced can as episiarch said. The light bass of the cans was a bit of a concern to me as well when I purchased them, but in all actuality, I like the bass that these cans have. It's there and it's very deep. Works well enough for me at least. Maybe you could go and try them out somewhere first?

 

[BluesDaddy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddroit2005 Thank you for your advice, Jagorev. Well, the K271 has been one of my candidates for closed cans. But I worry about the light bass of the AKG K271. How about the signature of the Beyer DT250? I have a total bit amp. I guess it might be enough for driving the dt 250. Really HD25 is not good for classical music? Many people say it is one of the most balanced close phones.

I'm not sure why some people think the HD25 is not "balanced". I find it far more neutral than, say, my Grados. It has a very "analytical" sound which many do not find engaging, but I like them and they isolate very well.

That said, many who have heard both the HD25s and the 900ATs prefer the 900ATs. At the price the Senns are going for these days, from the reports alone I would go with those if I was purchasing closed cans these days in that price range.

 

[jagorev]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddroit2005 How about the signature of the Beyer DT250? I have a total bit amp. I guess it might be enough for driving the dt 250.

The DT 250 sounds (to me) like the closed equivalent of the HD 580/600/650 series...more so than HD 25 at any rate.

 

[iScream]

If you are planning to drive the 271's with your Total Bithead, I should warn you that you may not get much volume out of the setup. I have the Total Bithead at work and plugged my 271's in today after listening to my UM2's every day at work for the last two weeks. I had to turn the volume way up on the amp to get the sound to a comfortable level. An amp with a little more guts does a lot for these AKG's...

-Chris

 

[ddroit2005]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iScream If you are planning to drive the 271's with your Total Bithead, I should warn you that you may not get much volume out of the setup. I have the Total Bithead at work and plugged my 271's in today after listening to my UM2's every day at work for the last two weeks. I had to turn the volume way up on the amp to get the sound to a comfortable level. An amp with a little more guts does a lot for these AKG's... -Chris

Thank you, Chris. Actually I was leaning toward the 271 after listening to other guys' opinion. So now it is getting tougher to decide.

-------------------
Source: Ipod (3rd 40G, Apple Lossless), ThinkPad T22 iTune, Samsung HD-DVD 950.

Headphone: Er4p/s, SR80. K701 is on my way.

Headamp: Total Bit Head. Aria is coming.

 

[spike33]

My volume knob is at same position for k271 and k501, this tells me k271 is really power hungry especially for a phone rated at 55 ohm.