florin
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- May 7, 2006
- Posts
- 26
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Hello everybody!
So I want to upgrade my "sound system" - that means headphones + sound card. I know there's another section for sources, but I need some opinions about the best combination for the money.
My current setup is kind of lame by head-fi standards, but hopefully that will change soon.
I have Audigy2 + AKG K55/Senn HD201 at home, and a Rockboxed Nano + CX300 for portable use.
The budget is ~400$ (+/-50) for both of them (but I'm from Europe so I'll make the conversions for your convenience).
The headphones should be good all-rounders because I listen to all sort of music: rock ( old & new + live concerts), pop, electronic (something like adult contemporary in a radio station) and sometimes classic, jazz, blues. They should be circumaural for greater comfort.
So, after a lot of reading time on this forum, and considering headphones available around here (Romania) I have the following options (random order):
1. AKG 271S (~180$) + EMU 0404 USB ( ~300$)
Comment: I can get the AKGs only with pre-order (so I can't test them before buying) and I'm worried about the lack of bass for electronic music. I'm guessing that the 0404 USB should be enough to drive them. I prefer the sound of my K55 over the Senn HD201 for example, so if the sound signature is the same maybe I should stick with AKG?
2. Beyerdynamic 770 Pro (80 ohm) (~240$) + EMU 0404 PCI (~140$)
Comment: the 0404 USB would now be over my budget so I'd have to settle with the PCI version; same DAC from what I understand but no class A amplifier. Will the Beyers sound OK without an amp? I've also read that they have a lot of bass, I hope that not too much though. For example, I find the CX300 a bit to bassy for my taste. Hopefully I'll be able to test them, as the local distributor has a showroom.
3. Audiotechnica A900 (~320$) + EMU 0404 PCI (~140$)
Comment: They seem the best option from what I've read around here, but I can only get them from an e-bay shop in France. The local distributor only has ATH-M40 (A900 don't seem to be available in Europe). They should be fine with 0404 PCI as I understand they don't require an amp.
I'll consider other options too if you recommend them. AKG, Sennheiser, Beyers and Ultrasones are usually easier to get.
Any ideas?
So I want to upgrade my "sound system" - that means headphones + sound card. I know there's another section for sources, but I need some opinions about the best combination for the money.
My current setup is kind of lame by head-fi standards, but hopefully that will change soon.
The budget is ~400$ (+/-50) for both of them (but I'm from Europe so I'll make the conversions for your convenience).
The headphones should be good all-rounders because I listen to all sort of music: rock ( old & new + live concerts), pop, electronic (something like adult contemporary in a radio station) and sometimes classic, jazz, blues. They should be circumaural for greater comfort.
So, after a lot of reading time on this forum, and considering headphones available around here (Romania) I have the following options (random order):
1. AKG 271S (~180$) + EMU 0404 USB ( ~300$)
Comment: I can get the AKGs only with pre-order (so I can't test them before buying) and I'm worried about the lack of bass for electronic music. I'm guessing that the 0404 USB should be enough to drive them. I prefer the sound of my K55 over the Senn HD201 for example, so if the sound signature is the same maybe I should stick with AKG?
2. Beyerdynamic 770 Pro (80 ohm) (~240$) + EMU 0404 PCI (~140$)
Comment: the 0404 USB would now be over my budget so I'd have to settle with the PCI version; same DAC from what I understand but no class A amplifier. Will the Beyers sound OK without an amp? I've also read that they have a lot of bass, I hope that not too much though. For example, I find the CX300 a bit to bassy for my taste. Hopefully I'll be able to test them, as the local distributor has a showroom.
3. Audiotechnica A900 (~320$) + EMU 0404 PCI (~140$)
Comment: They seem the best option from what I've read around here, but I can only get them from an e-bay shop in France. The local distributor only has ATH-M40 (A900 don't seem to be available in Europe). They should be fine with 0404 PCI as I understand they don't require an amp.
I'll consider other options too if you recommend them. AKG, Sennheiser, Beyers and Ultrasones are usually easier to get.
Any ideas?