[Jolly Bodger]

I occasionally listen to my hi-fi while my watches telly (same room) so I need a decent set of closed headphones. I listen to a wide range of music (rock, pop, classical - depending on mood)

Every time I read a review praising a particular set I find another putting it down. So I know I'm going to have to audition a few and decide for myself.

While I would like 'audiophile' sound, I know I'm not going to get it.

I would prefer closed circumaural.

So what would you recommend I try?

J.B.

 

[nickchen]

Depends on your budget. I personally prefer open fons, but I give in that the AKG K271 is a really good set of closed fons - provided they are driven by a headphone amp. That would be 100ish in the EU and I guess 150ish in overseas.

 

[krmathis]

Welcome to Head-Fi!

I have a couple of questions:
* How much to you plan to spend? $50, $300, $1000...
* What will you use as source? Headphone amplifier?


I highly recommend the Stax 4070. The best closed headphone I have ever heard.
But it might be above your budget, I don't know...

 

[luckypictures]

Sennheiser 201/202

 

[jimmy8269]

Denon AH-D5000 or D2000 ... Depends on your budget.

 

[HFat]

Check saint.panda's paper on closed headphones.

 

[MonolithTMA]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HFat /img/forum/go_quote.gif Check saint.panda's paper on closed headphones.

Wow! I just checked that massive review out! Thanks for recommending it! I just ordered a pair of AKG K 81 DJ's to replace my Sennheiser EH 150's at work.

 

[Schalldampfer]

I heard the Denons don't isolate at all. I personally went with the PROline 750.

 

[compuryan]

Senn HD280 or HD25-1. Both isolate exceptionally well.

 

[Jolly Bodger]

Thanks for the response.

Budget about £300 ($600) max - but don't tell the wife...

System:
Linn LP12
Arcam CD92
Arcam A75+ - the weak link due for replacement soon
Linn Katans - no room for floor standers
MJ Acoustics Ref 100 Sub

J.B.

 

[rxc]

Denon AH-D2000 gets my vote.

 

[Schalldampfer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rxc /img/forum/go_quote.gif Denon AH-D2000 gets my vote.

Again, I've heard from others that the Denon's don't isolate at all.

 

[nickchen]

That is a real huge budget. Problem with the expensive highend closed fons (mostly AT - W1000, W5000 or alike) is their lacking isolation. Moreover, most of the "upper" ATs have a strangely coloured upper midrange which is not everybody's cup of tea. I personnally can't stand that.

I haven't heard them, but maybe things turn out into direction of the Denon D2000 or a JVC woody (forgot the exact brand).

 

[Schalldampfer]

Augh... Denon's don't isolate.

The way I see things, you're in the same position as I was just a week or two ago.

Go for the top Ultrasone barring the Edition 9, or opt for the AKG K271S. Personally I think Ultrasone sounds fuller and isolates better. But it might be because I'm coming from a Sennheiser HD-650.

Oh, I would give the K271S the winnig hand for comfort, though.