[ReDVsion]

After a good number of months of lurking the forums, researching, etc., I am finally on the brink of buying myself a GOOD set of cans. But I would still like to see if I could get a little bit of an extra push in the right direction before actually doing a listening test with headphones.

My choices are, as you can see by the title, the Sennheiser HD-600, Beyerdynamic BT-880, and AKG K-501. From reviews and such, they seem to all satisfy certain requirements (Sound, Comfort - which eliminated Grado, and Price Range, which eliminated, well, a LOT of phones).

It's very difficult for me to say what type of sound quality I'd like in a headphone, because the only two pairs of cans I've ever owned have been the AKG K-200 and 240. I DON'T have a lot of experience in this area. I can tell you my listening preferences are Rock, Jazz, and Trip-hop; not necessarily in that order.

I don't expect a lot out of this post (I've already read some arguments about the HD-600/BT-880 that have simply gone around in circles), but if anyone might be able to give me any advice/bitching about these phones (preferably objective info), it'd be great. I'd certainly rather be testing 2 phones as opposed to 3. I just wish I wasn't making such a big jump in sound quality because I'm worried I won't be capable of making a proper decision.

 

[kwkarth]

Tell us more about your tastes in music and the rest of your equipment that you'll be driving the headphones with...

 

[usc goose]

i really like the k501 but i wouldn't recommend them as your primary high end cans. the bass roll off is just a little too annoying sometimes. but the clarity and soundstage are amazing.

i also have the hd600 which i really like. good solid standby frame of reference. the thing is, both of these headphones are pretty amp dependent so it'd really help to know what you were running them from.

 

[kwkarth]

What do you like/dislike about the cans you have already?

 

[Hiker]

You didn't mention whether or not you will be using an amp with those headphones. Let me tell you that an amp is required with all of the headphones you mentioned in order for them to produce at their full potential. If you don't plan on using an amp, why don't you try the Etymotics ER-4P (my long long time main can), or the AKG 271 (my new aquisition). Comfort is an issue with some people on the etys, but the AKGs on the other hand are extrememly comfortable. The only qualm I have about them is the earpads which can tend to get slightly sweaty after long usage (many hours). The best part about either of these cans is that an amp isn't required.

 

[jpelg]

Get the Senns - either the HD600's or the HD580's. They are not perfect, but really no headphone is (including the top 4 or 5), and they do a lot quite well. They scale up well, and there are a lot of opportunities to upgrade them and still retain your investment.

You may decide ultimately to stick with them (upgrade cables, and such), or not. Either way, you will have a top-notch, and current frame-of-reference in common with most Head-Fiers here. As such, reading reviews and commentary from the rest of us will make more sense to you.

 

[ReDVsion]

I am well aware all the cans I selected require an amp, however all I have available at the moment is a speaker amplifier. I am obviously considering the purchase of a dedicated amp, but wanted to wait on looking into that until I made a headphone decision (although I don't know if, at this stage, that's possible anymore).

My budget's not huge - any recommendations for an inexpensive headphone amp?

Hiker: I was interested in the 271 but couldn't find enough information on the sound of it to warrant making it a serious choice for a new headphone purchase. I'm still open to ideas, though, if you can convince me I'd be just as happy with it.

I also don't want to get the ER-4P phones just yet, although they are on my list of things to buy when I have money to burn.

Kwkarth: What more information would you like on my musical tastes?

The K-200s convinced me of the fact that I don't like supra-aural headphones. K-240s are very comfortable to me, non-fatiguing, so I can say the best thing about 'em is the long-term listenability of these phones. Dislikes are harder to come by here, since I don't have ANY other point of reference to these. I don't need a lot of bass, so many of the bitchings about these phones fall on deaf ears (pun intended) with me. However, a more detailed treble range is something I always look for. Soundstage is something I don't think I can comment on ATM.

I hear a lot of phones on this board going into two categories: "Laid-back" and "Analytical". I'm not sure which type I'd prefer. I do want to have a long, non-fatiguing listen, although I also feel the need to hear as many nuances of my music as possible. (was I off on the definition of those terms?)

Jpelg: The thing is, I'm not interested in a particular "frame of reference" similar to everyone elses so I can read reviews with said reference and later feel the need to "buy more ****". I like lurking these forums, but the fact that everyone has the HD-600 isn't a selling point (although popularity does say something good about the phone).

 

[kwkarth]

I think based on what you've said so far that yo would enjoy some Koss Porta-Pros or KSC-35s. Get them and save a bunch of money! No need to be in a hurry!

Alternatively, the 501's will give you relatively nice detail and mids without an amp, but will improve tremendously with the addition of a good headamp.

 

[kwkarth]

Quote:

I like lurking these forums, but the fact that everyone has the HD-600 isn't a selling point (although popularity does say something good about the phone).

While this may be true, most who have the 600s also have a pile of other gear stacked around the 600s to support them. amps, cables, sources, interconnects, etc...

 

[tom hankins]

Get the HD600's and don't look back. They are very good headphones, and will continue to get better and better as you upgrade around them.

 

[AIM9x]

I have heard the HD600s and the DT880s. I haven't heard the k501s, but if their low-end is anything like the k1000s, you're not going to want them for trip-hop. As for hd600 vs dt880... I could NOT get myself to like the dt880s. I tried them on about 9 different amps and couldn't find a pleasant sound from any of the systems i plugged them into. I'm not too big on the HD600s, and for your types of music, they're still probably not the best option. I'd suggest sr225s or even ksc-35s over the group you've mentioned. hd600s are just too easygoing, dt880s are ass, and k501s have no low-end for any trip-hop you might want to enjoy.

 

[lini]

ReDVsion: If you've already owned and liked the K240M, why not go for the modern successor K240S (~ 120 Euro)? The new drivers make a significant difference and deliver more and deeper bass as well as more extended highs. I've also owned the K240M, the K400 and the K501 before, but the K240S sounds most enjoyable to me - also more enjoyable than all the Beyerdynamics I have (including the DT880) with the possible exception of the DT531, which is a very good offer for ~ 100 Euro over here. The HD 600 is a very good headphone, too, though I personally don't like its design - and its list price seems a little exaggerated. But if you keep an eye open, it actually goes for ~ 200 Euro over here, which still seems fair for the given performance.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini