[kaitsuburi]

I've been a lurker for a long time (wallet safely tucked under my pillow LOL), but this happens to be my first post.

I listen to music mainly on my computer (lossless/MPC), my MD portable (Sony R910, SP mode) as well as my DENON mini-system. I have a Terratec 6Fire 24/96 connected via TOSLINK to my DENON using the latter's built in DAC/headphone amp. At home I have only 1 pair of cans -- very well-broken-in Senn HD-280Pros; for portable I use Sony d66 eggos.

You can see, quite a budget setup, but it sounds pretty good to my ears. The HD280Pros are great earphones ~ outstanding insulation, very clear reproduction, bass is tight but has definitely become deeper and more developed over 100s of hours of break-in/listening. I know some people here have expressed issues with their harsh highs, but that doesn't bother me too much, though I think I know what they are talking about. Also, these cans are extremely adequate for gaming/movie-watching and listening to music of course, but as of late I have been wishing for something a little more musical and colored, especially for jazz/classical listening. I think at some point I am going to get a pair of SR-225 Grados for adrenaline-pumping techno/rock listening, but right now I am looking for some relaxing, ambient closed/semi-closed cans.

I live in Japan, so some headphones are easier to get/cheaper than others and right now CD3000, ATH-W1000, DT-880, HD580 and HD595 can be had for approx the same price new (about $300-350), which is about how much I am willing to spend (HD600/HD650 with their infamous cable upgrades are over budget, unfortunately).

Considering my computer-centered setup and needs, which ones would you suggest?

TIA,

-kaitsuburi

 

[rayofsi]

curious, what do the ath-a1000 and cd3000 cost in japan

I have a friend in Japan

 

[AdamZuf]

CD3k's are a gamble, because they will put out whatever is in your feeding gear.
could you tell me what do you think about your DAC/headphone amp's character?

well, i wrote a review which can be read in the reviews section about the senns (600, very close), beyers and sony's. you can find the link there for my thread about how the CD3000 performs in electronica specificaly.
i had glorious moments of altered perception with the CD3000 and ambient music.
they are great overall cans anyway..
anyway, the HD600 or the DT880 can't touch a good CD3000 setup, if you listen to elecronica, especially ambient. they are far behind.

 

[ayt999]

hmmm.... your handle seems familiar.

welcome to Head-Fi.

 

[The Quality Guru]

If I were you, I'd pull the DT-880 out of the running. I think it's an overrated 'phone and the others you've listed are much better, IMO. I haven't heard the W1000, but I used to own the W100, and I liked it better than the aforementioned Beyers too. But this is just my opinion. For the price of the Beyers, the others you've listed will give you more, IMO. It's important that you listen for yourself if possible; no one's opinion can match a true audition.

Oh, and welcome to Head-Fi! You may experience phantom pains from where you once had money in your wallet; a sad side-effect of Head-Fi.

 

[kaitsuburi]

Hi ayt999! It took 2 days to get my username verified for some reason, but here I am... (ayt999 and i are fellow crunchers on the 2CPU.com Seti@Home distributed computing team)

@AdamZuf - I can't remember the model number on the DENON unit -- I'll look it up when I get home. It was hyped as having a very high quality headphone amp/jack (for a mainstream mini-unit) by a couple of people both here and at HeadWize about 2 years ago when I purchased it. I am heading off to re-read your review, thanks for the pointer.

@ufokillerz - if you order online, the CD3000 can be had for about 35000-37000 yen and the ATH-A1000 for roughly 5000 yen less (ATH-W1000 is slightly more expensive, about the same as CD3000).

-kaitsuburi

 

[rayofsi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaitsuburi @ufokillerz - if you order online, the CD3000 can be had for about 35000-37000 yen and the ATH-A1000 for roughly 5000 yen less (ATH-W1000 is slightly more expensive, about the same as CD3000). -kaitsuburi

thanks =P, time to get someone to order me some new cans.

 

[kaitsuburi]

My DENON mini-system is D-MS3 (mini disc, 1CD). Here is the next generation model, essentially the same but with better remote and improved MD functionality.

-kaitsuburi

edit: link is in Japanese only, I'm sorry

 

[Habib]

I've heard everything except the HD595. I wasn't too impressed with the W1000. I think it's a lot more pickier than CD3000, and it's not as versatile. DT-880 is a nice compromise because it's about half way on the Senn/Grado scale. HD580 might sound crappy out of your system, because they wont be properly driven. CD3000 is very revealing so it might sound crappy if your soundcard is not good enough. In the end, I would recommend CD3000 because I think it sounds the best and is the most comfortable. On top of that, the CD3000 is the most versatile phone I've heard

 

[kaitsuburi]

Thanks for the replies. I think with impedance issues in mind, it's down to CD3000 vs ATH-W1000, this is kind of what I am leaning towards.

Which of the two would you say would be better for classical/jazz/laid-back music?

-kaitsuburi

 

[radrd]

I've only heard the CD3000 briefly, but I think it is better than the W1000 for most rock. However, for acoustic/classical/laid back music, the W1000 is excellent to my ears. Better than the CD3000? I dunno, I only listened to the CD3000 with rock.

 

[wallijonn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaitsuburi it's down to CD3000 vs ATH-W1000

No contest. Get the CD3000.

I don't think that either would be best for Jazz or Classical.

 

[AdamZuf]

one more thing to mention.
the CD3000 won't do justice to old jazz or classical. old and bad recordings sound very crappy with the sonys.

 

[10068]

I disagree, I think it might be source dependant once again. On my RME old analog recordings (i.e. stuff like Beatles) sounded pretty bad, but with my newly modded E-MU they rock!

We're not talking small changes. We're talking HUGE increase in clarity. I can hear whole instruments I never heard before

In my original E-MU posts I also mentioned there's just less "analog fuzz" in general, and sometimes I can almost forget i'm listening to crappy analog recordings at all. It's pretty cool.

Perhaps it's just the revealing nature of those cans. They reveal that, yes, old recordings sound like #$&^#

 

[kaitsuburi]

I just read some comments on the AKG-K501s which are easily obtainable over here (of course, significantly cheaper than AT/Sony's).

So, in terms of laid-back, jazz/classical kind of music, do you think AKG-K501s would be more satisfying than CD3000s or W1000s?

Thanks a lot for your comments!

-kaitsuburi