eh.... the darkside. Metalheads.

[eightbitpotion]

Okay, so I'm getting back into metal- like..big time. Metallica, Dragonforce, Maiden...stuff like that. I need some good headphones for metal applications. I'm assuming Grados will be the best route, but of course I've never crossed the Grado line, so I need help. I need something that won't punch holes in my eardrums with highs.

 

[MaZa]

Grados for metal is bit two sided. They are excellent for chord thrashing riff oriented metal like Thrash, Death and harder forms of Power/Speed Metal and Heavy Metal, but very lacking in epic or flowery/symphonic Power Metal, Black Metal, Doom/Funeral Doom and or any metal that relies on wall of sound layering, ambience and/or symphonics and soundstage.


So, really good metal combination would be Grado RS1/RS2 together with Sennheiser HD580/HD600 or perhaps even HD650. YES, I'm actually recommending something from Sennheiser, since its actually quite excellent for some forms of Metal as I found out with HD580. Beyerdynamic DT880 is also good alternative if one wants more clinical sound and clarity, but I think Sennheisers euphoricality is more useful more often. This combination can cover about every style of metal I can think about.

DT990 is good all-around metal can, but far from perfect due to searing treble spike and midrange problems (which is bad for metal).


*edit* Also remember, that source and amplification plays a huge role if something sears your ears with highs or not.

 

[smeggy]

Not so odd, I listen to metal using Stax and K1000s. Works for me and I prefer them to the Grados I've heard.

 

[eightbitpotion]

Yeah luckily I have a pretty bassy amp (for the tube world anyway)...LD MKIII. I currently love my K701s, but man....I don't even need to explain why I'm looking for an alternative for metal.

I'm interested in the RS1/RS2....I think this may be what I'm missing. Keep them coming if anyone has any other suggestions. I'm all ears. ^_^

 

[Lad27]

Denon D2000 are not bad with metal either. Currently my favorite with this genre.

 

[Televator]

I don't listen to all sorts of metal... just a few related genres: the "hardly even metal"-genre (tool, the mars volta, barkmarket, ...), stoner (kyuss, QOTSA, ...), drone (birchville cat motel, fear falls burning, Sunn O))), ...), noise/sludge (Boris, Merzbow, ...) and some others

I really like the MS2i with all of the above. That is to say: the MS2i works great to bring out the detail in the more layered stuff and coupled with the NAD and Millet MAX it also offers enough impact (also in the bass regions) to enjoy the music fully (without having to play it at dangerous levels). I probably will be changing the BJTs in my MAX soon to a set that offers a bit more slamming bass and then I'll definitely be in headbanging heaven