First headphones for about 150$?

[inabstracto]

Hello.

This is my first post on the forums but I've already been browsing head-fi.org for a while. The result is that the more I read here, the harder the choice becomes

.
I'd like to buy headphones only for home usage. I'm listening mostly to electronic music (Trance at most). I don't care that much if the headphones are closed or opened. As I stated in the topic, I'm planning to spare on them around 150-200$, but it can be extended if needed. I thought about buying a bit more expensive headphones and go for a "studio" model, so I can use them for music production in the future (right now I'm just learning basics). On the other hand, I don't know if it's worth it, because their detailed sound reproduction may not be interesting to listen at all and if I give up music production, I won't use their potential.
I thought about buying a cheaper ones at the beginning (i.e. Senns HD215) and then maybe replace them for better ones in the future, when I'll have more info about headphones.

So far, I thought about:
1) Sennheiser HD215,
2) Sennheiser HD280,
3) Sennheiser HD555,
4) Sennheiser HD500,
5) Sennheiser HD580 (I read many positive opinions about these and I can buy a used pair of them here,
6) AKG k240 studio (I can have them a bit cheaper, but I read that these are the worst for 240 series; I don't know how it'll be with the availability of "monitor" or "sextett" here, in Poland, where I live),
7) AKG k271 studio,
8) Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO,
9) Sennheiser HD595,
10) Alessandro MS1.

These I can get for from 200 to 500 PLN which is about 100 to 250 dollars.
Headphones will be connected to PC via amp (perhaps Kenwood K-1030 or Yamaha A-500). The soundcard is Creative EMU 0404.

So, what's your opinion? What should I do?

 

[Abbadon]

I started off with the 580's. Be warned that they WILL eventually make you want to upgrade - they scale really well.

The ms1 will likely sound better out of your setup, cause they're easier to drive, but they don't scale nearly as well.

 

[Tomikans]

First off, Welcome to head-fi forums.

Maybe name some trance songs, as i'm also big on trance.

I think you need something with speed, fast attacks. Somewhere in the grado region.

Sr-225's are a good recommendation.

In the lines of bass, What are you tastes? Do you like deep impact bass, or just a little bass on the side?

I would recommend the beyer DT 770 PRO, known for their over the bass.

 

[inabstracto]

Thanks for fast replies and kind greetings.

Tomikans, I listen to varied styles of trance, from classics like Li Kwan - Point Zero, The Forbidden Paradise or Magik series, Man With No Name goa trance, through Oakenfolds mix-comps and his Essential Mix World Tour to more updated trance, like Mirco de Govia (his 2nd artist album is really interesting), Orkidea, but also Vibrasphere or UK Trance.
Actually I didn't think about the kind of bass I like. I probably enjoy the melodies the most, but I also like some driving percussion loops (like the one in Emery's "Formentera What" remix).
I searched for SR-225's but they are not available at the moment in Polish auctionary service (a pair of the was sold in June for about 180$). I can only get them right from an online shop where they are twice as expensive (360$). I thought about buying headphones in USA, but I'm undecided.

 

[3X0]

Sony MDR-SA3000? The SA1000 may work well as well.

 

[inabstracto]

I can't find them on the local market.

Today an auction of used HD580 (right now the price is set to ~130$, link above) is going to finish but I still remain undecided. I'm still considering buying k240 studio with a little bargain (~150$), used Sextett model (50 euros on Ebay) and new pair of HD595 for a bit more than 200$.

 

[REB]

I don't have a K240 here to test it (gave it to my father), but I noticed that my open AKG K500 really did well with the electronical/postrock of World's End Girlfriend. And since the K500 is supposed to be the open version of the K240 (or of one of its myriad versions

), maybe the K240 would be a good deal. Especially if you can get the 50 euros one now on Ebay and that one turns out to be in perfect nick.

 

[inabstracto]

That's nice to hear, but I'm kind of afraid (and unexperienced) of buying headphones outside of country

. On the opposite, I probably never get them here, in Poland.

 

[Drag0n]

M-Audio Studiophile Q40

 

[Jingo Lingo]

MS1's. Free worldwide shipping, sound great unamed, can't go wrong.

 

[inabstracto]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jingo Lingo /img/forum/go_quote.gif MS1's. Free worldwide shipping, sound great unamed, can't go wrong.

But aren't these more proper for rock music, not electronic?

Thanks for that M-Audio recommendation, I've got to take a look at them.

 

[kostalex]

Add Audio-Technica ATH-AD700 into the consideration. It bests almost all the cans you listed. I am not sure regarding the following cans which I've not listened:

1) Sennheiser HD215,
4) Sennheiser HD500,
5) Sennheiser HD580 (I read many positive opinions about these and I can buy a used pair of them here,
10) Alessandro MS1.

I doubt that MS1 are good for trance. I listened to Grados SR80 and SR225 and found their soundstage too small.

AD700 is sensitive, comfortable and have incredible soundstage.

 

[Dutchess of York]

Alessandro's/Grado's have been recommended for every genre of music by some head-fier at some point. Some claim they are the best for classical/electronic/jazz but the grado sound signature is very unique. For rock they are failsafe (for me, nothing makes an acoustic guitar sing like a grado), but for everything else, i would demo them first.

For electronic, Ive heard very good things about the sony sa-5000 (which is out of $range) but have not heard much about the sa-3000/sa-1000. Maybe these are comparable to their big brother? I haven't heard any of them, but maybe another head-fier can correct me.

 

[Jingo Lingo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by inabstracto /img/forum/go_quote.gif But aren't these more proper for rock music, not electronic? Thanks for that M-Audio recommendation, I've got to take a look at them.

I should have read your OP more carefully,

. I find them to be quite good all-round, but if your solely listening to electronic music you might want to try something else. I used HD580 might fit the bill. I may be going against the norm but I believe they sound pretty good unamped too.

 

[Zuerst]

Audio-Technica ATH-A900