[raffy]

I am looking to purchase my first set of open cans and I just wanted to ask for suggestions. I am trying to get a pair that has excellent detail and a airy/wider soundstage. I am currently listening to my ALO780s which a very good but I need better soundstage. I am considering the K701 or HD650 right now though I am leaning towards the K701. Any other suggestions would be great though!

BTW, I am open to getting recabled versions so if you have any recabled variants, bring them on.

 

[jjhatfield]

While I love the HD650, I can't really say it has an airy soundstage. I find the K701 bass-shy, but it fits the bill if you are looking for an airy soundstage. Either can should do fine detail-wise if you have a nice source and decent amplification behind them.

 

[feh1325]

what's your source?

 

[The Monkey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by raffy /img/forum/go_quote.gif I am looking to purchase my first set of open cans and I just wanted to ask for suggestions. I am trying to get a pair that has excellent detail and a airy/wider soundstage. I am currently listening to my ALO780s which a very good but I need better soundstage. I am considering the K701 or HD650 right now though I am leaning towards the K701. Any other suggestions would be great though! BTW, I am open to getting recabled versions so if you have any recabled variants, bring them on.

'stats.

 

[aaron313]

See sig.

With the money you save on the phone and recable, you could buy an adapter cable for SE operation.

If you remember our chat, the K701 is my soundstage champ, in addition to bass, details, etc. Just a great headphone all around. I'll probably replace it with a K702 in time.

 

[Nocturnal310]

How about HD595 for first Open Headphones?

They are priced good ..but how is HD595 compared to HD650?

(HD600 are tooo neutral

)

 

[WittyzTH]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nocturnal310 /img/forum/go_quote.gif How about HD595 for first Open Headphones? They are priced good ..but how is HD595 compared to HD650? (HD600 are tooo neutral )

Have you tried HD600? It sounds really balance. not saying neutral since it has a touch of warm and quite smooth sound.


HD595s are nowhere near HD600s and 650s, IMO.

 

[pataburd]

Raffy,
For your first pair, I'd recommend the HD600.

Even though I have come to prefer the AKG K501 to either the K701 or the HD600, the Sennheisers would make a better introduction to open headphones and provide more useful means for you to discover your listening tastes, IMHO.

In time, you can move along to other open cans if you so choose, but again I think the HD600 are the best starting point. : )

PAB

 

[krmathis]

How about a Stax SR-404? Or perhaps even an SR-007A

 

[tk3]

I would go for the STAX too based on your requirements.

 

[raffy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaron313 /img/forum/go_quote.gif See sig. With the money you save on the phone and recable, you could buy an adapter cable for SE operation. If you remember our chat, the K701 is my soundstage champ, in addition to bass, details, etc. Just a great headphone all around. I'll probably replace it with a K702 in time.

I remember our chat and that's partly why I am leaning towards the K701 (on top of other things I've read). I'd love to get a balanced pair and just use an adapter for now but I'd hate to have one more reason to justify a balanced amp in the future!

Quote:

Originally Posted by pataburd /img/forum/go_quote.gif Raffy, For your first pair, I'd recommend the HD600. Even though I have come to prefer the AKG K501 to either the K701 or the HD600, the Sennheisers would make a better introduction to open headphones and provide more useful means for you to discover your listening tastes, IMHO. In time, you can move along to other open cans if you so choose, but again I think the HD600 are the best starting point. : ) PAB

I've heard that the HD600/650s are good but have rolled-off highs and a somewhat veiled sound which requires a very good full-sized amp to "lift" that veil. Is this your findings w/ the HD600s too? Why did you suggest HD600 over 650? Thanks in advance!

 

[The Monkey]

Have you heard the K701? If not, I highly recommend trying before you buy.

For your requirements, in addition to Stax, I would recommend the ATH-AD2000.

 

[Uncle Erik]

What amp are you planning to use? I find the K-701 more difficult to amp than the Senns. A little amp veil is more tolerable than the flat, plasticky sound the K-701 makes with a bad amp. Also, I find the K-501 to have a far better soundstage than the K-701 and a more organic sound.

If you want the king of soundstage, try the AKG K-1000. Nothing compares.

 

[raffy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif What amp are you planning to use? I find the K-701 more difficult to amp than the Senns. A little amp veil is more tolerable than the flat, plasticky sound the K-701 makes with a bad amp. Also, I find the K-501 to have a far better soundstage than the K-701 and a more organic sound. If you want the king of soundstage, try the AKG K-1000. Nothing compares.

I'll be using them with a Predator for the time being but I'm counting on having a desktop amp in a few months.