++ FULL-SIZE HEADPHONE RECOMMENDATIONS THREAD++ CLOSED: Please post a thread in the Introductions, Help and Advice forum

[HamilcarBarca]

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I was about to buy the ATH-AD900 when i saw (after requesting shipping) that they dont ship to canada... I'm looking at the Q701 and i could get them for 270$ (20$ more bucks than the price i could get AD900 shippable canada.)
 
Would this be a good headphone upgrade? If yes, tell me why please.
 
[...]

 
Upgrade from which headphones? The AD900?

 

[Pual]

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Hey guys! New here (kinda, I have a super old account from.. 2007 or 2008, I posted for a year then went to college. I dont even remember what the NAME was on that account, so I figure a "fresh" start now that I have the $$$ for an actual set up past my grado sr-80's!)
 
Anyway - Im looking at about $600 for a "set up" aka amp + headphones.
 
I was really looking into the hifiman HE-400, AKG-550 and Beyer DT880 + an amp (no idea on amps, though id love a tube amp)
 
The big thing with me is punchy bass and good seperation of instruments during very complex pieces, mainly being I listen to a lot of metal and experimental jazz.
 
Good example of a few things I listen to:
 

 
 
I also listen to a ton of Battles, Devin Townsend, Genghis Tron, Meshuggah, and many others but also hit some rap on occation (not bass heavy stuff, more along the lines of Sage Francis and Aesop Rock)
 
Im not too worried about rap or any of my bass-heavy stuff, as I only listen to that when in my car, lol.
 
Anyway - any suggestions on a good amp + headphone combo? My source is either my record player, computer, or cd-player (looking into a better one for that in the future as well)
 
thanks everyone!

 
I found a used littledot MKIII with some good tubes for a good deal, so which headphone for under $400 would pair with this the best for given music?

 

[Ren19]

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Upgrade from which headphones? The AD900?

 
 
Yes. And 5 mins ago i found that i could even get the K702 for only 10 bucks more than the Q701, so what should i do now :S
 

 

[PurpleAngel]

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I found a used Little Dot MKIII with some good tubes for a good deal, so which headphone for under $400 would pair with this the best for given music?

Beyerdynamic DT880 Premium 600-Ohm headphones, used $250 (plus tax & shipping), balance sound
Beyerdynamic DT990 Premium 600-Ohm headphones, used $205 (plus tax & shipping), full bass & full treble.

 

[Pual]

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Beyerdynamic DT880 Premium 600-Ohm headphones, used $250 (plus tax & shipping), balance sound
Beyerdynamic DT990 Premium 600-Ohm headphones, used $205 (plus tax & shipping), full bass & full treble.

 


So. DT880 for metal then? im assuming 990 has a recessed midrange?

 

[PurpleAngel]

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So. DT880 for metal then? I'm assuming 990 has a recessed mid range?

I do not think of the DT990 as having a recessed mid-range, more like the bass & treble overshadow the mid-range, the mid-range is clear.
The DT880 Premium 600-Ohm is the safer choice, sounds good with everything.

 

[brunoyujikc]

So, I'm posting again, since I only got one answer...
 
BUDGET: $90~$130.
GENRE: Classical, Instrumental (like OSTs and stuff), Rock (mainly classic and indie, no metal), Folk, Jazz, Blues and a little pop.
CAN BE AMPED (I have a Fiio E10).
CLOSED BACK (Will use at work, so no sound leakage).
COMFORTABLE AND GOOD FOR LONG USE UNDER MILD HEAT (25C~29C/77F~84F when A/C is off).
OPTIONALS: Detachable cable / Collapsible.
 
I'm not a bass-head, although some bass would be nice for the double bass, cellos, and timpani, also unfortunately I can't go beyond my budget. Thanks in advance and I hope you guys have some good recommendations.

 

[Pual]

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I do not think of the DT990 as having a recessed mid-range, more like the bass & treble overshadow the mid-range, the mid-range is clear.
The DT880 Premium 600-Ohm is the safer choice, sounds good with everything.

Will the MKIII drive it properly? I dont know how tough it is to drive a 600 ohm pair of cans

 

[kaufex]

I just ordered the AKG Q701 along with a Meier 2Stepdance amp.  I would use it with my computer and portable devices.  I didn't want to get a amp/dac combo because I didn't want to lose the surround sound from my computer when I watch movies or play games.  Do you think it would sound better if I get a separate DAC along with my headphone amp when I just want to listen to music with my computer? 
 
I just have mp3 for now and no FLAC but I would eventually acquired them.  I am planning on taking a huge project to rip all my CD's but haven't done so yet.  Would a DAC unit benefits me now or should I wait until I acquire my FLACs and ISO image CD's?.  What DAC unit would you recommend?   
 
I was thinking of either CEntrance DACport LX or Audioquest Dragonfly.  Thanks! 

 

[PurpleAngel]

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Will the MKIII drive it properly? I don't know how tough it is to drive a 600 ohm pair of cans

My $65 Fiio E11 portable headphone amplifier can drive my DT880 Premium 600-Ohm headphones.
I'm guessing the $180 Little Dot MKIII will do an even better job driving them.
 
What are you using for a DAC?

 

[Pual]

Do I need one if im using a cd player and vinyl player as my sources? I thought you only needed a DAC for computers from audio (i do have a fiio E7/e9 combo though for my computer setup)
 

 

[cel4145]

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Do I need one if im using a cd player and vinyl player as my sources? I thought you only needed a DAC for computers from audio (i do have a fiio E7/e9 combo though for my computer setup)
 

 
Right. CD players have their own internal DACs with analog output. Turntables are already analog. But you might need a phono stage to connect your turntable to your amp. 

 

[Pual]

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Right. CD players have their own internal DACs with analog output. Turntables are already analog. But you might need a phono stage to connect your turntable to your amp. 

Ok good! I was worried for a second, haha.
 
I have a turntable with a usb out and analog out, how can i see if it needs a phono stage (and what is that, a pre-amp for turntables?)
 
Apologize for newb questions - because I am one!

 

[HamilcarBarca]

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Quote:

 
Right. CD players have their own internal DACs with analog output. Turntables are already analog. But you might need a phono stage to connect your turntable to your amp. 

Ok good! I was worried for a second, haha.
 
I have a turntable with a usb out and analog out, how can i see if it needs a phono stage (and what is that, a pre-amp for turntables?)

 
The "phono stage" is for the analog output: RIAA Equalization.
 
USB-out is digital. No external phono stage is possible or necessary.

 

[Pual]

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The "phono stage" is for the analog output: RIAA Equalization.
 
USB-out is digital. No external phono stage is possible or necessary.

So, I would need something (not sure?) between my turntable and my MKIII to use it? I do (and most likely use) is to USB-out a vinyl and import it at lossless, then burn it to a cd, but still.