[DxBecks]

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Hello Head-fi. I'm looking to buy some new headphones, but I'm not sure what some good options are. I'm looking to spend under 100. I listen to indie and alternative rock, so I like to hear acoustic and vocals, but I still like bass. So basically, I don't want an overpowering bass. I would like some that are somewhat stylish, though honestly I'll take sound quality over style any day.
 
Thanks,
 
jakewilson1

Do you prefer Open or Closed headphones?

 

[jakewilson1]

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Do you prefer Open or Closed headphones?

Closed, though they are very close for me.

 

[DxBecks]

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Closed, though they are very close for me.

I would look into the Shure SRH-440. I own the next model up the SRH-840's and my roommate owns the 440's. The bass on both headphones is great but not overpowering. The Mid's and High's on them are excellent and the detachable cable is a nice bonus. Not the most stylish or lightweight headphones though.

 

[saxophone]

Hey all,
 
I am not sure where to go from where I am currently. My setup is the Schiit M Stack to HD 580. I enjoy the 580 for background music, as they are fairly laid back and calm. However, when I want something in my face, there is something really lacking there.
 
I much prefer the sound of my SRH 840s in that regard. However, they are not too comfortable - I prefer the velour of the HD 580s over pleather that the SRH 840s rock.
 
I tried the SR225i as they were supposed to be very lively. While I did appreciate the sound, I felt that the sound was too compressed. The mids and the highs kind of blended together. Not to mention that they weren't too comfortable. I can appreciate them, and I can see how some people really enjoy them. However, it's not for me.
 
Basically, I want something fun, vibrant and can be driven well by the M stack or something in its range. I was thinking of: DT 990, HE 400, DT 770.
 
Any suggestions would be welcome.

 

[bareyb]

Quote:

Hey all,
 
I am not sure where to go from where I am currently. My setup is the Schiit M Stack to HD 580. I enjoy the 580 for background music, as they are fairly laid back and calm. However, when I want something in my face, there is something really lacking there.
 
I much prefer the sound of my SRH 840s in that regard. However, they are not too comfortable - I prefer the velour of the HD 580s over pleather that the SRH 840s rock.
 
I tried the SR225i as they were supposed to be very lively. While I did appreciate the sound, I felt that the sound was too compressed. The mids and the highs kind of blended together. Not to mention that they weren't too comfortable. I can appreciate them, and I can see how some people really enjoy them. However, it's not for me.
 
Basically, I want something fun, vibrant and can be driven well by the M stack or something in its range. I was thinking of: DT 990, HE 400, DT 770.
 
Any suggestions would be welcome.

You could probably add the Ultrasone Pro 900s to your list. They have some crazy dynamics and I just saw them on sale at Amazon for $199.00 on the Gold Box deal. That's a lot of fun for two hun...  

 

[brunk]

Hey all,

I am not sure where to go from where I am currently. My setup is the Schiit M Stack to HD 580. I enjoy the 580 for background music, as they are fairly laid back and calm. However, when I want something in my face, there is something really lacking there.

I much prefer the sound of my SRH 840s in that regard. However, they are not too comfortable - I prefer the velour of the HD 580s over pleather that the SRH 840s rock.

I tried the SR225i as they were supposed to be very lively. While I did appreciate the sound, I felt that the sound was too compressed. The mids and the highs kind of blended together. Not to mention that they weren't too comfortable. I can appreciate them, and I can see how some people really enjoy them. However, it's not for me.

Basically, I want something fun, vibrant and can be driven well by the M stack or something in its range. I was thinking of: DT 990, HE 400, DT 770.

Any suggestions would be welcome.

Ok, you want something with velour, comfy, and is in your face, but you dont like the Grado house sound. I think your best bet would be DT-990.

 

[miceblue]

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Quote:

Hey all,

I am not sure where to go from where I am currently. My setup is the Schiit M Stack to HD 580. I enjoy the 580 for background music, as they are fairly laid back and calm. However, when I want something in my face, there is something really lacking there.

I much prefer the sound of my SRH 840s in that regard. However, they are not too comfortable - I prefer the velour of the HD 580s over pleather that the SRH 840s rock.

I tried the SR225i as they were supposed to be very lively. While I did appreciate the sound, I felt that the sound was too compressed. The mids and the highs kind of blended together. Not to mention that they weren't too comfortable. I can appreciate them, and I can see how some people really enjoy them. However, it's not for me.

Basically, I want something fun, vibrant and can be driven well by the M stack or something in its range. I was thinking of: DT 990, HE 400, DT 770.

Any suggestions would be welcome.

Ok, you want something with velour, comfy, and is in your face, but you dont like the Grado house sound. I think your best bet would be DT-990.

Speaking of velour, was it the HE-400 that sounded better with the velour pads or was it the HE-500?

 

[Don Tonberry]

Up your budget $10 and get the CAL!, which does not need an amp.  The Koss very likely will, depending on exactly what you have that is driving it and what volume you want to achieve.

 
I'm pretty much just using my Zune HD by itself.

 

[KG Jag]

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CAL!  About their only downside is that they are not made for punishment.

What about the Sony MDR-V6?

It's a classic, but one that is long in the tooth and no longer at the top of the hill in its class. I also suspect that it has too little bass for your tastes.

 

[KG Jag]

Quote:

Hey all,
 
I am not sure where to go from where I am currently. My setup is the Schiit M Stack to HD 580. I enjoy the 580 for background music, as they are fairly laid back and calm. However, when I want something in my face, there is something really lacking there.
 
I much prefer the sound of my SRH 840s in that regard. However, they are not too comfortable - I prefer the velour of the HD 580s over pleather that the SRH 840s rock.
 
I tried the SR225i as they were supposed to be very lively. While I did appreciate the sound, I felt that the sound was too compressed. The mids and the highs kind of blended together. Not to mention that they weren't too comfortable. I can appreciate them, and I can see how some people really enjoy them. However, it's not for me.
 
Basically, I want something fun, vibrant and can be driven well by the M stack or something in its range. I was thinking of: DT 990, HE 400, DT 770.
 
Any suggestions would be welcome.

The HE 400 is the best can in the this group; has a colored mid-range, but I would not say that it is in your face.  The other two have a "V' shaped EQ of different size and depth with recessed mids and could be described, at least by some, as "in your face."  For slam I prefer the Grado SR line and some of the Ultrasones.

 

[brunk]

The HE 400 is the best can in the this group; has a colored mid-range, but I would not say that it is in your face.  The other two have a "V' shaped EQ of different size and depth with recessed mids and could be described, at least by some, as "in your face."  For slam I prefer the Grado SR line and some of the Ultrasones.

The HE-400 is nice, but its not going to compliment what he has already (HD 598), and with what he wants -an aggressive/energetic headphone. The HE-400 is not a very engaging can (laid back and warm) compared to the DT990.

 

[KG Jag]

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Quote:

The HE 400 is the best can in the this group; has a colored mid-range, but I would not say that it is in your face.  The other two have a "V' shaped EQ of different size and depth with recessed mids and could be described, at least by some, as "in your face."  For slam I prefer the Grado SR line and some of the Ultrasones.

The HE-400 is nice, but its not going to compliment what he has already (HD 598), and with what he wants -an aggressive/energetic headphone. The HE-400 is not a very engaging can (laid back and warm) compared to the DT990.

While we agree about the bottom line, I can't concur the the the HE 400 is, with the way it presents mids, "laid back".  It is fair to describe the HD 598 as "laid back".  I find the HE 400 to be very engaging due to it excellent clarity, detail, imaging and extended frequency response for its price range.

 

[jake120]

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The HE 400 is the best can in the this group; has a colored mid-range, but I would not say that it is in your face.  The other two have a "V' shaped EQ of different size and depth with recessed mids and could be described, at least by some, as "in your face."  For slam I prefer the Grado SR line and some of the Ultrasones.

 
The HE-400 colored mid-range... there seems to be quite a lot of complaints about recessed mids, I understand what 'not in your face' could mean, is it noticeable or only on specific amps/looking for where instruments sound recessed?
 
can you help shed light on it I havent had any headphones to compare differences with at least not in the same competing fidelity range.
 
edit: clarified headphone

 

[Sonic Defender]

At a meet I attended I was able to hear a set of the HE400 through the amp that HiFiMan sells as matched with the headphones. While I didn't get anywhere near enough time with them I could tell the HE400 were fantastic. I don't mind some warmth in a set of cans, but only enough, and not if it really takes the dynamics and clarity back perceptively. Just a hair off the top, but nothing more. I didn't find the 400s were overly laid back, which for the record I find the 650s somewhat too smooth, but not so far gone that their special sound isn't worth the slight compromise. I got the impression that the 400s would likely be like that, special with character. I would love to get more time listening to those cans.

 

[KG Jag]

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Quote:

The HE 400 is the best can in the this group; has a colored mid-range, but I would not say that it is in your face.  The other two have a "V' shaped EQ of different size and depth with recessed mids and could be described, at least by some, as "in your face."  For slam I prefer the Grado SR line and some of the Ultrasones.

 
The HE-400 colored mid-range... there seems to be quite a lot of complaints about recessed mids, I understand what 'not in your face' could mean, is it noticeable or only on specific amps/looking for where instruments sound recessed?
 
can you help shed light on it I havent had any headphones to compare differences with at least not in the same competing fidelity range.
 
edit: clarified headphone

In net I found the mids to be forward and not quite in balance with the bass and treble...but it's not as simple as that.  See:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/634201/battle-of-the-flagships-57-headphones-compared-update-hifiman-he-400-added-12-24-12#user_HE400
 
And I'm not sure what version(s)/revision(s) I put on my head.