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

[R-Audiohead]

Quote:

I haven't heard much about the Sennheiser HD 380s -- how do they compare to the M50s?

Actually quite similar in my opinion--
 
380 has bigger bass though and slightly less midrange recession.  I also noticed the sparkly finish on a crisp string note to sound rather dull on the 380 :/
 
HD380 also had bigger soundstage than M50
 
All IMO

 

[anhtu1990]

hello i want to ask more question :
I want to upgrade from AD700 to HD598 . is it worth  ? 
i like everything in AD700 and i want more bass. just a little because i'm not a basshead. 
is HD598 same to AD700 in : soundstage. mid. comfortable. ?
my purpose is watching night movies, classical and instrumental music.
thanks very much  and sorry for my poor Eng

 

[Armaegis]

Quote:

I'm looking to get my first set of "good" headphones and this site was recommended as a good place for information and advice.  I've previously owned many cheap headphones and had various problems with them, so now I'm willing to spend a bit of money to get something better and more reliable.  Preferrably I would like to keep it in the $150 range but I will go a little higher if it is very worthwhile.

They would be used for gaming, music (rock, metal) and movies.  A closed design would be preferrable so I don't disturb anyone at night.

I've previously owned headphones from non-audiophile brands like Logitech, Labtec, Steelseries and various others that always lost sound in one ear after a few months of use.  Due to this I'm somewhat fixated on build quality in particular, and prefer get something that will not have any long term durability issues.

I will be using a Xonar DX on my computer, but if possible I was hoping to use the headphones for an iPod as well.  As such I'm hoping to find something that doesn't require amplification.  If that narrows my options too much I'm willing to consider a seperate set for the iPod, but my first choice is to get one set of headphones that does both jobs.

I'm located in Canada and it's hard to find certain products here, so trying before I buy or even getting a hold of certain products at all is unfortunately very difficult.

I've been looking at the ATH-A50 and ATH-A700, and based on the reviews they both seem like reasonable options.  Just from searching Google I've learned that these two options get compared a lot so I won't ask you to do yet another comparison of their audio qualities.  But as I mentioned I'm a bit fixated on build quality, so I'm wondering if anyone had experience on the durability of either of these?

I've also been looking at the Beyerdynamic DT 770 but as yet have not found a reasonably priced supplier in Canada.

Are there any other options you think I should be considering?

Long & McQuade has a decent selection of headphones. Best bang for the buck at Canadian prices, probably the Beyer DT770pro.
 


Quote:

IEM question:
 
Is there a universal IEM that matches the D5000 sound? Budget....under $400...preferably under $300.  Comfort would be key.  Looking for a new IEM and wanting to try a few before i settle on one.
 
Didn't see a guidance thread in the IEM section, if there is I apologize.

There is one actually... buried somewhere in there. Failing that, just ask in one of the big IEM comparison threads (Joker's being the largest, but ClieOS has one as well)
 


Quote:

I haven't heard much about the Sennheiser HD 380s -- how do they compare to the M50s?

380 has a flatter response, less thump and sparkle but better extension on both ends, and significantly better isolation.
 


Quote:

Amp/Dac suggestion for Alessandro Ms-2i's? 
No need to be portable
$200<=
Currently using Fiio E11.

That should be fine as is. No real need for anything bigger unless you need more volume.
 

 

[Arundor]

Quote:

Long & McQuade has a decent selection of headphones. Best bang for the buck at Canadian prices, probably the Beyer DT770pro.
 

Thanks for that.  I didn't know about them previously but I looked at their website and they have a store near me.  Will likely stop by and see what I can find.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

hello i want to ask more question :
I want to upgrade from AD700 to HD598 . is it worth  ? 
i like everything in AD700 and i want more bass. just a little because i'm not a basshead. 
is HD598 same to AD700 in : soundstage. mid. comfortable. ?
my purpose is watching night movies, classical and instrumental music.
thanks very much  and sorry for my poor Eng

Save a few dollars, get the Sennheiser HD-558.
I like my HD-558 better then my AD700.
 
 

 

[Hackez]

Looking for a solid pair of headphones for around $100. Hoping to find a good compromise between price and performance.
 
Comfort is my main concern, as I'll be wearing these for extended periods of time.
 
My main music genres are techno and trance. Plan to do a bit of casual gaming and movie watching as well.

 

[col902]

KRK KNS 8400 or Fischer Audio FA-003 for classic rock music, no amp, straight out of an ipod.

 

[Donut]

I have a question.
 
I'm considering an upgrade to my computer's audio before the year is over. This means getting an Asus Xonar Essence STX, probably a Harmon Kardon 3490 receiver, probably Infinity Primus 163BK bookshelf speakers, and probably a Dayton SUB 120 subwoofer. The idea is to also upgrade my home cans [currently a pair of Sennheisers, HD 497 & HD 280 Pro]. For the record, I blame this on adding to my IEM collection.
 
I'm thinking one closed & one open. I'm liable to get the Beyerdynamic DT880/250 [maybe the 600 ohm if I can power it properly without investing in a separate headphone amp] and thinking about one of Denon D2000, Ultrasone Pro 900, and Pioneer HDJ 2000.
 
My question is this: could that HK 3490 receiver properly power the headphones listed above? Or do I need to be getting a separate headphone amp?

 

[MorbidToaster]

Forget saving money, you're already on Head-fi. You're wallet's done for.
 
Seriously though, yes the 598 (or the 558) would be a big upgrade IMO because of the actual inclusion of bass in the sound.
 
Quote:

hello i want to ask more question :
I want to upgrade from AD700 to HD598 . is it worth  ? 
i like everything in AD700 and i want more bass. just a little because i'm not a basshead. 
is HD598 same to AD700 in : soundstage. mid. comfortable. ?
my purpose is watching night movies, classical and instrumental music.
thanks very much  and sorry for my poor Eng

Quote:

Save a few dollars, get the Sennheiser HD-558.
I like my HD-558 better then my AD700.
 
 

I think ti will do just fine, even with 600 Ohm Beyers. 


Quote:

I have a question.
 
I'm considering an upgrade to my computer's audio before the year is over. This means getting an Asus Xonar Essence STX, probably a Harmon Kardon 3490 receiver, probably Infinity Primus 163BK bookshelf speakers, and probably a Dayton SUB 120 subwoofer. The idea is to also upgrade my home cans [currently a pair of Sennheisers, HD 497 & HD 280 Pro]. For the record, I blame this on adding to my IEM collection.
 
I'm thinking one closed & one open. I'm liable to get the Beyerdynamic DT880/250 [maybe the 600 ohm if I can power it properly without investing in a separate headphone amp] and thinking about one of Denon D2000, Ultrasone Pro 900, and Pioneer HDJ 2000.
 
My question is this: could that HK 3490 receiver properly power the headphones listed above? Or do I need to be getting a separate headphone amp?

 
 

 

[anhtu1990]

Quote:

Save a few dollars, get the Sennheiser HD-558.
I like my HD-558 better then my AD700.
 
 

Thanks. but i read somewhere that 558 do not have same driver with 598. and how about soundstage?  

 
Quote:

Forget saving money, you're already on Head-fi. You're wallet's done for.
 
Seriously though, yes the 598 (or the 558) would be a big upgrade IMO because of the actual inclusion of bass in the sound.
 


I think ti will do just fine, even with 600 Ohm Beyers. 


 
 

THanks alot. or may be i find a 2nd AD900 for safe. 
 
 

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

Thanks. but i read somewhere that 558 do not have same driver with 598. and how about soundstage?  
THanks alot. or may be i find a 2nd AD900 for safe.

Everything I read says the 558 and 598 use the exact the same driver.
Not sure I'm a good judge for soundstage, but so far I have not found any weaknesses in the HD-558.
 
 
 

 

[FinBenton]

Quote:

Everything I read says the 558 and 598 use the exact the same driver.
Not sure I'm a good judge for soundstage, but so far I have not found any weaknesses in the HD-558.
 
 
 

 
Idk but their soundsignature looks identical.
 

 

[MorbidToaster]

Wow. So many typos in my last post. That's why I shouldn't post before 9am.

 

[jkwanness]

Hi there, I'm thinking of jumping ship to headphones.. I currently own what is listed in my sig... but I prefer the sound of eq-7 rather than my ACS T1... T1 too warm for me.. been looking in LCD-2 for now.. what do you guys suggest? Headphones and probably portable amp only.. am still using CLAS.. thanks  

 

[MorbidToaster]

If you found the T1 warm I don't think you'll be into the LCD 2. Unless you're okay with daRk and warm.
 
Quote:

Hi there, I'm thinking of jumping ship to headphones.. I currently own what is listed in my sig... but I prefer the sound of eq-7 rather than my ACS T1... T1 too warm for me.. been looking in LCD-2 for now.. what do you guys suggest? Headphones and probably portable amp only.. am still using CLAS.. thanks