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

[Armaegis]

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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.

Sony XB700 - bass heavy, decent control, and they're literally like pillows on your head.
 


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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?

You should have no problem powering the 600 ohm from the STX or receiver, although personally I actually preferred the 250 ohm version. Miniscule differences either way.
 
For the others, I say either the Ultrasone or Pioneer for something more different sounding and perhaps for portable use.
 
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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  

Maybe one of the high Grados/Alessandro or Magnum?
 

 

[swbf2cheater]

What full size can would you recommend for me, a man with a $700 budget in a closed back set with a vast soundstage.  Could be a headphone + amp combo
 
Should I be looking into customs?  I am really on the fence, I've owned so many of the hifi headphones and just don't want to sit around a receiver and giant amp, I like the freedom to move around but have no experience in custom buds so I am not at all sure of what to expect.  I've just read LFFs review of the new Fischer Audio and it really sits well with me, but it seems it needs a super nice and specific amp to mesh with it.  I was hoping to not need full size amping :[
 
Any thoughts for a broken man? :[

 

[Armaegis]

Quote:

What full size can would you recommend for me, a man with a $700 budget in a closed back set with a vast soundstage.  Could be a headphone + amp combo
 
Should I be looking into customs?  I am really on the fence, I've owned so many of the hifi headphones and just don't want to sit around a receiver and giant amp, I like the freedom to move around but have no experience in custom buds so I am not at all sure of what to expect.  I've just read LFFs review of the new Fischer Audio and it really sits well with me, but it seems it needs a super nice and specific amp to mesh with it.  I was hoping to not need full size amping :[
 
Any thoughts for a broken man? :[

Your favourite $200 pair of cans + $500 of ganja?
 

 

[eucariote]

Didn't you pick up a set of Edition 8 recently?  Their soundtage isn't the biggest, but has very nice definition.  Unlike other closed headphones with big soundstage but no definition (Denons) or big sounstage and painfully unbalanced sound quality (DT770).  They're pretty much all I listen to now, and when I want to walk around I plug them straight into my 1g nano or 3g touch and enjoy 98% of the sound I get out of my rig.  

 
Quote:

What full size can would you recommend for me, a man with a $700 budget in a closed back set with a vast soundstage.  Could be a headphone + amp combo
 
Should I be looking into customs?  I am really on the fence, I've owned so many of the hifi headphones and just don't want to sit around a receiver and giant amp, I like the freedom to move around but have no experience in custom buds so I am not at all sure of what to expect.  I've just read LFFs review of the new Fischer Audio and it really sits well with me, but it seems it needs a super nice and specific amp to mesh with it.  I was hoping to not need full size amping :[
 
Any thoughts for a broken man? :[

 

 

[swbf2cheater]

Couldn't justify the price and didn't feel okay walking around and about outside with it on.  Also required too much power to sounds its best, no portable amp, not even the SR71b did it justice.  Only large and powerful full sized amps made it sound truly special.  
 
Anyway, its way over my budget this time

 

[Dgiant]

best open headphone without amp for 700 dollars? or best under 700 dollar HD650 amp combo?

 

[swbf2cheater]

which ever, i dont care lol, im just interested in what other people are currently enjoying a lot, looking for some models that might catch me eye and such

 

[Armaegis]

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best open headphone without amp for 700 dollars? or best under 700 dollar HD650 amp combo?

HD650 with Bottlehead Crack + Speedball.

 

[Dgiant]

Aren't those speaker amps

 

[anhtu1990]

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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.
 
 
 

thanks a lots. i'm going to listen both hd558 and 598 soon. i have 1 more ques : does your 558 crack. i hear lot about this Sen' problem. especially hd598. how about 558 ? 

 

[PurpleAngel]

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thanks a lots. I'm going to listen both hd558 and 598 soon. i have 1 more ques : does your 558 crack. i hear lot about this Sen' problem. especially hd598. how about 558 ? 

I've only had my HD-558 for 3 weeks, but so far no cracks.
But I heard that Sennheiser will repair "cracked" headphones.
Hopefully the ones that crack are no long on the market.
MacMall has a really good price on the HD-558, but they are on back order.
 
 
 

 

[MorbidToaster]

I've had no problems with cracking. I honestly didn't even know it was an issue until very recently.
 
Quote:

thanks a lots. i'm going to listen both hd558 and 598 soon. i have 1 more ques : does your 558 crack. i hear lot about this Sen' problem. especially hd598. how about 558 ? 

 
 

 

[MorbidToaster]

I think they have some, but they're mainly DIY headphone amps.
 
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Aren't those speaker amps

 
 

 

[Loquah]

Hi all,

I'm a massive fan of my AD900 Audio Technicas, but also need a closed set. The A900s are too muddy in the midrange so I'm looking elsewhere. So far have liked Ultrasonic HFI 680 and Shure SRH840, but not sold on either 100%. Looking to audition Ultrasone Pro 750 soon. Anything else I should consider? I need to stay in price range of the models listed.

My preference is definitely for detail, tonal balance and liveliness/energy.

 

[Loquah]

Hi all,

I'm a massive fan of my AD900 Audio Technicas, but also need a closed set. The A900s are too muddy in the midrange so I'm looking elsewhere. So far have liked Ultrasone HFI 680 and Shure SRH840, but not sold on either 100%. Looking to audition Ultrasone Pro 750 soon. Anything else I should consider? I need to stay in price range of the models listed.

My preference is definitely for detail, tonal balance and liveliness/energy.