Ok, I've been in the hunt for something for awhile. I'll try this thread out and see what you guys have to say. Any suggestions are welcome, even if I am picky
I need a full sized headphone that ACTUALLY isolates well passively. I've heard a lot of closed headphones that people said isolated well, but they only accounted for how much outside noise was blocked...not how much the headphones actually leaked. I want a portable (or I guess even semi-portable, considering I use the 940 as a portable at times right now) headphone that does a
stellar job at containing the music (essentially avoids leaking sound as much as possible). I intend to use this headphone on the likes of buses, trains, planes, and in libraries. I'd prefer to be polite and not bother other people with my music, but I'd like to not have to be too volume conscious either.
My current portables are the Senn HD448 and Shure SRH-940. I adore both (even though they sound like polar opposites) but quite frankly both of these phones leak a bit. The 940 leaks a ton. So yea, I am in the market for a new headphone that can be driven from a lame to semi-lame source (iPod or portable amplifier like a FiiO e11 or something comparable). My budget is currently about $300 USD, but that doesn't mean I will rule out options that fit my needs that cost substantially less.
I listen to mostly alternative rock, instrumental, and folk music with some jazz and classical. Sometimes I sneak in some aggressive rock music and hip hop. More importantly, I prefer a sound that has a flatter character, and if there is an emphasis I generally prefer it to be in the treble... although peaky treble is my arch enemy. I'm picky with my bass as well. "one note" bass just won't cut it for me, and bass that bleeds into the midranges makes me cry as well. The bass doesn't necessarily have to be impactful or tonal (either is fine), I just want it to have some texture. I'm mostly a detail head that prefers balance of hamonics (to achieve a natural timbre). I LOVE my mids, and it seems forward mids sit just fine with me. I'd prefer to avoid V or U shaped character.
Here are the CLOSED phones I have tried, so no need to recommend those unless it is in reference.
Ultrasone:
HFI580/680/780 - all of them had strange mids to me and the soundstage seemed artificial, at least with my crappy source (iPod, demoed in store). 780 was the best of the three if I HAD to choose.
Sennheiser:
HD448 (own) - doesn't fit my description of the type of sound I like necessarily, but I love it nontheless and is my current "plug and play". Real easy listening type headphone, I can throw it on and forget about it.
HD428/438- I found them inferior to the 448 in every regard, except that the 438 had a bit more bass (but not better).
HD238 - Lame soundstage, didn't isolate THAT well and was on ear (I just don't prefer on-ear).
HD-25 I-II - Fantastic sound honestly, if the damn things were just more comfortable and were over ear. I also thought they were a little bit dark despite having some sparkle up top and maybe even some U character. They could have isolated a little better as well, although the leakage was pretty good.
HD280/380 - I actually preferred the 280 to the 380. The 280 had a little more sparkle in the treble and I actually thought it was better balanced. The HD380 had big bass, both in impact and in size (meaning it bled into the low mids, IMO). Ergonomically, the 380 was sweet though, having that case and being foldable and all. Either way, they didn't fit the bill. I actually noticed a subtle veil/smearing in the 380 treble on my portable setup (FiiO e7 from iPod classic) in string notes.
PX 360 (owned these in the past). Okay, these headphones have still leaked the least to ANY I have tried. These are one of the few sets that just did not leak at all at normal listening volumes. Ergonomically they are awesome as well... built solid, collapse into a small package. Problem? They just sounded weird to me. Big bass, recessed low mids, strange vocal peak, rolled off highs. Gah, so close.... they were even insanely easy to drive. The sound was really energetic and bright, and I still find myself recommending them to people who want high energy, portability and isolation. They just didn't fit me well.
Shure:
SRH-440 - Honestly these guys weren't that bad. The comfort was average at best, I don't think they folded or anything (ergonomically average) and the isolation was okay. They seemed easy to drive and all. I guess I just prefer the HD448! No reason to get these
SRH-840 - Not bad, isolated pretty well... the midbass hump is pretty prominant and the comfort wasn't good. Ergonomically they were poor. These guys are just
bricks. I liked the balanced treble response, but the bass was bleh and the midbass was a bit much for me. I think I can do better.
SRH-940 (own) - Yeah, I really like them. They are far from balanced, but the treble is silky and it has a lot of strengths. They leak a lot, and ergonomically are average at best (kinda big, but at least foldable, detachable cable and good case). If these didn't leak, they'd be a clear winner. In fact, it is only because these leak a lot that I am even shopping for a new quality portable.
Beyerdynamic:
DT770 32 ohm - These have a pretty big sound and isolate quite well. Not my style for the U shape character, but the bass was sweet. The highs sounded stranded... I couldn't do these as a portable even if I recognize them as solid.
Denon: Lol, NOT portable even if they claim to be closed and easy to drive. Won't bother talking about the D2000
Audiotechnica:
ATH-M50 - I just didn't like it. Bass didn't cut it for me and the mids were too recessed. Fun? Maybe. Not my style at all. If I am going to go U shaped I feel like there are better options with my budget (like the DT770 or Pro750/900)
I tried some phiaton model too, but I hardly remember it (so it likely wasn't impressive).
I'm sure I forgot some headphones that I've demoed. I bought the KRK KNS-8400 as a gift for someone, and honestly it is still the best can I have heard that doesn't leak at decent listening volumes, and is superior in terms of ergonomics. I don't have a problem getting a set for myself, I just want to make sure I am not missing out on something given my budget.
Cans I am interested in hearing people's impressions of:
PRO-750: Good bass that is thick but doesn't bleed and is controlled? S-logic isn't out of control, mids aren't weird? Not sibilant or peaky? ISOLATION?? Easy to drive I've heard? Comfy?
AKG 272HD: Yea, not foldable or that ergonomic, but how is the isolation? I hear the detail is great and the treble is slightly emphasized (good, potentially). I'm sure the comfort is fine. Thoughts??
AKG K550: Yea, yea, brand new and no one knows much. Does anyone have anything to say about these? So far there have just been postings of bright and thin treble, but impressive soundstage for being closed. AKG claims they isolate well....
Thanks for reading this long post and helping out, if you have insight. Anything helps. I've done a fair share of searching the threads, so just let me know what comes to YOUR mind or things you have heard.
. Currently I own Denon AH-D2000 + Xonar Essence STX soundcard which doesnt satify me alot anymore.
