Good Headphones for Bad Music

[bjackson]

I have my Grado 325i's, and I've been thinking about it, and all of my problems with it can be traced back to the bad recording quality of the music I am listening to.

What is a more forgiving can, but would still sound good for badly recorded music, basically for modern rock.

I am thinking DT-770's? I remember when I auditioned them the treble was soft and the bass was really strong, which is good for modern rock, methinks.

The 990 is an open version of the 770, right? Is the same sonic charateristics (i.e. heavy bass, moderate treble) preserved, or is it an entirely different animal? I would much rather have an open can, than a closed one.

NOTE: I commited the cardinal sin! My budget is under 200 used.

Thanks!

 

[kramer5150]

K240s-55, amp with a govibe. Not as detail revealing as my MS2. just enough detail to be fun, but not excessively-so.

Same goes for the SR60

I like the DT770 but only for certain kinds of music... Its got that lower midrange recession, that works well for some "busier" kinds of music, but hinders it for solo vocals and guitar. IMHO its a very "heavy" sounding can. Bass notes land with a massive THUD, theres little "air" around those notes like the K240s or my MS2. Electric bass guitar sounds the same as an upright acoustic bass... when the latter should have a sense of air and a certain "hollow" sound to the fundamental note. I hope this makes sense... words fail me

 

[LFF]

Maybe BOSE.

 

[taymat]

Used Grado Rs-1 if you would like a more forgiving grado, or Sennheiser hd-595/Akg K240-s for forgiving cans that rock ok. The latter are like gradoheisers, but if you love bass and flats with your sr325i then you could try the not as good but less expensive Senn hd485. Also the Beyerdynamic Dt-770 is meant to be good but I haven't heard it.
However before you flash your cash or attack the atm, I've emailed Todd and an Akg distributor about the Grado HF-1 and Akg K701 respectively, so I may hear soon whether there will be some new challengers for best cmoy amped headphone under £300/$300.

 

[jmb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kramer5150 Same goes for the SR60

Wouldn't the SR60's be to bright amd upfront for "bad" rock.

Could go good cheap and ugly with the Koss Porta Pros? They may hide some of the screeching harshness of deisel fire rock. I've never listened to them, but from what I've read here on Head-fi, they might be able to accomplish bjackson's needs.

Thoughts anyone?

Maybe Senns. too?

 

[bjackson]

Well I'd love to hear how much 701's would cost here in America, and love to hear them in general!

LOL, but seriously, I don't want more Grados. I can't stand the sound of the SR-60 through 125s. 225s and 325 were ok. 325i was the best value at my audio store (should have bought 650s online, but wanted to support my local vendor).

Just looking for something 200>$>100 cans to compliment them.

Or if you can think of something for 450-500 that will be as detailed, sound great on good recordings, and forgiving to bad recordings, have a lot of bass, but not boomy, have great treble extension, but not be screechy or harsh.

Then I'll sell these babies off like they are bad news

 

[jmb]

I feel the same way about the Grados, although I love their detial for things like acoustic or jazz (I listen to the good stuff, Miles, Coltrane, etc., not that lounge or acid jazz crap). But I listen to rock (grunge) mostly and the Grados are too much and unpleasant after a few minutes. Thus...

I would suggest the higher end Sennheisers; Laidback, warm, detailed, and balanced (especially compared to Grados)

Unamped: HD555's (the 50ohm version). They become fully realized with an amp though.

Amped: HD580's, HD600's (the 580's are the better deal by far)

If you don't like the Grado sound, then Senheisers are the cans for you. They should suit your pourposes nicely.

As for amps, I can't help you. I only have experince with one.

 

[ScubaSteve87]

i think i have a similar problem with my 325i, but Im prob returning them and getting the HF-1. I fthe HF-1 isn't better then Hd600 or 650 here I come. Ill know after the HF-1, but maybe the Grado sound just isn't for me

 

[jmb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LFF Maybe BOSE.

BOSE SUCKS

 

[jmb]

Just checked back on your original post and realized some of my recommendations, go beyound your budget, Thus, I recommend...

HD555:
Sennheiser HD555, which can be found for just around $100-$120 on the internet and they are far better than the Beyer. DT 770, and cheaper. Now the 555's can be run unamped and will sound good, but an amp will take them to their full potential. With the remaining money you could buy a budget amp. There are quite a few models out there available for around $100 or even less, that will work great with an efficient headphone like the 555's.

Why not the others?

HD580:
The HD580's will cost around $160 shipped, and you will definitely need to buy an amp with these cans, pushing your total cost, with a budget amp, to around $260.

Beyerdynamic DT770:
If you like the Beyerdynamic sound then you would probably have to go with the DT 880's. These are very demanding and need a decent amp to power them. You wouldn't have enough money left in your budget to get a decent amp. The 880's run over $200.

Another Possibility?

HD497:
Finally, if portability is an issue, and you want a sound similiar to, but nearly as good as the HD555's, then the Sennheiser HD497's would be a great choice as they are far more portable (smaller, 1/8" miniplug), They DO NOT need an amp to sound great. Actually, an amp would only change the color/nature of the sound of the 497's. It really wouldn't improve them. HD497 cost around $35 DOLLARS SHIPPED, a great bargain. They really are a great, fun sounding, balanced headphone. You could then spend the rest of the dough on CDs.

 

[Wmcmanus]

The HD600's are the first pair of headphones that come to mind. They're not as relentlessly unforgiving as many other top condenders in the sub $200 category. The DT770's wouldn't work for me. In some ways they might be forgiving, but the highs can be absolutely ear piercing with poorly recorded music.