Good, open cans, easy to drive, do they exist?

[AbsolutZeroGI]

Can you get them to ear splitting levels with an iPad or a laptop? Yes.

Do you want a clear, ie, low distortion and noise, and "dynamic" presentation of the music at higher than quiet casual listening levels? Then get a good amp.

That doesn't mean blow a small fortune on the amp. Something like a Schiit Vali2, Asgard2, or Meier Jazz would be enough.

In your humble opinion, would an LG V20 be good enough? Really wanting to not carry around extra wires lol.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

In your humble opinion, would an LG V20 be good enough? Really wanting to not carry around extra wires lol.

I don't have a V20 but my HD600 works a heck of a lo better on my iPad than my Note3. HE400S has higher sensitivity and low impedance, so that puts it at the meat of the V20 chip's powerband, and get louder with the same amount of power, so as long as you don't have to crank it up past where it's clean, it should be good. That said, note that:

1. It's a good way to listen when the power's out and I'm unlucky enough to not have charged my portable amp (has not happened since I got the D-Zero, which doesn't drain the charge even if I don't use it, or only use it as a DAC).

2. I don't walk around the house listening on an open headphone and I'd still use my amp with the HD600 a banging wok, meat sizzling on cast iron, clanging plates or bowls in the sink, much less power tools, will just go through the wide open earcups. Even my IEMs can't completely block those. Not to mention debris and any other accidents - smoking oil, fat popping off the skillet, faucet water splashing off bowls, a cat startled by a stupid vacuum cleaner or drill jumping up to my shoulders - can mess up my listening by messing up the gear a lot more than having to wait until I can sit down next to the amp.

3. Even a 99dB/1mW Grado doesn't sound all that much like what people mean when they talk about Grados when driven by a smartphone or an iPod vs, say, a CMOY or a D-Zero.

So what would matter more past the specs is how high are your expectations. Keep them low, and they'll work fine.

 

[cossix]

Hd700 150ohm - easy to power. Acquired taste though

VERY acquired taste Sounded hollow to me compared to HD650 and LCD2. Wore it for a week straight and still couldn't get used to it :/

 

[AbsolutZeroGI]

I don't have a V20 but my HD600 works a heck of a lo better on my iPad than my Note3. HE400S has higher sensitivity and low impedance, so that puts it at the meat of the V20 chip's powerband, and get louder with the same amount of power, so as long as you don't have to crank it up past where it's clean, it should be good. That said, note that:

1. It's a good way to listen when the power's out and I'm unlucky enough to not have charged my portable amp (has not happened since I got the D-Zero, which doesn't drain the charge even if I don't use it, or only use it as a DAC).

2. I don't walk around the house listening on an open headphone and I'd still use my amp with the HD600 a banging wok, meat sizzling on cast iron, clanging plates or bowls in the sink, much less power tools, will just go through the wide open earcups. Even my IEMs can't completely block those. Not to mention debris and any other accidents - smoking oil, fat popping off the skillet, faucet water splashing off bowls, a cat startled by a stupid vacuum cleaner or drill jumping up to my shoulders - can mess up my listening by messing up the gear a lot more than having to wait until I can sit down next to the amp.

3. Even a 99dB/1mW Grado doesn't sound all that much like what people mean when they talk about Grados when driven by a smartphone or an iPod vs, say, a CMOY or a D-Zero.

So what would matter more past the specs is how high are your expectations. Keep them low, and they'll work fine.

Lol while I appreciate the warning, those aren't the kinds of things I'm referring to. I mean going from the office to the couch to the garage, etc. If I'm exercising or doing something dangerous to electronics, I'm not wearing expensive over ear headphones anyway. Sometimes I like to lounge on the couch while listening to music, I don't want to carry a bunch of extra gear to do it yknow?

I just thought it'd be nice to have a pair that I could use for multiple things without having extra stuff. If that's not possible, then fine.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Lol while I appreciate the warning, those aren't the kinds of things I'm referring to. I mean going from the office to the couch to the garage, etc. If I'm exercising or doing something dangerous to electronics, I'm not wearing expensive over ear headphones anyway. Sometimes I like to lounge on the couch while listening to music, I don't want to carry a bunch of extra gear to do it yknow?

When I do that I do it with IEMs. When I really just feel like doing that with a Grado I take my portable DAC-HPamp.

I just thought it'd be nice to have a pair that I could use for multiple things without having extra stuff. If that's not possible, then fine.

I'm not saying it's totally impossible. I'm saying manage your expectations if you do it that way. I didn't just imply that - that was literally the last sentence of my reply that you quoted.

 

[AbsolutZeroGI]

When I do that I do it with IEMs. When I really just feel like doing that with a Grado I take my portable DAC-HPamp.




I'm not saying it's totally impossible. I'm saying manage your expectations if you do it that way. I didn't just imply that - that was literally the last sentence of my reply that you quoted.

That wasn't meant to be combative. The whole point of the thread is, if it is possible, then what are the options for that?

 

[ProtegeManiac]

That wasn't meant to be combative.

Just because I'm reiterating something does not mean I took it that way.

The whole point of the thread is, if it is possible, then what are the options for that?

They've been discussed throughout - HE400S, SHP9500S, etc. But manage your expectations in one way or another - not just for these open headphones but maybe look into closed headphones like the Focal Listen or Sony MDR-1A.

 

[AbsolutZeroGI]

Just because I'm reiterating something does not mean I took it that way.




They've been discussed throughout - HE400S, SHP9500S, etc. But manage your expectations in one way or another - not just for these open headphones but maybe look into closed headphones like the Focal Listen or Sony MDR-1A.

We talk with words lol I didn't want my intentions to be misunderstood is all.

I've played with a A1 at my local best buy and it's a bit too bassy for me. I have looked into closed back options. The B&O H6 looked interesting but my search into that realm is very young.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

I've played with a A1 at my local best buy and it's a bit too bassy for me.

You can probably scratch the Listen off your list if it's still essentially the Spirit One/Spirit One S.

The B&O H6 looked interesting but my search into that realm is very young.

If there's a Best Buy with a Magnolia near you they might have the H6, but not sure if they'd have demo units.

 

[AbsolutZeroGI]

You can probably scratch the Listen off your list if it's still essentially the Spirit One/Spirit One S.




If there's a Best Buy with a Magnolia near you they might have the H6, but not sure if they'd have demo units.

They do, but mine stocks M&D and Sony stuff with a splash of VModa and Bowers and Wilkins. They did have the H4 and H9 in the BT section on demo so I know what the comfort is like if nothing else. I also considered the 1000xm2 from Sony since my phone has Aptx-HD, but I didn't find them very comfortable (needed more headband padding for their 300g weight). I also briefly considered the Hifiman Edition S, but I want to try it before either buy it. I've already abused by Amazon return policy enough in the last 2 months lol.

 

[93EXCivic]

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3. Even a 99dB/1mW Grado doesn't sound all that much like what people mean when they talk about Grados when driven by a smartphone or an iPod vs, say, a CMOY or a D-Zero.

I disagree with this at least using my V20. I find that my SR80 and SR60e both sound very good straight out of my V20 versus any of my amp options (Magni 2, modified Bravo V2, FiiO Q1, Walnut F1).

To the OP, I saw the title of the thread and thought Grados. Also the nice thing with Grados is they are super easy to modify to tweak them to your preferences.

 

[AbsolutZeroGI]

I disagree with this at least using my V20. I find that my SR80 and SR60e both sound very good straight out of my V20 versus any of my amp options (Magni 2, modified Bravo V2, FiiO Q1, Walnut F1).

To the OP, I saw the title of the thread and thought Grados. Also the nice thing with Grados is they are super easy to modify to tweak them to your preferences.

I honestly hadn't considered Grados before. Aren't they known for being treble heavy?

 

[ProtegeManiac]

I honestly hadn't considered Grados before. Aren't they known for being treble heavy?

The e-series are considerably less ear piercing than the original versions before the i-series. Bass extension is a little better but still far from Sennheiser.

Main problem based on your requirements is that you're looking for imaging and comfort. This is where you manage expectations. Relatively easy to drive - a portable amp still sounds better than a smartphone but not by a lot. Don't get your hopes up on imaging, just enjoy what you do get out of it. Bend the headband to be flatter at the top/center and fold in at the flanks to reduce pressure against the top of the earlobes. If you want circumaural pads other than Grados ask around here for who has a 3D scanner and printer and have them send you the data and have it printed somewhere near you, or have the guy print them and you just put some cash in his PayPal account. Just double check if the earpads you plan to use (to make it all easier, get the ones that have an elastic that fits over the circumference of the adapter) will fit.

Or go the easy route and get the Philips SHP9500S. Slightly lower sensitivity but less work too.