iandh
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2009
- Posts
- 21
- Likes
- 11
I've been using the search function on the forums for a week straight, and googling until I can't stand it any more. I started another thread, but tonight I realized that it wasn't really asking the right questions.
Previously I owned a set of JVC HARX900's. They were very nice sounding for the price, and VERY comfortable with the large diameter ear cups and thick pads, but they have NO soundstage. It's just not there.
From what I understand, this is because they are semi-closed, but the 900's are particularly major offenders in this area.
I've been recommended the ATH-M50's, but I don't know if I can stand another soundstage-less phone, and I've heard the same said about the M50's by some.
I just have a gut feeling that I will have a similar experience to the HARX... enjoy listening to them, but not LOVE it. Furthermore, an amp is out of the question... the headphones will be powered by the built in X-Fi on my laptop, and that is pretty much the bottom line. I've heard that listening to the M50's on a laptop or ipod is a completely different experience than through an amp.
It would seem that the AD700's are the perfect solution... but a headphone with thin bass is absolutely unacceptable to me. I'm not a basshead by any means... but I've been a bass guitar player for 15 years, and I will not purchase a headphone that neglects (IMO) the most important part of the music I like to listen to, the beat. I listen to rock, electronic, classical, but most importantly... jazz. Jazz is nothing without a good, crispy bassline. At least the jazz I like isn't.
So this is the list I'm left with:
1. COMFORT- This is of the utmost importance. My ears are very sensitive to pressure and 99% of the headphones on the market are pure torture. The minimum inside dimensions of the earcup must be 2.5" x 2" x .75", or else the phones will press on my ears, and my ears will hurt.
2. Soundstage- Headphones can still be fun to listen to without a wide soundstage... been there, done that. I'm a musician, and I want to hear stereo tracks IN STEREO.
3. Cost- My original plan was to spend around $100-150. It's looking like that won't happen. I can push that budget to around $200 at most.
4. Efficiency- I need headphones that can achieve moderate listening levels from a laptop X-Fi chip's headphone output.
Thank you so much for your time...
Previously I owned a set of JVC HARX900's. They were very nice sounding for the price, and VERY comfortable with the large diameter ear cups and thick pads, but they have NO soundstage. It's just not there.
From what I understand, this is because they are semi-closed, but the 900's are particularly major offenders in this area.
I've been recommended the ATH-M50's, but I don't know if I can stand another soundstage-less phone, and I've heard the same said about the M50's by some.
I just have a gut feeling that I will have a similar experience to the HARX... enjoy listening to them, but not LOVE it. Furthermore, an amp is out of the question... the headphones will be powered by the built in X-Fi on my laptop, and that is pretty much the bottom line. I've heard that listening to the M50's on a laptop or ipod is a completely different experience than through an amp.
It would seem that the AD700's are the perfect solution... but a headphone with thin bass is absolutely unacceptable to me. I'm not a basshead by any means... but I've been a bass guitar player for 15 years, and I will not purchase a headphone that neglects (IMO) the most important part of the music I like to listen to, the beat. I listen to rock, electronic, classical, but most importantly... jazz. Jazz is nothing without a good, crispy bassline. At least the jazz I like isn't.
So this is the list I'm left with:
1. COMFORT- This is of the utmost importance. My ears are very sensitive to pressure and 99% of the headphones on the market are pure torture. The minimum inside dimensions of the earcup must be 2.5" x 2" x .75", or else the phones will press on my ears, and my ears will hurt.
2. Soundstage- Headphones can still be fun to listen to without a wide soundstage... been there, done that. I'm a musician, and I want to hear stereo tracks IN STEREO.
3. Cost- My original plan was to spend around $100-150. It's looking like that won't happen. I can push that budget to around $200 at most.
4. Efficiency- I need headphones that can achieve moderate listening levels from a laptop X-Fi chip's headphone output.
Thank you so much for your time...