[dum656]

hey everyone,

so i listened to the advice of some other members in my other post and sold my bose on-ear phones and now have $200 in hand, ready to buy some really nice headphones. i looked at the guide and saw these as options:

2-Sennheiser hd595 ($180)
1-Grado Sr225 ($180)
2-AKG k501 ($190)
3-Beyerdynamic DT880 PRO/2005 (~$200)
2-Sennheiser HD25-II ($175)
1-Audio Technica a900 ($200)
2-Beyerdynamic Dt250 ($200)
2-AKG 271s ($185)

only thing is, i'm really a noob at this stuff. i pretty much will only be using these phones with an iPod, will an amp REALLY be necessary, i mean, will it really make that much of a difference? i'm sort of leaning towards the sr225 and a900 simply because they don't need an amp. and then the other question is, which of these is the best in direct comparison to each other for hip-hop, rap, and pop music? sorry for all these questions, thanks SO much for any help

 

[1Time]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dum656 /img/forum/go_quote.gif and then the other question is, which of these is the best in direct comparison to each other for hip-hop, rap, and pop music?

FWIR and for that music with no amp and under $200, I'd probably buy the HD25-1 II.

 

[ArmAndHammer]

I love my Beyerdynamic DT-770/80 Pro and I use them un-amped, until my Little Dot arrives that is. But they do just fine and they have lots of bass which I would think should work out nicely hip-hop and rap music and they can be had for $149 shipped off ebay.

 

[| Scorpio |]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1Time /img/forum/go_quote.gif FWIR and for that music with no amp and under $200, I'd probably buy the HD25-1 II.

Either those or M-Audio Q40s. If you decide to go with the Q40s, then I highly recommend buying some Beyerdynamic pads for them, as it makes them 100 times comfier.

 

[boomy3555]

My Personal opinion is that if you listen to the Beyers of the Senns Sans-amp, you are doing yourself and the cans a disservice. Yes, you can listen to them unamped even with just a shuffle but they really need to be well powered to open up and deliver the sound that has made them household names. ( O.K. maybe just in Head-fi households) but still.

The AT ATH A900's and the Grados don't need an amp because of thier low impedence. but many Head-fier's believe that any headphone could benefit from a nice amp. Especially a 'Tube" amp for the really high impedence cans. Tube amps are all the rage right now.

 

[Feather225]

SR225 for sure~sound amazing without amp~but you have to ask yourself how often do you listen to rock? Grado is like made for rock~lol~but it trades off its sound range~^ ^~

 

[dum656]

ok, so it looks like it might be either the senn HD25-1 II, the Beyerdynamic DT-770/80 Pro, or the sr225. i don't think i'm going to get an amp, i guess i forgot to mention, this is supposed to be a portable set-up, unless there are amps that can fit in a pocket for 30ish?

 

[1Time]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dum656 /img/forum/go_quote.gif i don't think i'm going to get an amp, i guess i forgot to mention, this is supposed to be a portable set-up, unless there are amps that can fit in a pocket for 30ish?

Then I again suggest going for the HD25-1 II. I don't know how well a Fiio E5 or cheap cmoy would do with it, but probably OK.

 

[ph0rk]

Would you ever wish to attenuate outside noise? If so, scratch the SR225 from the list.

For portable, of the remaining two the HD25 travels better.

 

[dum656]

ok, so grado and beyer are out. BUT, i just saw a review saying that the a900 would be a better pick than the hd 25-1, especially without an amp, would this be true for my music (hip-hop, rap, pop)?

 

[Taikero]

*cough* Denon AH-D2000 should be on your list. *cough*

 

[dum656]

OK then, so between denon d2000, a900, and hd25-1, which will be the best? i'm starting to lean towards the a900 because apparently it has great soundstage, can anyone comment on the soundstage of the d2000?

 

[dum656]

ok, i have pretty much decided upon getting the d2000 after......6 hours of research? geez -_-
it seems the senn hd25-1 has comfort issues (i have glasses) and there are quite a few people who don't like it
and between the d2000 and a900, the d2000 is apparently in a higher tier altogether, plus it looks cooler and it has awesome powerful bass (which is just what i want)
so, unless someone here can give me a REALLY good reason not to get it, i think i'm going to go snag one

 

[1Time]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dum656 /img/forum/go_quote.gif so, unless someone here can give me a REALLY good reason not to get it, i think i'm going to go snag one

If you read enough about the D2000, you should find that it is not a recommended option for portable use due to durability issues - "loose screw". Running it from an ipod without an amp "may" be another issue. An amp "may" be necessary to bring it up to your performance standards, and then again maybe not. At least these were the reasons that I did not suggest the D2000. If you're persistent and patient in your search, you should be able to buy it for just under $200 shipped.

 

[fatcat28037]

Go with the Grado, you won't be disappointed.