hd485 or sr60

[prezden]

Hi
I need some help making a decision between the dh485 and sr60. Listening on a mac g4 tower or mid price bookshelf stereo. I listen to world, ambient, new age, jazz type stuff.
Any comments would be great.
Thanks!

 

[nokideen]

Hmm I need this comparison too ...

 

[nothing101]

ive heard both but in different shops. The 485s are bassy but also reasonably good alround. a better deal than most cans at this pricepoint but really nothing spectacular. The sr60s dont sound their price at all. I EASILY prefer them to the 555s which are the next model up from the 485s in terms of sq. The sr60s are so much more tight, well defined, natural, crisp and everything else but boomy. I personally think that the step up from sr60 to sr80 is MORE than worthwile especially if you are looking for good bass.

 

[Andrea]

The HD485 isn't anything spectacular. It just does everything better than any other headphone at this price point I've heard.

 

[Blackmore]

If you like dark and boomy sound, HD485. Total opposite SR60. If I were your I would spare some money and take a look at SR225, USD 150 used.
Much better than first two

 

[Andrea]

If you call the HD485 dark and boomy, no surprise that you like bright and scratchy.

Seriously, the HD485 needs to be burned in (gets better balanced, smoother, clearer), and paired with a neutral sounding amp (no PA2V2, for God's sake

).

The bass may be a little bit above the audiophile average, BUT the HD485 doesn't lack treble presence and extension - that's for sure. And it has that truthful midrange that I like.

 

[leng jai]

Andrea, if you buy the HD595s again the I'll buy the HD485s

And we'll have two headphone holders too.

 

[Andrea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by leng jai Andrea, if you buy the HD595s again the I'll buy the HD485s And we'll have two headphone holders too.

Mmmmm, 2 headphone holders, sweet....

 

[Blackmore]

Well, to tell you the true I don't like scratchy. About brightness, what can I say, TIME FOR MEETING Andrea, don't you think. And then we can talk about such a thing.
I had HD485 for a while and did enjoy them with some records of my. But after all didn't keep them, cos never used them after SR225 (sold to) purchase.
One thing you are right about it. That I am kind of guy that like GRADO sound.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrea If you call the HD485 dark and boomy, no surprise that you like bright and scratchy. Seriously, the HD485 needs to be burned in (gets better balanced, smoother, clearer), and paired with a neutral sounding amp (no PA2V2, for God's sake ). The bass may be a little bit above the audiophile average, BUT the HD485 doesn't lack treble presence and extension - that's for sure. And it has that truthful midrange that I like.

 

[Andrea]

My feeling's always been that, if I heard a Grado, I may have other, maybe harder critisms than bright or scratchy. There's a reason why I don't even do the effort to go and try them.


About the HD485 -- my finding has been that how good it sounds depends greatly on the amp, and source of course.

 

[Blackmore]

Same with GRADO phones. You need total different kind of amp for sure, tubes are the best.
As far for HD485 I did use them with Firestone Encore amp and enjoy them, like I wrote. But after a while I realized that this sound isn't for me and the first step in GRADO world was made, LUCKILY FOR ME.
So maybe if you get a chance to try them out, you would think a bit differently then, just maybe...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrea My feeling's always been that, if I heard a Grado, I may have other, maybe harder critisms than bright or scratchy. There's a reason why I don't even do the effort to go and try them. About the HD485 -- my finding has been that how good it sounds depends greatly on the amp, and source of course.

 

[Andrea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackmore Same with GRADO phones. You need total different kind of amp for sure, tubes are the best. As far for HD485 I did use them with Firestone Encore amp and enjoy them, like I wrote. But after a while I realized that this sound isn't for me and the first step in GRADO world was made, LUCKILY FOR ME. So maybe if you get a chance to try them out, you would think a bit differently then, just maybe...

Just maybe.

Of course, I don't pretend that the HD485 alone betters any Grado out there.

 

[facelvega]

My new hobby horse is to push the MB Quart QP 55x in this bracket. I've been listening to them against my SR-60 and some other comparable headphones, and though it's close, I tend to give the edge to the MB. Plus, electronics bonanza will sell them for about half the cost of either of the others.

They are very similar to the replacement QP 240. If you search around for both Quart 55x and 440, you'll find that other head-fiers have liked them as well. They're not competitive with higher-end phones, but at your price point, they're definitely in, and they're rarer and more interesting than the Grados or Senns.

Here's the thread where I reported on them.

 

[prezden]

Thanks for all the feedback!
Some have suggested that the 485's need an amp. Would the 60's also need one. I have major budget constraints and can't afford an amp right now.

 

[desmoface]

Don't know about the 485's but the sr-60's don't need an amp..they are very efficient at 32 ohms..Mine sound great out of my ipod or portable cd player..that said, an amp would probably not hurt..

Steve