HD485 VS K81DJ?

[luidge]

Hi, as some of you know, i own a pair of recable K81DJ and i am loving them pretty much. But lately i am in a phase where i am willing to try something else, and Senn are in my radar. I can get a good deal on a pair of HD485 from a head-fier and as i heard that they were good for hip-hop since they have a great bass and some nice punch. So for those who own both, do you think that i will be please with the HD485 or is my K81DJ perfect for what i need and it would be a waste of money to buy them Senn? Let me know

 

[Ypoknons]

They are very different headphones. The HD485 after all, is open (leaks sound) while the K81DJ's are closed. The HD485 is more comfortable but huge and much less portable. In terms of sound I've only owned the K81 and the HD485's smaller brother HD465, but from those phones and assorted things I've read the 485's should have a wider soundstage and have a higher potential when amped. No idea how your recabled K81's are, though.

 

[luidge]

I know that they are open, this is one of the spec that make me wanna buy them to complement my K81DJ close feeling. But appart from that, how are the EQ of the HD485 and how good do they stack for hip-hop compare to K81DJ? The recabling make them sound like a bassier close pair of MS-1, real great clean presentation but with a wider soundstage as before, realy something interesting.

 

[HeatFan12]

Luidge, the 485's are a nice set. Like you said, they are open circ., so they have a very nice fit. It pairs great with my LDM+. I also listen to hip-hop, and they sound good. They also sound great with house & trance and rock, however, for rock the sr60's for me.
They also come with a very nice headphone holder...

 

[luidge]

HeatFan did you had the chance to compare them to the famous K81DJ?

 

[HeatFan12]

Yes I did. I bought the AKGs first, then about a month later the 485s. To me they each serve their purpose and they both sound great IMO. The 485's are a bit large so I use them at home. Both have a "clean" sound, for lack of a better word. I hear sometimes being mentioned that the 81's sound muffled...I never found that to be the case....The 485's are more balanced accross the board.
Forgot to mention, saw your recable...very nice.
Jes

 

[luidge]

Thank you, i love my K81

Ok so i think ill make my move, i believe the Senns deserve it hehe, thank you guys.

 

[glac1er]

Quote:

Originally Posted by luidge Thank you, i love my K81 Ok so i think ill make my move, i believe the Senns deserve it hehe, thank you guys.

HD485 is truly a nice pair of cans. While you're at it, why don't buy the MS1 also?

 

[luidge]

Quote:

Originally Posted by glac1er HD485 is truly a nice pair of cans. While you're at it, why don't buy the MS1 also?

Because i am curently selling mine

 

[glac1er]

Have you tried the HD414 pads with a quarter mod on the MS1?
That mod was essential for me to enjoy the MS1.

 

[Blackmore]

I think you will be fine without HD485. I owned HD485 before I have my AKG.
I found them a bit boomy and dark. However they do improve with burning. In the beginning I was like listen to them, but when I bought SR225, DONE. They were like waiting to be sold and I did, much less than I paid for.
AKG are very good with TRANCE and CLUB music, so they are must be good with HIP-HOP as well, I guess. I am not HIP-HOP lover at all so can not tell you for 100% sure. I think you may buy some portable amp for your AKG instead off buying HD485, IMO.

 

[Andrea]

I guess that the HD485 and the SR225 are like polar opposites.

Burned in (essential), I don't find the HD485 dark, but pretty well & smoothly balanced across the whole spectrum, save for a slightly elevated bass (but high quality).

 

[retic3nt]

what do you mean by polar opposites?

 

[Andrea]

All I know about Grados is that they're lean and bright -- the HD485 is full and smooth (but not treble lacking), like a slightly bassier little HD650.

 

[Blackmore]

Yes of course HD485 and SR225 share nothing at all, agree, but...

If I understand the question correctly than I don't see any needs to buy one, while you already have AKG. Because AKG have a very strong, not up front BASS which can be improved with some mods. So to buy HD485 will be just having a phone in the same league, only open one. They are not the same sounding, but if you buy them for HIP-HOP only, they do IMO.