Headphone choices...went listening today...what do you think?

[oicdn]

Well...I want a midrange set of cans. So I went shopping to Sound Advice, Best Buy and Circuit City. And in actuality, the following were the best things they had.

I was listening to mixed music CD (it was some CDR that the salesman gave me....)...but Pink Floyd-The Wall disc 1 was also in there. The music was output through a Yamaha MCRE810SL. Dece enough shelf system I guess. It sure as hell could get loud without flinching.

All the headphones I listened to were good, but when I cranked up the bass, it sounded fine, but when into anything past 1/3 volume, it went to crap, and they sounded like some blown flabby subs.

The cans I listed to in order were:

Senn PMX 100
Senn PXC 250
Senn 550
Sony MDV-V600
Sony MDR-ds6000
Koss Porta-Pro's

There were qualities I liked of each, but I just wish there were a can that had all the positives I wanted. I have a set of KSC-75's I use for biking, and I also tried out the Shure E2,3, and 4's....and for biking, I didn't like the fact I could hear every thump and heartbeat with the music. It was like a stethoscope with speakers....

Mainly, I liked the way the V600's sounded, but it sounded slightly muffled in comparison to the others IMO. I guess lacking high detail is better verbage. It seemed to handle the bass better than all the others though when cranked loud.

The Senn 100, 250's and Portapro's just honestly couldn't keep up. When bass upped, they were immediatly crying to get turned down.

The DS 6000's I liked, but they were a little lacking in bass...I had to have the bass all the way up on the Yamaha for it to be feasible. I guess that's why they're more monitors than cans...I dunno.

I really liked the 550's, but at thier pricepoint, I was expecting a bit more when the bass and volume were upped, especially in comparison to my KSC75's. At low volumes, they're a wonderful can, but I guess they're just not meant to be blasted??? They sounded the worst bass wise when cranked up. It went completely flabby and as bad as a cheap set of $5 cans. The mids and high's however didn't fault. But tonally, they sounded a little soft and warm....that's one thing that didn't quite mesh with me. Sounded great, but I want something a little more bright.

So, what sounds brighter than a 550, has the detail it has, but can handle the bass and volume when cranked up? I listen to alot of mixed (by mixed I mean various genre's) music, but want something with deafening punchy bass, but still want articulte mids and high's...I'm not TOO concerned with pricepoint, although, I would like it to stay under $200, the closer to the $100 pricepoint the better...but I'm atleast budgeting up to $200 if there's something that blows me away, or is exactly what I am looking for.

 

[Mr_Penut]

senn hd 555 or the grado 125's would be my choice

 

[kramer5150]

IMHO most of those are a step down from your KSC75.

I'd take an SR80, MS1, HD580, K240s, MDRV6 or SR225 over any of those.

If you want bass slam and decently articulate highs look no further than the DT770 / 80 ohm. They go for $125 used, although any of the fore-mentioned cans are bassy enough for me. Lately pimetas have been going for really cheap. DT770/80 + pimeta would be my recommendation. Youre not going to find more / deeper bass for around $200.

K240s pack some intense bass too, for ~$80 they are at the lower end of the mid-fi spectrum.

get out and demo.... youve already seen what BB/CC have, now hit guitar center and your local hi-fi shops and get your feet wet.

 

[blinx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kramer5150 get out and demo.... youve already seen what BB/CC have, now hit guitar center and your local hi-fi shops and get your feet wet.

speaking of guitar center, i tried to go there and try some 770/80's and they wouldn't let me. they said i had to buy them just to try them in the store. he said if i didnt like them then i could return them right there... no charge. but what about restocking fee's?

plus, the guy didnt know squat. i said "oh, i have a question about headphones" he replied "all you need to know is price and frequency response" and promptly went to help another customer. and btw, all they had were like yamaha headphones and such. i told him "ohh, i know about that, i just want to try your beyer's" then he asked me if i could test them, what would i test them with. and i help up my zen and pa2v2. he was like "whats that thing on the back? a battery pack?"

sure, the pa2v2 would drive those beyers THAT well, but it would be a lot better then without it.

wow, i just crapped on your thread, sorry

 

[smeggy]

Sadly, those stores aren't the best for buying cans as their range is severely limited and what they do carry is generally a very mediocre bunch. Do yourself a favor and see if you can find some stores which carry at least some decent cans as Kramer suggested. Mid-fi can be very unsatisfying when you find out what you could have gotten for your money.

 

[oicdn]

I went to Guitar center, and a couple local mom and pop shops...nobody lets you demo cans!!!! What? I'm not gonna shell out money, only to have to return them just to try something else out.....

What are some other good shops that carry a dece set of cans? I know up in New England, the Tweeters had a headphone room, and they had every can imaginable. Why the hell isn't there something like that here in town????

 

[Mr_Penut]

bay bloor in toronto is ok

 

[ColdFireArow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_Penut bay bloor in toronto is ok

That was kinda random.

 

[roastpuff]

Yeh... that was.

To the OP(Original Poster): Where are you? Canada or US?

 

[oicdn]

I'm in the US...Jacksonville, Florida to be exact...I'm willing to drive a bit if it means me being able to listen to a wide variety...

 

[werdwerdus]

I think you would be very happy with the DT 770. Definitely has bass punch and plenty of it, and good detail as well. You can get them to price match down to $150 IIRC.

 

[kugino]

attend a mini-meet. contact mrarroyo or voltron1 and some other florida guys...i'm not sure where they live in relation to you, but miguel (mrarroyo) is always getting nice new gear and organizing mini listening sessions...nice guy.

 

[mrarroyo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kugino attend a mini-meet. contact mrarroyo or voltron1 and some other florida guys...i'm not sure where they live in relation to you, but miguel (mrarroyo) is always getting nice new gear and organizing mini listening sessions...nice guy.

Thanks.

OP, there are two upcoming meets. One on 11/3 5:30pm in Pompano see: http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=205816

The following meet is on 12/2 basically all day in Fort Lauderdale see: http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=203284

Due to the short notice and the fact that the 12/2 is a full size meet I would suggest you go to the 12/2 meet.

Based on the qualities you are asking for: lots of bass and highs I would look at:

-Beyer 2005 DT990 at +/- $250 in BHPhoto
-AKG K701 used for +/- 275
-Beyer DT770 under $200, know as a basshead can
-UM2 at +/- $255 used

Good luck.

 

[oicdn]

^^ Out of those listed...which would you pick?

I'm somewhat leaning towards the DT770 the more and more I read about them.

But hell, if I can find 990's for slightly more...why not???

Thanks for the advice....if I can make it down for the meet on 12/2, can I buy some??? Rather, is there a place to compare them at in the area?

Again, thanks for the info....