Headphone confusion

[ramstryke]

I posted this in Computer Source, but I think its more of a Headphone question anyhow.

I am looking for a headphone and am thoroughly confused by the options available. I think I'm going down the wrong road by looking into sets like the HD595-650 line, when they seem to be more of the headphone that require some sort of amplification, right? As compared to the sources I regularly use, am I on the wrong path? Can someone please point me in the right direction... here are some of the criteria I like:

sources in rank of use:
1) PC (MP3s, etc)
2) iPod
3) portable CD audio/DVD video
4) sometimes home audio off a Denon AVR-4802

headphone features:
closed cans for as much isolation as possible
nice soundstage (i wanna close my eyes and get lost in the music!)
preferably under the $300-350 range (but could budge if I want to sleep on the couch for a couple weeks

)
oh, and of course.. comfortable and not obnoxiously huge.. pretty much wear it all day programming!

I have tried the Bose QC2 and absolutely I dig the noise cancellation, however the SQ is something its lacking. Since I work in a noisy computer laden room, blocking out unwanted noise is a must, as well as keeping the music to myself.

Any advice?

As you can probably tell, I'm a new Bose user.. someone PLEASE help me before my return policy expires

 

[Jahn]

closed with nice soundstage? try the DT770/80 ohm, or at less quality/price but better isolation, the HD280. nice big honkin cans. i still would get an amp, but it's not required to get volume at least.

or you could go the in-ear-monitor route. blech. it scares me.

 

[450]

Full-Size cans with iPod...well if it works for you then go for it. But the HD5xx or HD6xx series is NOT what I'd call closed (or portable). If I were you, I'd just get a set of Shure E2c's at around $70.

 

[mektarus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ramstryke I posted this in Computer Source, but I think its more of a Headphone question anyhow. I am looking for a headphone and am thoroughly confused by the options available. I think I'm going down the wrong road by looking into sets like the HD595-650 line, when they seem to be more of the headphone that require some sort of amplification, right? As compared to the sources I regularly use, am I on the wrong path? Can someone please point me in the right direction... here are some of the criteria I like: sources in rank of use: 1) PC (MP3s, etc) 2) iPod 3) portable CD audio/DVD video 4) sometimes home audio off a Denon AVR-4802 headphone features: closed cans for as much isolation as possible nice soundstage (i wanna close my eyes and get lost in the music!) preferably under the $300-350 range (but could budge if I want to sleep on the couch for a couple weeks ) oh, and of course.. comfortable and not obnoxiously huge.. pretty much wear it all day programming! I have tried the Bose QC2 and absolutely I dig the noise cancellation, however the SQ is something its lacking. Since I work in a noisy computer laden room, blocking out unwanted noise is a must, as well as keeping the music to myself. Any advice? As you can probably tell, I'm a new Bose user.. someone PLEASE help me before my return policy expires

Hello! Welcome to Head-Fi...Sorry About Your Wallet.

What soundcard do you use? What kind of music do you listen to? The Sennheisers you mentioned are not closed and offer very little isolation. My first though in reading your requirements is that you might want to look at the Audio-Technica A900. Very well regarded around here not only as a great closed headphone but as a great headphone in general. However, while the A900 doesn't neccesarily require an amp, when you get into headphones of this caliber they will always benefit from an amp. Of course, the A900's would run you about $200 which would leave you enough to by a decent amp that could serve double duty for home and away.

There are others here with much more experience with closed cans that can make other suggestions but this is at least a good place to start.

 

[ramstryke]

Haha, sorry about my wallet is right hahah..

Yea, I kinda figured the Senns weren't closed when I took a trip to their site saw them, thus I got confused on the path of headphone I was heading down. I read so much good things about those Senns here that it got me thinking those were the ones I must get.. but obviously not.

Are closed cans with a nice soundstage a contradiction or something? I wouldn't know

I dont think I like the in ear types as they tend to get uncomfortable real quick. On the flip side, I dont want huge cans that look like "50-CD spindles" LOL

Sound Card:
I currently run a SoundBlaster Live, but am looking to get that Chaintech the Computer forum raves about...

Music:
Pretty much everything but country, but usually mostly Techno, Rock, and some R&B.

I've seen a pic of forum member Salt Peanuts (?) wearing the A900s.. now that looks huge. Not so much the cans, but the head apparatus.. whoa. My coworkers are gonna get jealous and think I'm playing games or something hahaha..

Any more advice?

 

[arspy87]

I haven't heard them, but what about the Beyerdynamic DT250?

 

[plus_c]

Have you tried the AKG K271? That's the solution I've been using. Benefits from amplification, but will run out of an iPod or computer sound card just fine. And the midrange is extremely sweet. Singers like Joss Stone and Diana Krall sound especially sexy on these guys.

 

[ramstryke]

Hmm, you are the 2nd one to recommend the K271s to me. Maybe I can try them from a vendor who has a good return policy.. just in case.

Do you run an amplifier? What kind? I don't know if I want to go the amp route... I'm not sure how portable they are or what they entail. I guess they kinda scare me as amps seem really hardcore...

So far people have recommended:

HD280 .. (looking promising)
A900 .. (lotta recommendations but way too huge for my taste)
AKG K271 (hmm enticing)
DT 770 (dunno)
DT250 (dunno)

Hmmm. still