Headphone for Classical Music

[davisac]

Hi Im looking to replace my current headphones (Sennheiser PX100s and MX300s) with a really great sounding pair for primarily classical music (some jazz and maybe movies thrown in as well). The problem is I dont have alot of money right now and can only spend tops $150. I am open to in ear types but I wouldnt prefer them. I had been looking at Grado but read alot that their not the best for classical. So I found the HD280Pro and was considering that pair. (Alot of people said to get the HD580 so I am considering that if I can find them for a good price but would really like to stay under $150). Thanks alot

 

[DeTinux]

For that price I can recommend you a nice pair of Audio-Technica EW9... they are SO good for classical. I listen only to classical and these made recordings I enjoyed for years already a religious experience. They don't isolate. They are clip ons and semi-open.

 

[Seidhepriest]

Roland RH-200 - around $100 off an online store.

Denon AH-D1000, AH-D1001. Those cost $150 off Audiocubes, but many online stores (including EBay) stock them for less, under $120.

AKG K-501, maybe older AKG headphones like K-240 Monitor for a suitable amplifier.

HD280 are rather dull next to all of those.

 

[ghzallen]

beyer dt231 is a good phone for classsic mucsic for enter level.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I would look for a used AKG K-501. They're out of production, but can still be had in your budget. If you're willing to go to $180 or so, the Beyerdynamic DT880 is nearly as good and still in production.

 

[Cool_Torpedo]

I don't know the 280pro, but IMHO the HD580 are very fine headphones for classical music, and if you can get them, it's a quite safe choice, which you could tweak for better sound replacing the stock wires, even using them balanced, and changing the back grills for the ones used in the HD600. You'll have a laid back sound with nice "space" and detail which works very well with chamber musica and big symphonic works as well.

The other recommendations the other mates made are also very fine, you might like the K-501 too. Nice midrange and tone.

I'd dare to add a less expensive alternative which you might like with classical quite a lot, the Audio Technica M40fs. Not the most detailed and resolving phones out there, but very balanced and kind of "right" with classical. They're closed back though.

Regards.

 

[blessingx]

K501s for $100 or HD580s for around $160.
For multi-use, including films, I'd probably push a little for the HD580s.
Be advised they're disappearing quickly (though can be picked up used here). I had to pay more for my last pair than a previous one.

Course what you're going to be driving them with is part of the question too. If you don't have a beefy amp, the best <$175 classical phone might be the Etymotic ER4S.

 

[Omom]

For classical DT880 from my experience...

 

[Kees]

If you have an amp try to get an old Beyer DT880 (model 2003). They can be found within your budget and are great for classical.

 

[davisac]

Whats looking good to me right now is the Etymotic ER4 and the Sennheiser HD580. Any thoughts between those two? I found the ER4 on buy.com for $170 w/shipping. Good price?

 

[woopididi]

the question in this situation is this: do you have an amplifier? because the HD580 are known to be power hungry.
however ,the Etymotic ER4, which is an IEM, will sound just fine without an amp.

my recommendation is to look at a pair of Audio Technica ATH EW9, as someone already mentioned.

 

[davisac]

Also does Ultimate Ears or Shure have anything good for classical that is around my price range? I think im leaning towards an IEM

 

[davisac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by woopididi /img/forum/go_quote.gif the question in this situation is this: do you have an amplifier?

OK sorry everyone. No I dont have an amp and I think after this Im not going to be spending money for a while

 

[DeTinux]

Quote:

Originally Posted by davisac /img/forum/go_quote.gif OK sorry everyone. No I dont have an amp and I think after this Im not going to be spending money for a while

That's fine. The EW9's don't profit much from amplification IMHO. They have a massive soundstage compared to IEMs (which is important for classical IMO), but no isolation. They are very portable and very small, but bigger then IEMs. The wooden earcup is about 2cm (0,75 inch).

If you are going for the very portable you should decide whether you need or want isolation. The EW9 leak sound so your surroundings can hear the music you play if you play it loudly.

 

[woopididi]

hey, don't take that too hard, there are many headphones out there that doesn't need an amp!