[pigwave]

Hi all, 
I love classical music, especially orchestral works. Currently I'm using Cambridge 840C > corda 3move > AD900 for listening. I have to say I enjoy my AD900 very much. The soundstage and instrument separations are great. However I would like to try something different , Maybe to get a headphone with different sound signature to see how it works. But first of all, the headphone has to be work well with classical music. second, I prefer headphones with good soundstage. 
Please give me some advices, thanks a lot!
p.s. I would also consider to get a desktop amp for the headphone if needed.
 
Thank you for reading my post!

 

[pp312]

It would be hard to go past the Sennheiser HD650 for classical. If you love the rasp of brass, the the crash of cymbals, the silky sheen of massed strings, then the 650 if your man...er headphone. However, one very real caveat: it does need a (preferably) bright and very good quality amp, and a good aftermarket, silver cable helps. Without these things, and maybe even with them, you may find the 650 dull and murky, especially after the AD900s. The 650 also requires a lot of burning in, like a few hundred hours.
 
If all this sounds like a pain in the butt, it is, but if you're patient and can get the right combination together the 650 is a conduit to the orchestra. Currently I'm using a Cambridge Audio A340SE, a budget integrated which is nevertheless quite good enough, and above all bright enough, to counteract the 650's chief failing, the Sennheiser "veil", and bring out much of its magic. I highly recommend this combination.  
 
(I'm unable to comment on the suitability of the corda 3move as I've never heard it).

 

[Acix]

K-701/2

 

[pekingduck]

The beyer DT880's are a good choice for classical music. Very detailed and transparent sounding with decent soundstage.
I loved mine!

 

[AudioDwebe]

x2 on the 701/02 cans.
 
Plus, with the left over cash (from the 500), you might be able to pick up a used Canamp sometime in the future.
 
Cheers.
 

 

[Uncle Erik]

Look for a used AKG K-501.  Sadly out of production, but one of the finest classical headphones ever produced.  They turn up around $100-$150.  Wish I had kept mine.

 

[bhanja_trinanjan]

Quote:

Look for a used AKG K-501.  Sadly out of production, but one of the finest classical headphones ever produced.  They turn up around $100-$150.  Wish I had kept mine.

Isn't it so hard for a headphone in general to have the perfect tonal balance between strings and woodwinds?
 
I find my Beyer T1 to put a lot of emphasis on bowed double bass; but nearly all headphones seem to have a variable degree of presence 'suck-out' with clarinets, pianos and violins.
 
The emphasis in general seems to be for more bass/mid-bass and treble and less on the vital 400 - 2500 Hz band.
 
K-702 actually quite good to my ears (certainly not better than T1) but not 100% ideal.
 
Amps and sources also need to be voiced in order to make the mids stand out. Never heard the K-501/ K-1000. At this point, given the present choices maybe Phonitor + K-702 or Tube Amp + HD800 seems to be a good choice!

 

[Don Quichotte]

Quote:

Look for a used AKG K-501.  Sadly out of production, but one of the finest classical headphones ever produced.  They turn up around $100-$150.  Wish I had kept mine.

x2

 

[aimlink]

I agree with the AKG 701/2 and HD650 recommendations.
 
One that deserves consideration is the Grado SR325is or RS2i.  These Grado's tango very well with classical, IMO. 

 

[gsilver]

I compared the DT880 vs the K702 this week, and I definitely prefer the K702's sound. The DT880 made a better initial impression, especially in things like soundstage, but upon close listening, I noticed an artificial buzzing to a lot of instruments that the K702 doesn't have. The K702 is simply good all-around.
 
So far, I even like it better than my old favorite, the MDR-SA5000.
 
Also +1 for the HD650 needing the right amp. My M-Stage didn't exactly do it justice, while the M-Stage goes just fine with the K702/SA5K.

 

[Palpatine]

I like the DT 880 600 ohm with classical... and other genres as well.

 

[kingpet33]

Another vote for the HD650. I have a choice of phones (not unusual on this forum , and find myself always returning to my 650's for classical. I enjoy their balance and coherence with massed, complex music. I can listen for hours, and not feel tired. There are more exciting headphones, but few as effortless and unstrained to listen to for extended periods IMHO.

A good amp is inevitable in this game; the 650 needs this, and no matter which headphone you choose, you will end up investing in one to achieve what you want. The suggestions in several of the replies are sound, and would be worth your time to look at as your budget allows.

Enjoy!

Peter

 

[pigwave]

Thanks for all the replies! very helpful indeed! Looks like the HD650, K70X, DT880 are all good choices. I'm looking forward to HD650 now since it could be a nice contrast to my AD900. However the price seems to be higher than other opponents. BTW, any thoughts of  the HD600 or HD580?

 

[Acix]

Quote:

Thanks for all the replies! very helpful indeed! Looks like the HD650, K70X, DT880 are all good choices. I'm looking forward to HD650 now since it could be a nice contrast to my AD900. However the price seems to be higher than other opponents. BTW, any thoughts of  the HD600 or HD580?

The 650's and the 880's are far from being balanced, or natural. You can save yourself time and frustration if you're going for some used 702's and a nice solid state amp.

 

[Palpatine]

Quote:

The 650's and the 880's are far from being balanced, or natural. You can save yourself time and frustration if you're going for some used 702's and a nice solid state amp.

I thought the HD 650 sounded a lot more balanced with the HA 160 than with my tube amp. The DT 880 600 ohm sound quite balanced to me with my tube amp. I agree though...the 702 sounded pretty great with the HA 160 as well. All are fine headphones for the moolah.