Headphones: CD3000 or ATH:900

[andrewpc]

Guys,

I am after a great pair of headphones. Have to be closed. Kind of narrowed it down to the Sony MDR-CD3000 and the AudioTechnica ATH:900. The Sony's are going to cost me more, even second hand, but can anyone give some advice as to which way they would go? Will be using them for a variety of reasons, music/movies, odd game or two, from pc and receiver. Unamped to begin with, but possibly amp at later stage. Both seem to get great reviews

Any advice appreciated...

Thanks

Andrew

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

The CD3K leaks some sound out, and isolates very little, whereas the A900 is said to have better isolation, so if you need "true" closed cans, get the A900's as the CD3K's are only semi-closed. That said the CD3K sounds MUCH better to me, but it also needs an amp more than the A900 (the king of the unamped).

 

[andrewpc]

thanks for that response, it was what I was looking for, I can handle a little bit of leakage, but just not keen on it being full open..Like I said, probably be unamped in the beginning, so that might make the 900s worth it, but I dont know.....long term the 3000s might be the way to go...

Andrew

 

[Natsuiro]

I also like the cd3ks more than the A900s. I don't think the cd3ks are that bad straight out of an ipod so you could just get them and save up for an amp later.

 

[jjcha]

Personally, I'm happy to recommend the A900's to non-headphiles who just want great bang for their buck with something that sounds good out of their iPod or home theater system headphone jack, and probably won't upgrade in the future. Looks like you're at least somewhat bitten by the bug - the CD3k are a great headphone, and I'd say go straight for those.

Best,

-Jason

 

[zChan]

I thought the CD3k was discontinued. . . Can you still find them?

 

[grandcross]

I can say the AKG 271s would be another closed headphone to look at, however, I haven't even gotten mine yet. Its what I chose after looking for headphones for two weeks when I came here.

The small problem I've read about the A900s is bloated one-note bass and recessed midrange. This doesn't mean it's a bad headphone, but I've read less cons about the 271s. The 271s, I hear, brings out incredible amounts of detail, at the expense of little bass that must be improved via an amp.

But that's just what I've collected so far. The a900s do seem to be a top favorite for people who aren't going to dig in for amps. Plus, they look very comfortable, too.

 

[NightStalker]

Hey there mate, just popped you a PM but thought I would add my thoughts here. From what you were saying it doesnt sound like you require alot of isolation, so the CD3000's may actually fit the bill. Just some examples of the isolation/leakage I get with these cans.

Isolation: I live in a house full of children crying and screaming - with a mum that does home childcare

. I find no problem with the isolation of these whilst in my room with a door and a wall between the two differing worlds

I could see myself having no problem with some nice personal listenning - at moderate levels being in the same room as the kids... but in quiet passages/breaks the sound would be overpowered by the screams.

Leakage: Doing a test now with U2 greatest hits (older eg. better one for anyone that cares). From about 20cm at moderate listenning levels I can hear the occasional symbol/bang. When listenning to louder/dance music parts of a song can be heard from about a meter away so they by no means block everything off.

When it comes to the sound quality I see these as just amazing, with the Audio Technicas falling far behind. Of course this is IMO as they offer a different representation of the music.

Hope some of that was interesting/useful.
Cheers
-Jake

 

[jjcha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zChan I thought the CD3k was discontinued. . . Can you still find them?

I saw a pair at Sakuraya in Shibuya a few weeks ago. I think if you look hard enough you can still find them.

Plenty on the used market I think as well.

-J