[montigo]

Hey guys!

I'm looking for a new pair of cans, will be used mainly to listen to music at work.
They will be connected to a laptop with a good external sound card (haven't bought it yet).

The must be suitable for prolonged listening (at low volumes of course). Therefore I would like them to be:
1. comfortable - little clamping force, good cushions, good head arch.
2. "airy" - allowing me ears to "breath" so they won't sweat after extended use. also preventing my ears from heating up.
3. non-fatiguing - I don't know what causes it, but some headphones cause ear fatigue after an extended use.

Also, the sound should be fairly detailed and fun to listen to, even in lower volumes.
It shouldn't necessarily be transparent or detailed like reference headphones, but it should be pleasurable to listen to with all music types.

To sum it up - I would like to enjoy music for several hours, and forget I'm wearing headphones.

Any suggestions?

 

[MaloS]

Meh, you could just read and see what people say about different headphones. In your situation I would go for audio-technica a900 - but thats my preference. If closed headphone can make you ears sweat - ad700 or ad900.

 

[scompton]

If you aren't in a hurry, look for a used pair of AKG K400 or K500. They disappear on my head. For something more readily available, the K601.

Edit: Forget my suggestions. They really need an amp. An inexpensive portable amp works fine for them, but you need an amp. The EMU 0404 usb drives them fine, if that's what you're considering for an external sound card.

 

[feh1325]

bithead
its a USB powered DAC/amp

and for the phones...the hd555 is seriously the most comfortable headphone i've ever tried...and four of my friends agree

so...hd555 is your headphone for comfort
or upgrade to the hd595

 

[calaf]

you mean other than the K501 I see in your signature? If these are your criteria
Quote:

Originally Posted by montigo /img/forum/go_quote.gif 1. comfortable - little clamping force, good cushions, good head arch. 2. "airy" - allowing me ears to "breath" so they won't sweat after extended use. also preventing my ears from heating up. 3. non-fatiguing - I don't know what causes it, but some headphones cause ear fatigue after an extended use.

it's going to be very hard to beat K501! Since you are also asking for more "fun", perhaps you should try Beyer DT990, or AKG K601.

 

[montigo]

Quote:

you mean other than the K501 I see in your signature

Yeah.
I use the K501 for studio use (composing, mixing).
Do you think I should buy different headphones for studio use, and use the K501 for listening only?

 

[StealthR6]

AT AD700 or AD900 I think would suit you well. The K501 is great for studio as well as for listening. But try something else for home. Perhaps a K601 or K701???

 

[calaf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by montigo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah. I use the K501 for studio use (composing, mixing). Do you think I should buy different headphones for studio use, and use the K501 for listening only?

comfort wise it is very hardy to beat the K501. If you don't want to go for DT990 or K601, you could indeed consider using the K501 at work (I used K501 at work for a year, and loved them, but I listen mostly to classical). How about getting a K240 for your studio? Or another K501

 

[montigo]

I product trance/dance music, and I love the K501.

I love them because they are have a tight bass, that makes things much easier when mixing electronic music.
Other headphones has more dominant/bloated bass, making it very hard to mix, therefore obscuring the mid and high frequencies.

I loved the HD580 for the same reason (tight bass).
I also auditioned the K240 back then when buying the K501 - they were pretty good, but they have a too dominant bass when playing dance music, not as laid back and accurate as in the K501/HD580/HD600.
This is nice when listening to dance music, but it bothers me when producing it.

 

[scompton]

You could always buy another K501 for work.

 

[montigo]

I don't think I would like to hold 2 cans of the same type. I would like to have some diversity.

I would buy a different set of cans.
Should they be more "reference" than the AKG K501 - I will use them at the studio for production.
Should they be more comfortable than the AKG K501 - I will use them at work for listening.

Since I think the K501 are 90% comfortable (velour cushions and open-air-design a-la Sony are nice) , now I'm searching for something which is even a bit more comfortable. I don't care if they would not be as good as the K501 sound-wise.

 

[Y5220]

Quote:

Originally Posted by montigo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hey guys! I'm looking for a new pair of cans, will be used mainly to listen to music at work. They will be connected to a laptop with a good external sound card (haven't bought it yet). The must be suitable for prolonged listening (at low volumes of course). Therefore I would like them to be: 1. comfortable - little clamping force, good cushions, good head arch. 2. "airy" - allowing me ears to "breath" so they won't sweat after extended use. also preventing my ears from heating up. 3. non-fatiguing - I don't know what causes it, but some headphones cause ear fatigue after an extended use. Also, the sound should be fairly detailed and fun to listen to, even in lower volumes. It shouldn't necessarily be transparent or detailed like reference headphones, but it should be pleasurable to listen to with all music types. To sum it up - I would like to enjoy music for several hours, and forget I'm wearing headphones. Any suggestions?

The AKG K701 are not the very best headphones I know, but they would be my number one choice by your criteria. But they do require good amplification, which may be a problem for you.

 

[scompton]

I just ordered some MB Quarts. Cheap, supposedly sound good, and comfortable.

Here's a link to the latest thread, but if you search you can find more on the 55x.
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=252313

 

[Chris_Himself]

HD 595. or HD 600s amped.

 

[scompton]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris_Himself /img/forum/go_quote.gif HD 595. or HD 600s amped.

Does the HD 600 clamp like the HD 580? If so, I don't think it's good for extended listening. I can only wear the HD 580 for a couple of hours before I have to take it off. After a half an hour, I tend to start fiddling with them.