[twmrussen]

I am very new to headphones as I have been using IEMs up until this point. I currently use SE530s with an iBasso D3 amp through my ipod. I am looking to venture into the world of headphones, but I am concerned that my amp wont have enough power for them. Could someone recommend me a pair of headphones for under £200 (only about $250 these days

). I normally listen to rock, electronic and some classical. Open or closed headphones are fine because they will be mainly for home use.
Thanks in advance

.

 

[paaj]

some headphones to look for in that price range:
Sennheiser HD25-II / HD595
AudioTechnica A(D)700/900 / ES7 (ESW9 with a stretch)
Grado SR 80 / SR125 (SR225 online out of US)

HD595 (based on experience with HD555) is very good all-round, all genres, movies games etc.
AT (I have ES7 and ESW10) very musical, es7 mostly for rock with big fast bass, the esw9 (should be close to my esw10) is more all-round and enjoyable with all genres.
Grado the same, I love my SR325i with all kinds of music, but general consensus is it's best with rock.

All of these are pretty easy to drive.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Look at Grados - they're a good fit for your music, though they aren't optimal for classical. I run mine straight from an iPod, no external amp is necessary.

 

[.coco]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif I run mine straight from an iPod, no external amp is necessary.

Really? Which ones?

 

[paaj]

FWIW, I love my SR325i with classical (mostly Rachmaninov piano concerts) for the speed and detail it has. And to me it sounds very natural. I never tried it with the lower SR125 I had before.

^ SR325i out of iPod 5.5G is pretty ok. Not as good as a decent amp but it's very usable

 

[REB]

You should also consider Ultrasone HFI 680 or 780. They sound good straight from an ipod, even better when amped.

 

[twmrussen]

Thanks for the help, I'm now looking at the grados. Will the 225 sound considerably better than my amped shure se530s to warrant the cost?

 

[paaj]

haven't heard the se530 (or any IEM...). better is different for everyone, however I've seen the 530's compared to sennheiser and if that is true, it will be a different sound.

 

[jonathanjong]

Will the Grados have enough soundstage for classical though?