[hello im sean]

Hey headfi, i have some aktimate mini bookshelf speakers and they sound very nice.  I was wondering if there is a headphone/amp combo that could rival the sound quality of some decent bookshelves.  these speakers are considered entry level hifi gear.  I do have an NFB-12 dac that i run my speakers and headphones out of.  I use a pair of dt990 600ohms from my dacs integrated amp and they do sound good, but not on the same level as my bookselves.  I will be getting a dedicated tube amp for the headphones though, so i dont know if that will be a complete transormation of their sound or not..  (the bookshelves are powered speakers btw)  So any suggestions? these bookshelves retail at $700 so there should be a good headphone and amp combo that sounds the same for under that amount right? thanks

 

[moonboy403]

Quote:

Hey headfi, i have some aktimate mini bookshelf speakers and they sound very nice.  I was wondering if there is a headphone/amp combo that could rival the sound quality of some decent bookshelves.  these speakers are considered entry level hifi gear.  I do have an NFB-12 dac that i run my speakers and headphones out of.  I use a pair of dt990 600ohms from my dacs integrated amp and they do sound good, but not on the same level as my bookselves.  I will be getting a dedicated tube amp for the headphones though, so i dont know if that will be a complete transormation of their sound or not..  (the bookshelves are powered speakers btw)  So any suggestions? these bookshelves retail at $700 so there should be a good headphone and amp combo that sounds the same for under that amount right? thanks

What specific attributes are you looking for from your headphone? Is it a specific sound signature? Out of head soundstage? (Not gonna go too well with headphones)
 

 

[hello im sean]

haha well, the best soundstage possible while maintaining a fairly neautral sound. i don't mind a u shaped sound though with extended bass and treble. detail is rather crucial to me too... I know thats asking for a lot, im probably demanding something closer to the 1k range of headphones huh?

 

[moonboy403]

Can you describe what you like or don't like about your DT990? 

 

[hello im sean]

Um I think I have hair in the drivers.. so I need to clean that, but also it just doesn't sound as natural and organic, seems more digitized, much smaller sound stage not quite as smooth. Compared to my bookshelves. But I do like them don't get me wrong. But I wondering what would fit my tastes best headphones wise. And if I can make the beyers sound significantly better somehow

 

[KuKuBuKu]

Quote:

Hey headfi, i have some aktimate mini bookshelf speakers and they sound very nice.  I was wondering if there is a headphone/amp combo that could rival the sound quality of some decent bookshelves.  these speakers are considered entry level hifi gear.  I do have an NFB-12 dac that i run my speakers and headphones out of.  I use a pair of dt990 600ohms from my dacs integrated amp and they do sound good, but not on the same level as my bookselves.  I will be getting a dedicated tube amp for the headphones though, so i dont know if that will be a complete transormation of their sound or not..  (the bookshelves are powered speakers btw)  So any suggestions? these bookshelves retail at $700 so there should be a good headphone and amp combo that sounds the same for under that amount right? thanks

Way out of your budget, but the AKG K1000s are literally bookshelf speakers strapped to your head.

 
 

 

[hello im sean]

and they look awesome! XD

 

[JCLau]

Quote:

Way out of your budget, but the AKG K1000s are literally bookshelf speakers strapped to your head.

 
 

Dude, what kind of headphone is this?
 
 

 

[hello im sean]

it says it right above the pic... AKG k1000.  i did a little research, apparently they don't make them anymore, but when they did they went for $999 unfortunately out of my price range...

 

[KuKuBuKu]

Quote:

it says it right above the pic... AKG k1000.  i did a little research, apparently they don't make them anymore, but when they did they went for $999 unfortunately out of my price range...

Ya know, I realized that sony made this one thing called the PFR-V1 which is a lot like the K1000. Personal field speakers, they call it. It has been very recently discontinued, so you can probably find it for a lot lower.
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-PFRV1-Personal-Speaker-Headphones/dp/B0017IJALY

 

[christine]

Quote:

 
These look like they were designed for portable electroshock therapy.
 
 

 

[KuKuBuKu]

Quote:

 
These look like they were designed for portable electroshock therapy.
 
 

IKR, these are hideous.
 
 

 

[ohhgourami]

Beyers are more on digital side so that explains why you don't like the sound.  I recommend the HD6X0s or maybe the AKG 701.  Although I can't guarantee the soundstage will be large enough...

 

[bcg27]

Quote:

Beyers are more on digital side 

Can you elaborate? I have never heard a sound signature referred to as 'digital'