[dngl]

I am auditioning headphones to pair up with my 333ES-Melos combo... the problem is deciding which cans to audition.

Here's my list so far:
Senn HD580
Sony CD1.7k
Sony CD3k
Beyer 770
Grado RS1
Etymotic 4s

Am I missing any? Team AKG: are the 501s really top tier headphones? Or are they just great bang/buck?

 

[mcbiff]

How are you able to audition the CD1.7ks? Aren't they long since discontinued?

BTW, you should definitely put the HD600s on that list too. Any differences between them and the 580s should be revealed by your equipment. Then you can see if the 600s are worth the extra cash.

 

[Braver]

AKG's top can is the K1000, K501 in second position.

seems like a nice list. I'd audition the HD600 as well.

 

[dngl]

Well, Odeen's CD1.7ks will be mine once he gets my MO. Hooray for slow mail service!

I'd audition the HD600s, but I already have the 580s and I'm not sure if I like the Sennheiser sound the most.

Thanks for the advice! I was just making sure I didn't make a huge oversight.

Oh yeah, Tomcat, I hope you're happy. You've forced me to audition the 770s.

 

[shivohum]

You're missing Stax. You may try it and find you like the electrostatic sound better than any of the other phones. Try the basic set ($700) or the Classic ($1200). They include amps, so that makes them cheaper than they seem. If you take the HD600 for $250 and add an Earmax or ZOTL for $600, you're already in the Stax ballpark.

 

[dngl]

Well, there was no way for me to audition Stax phones, and, it's a bit late now that I already have the Melos pre/headamp.

Thanks for the suggestion, though. I'll try Stax if I ever upgrade.

*By audition, I really mean buy it with an Amex Blue card so I can return it if I don't like it

 

[Tomcat]

"Oh yeah, Tomcat, I hope you're happy. You've forced me to audition the 770s."

Oops.

 

[Neruda]

Quote:

Originally posted by Jon Beilin Team AKG: are the 501s really top tier headphones? Or are they just great bang/buck?

top tier.

and if you're looking for top-tier, I'd forget the 1700's. they're really not that great. but it looks like you already paid for them, so forget it...

 

[dngl]

Thanks. I'll add the 501s to the list. I put the CD1.7ks on there because they're not fatiguing and, well, they're mine now

 

[joelongwood]

Quote:

I'd forget the 1700's. they're really not that great.

I gotta disagree with that one, Neruda. I find them to be wonderful sounding, and on top of that, they are the most comfortable headphones I own. Their sound is very smooth and detailed, with an absolutely stunning warm midrange, particularly when it comes to female vocals. Granted, the soundstage is constricted in comparison to the 501s, but for pure sound quality, I prefer them to the 501s in most cases.

 

[Neruda]

well, I thought they sounded terrible personally.

 

[joelongwood]

Quote:

well, I thought they sounded terrible personally.

And that's what makes forums like this so damned interesting.

 

[utdeep]

And Etys whoop them all!!
I can't get banned for this can I? I'm just sticking up for the Etys although I haven't tried anything else. Seriously, audition the Etys... they seem to be way different from all the others you have on the list. The isolation is so underrated.... the etys are part of my "portable heaven" sound system!!!

 

[dngl]

Thanks for the feedback, and uh, the Ety 4s is on my list. And stop saying that Ety woops them all until you've heard the other ones. Then you can say how it woops them all

Oh yeah, the Peace Corps kicks ass. I hope to stay in touch with you while you're in it as that is one of my goals in life as well.

 

[FunkeHomosapien]

Don't forget the Allesandro MS-Pro, which is different from the RS-1.