[rdb1]

I am looking for a decent pair of headphones. For commuting and office work. Over ear if possible
 
I would like something from Sennheiser, B&W or I am open to suggestions.
 
I have also ordered a DacMagic XS USB DAC 
 
Thanks
 
Rob

 

[SteveHiFi]

Gives us a little more, what do you want to spend? Also what genres do you like? Any sensitivity to high frequencies?
 
(Oops £100, missed that in the title).

 

[rdb1]

I listen to a variety of music. Not too sure about high frequencies. I was thinking of Senns 598?

 

[SteveHiFi]

You mention commuting - the HD598 is an open back headphone - you'll leak music and you'll not have much isolation.
 
If you're commuting alone in the car and you're tucked away at the office, open backed may be suitable. The HD598 is a very well respected headphone, comfortable and good quality.

 

[rdb1]

  You mention commuting - the HD598 is an open back headphone - you'll leak music and you'll not have much isolation.
 
If you're commuting alone in the car and you're tucked away at the office, open backed may be suitable. The HD598 is a very well respected headphone, comfortable and good quality.

 
Would the DAC be okay at driving these headphones? Also thinking about it I dont actual wear headphones whilst commuting so they would be for office work and at home on my pc. would you recommend any other options. I have seen the AKG K550s

 

[SteveHiFi]

The HD598 is 50 ohms/112dB - you'll just get away with it I reckon but you'd be safer with something else. The K550 looks good in terms of sensitivity and impedance but there's a peak in the frequency response which might cause a problem - http://www.head-fi.org/products/akg-k-550
 
I'll list a couple for you to look at - SoundMAGIC HP200 (20ohm/95dB) , Beyerdynamic DT880 (32 ohm/96dB)

 

[rdb1]

  The HD598 is 50 ohms/112dB - you'll just get away with it I reckon but you'd be safer with something else. The K550 looks good in terms of sensitivity and impedance but there's a peak in the frequency response which might cause a problem - http://www.head-fi.org/products/akg-k-550
 
I'll list a couple for you to look at - SoundMAGIC HP200 (20ohm/95dB) , Beyerdynamic DT880 (32 ohm/96dB)

 
Would you be able to recommend another USB DAC. I may consider getting a asus d2x soundcard.

 

[rdb1]

Soundmagic are just out my price range, not too keen Beyerdynamic DT880

 

[SteveHiFi]

A dac I'd recommend is the Fiio E18 - it has loads of power (dac and amp combined) - I tried it with some very hard to drive headphones - my AKG K240DF (600ohm/88dB) and it might have blown them up had I kept turning the volume up. Rated up to 150 ohms, but it can do loads more.
 
With the E18 you'll be fine with the HD598 or whatever else - the E18 is £120. Cheaper dacs are the Fiio E07K and the E17.

 

[rdb1]

  A dac I'd recommend is the Fiio E18 - it has loads of power (dac and amp combined) - I tried it with some very hard to drive headphones - my AKG K240DF (600ohm/88dB) and it might have blown them up had I kept turning the volume up. Rated up to 150 ohms, but it can do loads more.
 
With the E18 you'll be fine with the HD598 or whatever else - the E18 is £120. Cheaper dacs are the Fiio E07K and the E17.

 
Ok so I may get the Senns. As the other heaphones I looked at where AKG 702 but I have heard they require a lot of power. 
 
So I am not too sure whether to get the E18 or a soundcard http://www.amazon.co.uk/ASUS-Xonar-D2X-XDT-Express/dp/B0011BC1FO/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1411403812&sr=1-1&keywords=asus+d2x
 
But I do like AKG Headphones.

 

[GearMe]

I am looking for a decent pair of headphones. For commuting and office work. Over ear if possible
I would like something from Sennheiser, B&W or I am open to suggestions.
I have also ordered a DacMagic XS USB DAC 
Thanks
Rob

You mention commuting - the HD598 is an open back headphone - you'll leak music and you'll not have much isolation.
If you're commuting alone in the car and you're tucked away at the office, open backed may be suitable. The HD598 is a very well respected headphone, comfortable and good quality.

Have a friend that uses his 598s at work. He's got an office...so it works for him. They are nice headphones but I like my 558s a little better -- 2/3rds the price and a more balanced sound signature for my tastes. Regardless, the Senn 5X8 line is a great value across the board. Right now at £149, the 598's seem like a very good value. Can't go wrong with either...just wonder if they (open cans) would work for you in your office environment.

Some others to consider from low £ to high £

1. Creative Aurvana Live or CALs - closed cans; do well across genres, really great value at £52.83 on Amazon
2. UE6000 - closed cans, previously on Tyll's Innerfidelity Wall of Fame (http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/surprisingly-good-logitec-ue6000-and-ue9000), also a great value at £78.74
3. ATH-M50x - closed cans; updated version of a classic (although cliche) recommendation for £121 -- also on Tyll's WOF (http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/legend-continues-audio-technica-ath-m50x). TBH, I'd recommend the KNS8400 at £99 over the original M50 but it sounds like they fixed some of the M50's issues in the M50x
4. Beyer DT770 - closed cans; 32, 80, or 250 Ohms; not as balanced a signature as 880s...kinda audiophile basshead (great if you like Hip-Hop, EDM, Dance); less cash than 880s, range £100-130

For open cans, a few around £100 might be worth a look; the Grado SR60s or SR80s (£79-99)...you either love them or you hate them. I like the 60s more...better bass/less treble. Also, the Yamaha HPH200 (£90) come to mind--haven't heard them but would like to based on reviews. Also, DT990s are £101.

That said, since you like AKGs, it makes sense to give those serious consideration.
FWIW, I'd echo the concerns about the 550s; listened to them a few times and just didn't enjoy them -- fit and sound were a little wonky for me.
However, I really like my Q701s but they might be outside your budget. If so, then how about K612 Pros at £121?

 

[SteveHiFi]

 
So I am not too sure whether to get the E18 or a soundcard

 
Up to you, I'm not sure of the soundcard's output in terms of power (no time to research this) but the soundcard will be fixed, where the E18 will be portable. You can use the same E18 at home and at work.

 

[rdb1]

Have a friend that uses his 598s at work. He's got an office...so it works for him. They are nice headphones but I like my 558s a little better -- 2/3rds the price and a more balanced sound signature for my tastes. Regardless, the Senn 5X8 line is a great value across the board. Right now at £149, the 598's seem like a very good value. Can't go wrong with either...just wonder if they (open cans) would work for you in your office environment.

Some others to consider from low £ to high £

1. Creative Aurvana Live or CALs - closed cans; do well across genres, really great value at £52.83 on Amazon
2. UE6000 - closed cans, previously on Tyll's Innerfidelity Wall of Fame (http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/surprisingly-good-logitec-ue6000-and-ue9000), also a great value at £78.74
3. ATH-M50x - closed cans; updated version of a classic (although cliche) recommendation for £121 -- also on Tyll's WOF (http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/legend-continues-audio-technica-ath-m50x). TBH, I'd recommend the KNS8400 at £99 over the original M50 but it sounds like they fixed some of the M50's issues in the M50x
4. Beyer DT770 - closed cans; 32, 80, or 250 Ohms; not as balanced a signature as 880s...kinda audiophile basshead (great if you like Hip-Hop, EDM, Dance); less cash than 880s, range £100-130

For open cans, a few around £100 might be worth a look; the Grado SR60s or SR80s (£79-99)...you either love them or you hate them. I like the 60s more...better bass/less treble. Also, the Yamaha HPH200 (£90) come to mind--haven't heard them but would like to based on reviews. Also, DT990s are £101.

That said, since you like AKGs, it makes sense to give those serious consideration.
FWIW, I'd echo the concerns about the 550s; listened to them a few times and just didn't enjoy them -- fit and sound were a little wonky for me.
However, I really like my Q701s but they might be outside your budget. If so, then how about K612 Pros at £121?

 
Thanks for that I have just bought the E18 as a DAC. I dont much like the Grado. Beyer look good but look rather big and bulky. I think it comes down to Senns or AKG. I just want a really great set of headphones that will last. 
 
Would anyone be able to list some AKGs in my price range please. That the e18 would be able to drive.

 

[SteveHiFi]

I love the old AKG K240 range (600 ohm) which you'll find 2nd hand - very neutral. There's the K240DF and the bassier K240 Sextett. I don't know the newer AKG models so well.

 

[rdb1]

There are a few on Amazon. I like the old skool retro look http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=akg%20240&sprefix=akg+2%2Caps
 
I think I have narrowed it down to
 
AKG 612 or Senns 558 / 598 But could the E18 drive these three headphones?
 
I would love a pair of AKG K240 range (600 ohm) but I cant find any in the uk.