[piotrek-t]

Hello Head-Fi members!
I signed up for this forum with a hope to get good advice about heaphones. Currently I use Koss Porta Pro which I am happy with regarding sound (well bass could be less boomy and muddy) but as they broke again (lousy cable) I want another set while Koss will be recabled.
 
I would like the second pair to have better quality. For me it means:
1. Detachable cable (not wireless!)
2. On/over ear doesn't matter much as long as they're quite comfortable (I have large head and wear glasses). Koss Porta Pro is comfortable in my view. I listen a lot when commuting to work, so it would be nice if it does not leak more sound than the Koss.
3. Sound - Koss is too boomy and muddy but otherwise I love the direct lively sound it delivers. My home audio setup is Tannoy Dual Concentric speakers matched with Manley tube amp. It means I appreciate direct, dynamic, involving and lively sound rather than over-analytical with huge soundstage.
 
I listen to audiobooks a lot, when music this is very varied: symphonic music, piano concertos, jazz, sometimes indie music.
 
Nice feature would be they would be a bit portable so not overly huge meaning I would be able to put them in a briefcase when commuting but not using them.
 
Budget: up to 250 USD
 
Wondered about Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro Plus, Sennheiser HD 558 (perhaps too big?), Jabra Vega (not sure I would like the sound, but look sturdy)
 
Thanks,
Piotr

 

[alexw]

Have you tried the standard Sennheiser Momentum headphones? They are very popular right now if I'm not mistaken. You may know someone who owns them, otherwise practically every electronics store carries them. I think they should be within your price range.

 

[piotrekt]

Thank you, will try these out. Any more recommendations?

 

[piotrek-t]

So today I had a chance to listem to the following:
Momentum over ear - nice sound, dynamic, a bit too congested. Perhaps I wowuld like better articulation, more separation. Quite comfortable despite clamping my ears - pads are very small.
Nad hp50 - quite comfortable, although heavier than Momentums: pads are a bit bigger but shallow (I have big ears). I had to turn up the volume on my iPhone to match the sound level of Momentum. Sound seems further away, better separation. I wouldn't mind more energy from the sound - maybe DAC would be needed?
B&W P7 - sonically the best of the three for me, but very uncomfortable for my huge head. Too much clamping force. Pity

Based on these - can you give me your ideas what else to look at and perhaps some of my observations will be redundant after I get used to the headphones? I think NAD wins so far especially being the cheapest where I live.

 

[tz0531]

So today I had a chance to listem to the following:
Momentum over ear - nice sound, dynamic, a bit too congested. Perhaps I wowuld like better articulation, more separation. Quite comfortable despite clamping my ears - pads are very small.
Nad hp50 - quite comfortable, although heavier than Momentums: pads are a bit bigger but shallow (I have big ears). I had to turn up the volume on my iPhone to match the sound level of Momentum. Sound seems further away, better separation. I wouldn't mind more energy from the sound - maybe DAC would be needed?
B&W P7 - sonically the best of the three for me, but very uncomfortable for my huge head. Too much clamping force. Pity

Based on these - can you give me your ideas what else to look at and perhaps some of my observations will be redundant after I get used to the headphones? I think NAD wins so far especially being the cheapest where I live.

 
My recommendation based on your original post in this thread would be the NAD Viso HP50, not even knowing you tried them out. Keep in mind that what sounds exciting and energetic in the store can often be fatiguing for long listening sessions at home. Also, the NADs don't scale up very much with better DAC/amps. Another option if you can stretch your budget a little is the Meze 99 Classics.

 

[gancanjam]

If you can get an Audeze Sine for $100 off in FS section then that is something to consider, it might shoot your budget a bit but should be worth it. It has the Audeze house signature of being warm, good bass, good mids and non fatiguing polite highs ..as long you do not look for  treble sparkles and airy highs then Sine is one of the best portable HPs available

 

[piotrek-t]

Today I listened to some more:
Philips Fidelio L2 - there was loud music playing in the shop, and although the sound seemed great, they were very comfortable, I decided I don't want open construction
Jabra Wega - sound-wise ok, nothing special, this is rather lower level. heavy and uncomfortable.
PSB M4U2 - ok soundwise, but too small
Nad hp50 seems to be the best for me.

 

[HipHopScribe]

Hifiman Edition S. Just FYI, they're advertised as on-ear, but they're really over-ear. I would take them over the NAD's personally, and I used to own NAD's. The Edition S are more detailed and the highs are more engaging, while they still have good bass impact and well balanced mids. I also found them more comfortable and they have the added benefit of being able to be used as closed headphones on the go and open headphones at home. The isolation isn't as good as the NAD's and they leak a little more, but it's not bad, definitely better than the Porta Pros