[rdb1]

I am looking on purchasing a pair of headphones that I can use with my iphone 5s and my desktop pc.
 
I was looking at AKG 702 but I have read they need an amp to power them, but I dont know which would be best for them.
 
I listen to a lot of varied music, dance, hip hop and some 70s 80s etc.
 
My budget is around £150 so in us would be $200.
 
Thanks
 
Rob

 

[cel4145]

Definitely. The K702s really do perform better with an amp.

If your budget were a little higher, I would suggest the Phillips X1 for the primary genres you listen to. Easy to drive. Good bass impact. See this review: http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/big-bottom-and-lively-top-philips-fidelio-x1

 

[rdb1]

The Phillips are only £10 more than the AKG. Do the Phillips need an amp? I was also looking at Senheiser HD 25 II

 

[rdb1]

I also need a USB sound card or portable amp

I like the look of the AKg 240

 

[eyal1983]

AKG K240 requires an amp. to sound its best.
 
Phillips X1 is a great 'phone... does not need an amp.
HD25-1 II is good, HD25 ALU is better... try to listen to it if you can find an audio-shop which'll allow you to...
 
If you buy a low-impedance headphone, I suggest you concentrate on just a DAC for you computer. amp is good but not necessary in this case.
something like this:
http://hifimediy.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=62_73

 

[cel4145]

The Phillips are only £10 more than the AKG. Do the Phillips need an amp?

They are easy to drive and work well with most mobile devices.

 

[rdb1]

Thanks for that. Do you have any other suggestions as I would like to get a nice pair of headphones and a usb dac/amp  for around £150 - £200.  Portability would be nice also and something that can work without a dac/amp.
 
Bit of a long list but I like to get something that quality and will last.

 

[cel4145]

Not for open headphones. Most other open headphones will be more difficult to drive than the Phillips. If that review makes them sound like something you would like, I would go with them. They will sound very good out of an iPod or iPhone. If you don't have a DAP, get a Sansa Clip+ or Sansa Zip. They will easily drive them, and believe it or not, those Sansas have sound quality on order of mp3 players costing many times more. And then you buy a microSD card to expand the memory on them.

 

[rdb1]

They look okay those San Disks for the money. Any other headphones for recommendations?
 
I also noticed on Amazon they recommend Fisual S-Flex Mini 3m 3.5mm Jack to 3.5mm Jack Cable cables? 
 
But I was also looking at Grado headphones

 

[cel4145]

I don't know why you would need those cables if just buying headphones. Headphones come with their own cables.

Grados are good headphones. But I don't use mine for EDM or hip hop because they don't have good sub bass extension. They are more popularly known for using with various types for rock.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

  They look okay those San Disks for the money. Any other headphones for recommendations?
 
I also noticed on Amazon they recommend Fisual S-Flex Mini 3m 3.5mm Jack to 3.5mm Jack Cable cables? 
 
But I was also looking at Grado headphones

 
Grado cables are soldered directly into the drivers, there is no way to use those cables. Even if you modded the Grado with a 3.5mm socket, those cables already carry a stereo signal (R+, L+, shared GND), whereas the Grados have a separate + and - on each side all the way into the plug where the - are wired into the same GND terminal. Mod the Grado, and you will need to run a wire crossing over to the other earcup for its dedicated + and shared - conductors. If you look at a Grado headband, it isn't the sort where you can run a cable through there (as other headphones with a single-side entry cable runs the connections through there). Search for the Discovery Channel documentary segment on the AKG K702 on YouTube and you'll see what I mean.

 

[thievesarmy]

the X1's are a great headphone, and depending on your listening device you may not even need a DAC, but it depends on your situation. Generally speaking, the DAC won't make that much of a difference, unless your source has a REALLY crappy one. The headphones will make the biggest impact, so its best to start there and then if you think you need it, you can buy a better DAC.
 
The stock cable on the X1 is known for having a high impedance, BUT again, YMMV in regards to how big of a difference it makes. If you read through the primary X1 thread, there's some debate about it. Some say it makes a HUGE difference, and some say otherwise. If you have some extra money, you can try getting a different cable and seeing if it makes a difference for you. The Fisual is a great choice if you're in the UK, for those of us in the US the standard is the V-Moda replacement cable. I have the X1's and enjoy them immensely, both with the stock cable & with the v-moda. 
 
Also just wanted to mention, if you do go with the X1's, its pretty much unanimous that they improve quite a bit with burn-in, so definitely give them some.

 

[rdb1]

X1 do look good, but I have noticed that you cannot replace the headphone cups. Would anyone be able to recommend any in the £50 to £100 bracket please.
 
I am also thinking of getting on of these as my onboard sound, although okay this I think maybe better: http://www.amazon.co.uk/U7-Soundcard-Integrated-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00CP53ML2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1399881739&sr=8-2&keywords=asus+sound+usb+card
 
Thanks for all your help so far.
 
Rob

 

[rdb1]

I also have a Cambridge Audio CD4 and Gale Model4 speakers and a Kenwood amplifier ka-3020. I got give them for free off a friend. Anyway I can improve this setup?

 

[ProtegeManiac]

  X1 do look good, but I have noticed that you cannot replace the headphone cups. Would anyone be able to recommend any in the £50 to £100 bracket please.

 
Why would you even want to do that? It was popular with Grados because for starters the chassis design makes it easy; and then to some it corrects some other flaw they find in them where correcting it with a different headphone may lose the kind of Grado flavor they like, for example using a longer chamber to get more bass,or a spacer or an adapter for different pads for comfort. Also, technically any headphone cup can be swapped out, it's a question if you have the right tools and skills, but in some cases the plastic housing doesn't have too much resonance or produces a good enough response; or they're harder to do, and will make the headphone look worse rather than how good Grados look with wood.
 
 
http://www.headphile.com/