Help choosing my first (decent) over-ear headphones for home use (my first post!)
Dec 16, 2013 at 5:53 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 33
doraymon

doraymon

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Hi all.
 
For reasons I really fail to understand 
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, my wife and neighbours are not always keen to listen to the fantastic sound delivered by my new Audiolab 8200DQ/P+ B&W CM9 HiFi system.
As such, I'm forced (and excited) to take my first step into the world of HiFi headphones, and I need your help.
 
here are some details to help you point me in the right direction:
- Where: I will use them 100% at home, in a quiet environment 
- What: I am quite eclectic, but I mainly like Classic Rock, Alternative Rock, Electronic (Moby & similar) and Classical (mainly Opera).
- Amp: Audiolab 8200DQ (Pre-amp/DAC). Based on the answer of my local Audiolab support center, the 8200DQ will work well with headphones having impedance between 50 and 100 Ohm.
- Source: Mac mini connected via USB 2.0 to the Audiolab 8200DQ
- Track quality: many ALAC 16bit/44.1KHz (ripped from CDs) and many AAC 256kbps
- Budget: I would like to stay below 200/250 Euro for this first step
 
TARGET:
1) enjoy good music
2) learn how to distinguish and describe the differences in sound reproduction I ear with different setups and settings. I can tell what I like best, but I can't describe it. I need a pair of headphones that help me discern the different sound characteristics.
 
I am actually looking at the AKG 612 Pro which should match my needs, based on my actual (poor) understanding of the headphones world... but I ask your help to make a wise choice.
 
I hope I didn't write any typical newbie mistake/idiocy! 
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Thanks in advance for your help!
 
Dec 16, 2013 at 2:59 PM Post #2 of 33
Given you like opera and I like classical, you might be interested in my initial review (and request for help) on this post. The long and short of it is that I fell in love with the Sennheiser Momentums but can't bring myself to spend the money. There were 3 cheaper alternatives that you might want to consider too.
 
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/695492/sennheiser-momentum-cheaper-alternative
 
Dec 16, 2013 at 3:50 PM Post #3 of 33
Dec 16, 2013 at 5:26 PM Post #4 of 33
I know it's more than you want to spend, but consider buying a very good open over ear model. You'll feel that you've made less of a compromise; it will give you a fair comparison; and it'll last for years.
 
Your amp rules out some models, such as Sennheiser HD6x0. For your music with its emphasis on smaller string ensembles, I would rule out K70x. The choices include Beyerdynamics DT880-32 ohms (and maybe DT990-32), and Hifiman HE400.
 
Dec 17, 2013 at 10:36 AM Post #6 of 33
The DT880 32Ohm could be an option.
 
The HE400 and AD900 are both almost twice my max budget... out of range.
 
Still I would like to consider the AKG K612 Pro, which are rated 120 Ohm, so a bit higher than the recommended value for my amp (between 50-100 Ohm).
I've been reading a lot about this lately, and I have the impression that impedance is not the only parameter to judge if the amp will drive the headphones properly...
Ideally I should borrow them and test them with my amp, but I don't see how at the moment.
 
Any thoughts on how to anticipate if the AKG 612 will fit my system?
 
Jan 8, 2014 at 10:47 AM Post #7 of 33
Well, having received no reply I decided to buy the AKG K612 Pro.
 
I would really appreciate some help in doing some tests. Is there any guide so that I can then post objective results for the benefit of all readers?
 
Jan 10, 2014 at 5:42 PM Post #8 of 33
doraymon said:
Well, having received no reply I decided to buy the AKG K612 Pro.

I would really appreciate some help in doing some tests. Is there any guide so that I can then post objective results for the benefit of all readers?
Click to expand...


Burn it in for a hundred hours, and try it with records you know well so you can easily notice the differences. Happy listening!
 
Jan 11, 2014 at 8:04 AM Post #11 of 33
When you say 0dB, is that max volume for your amp?
So you're saying you can't get them loud enough?
 
Jan 11, 2014 at 8:39 AM Post #12 of 33
kraken2109 said:
  When you say 0dB, is that max volume for your amp?
So you're saying you can't get them loud enough?
Click to expand...

sounds like it, you may want to look into an amp, such as the Fiio E11 which should sell for like $50 or so Euros, granted the price I posted is in US dollars, but the Fiio Amps usually sell for the same numerical Monetary value in each country 
 
Jan 11, 2014 at 12:08 PM Post #14 of 33
kraken2109 said:
When you say 0dB, is that max volume for your amp?
So you're saying you can't get them loud enough?
Click to expand...


Yes, 0db is almost the max volume of my amp. The point is, if I set this volume with the speakers, the sound I get is very loud!
I am just wondering if it's normal that I have to push it so hi. At 0db the headphones are loud enough, but, how can I say... No headroom.
Sorry guys, I'm quite a newbie with headphones as you might have understood...
Maybe it's just that I'm not used to listen through headphones.
I miss the effect of sound on the body that speakers give you... If you know what I mean.
 
Jan 11, 2014 at 12:15 PM Post #15 of 33
If you have turn the volume up to max just to get to acceptable listening volumes, that is a sign that you need some kind of amp. I'd recommend a CMOY amp, because I used one with an AKG Q701 and it had plenty of power. This was the JDS Labs CMOY version -- make sure to read reviews if you buy a different version, as there are many variations. 

Fiio amps are also quite popular. 
 
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