[Jay1403]

Hi Guys,
 
I'm in the UK and my current system consists of the following:
 
Main System - Roksan Caspian M1 Pre / Power Amp, Caspian M1 CDP, Rega Planar 3 TT, Musical Fidelity X-CAN V2 with Grado SR80i headphones.
 
Portable System - iPod 60gb with Sennnheisser CX300II's
 
Samsung Laptop with iTunes and Spotify
 
So here's my question if anyone can help.
 
I am looking for a second pair of headphones, closed back and ideally ones that do not leak sound...as these will be used with both my ipod and laptop around other people.
 
Can anyone suggest a good pair of headphones similar in sound to the Grado's but which do not leak noise like a sieve??
 
I am also looking at adding a Firestone Fubar MkIII DAC/HP Amp to my laptop...which probably become my main source of music for the office and bedroom. this may actually sit between the Laptop and X-CAN for improved sound from the headphones.
 
Also and finally...I am looking to improve the sound of my iPod with the addition of a portable amp...Suggestions welcome
 
The new headphones will be used alongside the Grado's and on all the music equipment mentioned.
 
Musical tastes are varied.....but a lot of female vocal, accoustic, indie and rock
 
Cheers
Jay

 

[Digital-Pride]

Okay, before any suggestions are made, how about a budget range for your headphone and amp purchases.

 

[BotByte]

Needed:
 
Price range
Uses
Music choices
Must haves
Ideas of cans you might like

 

[TakashiMiike]

I have not heard them so take my advice with a ton of salt, Sennheiser HD 25-1 II
I think those are worth researching.
 
Also, I know someone in the future will recommend m50, these will not satisfy you and I recommend against them, they are not good for vocals, and do not sound like grado's.

 

[ostewart]

shure 440's, take that with a grain of salt too, just trying to help. They supposedly sound fairly grado'ish... And theyre only 60 quid from ebay. Also for an amp, a fiio E11 or Cmoy, i have a great lightly used cmoy for sale, doesnt get any use, as my AKG K518 DJ's dont need it. Would let it got for 40 quid (shipping included). Good luck

 

[Jay1403]

Sorry about the late reply to the questions, but I have been away on business.
 
CRiteria has changed slightly now as the new set of headphones are likely to be used with a MF X-Can V2 with my Caspian M1 Pre / Power / CD and Rega Planar 3 TT setup as well as with a Fubar IV Plus which will be used with both a laptop and also an Ipod and digital dock.
 
Musical tastes are very varied....everything from Eva Cassidy through to Linkin Park. Only thing I dont listen to is Classical.
 
As I said Essential criteria is they must be closed back as they will be used in close proximity to other people.
 
Price wise I really am open on this....I am currently looking at the Denon AH-D2000 which I can get for £200.00 through to the AH-D7000 which I can get for £600.00. However for the price of a small all in one system they would have to be pretty bloody good.

 

[Digital-Pride]

The D2000 are an exceptional all-rounder(from what I've read) and are a great place to start.  Here are some additional options for ya:
 
AKG K701/2
 
Beyerdynamic DT 880, DT990
 
Sennheiser HD598, HD600
 
Shure SRH940
 
Ultrasone HFi-780, PRO900

 

[ilikepooters]

I'm in the UK and i've got the D7000's on order, should get tomorrow hopefully, i'll let ya know what they're like.
 
I was looking into amps and the FiiO E7 DAC/Amp looks just the ticket for me.

 

[Jay1403]

Quote:

I'm in the UK and i've got the D7000's on order, should get tomorrow hopefully, i'll let ya know what they're like.
 
I was looking into amps and the FiiO E7 DAC/Amp looks just the ticket for me.

Cheers ilikepooters,
 
Look forward to hearing what you think about the D7000's
 
Ive heard that these are a substantial step up from the D5000's and that the D5000's, for the money, don't actually offer that much more over the D2000's soundwise....can anyone substantiate / comment on this.
 
I think I am really taken with the Denon's just not sure if I can justify what is anywhere between £600 - £900 outlay for a pair of headphones.

 

[Albedo]

This might be of interest -> http://www.lawtonaudio.com/page20.html

 

[Jay1403]

Quote:

This might be of interest -> http://www.lawtonaudio.com/page20.html

Hmm interesting article...so it states that the D5000 are a slight improvement on the D2000 and the D7000 are a slight improvement over the D5000......However If we are talking slight improvement.....I would have to say is a slight improvement worth an extra £700 which is the price difference between the D2000 and D7000. Personally for nearly £900 I would expect a huge improvement!!!
 
To my mind it would seem that the better option would be to opt for the D2000 in the first instance (which I can get for approx £200). I am sure these will be an upgrade over the Grado SR80i and to all intents and purposes mean I can hold on to the Grado's as well. 
 
Thanks for the link Albedo.

 

[Albedo]

To a certain degree same thing applies to your HP -> http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/530356/how-do-you-mod-a-grado-sr60i-to-have-detail-like-a-sr325is