Nugget
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2006
- Posts
- 205
- Likes
- 10
I managed to destroy both of my decent cans, DT770/80s and MS-1s, while moving cross-country a few weeks back. I've been wandering in the headphile wastes ever since, making do with some godawful Sony earclips and some slightly better Koss BKH3s, both of which were originally intended only for gym use. Now I'm on the lookout for a new pair, hopefully ones that deliver a lot of what I liked best about the older ones.
For the DT770/80s, I loved the isolation and the bass extension. I'm by no means a basshead, but some solid impact is always nice. I also really appreciated the sense of space. Orchestral pieces really seemed to occupy a good-sized hall. Which leads me to...
The MS-1s, which I preferred in every respect except for the utter lack of soundstage. They were punchy, detailed, and just fun. Unfortunately I just couldn't listen to anything recorded outside the studio with them, because everything sounded like it was inside my forehead.
My rig, for the time being at least, is FLAC > X-Fi > Xiangsheng 708B. I'll probably mod the X-Fi or add a DAC at some point.
I listen to a lot of jazz (particularly guitar, like Kenny Burrell), blues, and classical (some small sets, e.g. Yo-Yo Ma's cello solos, but mostly larger arrangements like Moussorgsky's "Pictures At an Exhibition") along with some modern pop (like Dave Matthews) and rock (like Radiohead). I also listen to a good deal of electronica/jazz while working, Thievery Corporation and The Herbaliser. Also, I still like to seal out the world with a game from time to time, usually FPS games like Half-Life 2 or Bioshock. The DT770s were exceptional for that purpose.
So that narrows it down, I guess.
Realistically, I'm probably looking at more than one can. My budget is somewhat flexible, but I'm not looking to go over $400-500. Thus far, I was impressed by the K701 in the short time I had with it at last week's NorCal meet, and I had been thinking about some closed Darths.
Recommendations?
For the DT770/80s, I loved the isolation and the bass extension. I'm by no means a basshead, but some solid impact is always nice. I also really appreciated the sense of space. Orchestral pieces really seemed to occupy a good-sized hall. Which leads me to...
The MS-1s, which I preferred in every respect except for the utter lack of soundstage. They were punchy, detailed, and just fun. Unfortunately I just couldn't listen to anything recorded outside the studio with them, because everything sounded like it was inside my forehead.
My rig, for the time being at least, is FLAC > X-Fi > Xiangsheng 708B. I'll probably mod the X-Fi or add a DAC at some point.
I listen to a lot of jazz (particularly guitar, like Kenny Burrell), blues, and classical (some small sets, e.g. Yo-Yo Ma's cello solos, but mostly larger arrangements like Moussorgsky's "Pictures At an Exhibition") along with some modern pop (like Dave Matthews) and rock (like Radiohead). I also listen to a good deal of electronica/jazz while working, Thievery Corporation and The Herbaliser. Also, I still like to seal out the world with a game from time to time, usually FPS games like Half-Life 2 or Bioshock. The DT770s were exceptional for that purpose.
So that narrows it down, I guess.
Realistically, I'm probably looking at more than one can. My budget is somewhat flexible, but I'm not looking to go over $400-500. Thus far, I was impressed by the K701 in the short time I had with it at last week's NorCal meet, and I had been thinking about some closed Darths.
Recommendations?
