Help needed for a newbie's next step into the world of headphones

[Candance Jade]

Hullo there!

Last summer, I bought a set of Sennheiser's PX200 after someone suggested I try Headroom's site for headphone advice. I was blown away by how much better they sounded compared to the headphones that came with one of my portable cd players.

This summer, I'm ready to take another step by investing more money for a new set of headphones and getting me one of those cool little mint amps. I've been searching around on this site for the past two weeks narrowing down my choices, but I've found myself in a dilemma concerning my choices. I hope you guys can help a poor n00b like me out.

I've been looking at headphones around the $200 range, and I've been leaning towards the HD580's. However, my music tastes are quite eclectic, and I have to put equal emphasis on listening to hard rock, electronic dance music, jazz, orchestrial, and classical music. My understanding is that the HD580's would be wonderful for some styles, but not so hot for my love of hard rock and dance music. But, I throughly enjoy the bass response I get out of my PX200's which make me wonder if I can be happy with HD580's afterall. I'm so torn and confused right now.

Note: My main source right now is an Audigy 2 that I have in my gaming computer, but I am planning on adding another soundcard that I hear is great for music by the end of the month.

Thanks for any help I can get!

 

[lindrone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Candance Jade My understanding is that the HD580's would be wonderful for some styles, but not so hot for my love of hard rock and dance music..... Note: My main source right now is an Audigy 2....

Therelies your problem. HD580 has is much better than PX200 in almost all means, so that pretty much covers you need. Even for rock and dance, I would say HD580 is better than PX200. The question is, with a $200 budget, are there better overall headphones on the HD580 anyway?

HD580 is a pretty demanding headphone in terms of voltage. It will not sound good directly out of your Audigy, at least not the $200 that it warrants. You'll need to get a nice amp before HD580 really shines, and a little CMOY, although it's better than nothing, just won't do it justice.

Unless you're ready to invest in an amp in the near future, the enjoyment out of HD580 might be.. well.. on the underwhelming side. Nevertheless, unamped they'll still sound better than the PX200. Just that in the $200 range, there are other choices which sound much better unamped.

One of the best option is the Audio Technica A900, widely known as the best unamped headphone you can have for under $200.

If an amp is not in the near future, I really can't recommend HD580. If a good quality amp is in fact in your plan, HD580 will tie you over for now until you get that headphone amp.

 

[Finlayene]

Hey There,

I'm new here too.. lol I've heard the 580s before, and I don't really like them too much.. specially for hard rock, they're too dark and smooth.. for rock, according to what most people have said here your best bet is with the Grado SR225, most of the people here say Grado makes the best headphones for rock.. but I haven't heard any of them so I can't tell you for sure..

Also, an oter factor is that with your soundcard you won't be able to power your Senns.. you'd have to get an amp.. but you're planning to get one so idk.. A900s sound pretty good right out of the soundcard.. according to what people said here.. =P.. I personally ordered a pair of A900s, they're on the way.. should be here around Tuesday.. lol well that's about as fr as my knowladge goes.. someone else could probably offer more help.. cya

 

[Rhythmatic]

If your budget is $200, then I recommend anything AudioTechnica ATH-Axxx. Try the ATH-500 for $100, or the higher quality driver ATH-A900 for $200. They can both be found Here,
.

I currently use the A500, and I love them. I don't use an amp yet, but I do use the Audigy 2 ZS with them, and they have perfect soundstage for gaming. I also listen to a variety of music, including electronica, metal, jazz, and classical, and they work great for everything I throw at em.

I am also a major basshead, and they have no distortion at even higher levels.

Don't listen to people recommending the Sony V6's, because those things clamp down wayyyy too hard for my tastes. Oh and the Sennheiser HD280s clamps like a mutha.

BTW, how hard is it to make a mint amp? I am looking into trying that sometime, so (@ everyone) where can I get info on how to go about making my own? Are they worth it, and how much $?

 

[Finlayene]

lol I wouldn't have posted if I had seen Lindrone's post.. =P posted at the same time

 

[lindrone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finlayene lol I wouldn't have posted if I had seen Lindrone's post.. =P posted at the same time

Nothing wrong with more posting

 

[Jasper994]

Lindrone's right, the A900's are probably your best bet as they''re not very amp dependant and will also give you some isolation if your computer isn't silent.

The Grados are nice for rock but don't do that well on classical and can go either way on dance music.

I enjoy the Sennheiser 280 pros for an all arounder but I seem to be one of the few...

If you don't mind an open can the Sennheiser HD555's are also very nice and if you can get your budget up the HD595's are awesome. Both work very well as all around headphones but tend to be a bit polite for some people. If you can rock out with the PX200's though, you should be fine.

 

[Jahn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhythmatic BTW, how hard is it to make a mint amp? I am looking into trying that sometime, so (@ everyone) where can I get info on how to go about making my own? Are they worth it, and how much $?

Check the Do-It-Yourself forum, and also google for Chu Moy, cmoy, and tangent - any combo of those. Alot of DIY head-Fiers have made a Cmoy "Mint" amp, and the cost for parts has ranged from 25-50 bucks as far as i could tell - depends on how maxxed out you want to get, including not using a mint tin, and using a hammond case instead.

 

[osu1277]

i made a really nice c-moy but i stopped using it because i read articles concerning loud music and how it affects your ears....i originally ignored the articles but now i have a ringing in my ears whenever i go to sleep. Its called tinnitus....try not to listen to music too loud. its not worth it.

i dont mean to be mean or anything, its just some advice

 

[BigD]

I'm beginning to sound redundant, but...

How'bout beyer dt440 for open and senn hd25 for closed?

DT440 had a very good review from Jensl and it's worthy candidate on your list. These are the latest beyer offering.

HD25 is supposed to be similar to grado, but closed. They're widely used in studio and engineering.

 

[Candance Jade]

Thanks for the replies thus far.

I just realized that I should go for something closed for now because I have a roommate who not only goes to bed before I do, but is a frequent opponent of my gaming sessions. So right now I'm leaning towards getting the A900.

My head feels so much better now about picking something. Thanks!

 

[Supsup]

Quote:

Originally Posted by osu1277 i made a really nice c-moy but i stopped using it because i read articles concerning loud music and how it affects your ears....i originally ignored the articles but now i have a ringing in my ears whenever i go to sleep. Its called tinnitus....try not to listen to music too loud. its not worth it. i dont mean to be mean or anything, its just some advice

Listen to this man.

My ears got pwned at an Avenged Sevenfold concert.


I now have a nice ringing sound whenever the surroundings are fairly quiet. I have to sleep with a fan, or my computer, or something that makes a constant noise on, or else the rining keeps me awake.

 

[pkasting]

I note that unless you listen loud or in a *very* quiet place, picking closed over open for the sake of other people nearby is really a non-issue. At normal listening volumes, my office mate and I can barely hear our own cans once we take them off our heads, let alone each others' (from 5 feet away). At louder volumes we can hear them, but those are the kind of volumes you'll go deaf at if you listen very long.

 

[lini]

CJ: I'd recommend to check the Beyerdynamic DT250/250.

Greetings from Hannover!

Manfred / lini

 

[BigD]

Hi lini,
dt250-250 is supposed to be less dark than dt250-80???
what are the biggest difference?
I'll be powering them with perreaux.