help to choose headphones

[Mickj7]

Hi this is my first post, and I've joined primarily to get advice from you experienced users.

I'm looking for a pair of headphones which I'll be able to use with my integrated amp, and which my son will be able to use in the home with his ipod or to use with the TV. I won't be using them on the move.
I will be listening to quite a lot of vinyl through them although I don't know if this makes any difference, although I would like to listen to other sources too. my musical tastes are very varied, although I listen to a lot of reggae,blues,British indie pop etc.

I really like what I've heard about the HD650 but I'm not sure if they would be suitable for the uses I need. I get them for around £160.00 ($320.00) here in the UK. The HD595 can be bought for around £70.00 ($140.00) but I'm worried that they may sound aggressive,especially in the top end. I can't stand bright sounding music so I suppose the grado's are out of the question. I noticed the Allessandro is around £50.00 but again I'm not sure if they're bright or aggressive.

I used to have some Sennheisers which were HD570 (symphony) I think, but I gave them to my Dad who is hard of hearing to listen to the TV.
I liked them although they sounded a tad dull when hooked up to my integrated amp and I also had to turn the volume quite high to get a decent volume.

Any suggestions would be welcome.I don't really want to go down the route of headphone amplifiers if I can help it as I'm not sure of the costs it would involve. I'd love to get the HD650 but not sure if they would be suitable.The maker of my amp(MacIntosh) said it would drive the HD650 but I'm not sure.

many thanks for any help you can provide,

regards,
Mick.

 

[Ruckus]

No AMP. Then I'd avoid 300 ohm Headphones personally.

I have no idea about what headphones are better for digital or analog.

But I'd look at Denon D2000 or the Audio Technica AD900/AD2000 for headphones without an amp.

Not sure how aggressive these headphones will sound to you. Reason why I love the AD900 is because they sound right to me. The highs and bass and mids sound to me the way the music should be.

Not sure how you can demo these. But that's the only way you'll know. Reading reviews on these forums can only give you directions, you'll have to hear them to know.

Its too bad cause, I honestly don't know many places to try high end audio technica or denon headphones. In Montreal there is only 2 places. And only 1 with the D2000. Ummm couldn't find any for Audio Technica. Me I had to take a leap and well the leap was just right.

 

[Mickj7]

Thanks I'll have a look at them and see how much they are here. The Senns always seem to be reduced so they may be more cost effective.
How much are decent headphone amps? Not top-end but which give good results?