[pez]

I feel bad for making another thread, as I felt I thought I might want to upgrade my IEM's, but I've come to realize that I do more listening at home and will be doing a lot of just that this summer. Here is my question. I thought before I was going to be able to get about $300...guess not, so my budget has changed rather drastically to only $200. I need something better than my SR60's (of course they have to better, it's supposed to be upgrading), but what I'm looking for also is something that can be sufficiently run from a volume knob-less, but has a gain switch. I really want to get the best I can for this money, and I'm open for anything. I guess I'm looking for more bass than the SR60. Nothing on the SR60 sounds too bright to me, so I guess more bass, and more detail is what I am looking for. Here's things that I've seen in the price range, please give me suggestions so I can add more, and remember the less money they cost the better, but I also want a real step up. Oh, my musical preference is screamo, metal, rock, alternative, indie, acoustic, and a little bit of jazz here and there.

Sennheiser 595 (heard they would be pretty efficient from a small amp like cMOY)

Grado SR225

Audio-Technica AD/ATH 900

AKG K271

Beyerdynamic DT770-80

Denon D1000

Equation RP-21

and

Ultrasone HFI-700/780 (780 are same as 700 right?)

Sorry for this being rather lengthy, and sorry if I've broken posting rules, but I am truly torn of what I want. I really love that Grado sound, but I would like to explore other sound sigs, but at the same time, I want them to be for rock and also be that step up I am looking for.

 

[outbreak123]

I don't really know much but i think that AD900 is good allrounder, better than HD595 IMO.

Ultrasone 780 recieved many praises in this forum, maybe can sounds great unamped because of the low ohm but i've never tried it.

As for the others.. I don't know.
Good luck

 

[intoflatlines]

I would stay away from the DT770/80.. just my opinion. I really like the Grado sound and the DT770 sounds pretty muddy.

Go for the SR225. The bass is improved and it still has the detail.

 

[joeq70]

Go for the Ultrasone HFI-780s.

 

[el_matt0]

hmm. i think i can offer some advice, since like you, i also listen to a VERY wide range of musical styles, i even listen to quite a bit of jazz and classical, still quite a lot of rock and heavy screamo bass heavier stuff tho. anyways, heres my advice on the cans thatve been suggested (if i dont mention some its cos i havent tried em). 225s are a fantastic "step" in the grado line...if you like the signature of that "grado house sound" then IMO the sr225s are a can that you at least at SOME point will want to add to your collection (replace the sr80s for sure). for rock and alot of vocals, these will be totally unrivalled. however, that said, i do feel like grados are a bit too bright sounding sometimes, especially for bass heavier music, heavier rock, classical, etc. so, that said, if your just looking to get ONE can to cover all your musical spectrums at this stage, my inclination would be to go for the senns. as you mentioned, these are a very easy HP to amp (and amp WELL too). especially as opposed to the higher end grados where id say theres a lot more room to get "picky" about what amp to use (tubes etc etc $$$, not a cmoy). as a bunch of other people have mentioned already, ive heard a LOT of good things about the ultrasone hfi 780s...so those could be worthwhile looking into id say. my vote is for the senns though, really just fantastic sounding all rounded headphones, and honestly they really do capture the senn house sound pretty well, not really a HUGE step down from something like the hd600 perse. cheers hope that helps a bit

 

[pez]

So it seems that there's a competition between the Senn 595, the US 700/780, and the Grado SR225. I do have a quick question to clarify I'm stating this right: The ultrasone 780 are the same as the 700 just improved a little?

 

[pez]

come on guys, you gotta know something else, I need help and don't know anything

.

 

[musicmaker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeq70 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Go for the Ultrasone HFI-780s.

x2. The 780s are very nice headphones in this price range.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Have you considered the Beyerdynamic DT880? They are forward up top like Grados are, but more neutral overall and with better bass extension. I'm not sure what your amp is, but the DT880 likes power and really likes tubes. Once you hear a good amp, you won't regret the price.

 

[kpeezy]

I've heard the k271s and SR225s. If I needed no isolation, I would get SR225s. They just do better with a larger percentage of my music. However, k271s win for vocals, hands down. They also have incredible isolation.

Take that for what it's worth.

Edit: The bass on the SR225s was much better than the MS-1s I had.

 

[Tyler J]

Check out the Goldring DR150 thread.

 

[pez]

@ Uncle Erik.

I did have them in consideration before when my price range was up to $300. The reason I didn't mention them or any AKG 'phones is because after talking to Asr, I realized I didn't have enough to power either brand of headphones, unless I were to buy one of their portables. Seems like it's between the Grado SR225s and the Ultrasone HFI-780's. Which one?

 

[lmilhan]

I have owned (and listened to extensively) all of the headphones in that list except for the K271s, and the Ultrasone cans. Excluding the K271s and the Ultrasones from the list (since I have no experience with them), I would suggest the SR-225s if isolation is not a concern, otherwise I would go with the Denon D1000s.

 

[musicmaker]

I owned the K271s at one point. I found them to be bass lean. Personally I found the grados to be too bright for my tastes. That coupled with the lack of isolation. I heard both the SR225 and 325 and returned them.

Purchased the HFI-780s a few weeks ago and very happy with them. Isolation is great. It sounds very nice. Comfort is not bad.

The Denon 1000 is a nice headphone. Extremely comfortable. However IMO its not in the same sonic league as the HFI 780.

 

[M0T0XGUY]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pez /img/forum/go_quote.gif @ Uncle Erik. I did have them in consideration before when my price range was up to $300. The reason I didn't mention them or any AKG 'phones is because after talking to Asr, I realized I didn't have enough to power either brand of headphones, unless I were to buy one of their portables. Seems like it's between the Grado SR225s and the Ultrasone HFI-780's. Which one?

It's a shame you can't stretch your budget back to $300 - as the Alessandro MS-2i's add a fair amount of bass over your SR-60's and are well-suited for more genres than any Grado model I've ever heard. Of course, the SR-225's aren't a disappointing alternative by any means - they still add the sort of visceral experience you're looking for - but they will be significantly more limited in regards to the genres they recreate well.

My advice personally would be to save up a bit more cash, and see what more you can get for $300.