[Der Germane]

I'll make it short:

If YOU were I (NO, no crazy all-day-eating 2m high Dr. Zoidberg

), I mean if you had to decide in my place WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE:

criteria:
1. CD-Player: Sony SCD XB-940QS
2. Music: only Operas, Symphonies, "Military Music" and "Church-Music" !!! (everything before the 20th century

)
NO POP, ROCK, TECHNO, BLUES, JAZZ, COUNTRY, etc.

Question A:
Headphones or Earphones?
AND WHY this type and not the other one???

here are my favourites (maybe all are "für den Arsch" [/§"&$]) :

1. Sennheiser HD 590
2. Sennheiser HD 600
3. Sony CD3000
4. AKG K 1000 with K 1000 amplifier
5. STAX SRS 3030 System
6. STAX SR-404 with SRM-313

OR EARPHONES:

1. STAX IN-EAR-PHONES
2. Etymotic ER-4 S (or some others)

PLEASE GIVE MY YOUR!!! ANSWER WHAT YOU WOULD CHOOSE IF YOU WERE IN MY CASE!

I think I need no MEGA-LOUDNESS-HELL-DAMN-BASS, I need natural and precise sound.

Thanks for reading and answering!

Good night...
Frank, one of the German-guys

 

[Maxvla]

i would say by the reviews i've seen that the HD600's are perfectly suited to classical. they have great detail and are near transparent.

i don't have personal experience but there are several reviews of them by forum members here. click the link on the top of the headphone forum.

edit: 590's are slightly harsher so i would stay away from those for delicate classical music. would be great for jazz or rock though.

 

[lextek]

I voted for the HD600's. They seem like a bargain next to the Sony R10's. Someday I hope to hear them. The Ety's are very, detailed which I believe would be a plus for classical.

 

[Ebonyks]

Your list of headphones cover such a wide range of costs, and sound qualtiies. The R-10's are great phones, as is the orpheous, however, if you plan to spend that much, you'd be stupid to not try out everything before you spend so much on a headphone system. All of the headphones listed have their strength and weaknesses, and if you can upwards of 10,000 on headphones.

 

[lextek]

Oh by the way interesting mix of music. "Church music" and "Military music". When I think of military music I think of cadence we used to sing when running or marching.

 

[Duncan]

Sony CD3Ks could be what you're looking for...

Bright, clear... and with quite good lower registers...

The HD600s need a lot of work to get them sounding their best... The CD3K would like an amp too... but its not as much required as with the Senns

 

[Der Germane]

The whole time I thought that electrostatic headphones are the best for classical music, but if you both say the Sennheiser HD 600 in its function as an electrodynamic headphone sounds ideal... hmmm! *The Sony is a dynamic one, too... I'm surprised by your answers!

The HD is so cheap... if it sounds better... that would be fantastisch!

I'm looking forward to more answers...

well 3:48pm here in Germany... but well tomorrow is Saturday!

 

[Maxvla]

Quote:

Originally posted by Der Germane The whole time I thought that electrostatic headphones are the best for classical music, but if you both say the Sennheiser HD 600 in its function as an electrodynamic headphone sounds ideal... hmmm! *The Sony is a dynamic one, too... I'm surprised by your answers! The HD is so cheap... if it sounds better... that would be fantastisch! I'm looking forward to more answers... well 3:48pm here in Germany... but well tomorrow is Saturday!

make sure you get a good amp on the 600's or they will go to waste. (as will just about any headphone on your list)

 

[Der Germane]

Quote:

Originally posted by Maxvla make sure you get a good amp on the 600's or they will go to waste. (as will just about any headphone on your list)

Thanx for the hint!
Could you recommend me a good one between my Sony SACD and the HD 600 ?

 

[Maxvla]

Quote:

Originally posted by Der Germane Thanx for the hint! Could you recommend me a good one between my Sony SACD and the HD 600 ?

i'm not an expert. someone else would be better. i'm just starting out in audiophile land.

 

[lextek]

Quote:

Originally posted by Der Germane Thanx for the hint! Could you recommend me a good one between my Sony SACD and the HD 600 ?

An MG Head works very, well with HD 600's. If your into tubes. sounds very, nice for classical styled music.

 

[Der Germane]

HOLLA DIE WALDFEE!! (no translation possible...

)
So much recommendations on the HD 600.

@lextek OK, than I'll wait for somebody else telling me the same

I'll wait until somebody declares me, whe he likes the STAX more than the HD 600 ... til than I'll have to requiescat in pace *LOL* No, I mean simply sleeping would be enough.

Bis dann, tot ziens, see'ya!

FrAnK

 

[Ebonyks]

There are plenty of good amps avaible for the HD-600, the question is, how much do you want to spend total? Give us a number, and we'll build ya a great system

 

[gdahl]

My suggestion, not on your list, is the Audio-Technica ATH-W1000.

I use my own headphone amp design, the Espressivo, but I heard Dan H's META42 which sounds excellent and is much less expensive.

 

[bifcake]

The HD 600's are perfect for the kind of application you're describing. They are very musical, and very smooth, delicate and highly refined. That would be my vote.

I also agree that they need a good amp to bring out best in them.

The 600's with a Cary 300SEI integrated amp and an equinox cable are orgasmic!!! Cary runs for around $4500 new, but you can get it used for half the price and the equinox cable is another $200. The only setup that I heard that competes with this is the Orpheus. NOT the Baby Orpheus. I was very disappointed with the baby orpheus. It was a bit harsh, lacked refinement and wasn't particularly musical.

If you can't spend this much, let us know what your budget is and we may recommend an alternative.