[fx101]

I'm looking at some Alessandro MS2i's currently and was wondering how they would sound for electronica/trance. Does anybody have experience with either these or the Grado 325i's for electronica?

 

[Derp]

I think most people wouldn't recommend 325i's for electronic music. I've heard that the aluminum caps lend to a very bright, almost harsh top end which would be very fatiguing for any type of electronic music. I would even say that most here wouldn't recommend Grados or Allesandros for electro but I absolutely love my Sr225i's. I listen a lot of ambient and IDM, and a TON of Autechre and Aphex Twin. It excels at that imo.

 

[estreeter]

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/529144/buying-headphones-seeking-guidance-don-t-start-a-new-thread-ask-for-advice-here

 

[Domz0r]

I have a pair of SR125 and Grados are indeed very bright for electronica. You could look into Ultrasones. I got a pair of DJ1 and I'm really liking them.

 

[wind016]

Ultrasones are the cheapest way to electronica bliss IMO

 

 

[vision20]

Ultrasone HFI 780  

 

[fx101]

Well, I had a chance to sample a couple of different phones this weekend:
The Ultrasone 900
Beyerdynamic DT990 (250 ohm)
Pioneer HDJ-2000
 
It really boiled down to the Pro 900 vs. the DT990. The DT990's had a... certain musicality to them that really made any genre I threw at them pop. So... I'll be receiving them in the mail this week and post a review!

 

[Graphicism]

DT990s are a good choice for a decent all-rounder with some bass emphasis. What did you audition them on and what will you be running them with? They are 250 ohm so they will benefit from amping.

 

[fx101]

The sound was great and I really enjoyed the design. They are a little big, but light and extremely comfortable. I will be picking up some HD800's soon for more serious classical listening, but I wanted something I could wear at work for extended periods, not look hideous, and deliver a nice punch with electronica. 

For $400 the sound quality I experienced was a steal. I'd reckon you'd need to spend $5k+ for speakers (assuming you have a nice amp) to math the quality in these phones. 
 
My friend had an SPL Phonitor amp that he lent me to test the different headphones with. I could tell the amp really did deliver, but since I'm only starting to get into high-end headphones a ~$2k amp might be a bit much for starters. 
 
I'm toying with purchasing a Beyerdynamic A1 amp with them. I've heard good things about it, and the price is more than reasonable. Would this be a good match for the 990's?