[enyceexdanny]

Hello all.

I'm trying to purchase a headphone for someone as a b-day present, but I have no knowledge of audio equipments.
The ideal price range will be $100 - $200.

He's going to use it mostly with his laptop to listen to mp3's and produce beats. I've searched around the forums and websites for a day or so and narrowed it down to 2 choices.

1 . sennheiser HD580

2. Grado SR125

The thing is that he doesn't have an headphone amp yet.(by the way, are those expensive?) Since he plays guitar, I'm sure he'll buy some equipments for them too. (Does a guitar amp work fine for the headphones? ,. or will he have to purchase a separate headphone amp.)

Basically for the time being he's going to need a good quality headphone he can use w/ his laptop without an amp.

I've read from a couple of places that the HD580's don't work without an amp?.. is this true?..

Anyways, It'll be great if some of you can help me make the right purchase..


Thanks.

 

[usc goose]

If he doesn't have a set already, sounds like sony v6 (not600) or 7506 would fit the bill nicely. Plus no need for an amp. HD580 needs an amp for sure but I'm not to sure about the grados.

Welcome to head-fi btw, hope your friend has a happy birthday. (non-standard greeting around here)

Edit: What I mean is that the 580s will make sound without a specialized headphone specific amp and that sound might be better than what most people are used to, but um... they just sound so much better with a headphone amp that I can't fathom using them without an amp is I guess what I'm trying to say. Anyways, good luck with the search.

 

[usc goose]

Oh yeah, what kind of laptop does he have? (If you know what kind he has that is. My vaio grx 560 actually does have a pretty damn good headphone out and does pretty ok with my hd600s (hd580 + some carbon fibre). I don't think most laptops fare as well though.)

 

[wallijonn]

enyceexdanny,

you have not utilised the search function enough, nor efficently.

try the search for "computer".

 

[terrymx]

if you are planning to buy a grado. the sr125 has a 1/4' plug, so it might need an adaptor to plug in the sound card, while the grado sr80 and under has 1/8'.

check out the audio technica ath-a500 (close) and audio technica ath-ad5 (open) at audiocubes.com for $100 each. its comfortable and don't give clinging preasure to the head. good equilibirum of bass and treble.

the sennheiser hd5xx are very good phones, but sound better with an amp

 

[KJ869]

Maybe beyer dt250-80 www.meier-audio.com

 

[enyceexdanny]

he has a cheap gateway laptop, but he's gonna get a computer soon.. How would the hd580's sound on the computer sound cards ("e.g. sb live or audigy")

Also, can he use the guitar amps for the headphones too?..

Thanks.,

 

[usc goose]

my bass amp kicks as as a head amp except... no stereo, signal is condensed to mono. audigy i think is supposed to go well w/ 580. not sure though.

 

[jms007bnd007]

he can use any headphone out...even the one on a guitar amp. The only question is....what quality is that headphone out? Some guitar amps might have good ones, but most likely they will suck. That is the whole reason that there are dedicated headphone amps, because most regular headphone jacks stink. So in short, he can use the headphone jack on his guitar amp....but it probably won't sound as good as with a dedicated headphone amp.

 

[enyceexdanny]

Also, how bad are the wireless ones?

 

[Nqstv]

enyceexdanny,

As a musician, he will probably want some isolation. I'd go with USC Goose's original recommendation on the 7506. You can get them for under $100US at pretty much any music shop. Typically around $80US.

The 580's and the 125's are both open. Being a laptop, I would assume that he'd be wanting "Transportable" and some isolation. The 7506's are the way to go. They're pretty much to the right of both of the Senns and Grados on the Bass scale. "to the right" meaning a little more bass.

Start small, give him a taste of what he could have and when he's upgraded his sources, he can splurge on the mid level Senn or Grado.

 

[usc goose]

bad

edit: damn you nqstv, not only did you post that huge thing fater than my one word i just realized you're from the same town as my ex. anyways... i've only heard crappy wireless cans, maybe some are good but i kind of doubt it.

 

[usc goose]

ok, i've calmed down. sorry for the outburst. but by the by, call me goose... or torette's or brian or b or something.

 

[Nqstv]

Wireless = EEEEeeewwwwww!! Not Good!

USC Goose:

 

[enyceexdanny]

i think i've made my decision!.

The Sony MDR-7506.

Thanks so much you guys. You've been so helpful ^.^