f00fighters
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2007
- Posts
- 506
- Likes
- 13
I'm looking for a bright/semi-bright full sized or over-ear headphone, with large soundstage, decent instrument separation, detailed, with good bass, that doesn't overlay the sparkle of treble. They can be open or closed, I just want the best sound for my budget. I'm not at all a bass head, but I don't want to ever feel like the sound is lacking bass/mids or fullness. But if the tracks calls for thumping bass (like R&B/Hip Hop), then it would be nice if it was thumping, but not overbearing to the other details of the music. Also, it must be comfortable (which removes Grado from the equation).
I used to own the Grado 325is, which I loved in the beginning, but they became somewhat fatiguing over time, as they were overly bright. I'm not looking to spend $300 either, as I now I have an 8 month baby boy, so budgeting is limited to 250 max (spending less would be better); and maybe 150 max for a portable amp, which will be used for the home headphones, as well as the jogging ones.
My primary source will be my iPhone 4, with Apple Lossless. My secondary source will be my iPad with Apple Lossless. My tertiary source will my Mac Pro desktop. I haven't decided on a portable amp yet, but from seeing the head-fi community review ratings, I'm leaning toward Gary's PA2V2, or possibly a Total Bithead as it will also pair with my Mac Pro desktop as an amp/dac combo.
From my research, I heard the Beyer DT990 may fit the bill. I was thinking about the 32ohm version.
I mainly listen to Rock/Alternative/80's pop/Electronic.. and occasionally R&B. I would prefer not to had a different headphone for every type of music. I was going the ultra cheap route, initially, and recently purchased a range of headphones for under a $100 each just to try.
Sennheiser HD238i (ok soundstage, decent bass, but for some reason, I didn't find it engaging, and had virtually no sparkle)
Koss Portapro (narrow soundstage from the iPhone, improved marginally from iPad. Bass was too muddy, virtually no sparkle)
JVC S160 (great sparkle, extremely narrow soundstage, ok music separation, but seriously lacking the mids. I'm left feeling something is missing from the music)
Sennheiser HD428i (great soundstage, bass is lacking too much, as well as mids)
Granted, I don't have a headphone amp yet, and I haven't given adequate time for any lengthy burn-in for any of these phones. This just gives you an idea of my tastes, I suppose. Also, I do not have any kind audiophile type headphone store nearby where I can simply try and buy, except for Best Buy, which sucks. The HD428i, and the JVCs160 came from Best Buy, which I will be returning. The rest came from B&H, which I will be shipping back. I'd really appreciate any of your suggestions.
I used to own the Grado 325is, which I loved in the beginning, but they became somewhat fatiguing over time, as they were overly bright. I'm not looking to spend $300 either, as I now I have an 8 month baby boy, so budgeting is limited to 250 max (spending less would be better); and maybe 150 max for a portable amp, which will be used for the home headphones, as well as the jogging ones.
My primary source will be my iPhone 4, with Apple Lossless. My secondary source will be my iPad with Apple Lossless. My tertiary source will my Mac Pro desktop. I haven't decided on a portable amp yet, but from seeing the head-fi community review ratings, I'm leaning toward Gary's PA2V2, or possibly a Total Bithead as it will also pair with my Mac Pro desktop as an amp/dac combo.
From my research, I heard the Beyer DT990 may fit the bill. I was thinking about the 32ohm version.
I mainly listen to Rock/Alternative/80's pop/Electronic.. and occasionally R&B. I would prefer not to had a different headphone for every type of music. I was going the ultra cheap route, initially, and recently purchased a range of headphones for under a $100 each just to try.
Sennheiser HD238i (ok soundstage, decent bass, but for some reason, I didn't find it engaging, and had virtually no sparkle)
Koss Portapro (narrow soundstage from the iPhone, improved marginally from iPad. Bass was too muddy, virtually no sparkle)
JVC S160 (great sparkle, extremely narrow soundstage, ok music separation, but seriously lacking the mids. I'm left feeling something is missing from the music)
Sennheiser HD428i (great soundstage, bass is lacking too much, as well as mids)
Granted, I don't have a headphone amp yet, and I haven't given adequate time for any lengthy burn-in for any of these phones. This just gives you an idea of my tastes, I suppose. Also, I do not have any kind audiophile type headphone store nearby where I can simply try and buy, except for Best Buy, which sucks. The HD428i, and the JVCs160 came from Best Buy, which I will be returning. The rest came from B&H, which I will be shipping back. I'd really appreciate any of your suggestions.