[Mohamad Itani]

hello, i have atm ipod classic 160GB 7th gen with razer kraken pro (i know its a gaming headset). i want to add a portable amp with better headphones, line out from ipod to poratable amp (thinking of fiio A3). and now for the headphones.. i need help for picking up a new headphone in-ear or over-ear better than the razer kraken pro. what would u recommend?

 

[nhasian]

In order to give you a good recommendation, we need more information.
 
Do you want in ear or over ear or even on ear? What kind of music do you like to listen to? You should research different frequency responses or sound signatures of headphones. This will help you determine what headphone is best for you. 

 

[Mohamad Itani]

my budget is like 150$ for in-ear or over-ear. i listen to rap, pop and some oldies (whatever music that is good )
and would the fiio A3 be an overkill for in ear headphones ?
i'm used to over-ear headphones but my friend told me to try the in-ear (better than over-ear).

 

[Mohamad Itani]

reply please! 

 

[Mohamad Itani]

am thinking of Grado SR80e or shure se215

 

[nhasian]

The FiiO are very popular. For over-ear I like the Sennheiser HD598 but they are open back. They can usually be had around $100 around the holiday season. For in ear you could probably find the Shure SE425 close to your budget if you don't mind second hand. I think that would be a much better alternative tot he SE215s.
 
Also you don't need to bump your posts. 

 

[Mohamad Itani]

sorry im new to the forum. im using international shipping to get the item so no, second hand isnt an option. what will suit me better in ear or over ear? se215 vs hd598?

 

[nhasian]

Well if you are going to be listening in a quiet environment, and won't be disturbing others then I'd say get the hd598. If you need sound isolation and will be around a lot of people than the in-ear would be a better option. 

 

[Mohamad Itani]

is the FIIO A3 overkill for the se215?
ill take line out from ipod to the amp

 

[nhasian]

I don't think you would need the FiiO. the iPod should have a good dac, and the se215 don't need a lot of power to drive them.

 

[Mohamad Itani]

my ipod built in amp isnt good (left is louder than right) so i have to use a line out dock to connect the headphones. the line out signal is un-amplified so i would need a portable amp.
in terms of sound quality, which is better the hd 598 or se215 ??

 

[nhasian]

in terms of sound quality the hd598 is definitely better. it has bigger drivers and is open back which will give you a bigger soundstage.

 

[falul]

I had similar question few weeks ago
http://www.head-fi.org/t/824247/cans-vs-iems

 

[Mohamad Itani]

man!! i saw someone (locally) selling shure SE535 for 200$. what do u think? he said thats its barely used and come with all its stuff.

 

[nhasian]

That seems like a great deal. you should jump on it.