In What Order Do You Rate The Best Phones
Oct 19, 2002 at 6:52 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 31

sacd lover

Headphoneus Supremus
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This thread on the most overrated headphone made me wonder just what are the top five headphones? What does everyone think?Also what does everyoone think is the best headphone buy?
 
Oct 19, 2002 at 7:10 AM Post #2 of 31
Best headphone buy: Sennheiser HD-600

Best dynamic headphones IMO:

1. Sony MDR-R10
2. Grado HP-1
3. Audio Technica ATH-W2002
4. AKG K-1000
5. Sony MDR-CD3000
 
Oct 19, 2002 at 9:00 AM Post #3 of 31
Hi,

Best buy = Senn HD-580

Best headphones on my list:

1)Audio Technica ATH-A100Ti
1)Senn HD-580
3)Sony MDR-CD1700
4)Grado SR-225

Space here

5)Denon ATH-D950

The A100ti, HD580, SR225, and CD1700 are actually equally impressive. They have their strengths and weaknesses. Four of them are noticably much better sounding than the Denon.
 
Oct 19, 2002 at 11:04 AM Post #4 of 31
Best Buy : Sony MDR-CD1700
(new, in-box and for only $110... even if you weren't hooked on the sound when they retailed at $349... you can't argue with them at how much I paid
biggrin.gif
)

Favourite 'phones...

1, Sennheiser HD565
2, Sony MDR-CD1700
3, Etymotic ER4P
4, Sony MDR-V6

<insert huge void here>

5, Sennheiser HD580 ~ may sound real good through a classy amp, and after a cable transplant ~ but come on Sennheiser, send us something that sounds great out of the box!!
wink.gif
 
Oct 19, 2002 at 12:04 PM Post #5 of 31
Best buy: Koss Portapro / Sennheiser HD 580

My favorite dynamic headphones:

1.a Sennheiser HD 600 (only when modified: foam pads removed, cable replacement)
1.b Etymotic ER-4S/X (with Fixup cable and some mods...)
3. Grado SR 325 (i like it, despite its coloration)
4. AKG K 501 (if only the bass was a bit louder...)
5. Grado SR 80

Out of competition: my 2 self-built electrostatics
 
Oct 19, 2002 at 12:38 PM Post #6 of 31
Best buy: Ety 4P + 4S adaptor

Favorite headphones:

1. Stax Omega II
2. Stax Lambda SR-404
3. Sony MDR-R10
4. Etymotic ER-4B
5. Grado HP-1

With honorable mention to the Beyerdynamic DT-931s and Sony MDR-V6, also part of my favorites collection.
 
Oct 19, 2002 at 3:28 PM Post #8 of 31
Best buy: Sennheiser HD-580

Favorite headphones:
1. Grado SR-200 (Look, I'm clairvoyant!)
2. Alessandro Music Series Pro
3. Sennheiser HD-600

(Going down...)

4. Modified Sony MDR-V6
5. Modified Koss KSC-35

NGF
 
Oct 19, 2002 at 5:51 PM Post #9 of 31
Best Buys:

1. Koss KSC-35 or PortaPro
2. Sennheiser HD 600/HD 580
3. Sony MDR-V6 with Beyer pads
4. Ety ER-4 series
5. Sennheiser MX 400/500 (only because IMO it's the best earbud on the market and it's under $20)


Favorite Headphones:

(Tie for 1st place, depending on the situation/mood/music)
1. HD 600 w/ Cardas cable upgrade
1. Ety ER-4S (or 4P with adapter)
1. AKG K1000
Then a big dropoff. I haven't yet heard the Grado HP series or the R10
evil_smiley.gif



Worst Buys (among the "good" headphones -- i.e., V700 and their ilk not included
wink.gif
):

1. Sony CD1700
2. Grado RS1 (great headphone, just way overpriced)
3. Sony R10 ($4,000? Even on sale, $2,500? Maybe the greatest ever made, but still not worth the money to me)
4. Ety ER-6 (even though the ER-4 are twice as much, they're worth it)
5. CD3000 (sorry, just didn't like them)

[P.S. Remember, these are personal views -- nobody needs to attack me because I feel that $4,000 is a "worst buy" no matter how good it is. I personally just don't think any headphone is worth spending that much money on.]
 
Oct 19, 2002 at 6:05 PM Post #10 of 31
Best Buy: Sony MDR-V6 (Diminishing returns kicks in hardcore after the first $60.)

My favorite headphones (as of 10-19-02):
1. Stax SR-007 (Omega II)
2. Stax SR-404 (Signature II)
3. Sennheiser Orpheus
4. Joseph Grado HP-1000 (HP-1, HP-2 essentially identical)
5. Sony R10
6. Stax SR-303 (Classic II)
7. Sennheiser HD600 (Cardas cable upgrade)
8. Beyerdynamic DT931 (further audition pending)
9. Audio Technica W2002
10. Ultrasone HFI-650

I can read instructions but prefer Top 10s to Top 5s.
 
Oct 19, 2002 at 6:05 PM Post #11 of 31
<shakes head in amazement>

Apart from Tomcat, and myself... has no-one else heard the HD565s in a direct A/B to the HD580 and HD600s?
frown.gif
 
Oct 19, 2002 at 6:15 PM Post #12 of 31
I've heard the HD565 briefly, but I couldn't judge its performance reliably due to the less-than-ideal listening conditions (at a Tweeter store a year and a half ago, with a crappy receiver and distribution amp, and a crappy FM radio source).

Also, Gluegun owns a pair of the HD565s (but probably has never heard the HD580s or the HD600s).

Okay, I'll admit that I don't own many of the "best" headphones, but here is my list:

Best Value:
(tie) Sennheiser HD 600 and HD 280 PRO

My Personal Favourites:
1. Etymotic ER-4S
2. Sennheiser HD 600
3. Sennheiser HD 590

*insert gap here*

4. AKG K240DF
5. (tie) Grado SR-80
Sennheiser HD 280 PRO
Sony MDR-V6

Honourable mentions go to the Grado SR-60, the Koss KSC-35 and *gag, gag* the Sony MDR-A35G (all of which make even a crappy portable sound at least reasonably good).
 
Oct 19, 2002 at 6:29 PM Post #13 of 31
Quote:

Originally posted by Duncan
<shakes head in amazement>

Apart from Tomcat, and myself... has no-one else heard the HD565s in a direct A/B to the HD580 and HD600s?
frown.gif


sorry.
frown.gif
I really want to though. . .

Best buy: HD580s(oh look. . .
wink.gif
)

Favorites(not necessarily equal in quality)
HD600 w/ cardas
Beyer 250-80s
Orpheus
KSC-35s
 
Oct 19, 2002 at 7:58 PM Post #14 of 31
1. Stax SR-007 (Omega II)
2. Beyer Dynamic DT 931
3. Grado SR 325
4. Etymotic ER-4X
5. Sennheiser HD600 w/Equinox cable

Honorable mention:

Sony MDR-F1 and CD 3000
 
Oct 19, 2002 at 10:41 PM Post #15 of 31
Best Buy: Sony MDR-7506 (not for me, but you have to admit, they're great "entry level" headphones)

Favourites (edit -- in order):

AT W2002 (simply gorgeous, both visually and aurally)
HP-1000 (I want one)
Beyer DT-770 (yes, still -- comfy+isolation is a big plus)
AT A100Ti (just very balanced)
Senn HD600 (a classic, has it's faults, no doubt, but still nice when you want your ears to breathe)
AKG K1000 (great soundstage -- too ackward to wear to rate any higher)

Not positive about that order, though.
 

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