Lookin for new phones, budget $400

[Jon7]

Well I have had my HD600 with stock cables for a couple of weeks now and I am afraid I don't like em.

Compared to my speaker system they sound so forgiving that all the "edge" of my music is lost and a flat albeit very natural sound is all I hear.

I previously owned a pair of Grado RS1 and they were the other side of the spectrum. The highs were a little harsh, the treble a bit too forward, the bass was superbly tight (better than the somewhat loose HD600), but with the harsh digital sound of video games the phones cut through me like a drill.

Before you start thinking, "oh, one of those video game, computer freaks buying expensive headphones", I own a Linn CD Player, Linn interconnects and one day a Gilmore V2 (open to other suggestions on the amp if there is a magical synegy with another phone)

Sooooooooo, the "veil" of the Hd600 has finally wound me up enough that they are going back to headroom. I don't want to buy the Cardas cable, the viel is not completely removed and I simply am not a fan of the HD600 fundamental sound, and a cable will not fix that

They just seem to sound like the music is blocked by some thin invisible veil that you want to tear up but can't. I also think the bass is a little loose, and... well whatever I am getting rid of them.

DON'T TELL ME TO USE THE SEARCH BUTTON, i already have, but would like some pertinent specific answeres from you folks.

The big 2 favs for the $400 budget are the AT 1000 or CD3000. I am not asking you to compare, but just give me a summation if you own either of how it sounds, just a few words.

I want a headphone that is not too harsh, this will provide sound for all my sound producing electronic devices, CD PLAYER, COMPUTER, PLAYSTATION.

Whatever I pick cannot be too harsh for these applications. I don't like lots of bass on a headphone, big powerful bass hursts my ears. I like detail, but not at the expense of musicality.

If ANYONE who owns either or both phones could make a case for each it would REALLY help me out, bear in mind this is with a Gilmore, please tell me if you have only heard the headphone through a tube.

If there are some unknown gems out there I would love to hear about them too.

 

[ServinginEcuador]

Ivoted for the Sonys since I own and love them. For you it would seem that two things really stand out:

1. Comfort - I can wear these things all day without any discomfort.

2. Easy to drive - super easy to drive to loud levels, even using a small portable CDP.

 

[kentamcolin]

I had RS-1 but didn't care for soundstage. I now have HD600's and Cardas cable did make a big difference. I'm also using Silver Lace IC's, and I must say I like the sound very much. However, with all the good things said here about the CD3K's, I'm looking forward to trying them out at the Chicago meet, and may buy them just to be able to spend some time with them and see if they really do sound better.

 

[wallijonn]

why not attend a meet and decide for yourself?

you may wish to flesh out your profile a little. it may give the people who own your choices better clues.

 

[LobsterSan]

I think you really need to try both headphones (and possibly more) in order to really find out what you prefer. You have a pretty clear idea of what you want; now just go test things out and make a final verdict. To my ears, the CD3000 were verging on harsh (although spectacularly detailed and crisp) out of an arcam and a wheatfield ha-1. the w1000 out of the same system were a bit smoother to my ears. as to which i prefer... well, i really like them both. I would venture to say that the w1000 is somewhere inbetween the CD3000 and the HD600 in terms of sonic characteristics, and at that, leaning much closer to the CD3000. in a perfect world, i would have both

. as it stands, i have the w1000 (mostly because i think they are prettier

).

 

[radrd]

I have a feeling you would like either; I've only heard the W1000 and I can safely recommend it because I really like it. However, I have read that the CD3000 is more comfortable and has more significant bass. However, the W1000 probably has more realistic, tighter bass.

If you listen to a lot of classical, I'd say the W1000 is a no-brainer. For only rock, the CD3000 is probably a better choice from what I have read. I listen to both rock and classical though, and I if I had to do it again I would stick with the W1000 because it sounds damn good to my ears for both.

I would avoid the A1000 because recently a build quality issue has come to light.

I'm not much help, but I doubt you will go wrong with either since you didn't like the HD600.

 

[Sean H]

Quote:

Originally posted by Jon7 Sooooooooo, the "veil" of the Hd600 has finally wound me up enough that they are going back to headroom. I don't want to buy the Cardas cable, the viel is not completely removed and I simply am not a fan of the HD600 fundamental sound, and a cable will not fix that

Seems pretty presumptuous since you have never heard it. If there's ever a case where a cable can make a big difference it sounds like this is one of them. If you are looking for a high degree of departure from the HD600 sound, then you are probably right that you still wouldn't like them. If you want more excitement and want to hear the headphones more check out the CD3000.

 

[elnero]

Your experience with the HD600's seems similar to mine with the HD580's. I found what I was looking for in the W100's so based on the that and the fact that the W1000's are supposedly even better I voted for those even though I haven't heard either the W1000 or CD3000's.

 

[BDA_ABAT]

A couple suggestions....

If you have the opportunity, try before you buy. If there are places to audition phones nearby, take advantage of those opportunities. As Wallijohn mentioned, see if you can find a meet happening in your area. Great way to try a lot of different equipment at one time, side by side, without having to shell out big bucks to do so. Also good to meet folks that have similar interests/addictions.

Seems like you have multiple purposes in mind for headphones. I'm not sure if there is one headphone that completely fits the bill for all of your stated requests. Many folks here have different headphones for different purposes. Might be worthwhile to consider using specific cans for specific needs.

That being said, there is another headphone that might suit your needs that is not listed in the poll: Etymotic ER4P + S adapter cable.

The Ety ER4 are extraordinarily detailed and balanced. The sound quality is incredible! And, if you get the ER4P and add the S adapter, it's almost like having two headphones for the price of one.

The P and S versions use exactly the same drivers, but the S has some additional resistance in the cable.

The ER4P can be effectively driven by lower output devices (like portable CD players) and still provide excellent sound quality. The sound is slightly different than the P version, with more emphasis in the lower end, and a SLIGHT roll off on the upper end.

With the S version, the additional resistance means that it performs better with an amp. And, for some reason, the sound quality improves on already stellar performance by adding that small amount of resistance. The lows are there, but not as pronounced as that seen with the P version. The highs extend further than the sound from the P version.

They are canalphones, so they isolate extremely well. Many people find them very comfortable and can wear them for hours without a problem. BUT, there are some folks who are just averse to sticking anything in, around, or near their ears. If you are one of those folks, do NOT try Etys!

Good luck!
Bruce

 

[Geek]

My recommendation would be to use the CD3000. I auditioned them and found them basically to have some characteristics you would like: They have a bit less of the midbass bloat the HD600 does, and none of the "laid-back" characteristics. They are brighter in sound as well.

They are slightly more detailed but only in the high end. I highly recommend them as I have listened to them. I much prefer the HD600 because it sounds far more natural to my ears. It preserves the timbre of instrument bodies much better than the CD3ks on my setup. However, perhaps they would be more to your liking.

I would also recommend the DT880. I have owned two different high-end beyer cans and am a big fan of the beyer sound: Many say the DT880 does just what you want it to - sound a tad more forward, veil-less. Refer to some of the more experienced head-fiers. I have not heard the DT880 but have heard the DT770 and DT250-80.

Cheers,
Geek

 

[purk]

Jon7,
I would pick the CD3000 over the Senn anytime. I just felt that CD3000s do everything better than the stocked HD600. It is much easier to drive and doesn't sound harsh on my setup. I really enjoy this cans and found it to be a perfect headphone for me. Just for a comparison sake, CD3000s are often compares to the best of AT camp, the W2002 (and many time came out slightly on top). Again, this is my opinion only and I never heard the A1000 or W1000, but I do have the A100ti...and of course....the CD3000 is a champ on my setup.


Purk

P.S.
All the owner of the CD3000 seems to love his CD3000 to death. Uncledan, a member here, get rid of his W2002 after owning the CD3000.

 

[Uncledan]

Jon7,

I think it really depend on what source you use. But with your source "producing electronic devices, CD PLAYER, COMPUTER, PLAYSTATION". I believe CD3000 is a better choice. Since CD3000 really sound good without amp (now i don't have amp). I had W2002+Headmaster before, but CD3000 can produce better bass even without amp.

 

[kentamcolin]

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Quote:

I would pick the CD3000 over the Senn anytime. I just felt that CD3000s do everything better than the stocked HD600.

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I'm sure a lot of phones sound better than stock HD600, but have you tried the Cardas cable with these? Jon7 also mentioned magical synergy. This happens with SennHD600/Cardas/MG Head/OTL/NOS tubes.

 

[Sovkiller]

Quote:

Originally posted by ServinginEcuador Ivoted for the Sonys since I own and love them. For you it would seem that two things really stand out: 1. Comfort - I can wear these things all day without any discomfort. 2. Easy to drive - super easy to drive to loud levels, even using a small portable CDP.

Well, as usual, I second that, the Sony CD3000 will offer you a nice performance with a more forward sound, and extreme conform, it seems to disappear from your head in the first 5 minutes of use, if you do not like the sound signature of the Senns, and the HD600 in particular, I assume my same causes, veil and laid back, and you are right when say that the cable DO NOT FIX THAT, (and IMO it introduces more colorations than any reduction of that effect) OTOH with the Gilmore it match perfectly, but you have to try it yourself to decide.....

Quote:

I'm sure a lot of phones sound better than stock HD600, but have you tried the Cardas cable with these? Jon7 also mentioned magical synergy. This happens with SennHD600/Cardas/MG Head/OTL/NOS tubes.

Well about this comment, I have exactly this same setup, and I get rid of it, as soon as I try the "stock" CD3000 and no amp for now, but I have now a concern, why is so dificult to undestand that what is good for you, maybe is not for others...the gilmore is considered a good match for the HD600, no other synergy needed here, IMO he will not like the HD600 even with the cardas, just as I didin't, the cable won't eliminate the disgusting effect of the veil, I don't even keep the cable when I try to purchase it and returned it....