[pianoplayer88key]

Ok... I would like to get a pair of cans soon in the $100 to $150 range, max. I would like the following:

closed phones so I don't have to crank them up so loud in semi-noisy environments (using weed eaters & lawn mowers, occasionally, riding in a car, etc)... I currently max pretty much any phones I currently have out on my source now in said situations, and they're still not loud enough above the noise, yet are probably too loud for my ears. also must be circumaural or I might be willing to try good canal phones

a wide frequency response with clean, warm mids, crisp highs, and somewhat punchy but not muddy lows (by lows I mean below 40 Hz, not 60 Hz to 200 Hz), for example the bottom notes on a concert grand piano or the pedal tones on an organ.

(not super important but might be worth considering) should be comfortable - I may wear them extended periods at a time (a few hours maybe)

low impedance and high sensitivity so I can easily drive them with dung sources that I have now, and if possible be able to, when they're not on my head, hear them from 20 feet away or so when I'm near a school when the kids are getting out, or hear them throughout a relatively quiet room fairly well



I live in El Cajon, CA (San Diego area) so I would need something I could try locally. Some stores nearby: Office Depot, Best Buy, Guitar Center, Fry's, Good Guys, might be a couple others but I forget.


As far as the music I'd be listening to, I mostly listen to traditional gospel/religious, some classical, and a fair amount of piano music.

some things I might listen to would be (note: these recordings aren't all the greatest, but it should give you somewhat of an idea of some of the music I like):

http://pianoplayer88key.hey.nu/mmiwbwypiano.mp3
http://pianoplayer88key.hey.nu/mmohpiano.mp3
http://pianoplayer88key.hey.nu/mmswkpiano.mp3
http://pianoplayer88key.hey.nu/mmwittypiano.mp3
http://pianoplayer88key.hey.nu/mmwmhpiano.mp3
(the above 5 mp3's are me playing songs on my beat-up old upright piano)
http://pianoplayer88key.hey.nu/ra_p2/Track01.mp3
http://pianoplayer88key.hey.nu/ra_p2/Track06.mp3
http://pianoplayer88key.hey.nu/ra_p2/Track11.mp3
http://pianoplayer88key.hey.nu/ra_p1/Track02.mp3
http://pianoplayer88key.hey.nu/ra_p1/Track03.mp3
http://pianoplayer88key.hey.nu/ra_p1/Track04.mp3 (bass note ~0:40)
http://pianoplayer88key.hey.nu/ra_p1/Track11.mp3
http://pianoplayer88key.hey.nu/ra_p1/Track12.mp3
http://pianoplayer88key.hey.nu/swpm/Track03.mp3
http://pianoplayer88key.hey.nu/swpm/Track06.mp3
http://pianoplayer88key.hey.nu/swpm/Track08.mp3
(the following few are small clips pasted together)
http://pianoplayer88key.hey.nu/pianotone/bass.mp3 [speaking of bass clarity, if anyone here is into bass guitars, do you know where I could get a decent acoustic bass (I want to feel the vibrations of the low notes) that, unamplified, sounds as good as these pianos? I think I understand that longer strings are better (for example, most bass guitars have a 34 or 35" scale length, as opposed to 78" or longer for most concert grand pianos (80" for Yamaha, 79 1/4" for Steinway, 87" for Bosendorfer, 90" for Fazioli (biggest model string lengths of lowest notes given)) However, if there's no way to get the sound of a 7-foot string in a package that's small enough for me to hold, I would be willing to settle for a bass similar to what's on http://pianoplayer88key.hey.nu/piano...o-(before).mp3 (bottom A is 56")) I would want to be able to play low notes on the guitar, though, for example at least down to bottom A on a piano (preferably have enough clarity and/or richness, and lack of mud in the tone just above that low A or around there to be able to play melodies down there), and if possible down to bottom C on pedal tones on an organ or Bosendorfer Imperial concert grand piano. (end of temporary deviation from headphone subject]
http://pianoplayer88key.hey.nu/piano...te_playing.mp3
http://pianoplayer88key.hey.nu/piano...per_treble.mp3
http://pianoplayer88key.hey.nu/piano...inclvocals.mp3
http://pianoplayer88key.hey.nu/piano...withvocals.mp3


Ok..... I know that's long, but I would like to make sure I get good phones for my type of music, and I AM on a restricted budget, unfortunately.

I've been considering the Sennheiser HD-280 Pro. I don't like the coiled cord, but I understand it's replaceable, so that's not an issue. Any other models in the same or comparable price range you would recommend? (btw my max price includes, if applicable, tax and shipping to Southern California.)

 

[pianoplayer88key]

Is there any better Sennheiser I could get in my price range? or is there an Audio-Technica, AKG, Ety, or other (not Grado - I want closed not open) brand / model I could get? Based on what I've read on here and on headwize.com, I'm steering clear of Sony's (unless there's a good model, like the V6 or equivalent from what some of you say) that might be in my price range.
I DO want to get good headphones, so I don't want to pay less than $75 street (unless it's a really good deal, for example $65 for something that normally sells for $95).

 

[bangraman]

Based on what I've read here, I'm not ENTIRELY sure that you're not having a laugh (sorry if you aren't). I've read through most of your requirements, I haven't bothered to download any of your MP3's but I'm thinking it's classical you want. The HD280 seem to be your ideal choice given your needs and budget.
I would waggle the Audio-Technica ATH-A900 in your direction as well, as I have done countless times for other people, but they are $200+shipping.

 

[pianoplayer88key]

Quote:

Originally posted by bangraman I would waggle the Audio-Technica ATH-A900 in your direction as well, as I have done countless times for other people, but they are $200+shipping.

Where can I read more about those? I may be able to pay a little bit more than 150, but 200 is a bit high (unless I get a killer deal)

 

[mtillman]

You won't get a mega-deal.

The Ultrasone HFI-650 from Meier Audio might be worth considering. 145usd inc shipping, but transaction charges will cost up to 10usd.

Mine left Germany this morning. Standby for a first impression.

 

[bangraman]

Quote:

Originally posted by pianoplayer88key Where can I read more about those? I may be able to pay a little bit more than 150, but 200 is a bit high (unless I get a killer deal)

Duncan has done a review of my (now his) A900's.
Go to the Featured Full Reviews of Headphone under the Headphones forum and you'll see a comparison of the A900 against the stock HD600.

 

[pianoplayer88key]

ok... i read that about the A900.

I'd actually probably have to hear the cans to know for sure whether or not I'd like them. Do you know what stores I could look in that carry the more common brands on this site, like Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, Sony (the good ones), AKG, Audio-Technica, etc, or any one or two of those?

 

[ooheadsoo]

I have no clue where you can try out good phones in my area. Good Guys is the only store you named where you can try phones on at all. The hymn mp3s of you playing that you provided are not very high quality...

 

[pianoplayer88key]

Quote:

Originally posted by ooheadsoo I have no clue where you can try out good phones in my area. Good Guys is the only store you named where you can try phones on at all. The hymn mp3s of you playing that you provided are not very high quality...

I know they're not good quality mp3's, but it's what I got.

What about Guitar Center or Fry's? Do you have any idea what they might have?

 

[ooheadsoo]

Fry's has a good selection of low end sonys and philips, etc. For the high end, they may have the V6, V600, the DJ series, and the F1. It's possible they may have some higher model sennheisers, but unlikely. The only thing I recommend getting at fry's (unless you have plenty of cash to burn on testing various models of sonys for fun) is the Koss Porta Pro (if you can find it, $10) and the V6. The V6 is about $70-$80 at fry's and you can save on shipping costs and time.

I don't know a lick about Guitar Center