[414353]

I currently have a pair of Sennheiser HD518s that while I think they are fine headphones, I still find them lacking in some detail. I think they are a bit on the warm side.
I'm looking for a headphone that is good for all kinds of music (vinyl and CD will be the media). I will be using them for listening and reviewing...not reviewing the headphones, but the music.
I'm not a headphone guy and try to avoid using them at almost any cost, but my current situation may call for it on occasion at least. (Doesn't make any sense to invest in $400 headphones or something).
 
I'm looking at the Takstar Monitor Hi 2050. How good are these for music listening such as I do? Are they lacking in that area and more geared to gaming or MIDI?
 
I'll be plugging into receivers directly, but if what I get requires a separate headphone amp, no problem, plenty of those to chose from and I'll pick one up.

 

[cel4145]

What is your overall budget?

You might also look at this studio headphone thread: http://www.head-fi.org/t/702924/best-studio-headphones. Studio headphones will tend toward being neutral, which might be good for reviewing music.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  I currently have a pair of Sennheiser HD518s that while I think they are fine headphones, I still find them lacking in some detail. I think they are a bit on the warm side.
I'm looking for a headphone that is good for all kinds of music (vinyl and CD will be the media). I will be using them for listening and reviewing...not reviewing the headphones, but the music.
I'm not a headphone guy and try to avoid using them at almost any cost, but my current situation may call for it on occasion at least. (Doesn't make any sense to invest in $400 headphones or something).
 
I'm looking at the Takstar Monitor Hi 2050. How good are these for music listening such as I do? Are they lacking in that area and more geared to gaming or MIDI?
 
I'll be plugging into receivers directly, but if what I get requires a separate headphone amp, no problem, plenty of those to chose from and I'll pick one up.

 
Maybe replace the HD518 with a HD558.
They both use the same 50-Ohm driver, the HD558 will have less bass, but should be a little better in other areas.
 
I own the Technical Pro HPT-990, they are relabeled Hi2050, good headphone for it's price, but I like my HD558s a little better.
 
Receiver's headphone jacks usually have a high impedance (Ohm), so you usually want to get headphones with a much higher impedance, for plugging into the receiver.
So the 50-Ohm Sennheiser headphones are kind of borderline for plugging into receivers.
You might check out the Fischer Audio FA-011 headphones, they are 160-Ohm, which should work be more preferred for plugging into a receiver's headphone jack.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/221848819888?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

[414353]

What is your overall budget?

You might also look at this studio headphone thread: http://www.head-fi.org/t/702924/best-studio-headphones. Studio headphones will tend toward being neutral, which might be good for reviewing music.

Budget = as low as possible. I am willing to go to $200 if I need to. $300 would have to be the ultimate headphones.
 
Thanks for that link and I had not thought of that. I'll take a look. I made a list of headphone candidates and I'll also see if any are already on it. I just was starting with one and depending on info would either purchase or move on to the next.

 

[414353]

   
Maybe replace the HD518 with a HD558.
They both use the same 50-Ohm driver, the HD558 will have less bass, but should be a little better in other areas.
 
I own the Technical Pro HPT-990, they are relabeled Hi2050, good headphone for it's price, but I like my HD558s a little better.
 
Receiver's headphone jacks usually have a high impedance (Ohm), so you usually want to get headphones with a much higher impedance, for plugging into the receiver.
So the 50-Ohm Sennheiser headphones are kind of borderline for plugging into receivers.
You might check out the Fischer Audio FA-011 headphones, they are 160-Ohm, which should work be more preferred for plugging into a receiver's headphone jack.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/221848819888?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Funny, I've actually been considering that lately. I don't like booming or loose bass, but I also don't like shrill and tin or severely lacking bass. I like bass that is detailed and musical. I'm not into rap and the like. However, I need the appropriate bass to be there for prog rock, jazz and classical, etc.
 
I never considered the impedance of headphones because I don't know where to start with that. A brief primer would probably put me right though, if I could find one that doesn't get into the weeds too much. Thanks for bringing that up, it seems important especially as some headphones are offered with different impedance versions. 
So if I understand correctly (no guarantee of that) I would want higher impedance for plugging into receivers and lower impedance would require a separate amp? (That also makes me wonder what the performance differences are).
 
Oh yeah, I don't understand headphone measurements, so don't get into that please.
 
I don't want anything to do with ebay, sorry.

 

[414353]

So basically the Takstar HI2050 might be good for a rainy day, but not as main "go to"? Is that what we are saying here?
 
If so, then on to looking at the next in line.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  So basically the Takstar HI2050 might be good for a rainy day, but not as main "go to"? Is that what we are saying here?
If so, then on to looking at the next in line.

 
Beyer has the DT770, DT880, DT990, which all offer 250-Ohm versions, usually 250-Ohm is a safe headphone for plugging into receivers.

 

[414353]

   
Beyer has the DT770, DT880, DT990, which all offer 250-Ohm versions, usually 250-Ohm is a safe headphone for plugging into receivers.

Hmm, this is revealing info. My Senn HD518s are 50 Ohm and driven fine by my receivers. That said, headphone jacks on receivers are after-thoughts and usually not a dedicated amp or circuit necessarily so sound quality could be questionable with some headphones plugged into a receiver.   
I tried a pair of Beyers a few months ago, but I don't remember the model and they may have been quite old, they were certainly used, that much I know. I found them completely lacking in detail and bass. I wish I could try those models you listed, but no way to do so. I have to purchase headphones at very high risk, which I do not dig at all. If not happy, there is nothing I can do. I can't return them because it cost extra to do that and I certainly can't sell them. 
So whatever I get must be good. That's partly why I am trying to limit cost to the lowest possible and not more than $200. It's hard enough dealing with a $60 loss let alone a $200 loss.

 

[cel4145]

My Senn HD518s are 50 Ohm and driven fine by my receivers.

The issue with most receivers has to do with the low impedance output. The general rule is that the low impedance output of a headphone amp should be at least 1/8 of that the headphones. Most receivers, it has been found, have fairly high low output impedance. The consequences? The frequency response of the headphones may be off some, depending on their impedance variance (most headphone's impedance varies some across the frequencies) and then electrical dampening, which can affect bass quality.

So sure. Most receivers can drive most headphones loud enough. Just not optimal at accurately producing the sound that they should with lower impedance headphones.

 

[414353]

The issue with most receivers has to do with the low impedance output. The general rule is that the low impedance output of a headphone amp should be at least 1/8 of that the headphones. Most receivers, it has been found, have fairly high low output impedance. The consequences? The frequency response of the headphones may be off some, depending on their impedance variance (most headphone's impedance varies some across the frequencies) and then electrical dampening, which can affect bass quality.

So sure. Most receivers can drive most headphones loud enough. Just not optimal at accurately producing the sound that they should with lower impedance headphones.

Ah, that makes sense. I might have tried to say that, but you said it better. I wonder why my HD518s sound awful with most headphone amps I've tried, but alright with plugging direct into a receiver? Does it have direct correlation with the fact that they are 50 Ohm?

 

[414353]

Ok, what about the AKG K 240? I have read that it has loose bass which is bad, but will tighten up with a headphone amp.
I guess the question is would this be a good choice for what I require for the money or do a lot of other headphones beat it in my price range?
 
One thing I need to keep in mind with this one is the fact that it's an AKG and they are not known for their support. In fact, it's almost non-existent. I have read a lot of folks have trouble with AKG for support, they almost tend to deny they even make headphones it almost sounds like. To me I would not want to really go with any product where the company doesn't stand behind it if I don't have to.
I've contacted them myself to ask about one of their products and they refused to give a direct answer. All I got was very vague and almost a denial which I found strange.

 

[cel4145]

Ah, that makes sense. I might have tried to say that, but you said it better. I wonder why my HD518s sound awful with most headphone amps I've tried, but alright with plugging direct into a receiver? Does it have direct correlation with the fact that they are 50 Ohm?

I have no idea. I don't know what receiver you have or what headphones you have tried.

 

[414353]

I have no idea. I don't know what receiver you have or what headphones you have tried.

I only have two pairs of headphones...well really just one. I have my Senn HD518s and the Monoprice premiums. The monoprice ones I use as clamps for holding things together while glue dries for instance, as headphones they leave a lot to be desired. I know I certainly can't wear them longer than 60 seconds.
 
I have in my main system a Denon 4520ci receiver and then i have a tiny collection of vintage receivers I use in another system.
 
As for headphones I've tried, not many due to being unavailable. I have tried some Audeze ones or similar looking which I can't stand...too heavy and big, like wearing a 10 pound weigh on your head and I have severe neck problems. Besides, I could not afford them anyway, even if I were Bill Gates. I've tried a pair of Phillips #2 or whatever the model is (I'm lousy with model numbers) and I thought they were just ok, but the bass was wonky. I tired a pair of AKG Kx7xx and thought they were ok, but not built well and they were just prototypes that never made it to market. I've tried a pair of Sennheiser HD600s through a four digit headphone amp from the same make and have heard better sounding tin cans. Finally I have tried the HD558s in a store, but I have to do that one over. I have no idea of the specs of any of them

 

[cel4145]

Oh, well you have the AVR-4520CI. That's Denon's flagship. They might have put a good headphone amp in that

 

[414353]

Oh, well you have the AVR-4520CI. That's Denon's flagship. They might have put a good headphone amp in that

Maybe, the jury is still out on that. Perhaps with some slightly better headphones all the facts will come out.