spindex
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2013
- Posts
- 16
- Likes
- 10
Hi guys, looking for suggestions on a good pair of closed capsule, durable and compact cans.
Background:
It was only 6 months ago I got a quality pair of cans for home use. I got M-50s after experimenting with half a dozen other pairs, some far more expensive, but all of which revealed a bit too much bias for the price in some facet.
By no means do I find ATH-M50s to be a perfect solution. I simply didn't want to pay more only to discover a coloration to the sound, and will wait to purchase a quality pair of open capsules when I have more money.
I enjoy a lot of detail in my music so the sparkling highs and relative lack of bias were good selling points for the ATH-M50s; but I do get frustrated with the flat presentation/thin soundstage.
They're a great pair for getting the feel of a *recording*, but NOT for revealing the detail of how something was *recorded*.
Why I need a pair of portables
My Klipsch Image S4 IEMs have worn out their welcome on those long subway rides. I need a pair of portable full-size closed capsules and I consider my ATH-M50s unwieldy and believe in making purchases that are tooled for the task.
I've tried Beyer COPs, Sennheiser Momentums, V-MODA Crossfade M-100s HD249s, Grados, and a few others.
The Momentums are well balanced sound. But it's actually rather laid back and mid-centric. I'd believe they would be pleasant, reasonably musical with a nice sounding but not overtly wide soundstage;
My complaint is at $350 they seem less impressive than somewhat larger headphones I've heard in that range. I know that you're paying for portability, yet I am not impressed by the retro-aesthetic and pathetic slide bar design.
the V-MODAs are actually quite musical to my ear. Higher attack and less laid back than the Momentums, which excites the ear at first. But damn, so clearly coloring the sound; They are certainly less accurate than Momentums-- they give it the recording an unnaturaly, circular swirling soundstage with major emphasis on the lows and mids. However NOT much less detailed than many seem to claim; just less laid back, less room to breathe.
I am tempted to like them, they are oh so comfortable, but again, this is the best in accuracy and portable build that $300 can fetch? At the end of the day, my real reservation is the step-down in detail in the highs will prove to be an annoyance.
IGrados have a nice treble along with a warmth, if not the most accurate can out there; but I find them awkward and uncomfortable.
I want to try Sony MDR1Rs but haven't found them off the internet. I hear they're nice. But still, not the most detailed and are still plasticky and bulky for a portable.
I am actually tempted to get the V-MODA M-100s but it seems utterly ridiculous for a lover of all genres including ethnic world music and classical music to get a pair of club raver cans!
Any suggestions? Again, emphasis on portability, style and durability along with balance and accuracy.
-spindex
Background:
It was only 6 months ago I got a quality pair of cans for home use. I got M-50s after experimenting with half a dozen other pairs, some far more expensive, but all of which revealed a bit too much bias for the price in some facet.
By no means do I find ATH-M50s to be a perfect solution. I simply didn't want to pay more only to discover a coloration to the sound, and will wait to purchase a quality pair of open capsules when I have more money.
I enjoy a lot of detail in my music so the sparkling highs and relative lack of bias were good selling points for the ATH-M50s; but I do get frustrated with the flat presentation/thin soundstage.
They're a great pair for getting the feel of a *recording*, but NOT for revealing the detail of how something was *recorded*.
Why I need a pair of portables
My Klipsch Image S4 IEMs have worn out their welcome on those long subway rides. I need a pair of portable full-size closed capsules and I consider my ATH-M50s unwieldy and believe in making purchases that are tooled for the task.
I've tried Beyer COPs, Sennheiser Momentums, V-MODA Crossfade M-100s HD249s, Grados, and a few others.
The Momentums are well balanced sound. But it's actually rather laid back and mid-centric. I'd believe they would be pleasant, reasonably musical with a nice sounding but not overtly wide soundstage;
My complaint is at $350 they seem less impressive than somewhat larger headphones I've heard in that range. I know that you're paying for portability, yet I am not impressed by the retro-aesthetic and pathetic slide bar design.
the V-MODAs are actually quite musical to my ear. Higher attack and less laid back than the Momentums, which excites the ear at first. But damn, so clearly coloring the sound; They are certainly less accurate than Momentums-- they give it the recording an unnaturaly, circular swirling soundstage with major emphasis on the lows and mids. However NOT much less detailed than many seem to claim; just less laid back, less room to breathe.
I am tempted to like them, they are oh so comfortable, but again, this is the best in accuracy and portable build that $300 can fetch? At the end of the day, my real reservation is the step-down in detail in the highs will prove to be an annoyance.
IGrados have a nice treble along with a warmth, if not the most accurate can out there; but I find them awkward and uncomfortable.
I want to try Sony MDR1Rs but haven't found them off the internet. I hear they're nice. But still, not the most detailed and are still plasticky and bulky for a portable.
I am actually tempted to get the V-MODA M-100s but it seems utterly ridiculous for a lover of all genres including ethnic world music and classical music to get a pair of club raver cans!
Any suggestions? Again, emphasis on portability, style and durability along with balance and accuracy.
-spindex
