thsu02
Head-Fier
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2002
- Posts
- 95
- Likes
- 12
Hello,
I'm pretty new to head-fi, and I must say I really enjoy it and my wallet has suffered accordingly.
However, I'm still in search of the right phone for me.
I'm looking for a set of cans for home use either from my Powerbook, iPod, or Rotel RX1050 amp/ Kenwood DP-R4080 CD player.
(Please don't flame my sources - those will be updated in time but right now I could use some cans)
I have a JMT META 42 and Fixup Super mini headphone amp.
My current phones:
Ety ER-4P
Koss KSC-35
Senn MX-500
Senn HD600/Cardas Cable
Grado SR80
My music prefs are classic rock, some alternative, modern rock.
Recent hi-rotation CDs:
1. DMB - All Albums
2. Norah Jones- Come Away With Me
3. Simon & Garfunkel - Greatest Hits
4. Foo Fighters - The Colour And The Shape
5. Better than Ezra- Deluxe
6. Sarah McLachlan - Fumbling Towards Ecstasy
The Sound I'm looking for is somewhere in between the Grados and the HD600s.
I have had the SR80s for a long time and like the sound - very crisp and lively. However, I don't like the harshness at times. Female vocals sometimes are actually shrill and can hurt my ears with these phones. They are fatiguing to me with certain types of music.
So, I recently picked up the HD600 with Cardas cable. I do like these phones a lot, but I feel like they distance me too much from certain types of music. I have removed the foam pads, but that doesn't really produce a natural sound to me. When I compare the HD600 with the Grados I sense the "veil" that some hear in the Senns. It's like some of the treble is lost or distanced. Of course the Senns have greater clarity and musical separation. The SR80s are a little muddy in comparison.
I know it's not really fair to compare the SR80 with the HD600, but they are the only references that I have.
The Ety's are great too, but are so neutral that I will use them mostly for portable listening only.
So, I'm looking for a headphone that will drop my jaw when I hear it. I want a transparent can with large soundstage. I am not really a bass freak and find the bass on the HD600 to be excellent - perhaps a little thin on the SR80.
I don't know if I should just go up the Grado line: ie SR-325 or even RS-1/Rs-2. Will these phones reduce the harshness and improve clarity while keeping the lively, crisp sound I'm used to?
Should I get some Audio Technicas?
I've heard great things about the w100 and the ATH-A100Ti. And there's great anticipation over the w1000 that are coming out soon.
Some people love the Beyers.
ARGHHHH, so many cans to buy, and so little money. I know a lot up this is personal taste, but I haven't found anywhere to audition a good range of phones. Can anyone with similar tastes to mine send over some opinions.
I'd really appreciate it.
By the way, I'm looking to spend at most $500.
I'm pretty new to head-fi, and I must say I really enjoy it and my wallet has suffered accordingly.
However, I'm still in search of the right phone for me.
I'm looking for a set of cans for home use either from my Powerbook, iPod, or Rotel RX1050 amp/ Kenwood DP-R4080 CD player.
(Please don't flame my sources - those will be updated in time but right now I could use some cans)
I have a JMT META 42 and Fixup Super mini headphone amp.
My current phones:
Ety ER-4P
Koss KSC-35
Senn MX-500
Senn HD600/Cardas Cable
Grado SR80
My music prefs are classic rock, some alternative, modern rock.
Recent hi-rotation CDs:
1. DMB - All Albums
2. Norah Jones- Come Away With Me
3. Simon & Garfunkel - Greatest Hits
4. Foo Fighters - The Colour And The Shape
5. Better than Ezra- Deluxe
6. Sarah McLachlan - Fumbling Towards Ecstasy
The Sound I'm looking for is somewhere in between the Grados and the HD600s.
I have had the SR80s for a long time and like the sound - very crisp and lively. However, I don't like the harshness at times. Female vocals sometimes are actually shrill and can hurt my ears with these phones. They are fatiguing to me with certain types of music.
So, I recently picked up the HD600 with Cardas cable. I do like these phones a lot, but I feel like they distance me too much from certain types of music. I have removed the foam pads, but that doesn't really produce a natural sound to me. When I compare the HD600 with the Grados I sense the "veil" that some hear in the Senns. It's like some of the treble is lost or distanced. Of course the Senns have greater clarity and musical separation. The SR80s are a little muddy in comparison.
I know it's not really fair to compare the SR80 with the HD600, but they are the only references that I have.
The Ety's are great too, but are so neutral that I will use them mostly for portable listening only.
So, I'm looking for a headphone that will drop my jaw when I hear it. I want a transparent can with large soundstage. I am not really a bass freak and find the bass on the HD600 to be excellent - perhaps a little thin on the SR80.
I don't know if I should just go up the Grado line: ie SR-325 or even RS-1/Rs-2. Will these phones reduce the harshness and improve clarity while keeping the lively, crisp sound I'm used to?
Should I get some Audio Technicas?
I've heard great things about the w100 and the ATH-A100Ti. And there's great anticipation over the w1000 that are coming out soon.
Some people love the Beyers.
ARGHHHH, so many cans to buy, and so little money. I know a lot up this is personal taste, but I haven't found anywhere to audition a good range of phones. Can anyone with similar tastes to mine send over some opinions.
I'd really appreciate it.
By the way, I'm looking to spend at most $500.