[RobLikesBrunch]

Hello,

I've had a pair of HD595s for about a year, paired with an ASUS Xonar STX Essence card...and my Dad offered to take the HD595s off of me...so now I'm looking into upgrading.

I was thinking I might want to broaden my scope a bit and try a different brand aside from Sennheiser (i.e. not going for the HD650s)....can anyone give me recommendations in the $300 or so price range? I'm relatively new to the audio world, so I think experimenting around and seeing what different headphones sound like may be a good thing to do.

Also, I have no external amp; but I presume the built-in one in my STX should suffice...correct?

Edit: Perhaps I should also stress the fact that listen to 60s-80s rock, almost exclusively (with some modern indie music in the mix).

 

[fenixdown110]

From the top of my head, the DT880 or K701 are both within that range. You WILL need a decent external amp though.

 

[dweaver]

AD900 might also be a good option for you.

 

[RobLikesBrunch]

What about the Grado SR325is?

 

[fenixdown110]

Good choice actually.

 

[RobLikesBrunch]

I looked around the forum for SR325is reviews and read up about them and they seemed like exactly what I want...so I indulged and ordered them. I think I will deny my Dad the pleasure of the HD595s and won't be necessarily "upgrading" from them, but rather will use the two pairs side-by-side.

...and I had $50 worth of credit on Amazon, so they came out to be $250...which won't make me terribly broke. Just a little.

 

[fenixdown110]

Glad to see you made a choice. Enjoy them for as long as you can before you want to upgrade again.

 

[dweaver]

Nothing wrong with what you bought

. I'm sure they will be quite a change from your HD595. Certainly will have a ton more energy.

 

[musicmind]

Perhaps the Denon D2000 might be a candidate, if you listen mostly to rock.
I did a review (see my sig) a while back with the Senn 595 and Denon 5000, where the D2000 is said to be quite close in general sound to the D5000. It might give you an idea of what to expect.

Edit : Just saw your post saying you got the Grados...enjoy

 

[pp312]

"where the D2000 is said to be quite close in general sound to the 595."

Well, I have both at the moment, and it's true that sound comes out of both. After that the resemblance is pretty vague.

 

[musicmind]

Ooops...my mistake..that was supposed to be "D2000 sounding close to the D5000". SKylab posted a review of the two back in 2007.

Thanks for the correction.