[jlipton]

I just bought a pair of AKG k601s and a used Ray Samuels XP-7 amp to go with my Macbook Pro and Apogee Duet. I use them for guitar work/practice. The 601s are pretty light on bass, so I may return them. If I do, I would want another set of headphones to use with the XP-7 and Duet.

More specifically, I want:
- "open" headphones, so I can hear my guitar amp through the headphones while listening to a song through the headphones. In other words, I don't want to close off all outside sound
- Good bass (doesn't need to be too much), but very good clarity and detail
- Something that can be driven by an XP-7
- Cost <$300

What do you recommend?

 

[Jaska]

I would think that the K601 would be smokin' via the Duet's own headphone jack. I might actually buy a pair to use with my Duet in the near future. The K601 has the best bass of any AKG I've owned or heard so far, but that's a matter of personal taste to be sure.

 

[jlipton]

I returned them and purchased Grado 225s. Not as comfortable (but still ok), but I think they sound better for what I use them for. Easier to drive also, so much so that I may sell my RSA XP-7 and just use the headphone output from my Apogee Duet

 

[vvanrij]

Grado's rock for rock.

 

[Zorander]

I suggest a Grado or Alessandro

 

[jlipton]

what's the diff between the Grado and Allesandro?

 

[LuckyKarma]

Alessandros tend to be more neutral, less bright on the highs. I had the SR225 before I got my MS-1, so I never got to A+B them, but I like my MS-1 a lot better on my amp than I did the SR225 (headphones connected to Marshall VS100 head).

 

[trb36]

The bass on the K601 does improve with burn-in, but it still is no where near the quantity of bass that my friend's Grado SR-80s has.

If possible, my suggestion would be to audition a couple headphones if possible. There are tons of headphones out there that meet your criteria.