need a reccomendation for unamped cans...

[MattyS54]

hey people. i've been doing the research and i've narrowed down my choices a fair bit i think. i'm after a fairly hi-end set which are gonna be versatile but especially good for hip-hop and funk - i love loads of bass and demand quality bass performance all the way down to the ultra low sub-bass levels :0

they also need to be a set which are safe and comfortable to listen to for long periods of time, nothing that is going to blow my head off or damage my hearing long term. i hate harsh or overly bright treble so thats an issue and as in the title, the set that will give the best performance unamped - although i'm sure my x-fi front port is better than your average soundcard for driving headphones.

the sets i think would suit me pretty well -

Beyer DT-770
Beyer DT-990
Denon D2000
Ultrasone PROline 750

any help would be appreciated, especially on the suitability of the Beyers, as there are various versions and i'm not sure they are such a decent option as the others unamped...

peace, matt.

 

[captian73]

I've got the Proline 750's and i highly recommend them. If the D2000's anything like the D1000 (i have a pair) then the bass may leave you wanting.

 

[Mink]

Quote:

i hate harsh or overly bright treble so thats an issue

Alhough "bright" and "harsh" are pretty subjective qualifications (it's all in the ear of the beholder), some people on this forum complaint about bright and spiky treble with the Proline 750's.
The same with the Beyers in a certain degree.

The Denons, from what I've read, are the most balanced and easy-listening cans of all the phones you listed.
The bass may be an issue: (again) from what I've read on this forum - not my experience - it is big, but for some a bit bloated and undefined, though others don't have any issues with it.

I'm considering a pair myself.

 

[MattyS54]

add to that list the sennheiser HD-650 although again im unsure whether these would be decent without a headphone amp again and if the bass on them is meaty enough.

thanks for the reponses so far...

 

[pinkfloyd4ever]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattyS54 /img/forum/go_quote.gif add to that list the sennheiser HD-650 although again im unsure whether these would be decent without a headphone amp

no def not.

I believe the Senn 555 & 595 are supposed to be good w/o an amp, as well as Grado SR-60s (and maybe their cousin the Alessandro MS-1? somebody help me out on that)

 

[techniqu]

audio technicas are probably the best choice for straight out of the jack sound due to their efficiency.

 

[ralfie]

I own the HD555 and it does sound good unamped.. but you may have to listen at higher volumes.

I just got the AudioTechnica A900 today and are supposed to be very good unamped especially as they are closed there is good isolation as well, will let you know how they go as soon as I can.

 

[MattyS54]

after more reading around i'm leaning heavily toward the Denon D2000 now. are supposed to be decent unamped and a very high quality phone that is well balanced with a smooth high-end and some serious bass. its weird that some people complain at too little and some too much bass on this can but i think for my uses (funk, r&b, pop, hip-hop primarily - all music with a fair smack of bass to start with) i'm gonna get a really great listening experience.

the proline are an interesting option but i really want that mid-range to be present - seems like a lot of cans that are super super heavy on bass do funny things with the high-end and aren't great on the mids.

denon seem like the highest quality option all-round while still dishing out that big bass that i need for my likes in music. are my assumptions sounding right?