[eversuns]

Hey

I am fairly new to the headphone scene and am looking to upgrade from my AKG K44 Headphones.

I am looking to use the headphones for music listening (Coconut Records, Arctic Monkeys, Muse, Bob Marley, Cold War Kids, DragonForce, Daft Punk, The Hoosiers, Jet, Kaiser Chiefs, Kasabian, The Killers, Kylie Minogue, Mindless Self Indulgence, Operator Please, Kubichek!, Pink Floyd, RHCP, Snow Patrol, System of a Down, The Wombats and the 1990s + More)

At the moment I have been looking at the Audio Technica Ad700s but I am worried that the bass response might be a bit lean :S (I am a bass player and like to be able to hear the bass guitar

)

Source: iPod Classic 80Gb and PC (No amp as of yet)
Budget: $200

Any suggestions?

 

[troymadison]

sr-225 or d1000 or hd595

If I had to choose one, probably the D1000, although I haven't heard any grados yet

 

[ClieOS]

If you really like bass than you might want something closed. Maybe a pair of A700 or A900?

 

[eversuns]

Hmm

I wouldn't call myself a bass head though

I just want to be able to hear it

I don't want it to be in your face bass.

 

[HardHeadCase]

Seems that you like Rock type music and will be using your ipod without an amp. For these reasons I would research Grado Headphones. People seem to think they ROCK and they are 32 ohm and can be driven by your Ipod. Yuin PK-2 earbuds since you use an ipod would be good also. Check out the descriptions for each headphone you think you might want at HeadRoom - Right Between Your Ears and then when you narrow it down then you can see what people here on the forum have to say about each one.

 

[plaidplatypus]

My ATH-A900LTD work fine from an iPod Classic. Grados are cool too.

 

[eversuns]

for portability I have a pair of UE Superfi 3s

Ill update my sig

keep them coming guys

 

[intoflatlines]

My SR225 sound absolutely amazing with Pink Floyd.

 

[eversuns]

Ok this is what I am now considering:

Audio Technica Ad700
Alessandro MS-1
AKG K81 DJ

 

[glac1er]

Alessandro MS1 is a good choice, probably the best for $100. Don't forget to consider the DR150.

In my experience open sounds better than closed, and the K81 can't match the other two in your list in terms of sound quality.

 

[silencewithin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by eversuns /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ok this is what I am now considering: Audio Technica Ad700 Alessandro MS-1 AKG K81 DJ

have you heard of the store "headphonic" there in perth? Headphonic | Australian Headphone Specialists: Buy Etymotic, Alessandro, Audio Technica, Ultimate Ears, Talisman, Meier Audio and more
I'm not affiliated with them, just a satisfied customer

They have all three of those headphones, you might be able to try them out. And many others - at your own risk! You might end up with an MS-Pro...

I brought my MS-1 from there. I am considering selling them and you are welcome to them. I'd sell them to someone in Australia for about the cost of them new from America (assuming alessandro still do free shipping?) which is cheaper than from that store above, but I'm in Melbourne so you'd get them quicker, and would have a warranty from that store in Perth, I think the balance is 5-6 months (if that is significant?). PM me if interested - no obligations don't worry. Plus I'm in no hurry. I thought I'd never sell these headphones (I *love* them, they have around 800-1000 hours on them, on my head, in 7 months. They look pretty damn new though

) but I have made a few impulse purchases lately and feel guilty.
I'm listening to Billy Joel on them right now

I haven't heard the other phones you are interested in. The MS-1 suit me though. I listen to a lot of the same bands you do (almost religiously!) - but the MS-1s are suited to almost anything and do it well. Messy treble on some trance which irritated me... that's why I bought a stax setup, which I haven't listened to in weeks... And that purchase along with incoming dt-770s, diy cable materials and tools (and the very non-audio related Uni) is why I'm interesting in recouping costs!

Try that store in Perth

 

[HardHeadCase]

I say go for the MS-1 as well.

 

[eversuns]

Ok,

well as soon as the headphone shop re opens (holidays) I am going to go in and have a listen

Thanks for the advice

 

[eversuns]

hmm what if I upped my budget to $300? Then I can look at more options

That would bring in:

A900
AD900
ATH-ESW9

any more worth considering?

 

[silencewithin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by eversuns /img/forum/go_quote.gif hmm what if I upped my budget to $300? Then I can look at more options That would bring in: A900 AD900 ATH-ESW9 any more worth considering?

If you are going to drop AU$300 you are approaching territory where you can pick up a major set of headphones. They might need an amp and a good source to shine though. Bye bye budget

Of course not all headphones there or up require an amp to sound awesome.

I just try to get the most value for money because I can't afford to spend heaps and heaps buying everything. I just want to listen to music.
If two headphones cost about the same I'd rather have the better set (and assuming the lesser set had no virtues worth owning) and value for money would overtake other considerations. I am a cheap person though.

If that shop is your oyster than you might be able to listen and you'll know what you like

Buying overseas or from the for sale forums will often get you much more for your money though.

You may find that some cheaper headphones sound good enough that for your present purposes it is hard to justify spending considerably more for not much more.
Source can be quite a limiting factor. I don't know much about ipods.

Do you need portability? Lugging around K701s or something isn't too practical. You'd want to consider size, isolation, cost, durability etc.

When you hear what's out there you'll probably know where you want to go.

Also consider that although sizable, this is unlikely to be your last head-fi pressured purchase

As unfortunate as that may sound. You may want to consider planning for the future.