[ElephantTLK]

Hi!

I need help (again) with buying next pair of phones. Im seeking for something simmilar to HD650 in SQ or even better for mainly rock, jazz, fusion, prog type of music. I was reading this entire forum but still didnt find answer what is the best to choose. Here is my list:

Audio-Technica ATH-AD900
Beyer Dynamic DT880 (wich ohm version?)
Ultrasone PROline 750
Ultrasone PROline 2500
Denon AH-D2000
AKG K701
Grado SR225

So what to choose? I need help because in my country there is no shop nearby to go to listen to the selected phones. Only Grado´s and Sennheiser.
So im buying from net.
Need help for that.

Edit:

i expect from headphones that they have a tight, fast bass, good mids (vocals) and clear detailed highs. My source is for now X-Fi platinum & Go-Vibe 5. But in future i am planning to upgrade to Cambridge amp, cd player and some good headphone amp.

 

[ElephantTLK]

 

[squall343]

I personally find the DT990 better than the DT880

 

[Chris_Himself]

ive been curious about the K701 and K601 lately, if you get it, make sure to tell me about it.

 

[ElephantTLK]

No answer yet. What to choose?

And what do you think about this amp:

CIAUDIO - VHP-2 HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

Is it good amp? Better than Creek OBH or not?

 

[ElephantTLK]

Still no reply.

Ok i will try another way. Lets say if i must choose beetwen phones listed bellow, what to buy?

BD DT880 (32ohm or 250ohm?) what is difference
Denon AH-D2000
Ultrasone PROline 750

I need fast, well cotrolled bass, good midrange (not recessed/veiled), clear, bright highs. Mostly for use in rock, prog. rock, old classic rock some jazz, fusion... Here is the list of bands that i listen to:

Pink Floyd
Genesis
King Crimson
Marillion
Mahavishnu Orchestra
Porcupine Tree
Queen
Tool
Can
Dire Straits
Frank Zappa
Gentle Giant
Gong
Hendrix
and on and on...

 

[Pibborando]

Yeah, you're pretty much describing the DT 880s. Get the higher ohm model if you've got decent amplification (which it looks like you do).

 

[ElephantTLK]

Thanks for reply. And what difference is beetwen 32ohm and 250 ohm version? Better sound or what? And no i don´t have for now a really good amp. Do DT880 have good midrange? What about Ultrasone?

EDIT: you mean Go-Vibe 5? Can that little amp drive 250 ohm cans?

 

[Pibborando]

Your Go-Vibe should work fine. My little AE-1 provides way more than enough juice to get these babies loud and clean. I have not heard the 32ohm version but it is generally recommended to get the higher impedance version (if you've got the amplification) as the extra power needed to drive them keeps the driver in better control, which means better sound. I guess. The 32ohm version would be if you had to use them un-amped out of a portable player, for instance.

I haven't heard any Ultrasones so I can't comment there. But the DT 880 does have an excellent mid-range. It's neither really emphasized nor recessed compared with the rest of the spectrum. The cans are exceedingly detailed from the lowest extents of bass to the highest highs. Ever so slightly brighter than neutral, but it looks like that will fit with what you are looking for. The bass is tight, but powerful when called upon. Like I said, everything is just well balanced. And the soundstage is amazing, both in size and precise positioning.

I've listened to many of the bands you posted on these and I think it's perfect for prog-rock type stuff.

 

[ElephantTLK]

Thanks. So DT880 sounds like a good choice. Only one thing bothers me. In threads on this forum i´ve read that is a 2003 version better. True or not? New ones are only 2005 version or what? Are they also good as older model?

And sorry for my poor english.

 

[Pibborando]

I've not heard the '03 version so I can't give an opinion there. From what I've read, it seems the difference is 1) extremely minimal, 2) more a matter of taste than one being "better" Either would be excellent, so I'd say just get whichever is easier to get for you, or cheaper, or looks better. You'll get a great can either way.

 

[ElephantTLK]

Thanks. You helped me a lot. Now just have to choose beetwen PROline 750 or DT880. Thanks.

 

[Pibborando]

This review for the 750 might help.

Also, why are you looking at the 750 and not the 2500? The 750 is closed, the 2500 open, I'd figure it to be a better competitor to the 880.

 

[ElephantTLK]

According to Headroom the DT 880 are a winner. And yes i was looking to Ultrasone 2500 too. But from what i see are DT 880 much better than Ultrasone 750, 2500. Review of 750 is what i was not expecting:

The ProLine750's bass response sounds mildly boomy to us with a rather pronounced veiling of the mid-ranges that further places seemingly unnatural emphasis on the edges of the sound spectrum

Ok probably i will choose DT 880.

 

[ElephantTLK]

Ok guys you helped me a lot. It´s a late reply but finally i´ve got some time.

So today i will probably order my next pair of headphones. So my final question is:
wich of this three is the best choice for music that is in my first post? I want detailed sound with fast, good bass and also good mids.

Sennheiser HD650
Beyer Dynamic DT 880
Ultrasone PROline 2500

But there is also one thing. What closed cans do sound good as ones above?
Recommend me some closed cans too.

Edit: i am looking a step up from phones that i own (595). So they must be better i every way.