[grahamndodder]

These will be for use in bed in evening when wife is asleep

right next to me. When wife is not asleep, headphones are not top priority.

So here are the parameters: Closed, (for her, isolation from outside sound for me is not an issue) Comfy, and good, detailed sound. I listen to Jazz, Eclectic modern rock (not the hard stuff, tho) and classical voice. For those of you also into XM, it's Café 45, Watercolors 71, Beyond Jazz 72, Luna 75, and Vox 112. I also listen to the uncensored comedy channel, 150, but frequently get into trouble because shaking the bed by trying not to laugh is more bothersome for her than my actually laughing when she is trying to sleep.

I have Sony V6's. I like them, but would like to move to a little nicer neighborhood. Ety's are out. Budget is ~$200. Used is ok.

Looking around, I see Beyer 250-80's are getting a lot of rec's. Amp is CMoy (now) META (soon) and MG Head (eventually).

Should I consider anything else?

TIA,

GnD

 

[Steve999]

I have XM radio by my bedside, too, and at times I use my Sony V6s with Beyer pads with it, especially when I need comfort and isolation. It's easy to suggest open phones that are better than Sony V6s for less than $200 -- Grado SR60s on up, Senn HD580s, etc. etc. However, when it comes to closed phones, it's not so easy to find something that's clearly better. The V6s are nice with XM radio because I find XM radio lacks a little in the upper treble and lower bass, and the V6s help to make up for it.

The D66 eggos are more balanced and smooth phones but are a little shy in the bass area. They're so-so for bedside comfort, not as good as the V6s. The Beyer 250-80s, from my brief auditions, are going to give you smoother mids but will come up a little short in the mid and upper treble. And on and on with closed phones under $200. I guess what I'm saying is, you'll get a different sound, but I'm not sure you'll get something in a "nicer neighborhood" than the V6s for less than $200.

What I do with the V6s is use an equalizer to subdue the low bass, warm up the mids and tame the highs. It's a dramatic improvement, and it works like a charm, but it's not exactly orthodox head-fi.

But one possibility is that for one or two hundred dollars you could stick an equalizer in the path and suit the sound to your taste with whatever headphones you use.

I would be quite interested to see anyone else's suggestions, as I have pondered the same question as to an inexpensive V6 alternative many times. The D66 eggos (~$100) are different but the opinions are pretty split as to whether they are better.

I love my XM radio, too. Good luck!

Quote:

Originally posted by grahamndodder For those of you also into XM, it's Café 45, Watercolors 71, Beyond Jazz 72, Luna 75, and Vox 112. I have Sony V6's. I like them, but would like to move to a little nicer neighborhood. Ety's are out. Budget is ~$200. Used is ok. Looking around, I see Beyer 250-80's are getting a lot of rec's. Amp is CMoy (now) META (soon) and MG Head (eventually). GnD

 

[Mike Scarpitti]

Quote:

Originally posted by grahamndodder These will be for use in bed in evening when wife is asleep I have Sony V6's. I like them, but would like to move to a little nicer neighborhood. Ety's are out. Budget is ~$200. Used is ok. Looking around, I see Beyer 250-80's are getting a lot of rec's. Amp is CMoy (now) META (soon) and MG Head (eventually). Should I consider anything else? TIA, GnD

It's not clear to me that something else would be better. I use the v6 almost exclusively for bed-time listening, because it's not bulky, and is very rugged. In fact that's why I got them, as I had owned a pair before and sold them.

 

[grahamndodder]

Thanks very much for the replies. Given what you have mentioned, I might be better served saving the money toward my eventual tube-rolled Head MG and just stick to my V6's for nighttime listening.

BTW, if anyone is running the XM Delphi home cradle thru an MG Head and could report on the sound, I would love to know.

Steve - Where are you at in MD? I am in Columbia.

GnD

 

[Steve999]

If no one else has any advice, you might want to check headroom, audiocubes, and meier audio and see what they have in a closed phone for $200. I don't have much experience in the over $100 range.

I'm in Rockville. There seem to be a lot of Head-Fiers in the MD/CD/VA area.

Quote:

Originally posted by grahamndodder Thanks very much for the replies. Steve - Where are you at in MD? I am in Columbia. GnD