[daniel679]

Hi,

I currently own two headphones:
AKG K240 DF
Ultrasone 900 Pro

I really like both of them. The AKGs are very analytical, they have a very clear and accurate sound but lacking bass. The ultrasones have a very colourful sound, rich with bass. These two sound very different from each other and they provide a very different experience.

I'd like to buy another pair that is comparable in quality to these two, but provides a different experience. Something special. What would you recommend, for up to $400, if anything at all?

Thanks!

 

[squee116]

Grado sr80e
AKG K7XX/K712
Phillips Fidelio X2
Sennheiser HD600/650

 

[serman005]

Open or closed headphones?

 

[buke9]

That's easy HiFiMan HE-400S. Something different and very good.

 

[daniel679]

Open or closed - doesn't really matter to me as long as they're different from the ones I own.

Sennheiser 600 looks interesting.
@buke9 I've been also recommended HE-400i which go for $250 now on amazon. What is the difference between the two?

Are there better options for up to $400?

 

[buke9]

Open or closed - doesn't really matter to me as long as they're different from the ones I own.

Sennheiser 600 looks interesting.
@buke9 I've been also recommended HE-400i which go for $250 now on amazon. What is the difference between the two?

Are there better options for up to $400?

The 400i's are more neutral the 400S are not as bright with a bit more bass after you get a pair of Focus A pads.

 

[serman005]

If you are going to look at the HD600 (listening to it right now--very happy), then I agree with @squee116 that you should also consider the slightly more bass oriented and less treble focused HD650. It is terrific as well. Just different.

 

[riderx1]

Try the he560

 

[daniel679]

The ultrasone 900 pro I own have shrieking treble, which drives me nuts. Really noticeable in high pitch vocals.

If I narrow down my choices to:
HE400I
HE400S
HD600
HD650

Is there a choice I should avoid if I worry about shrieking treble? Also I prefer clarity over bass, if any of the choices favours one over the other. I'm not sure what the bright/dark thing is about.

 

[Topspin70]

Clarity over bass? For the Sennheisers, that would be the HD600. Just auditioned them closely few days ago. Very nice clarity but not lacking in bass.

 

[Mkoll]

HD600 has stood the test of time in this industry and for many people, including myself. I'd say they're not strong in the bass department, ranging from either "just enough" down to "far too little" for a lot of people's tastes I think. It has an intimate, unoffending, goldilocks sound.

If you want really good bass with strong performance elsewhere, try the TH-X00. But it sounds like you already have cans with that.

The DT770 is a great pair of headphones and well within your budget. I actually picked that up for listening more than the HD600 because of its stronger bass and more forward presentation overall.

 

[daniel679]

I actually had a chance to try the DT770. To be honest I wasn't greatly impressed. Soundstage was lacking, as well as clarity. Are the HD600/650 or HE400I/S a big improvement from it or do I need to shell out more cash for a significant improvement?

 

[serman005]

The ultrasone 900 pro I own have shrieking treble, which drives me nuts. Really noticeable in high pitch vocals.

If I narrow down my choices to:
HE400I
HE400S
HD600
HD650

Is there a choice I should avoid if I worry about shrieking treble? Also I prefer clarity over bass, if any of the choices favours one over the other. I'm not sure what the bright/dark thing is about.

The HE400i and HD600 are the two brighter of the four. But neither one is strident or sibilant or shrieking, IMO. They are just more toward the brighter side of the ledger with their treble response than the HD650 and HE400S. If you are worried about treble, maybe consider one of those two, neither of which is bright really at all (IMHO) (I own both).

 

[ahmadfaizadnan]

HD650 is a keep for me but might need an amp though

 

[Old Dirty Puppy]

I second the The Hifiman HE400s. Also I highly recommend the Monoprice Monolith M1060 Rev 2. Amazing sound quality at a budget price of 300 USD. But make sure they are Rev 2 and not the first batch. The first batch had a bunch of quality issues that they have fixed with the new Rev 2. Personally I can't think of any pair of headphone that I like more than the M1060 for under 500 usd.