[Relayer71]

Hi all,

My Sennheiser PX100s died and I'm thinking about getting another pair - this is really a no-brainer: they're very comfortable, lightweight, inexpensive, and they sound great.

But looking at what's available where I'm buying them made me wonder if perhaps I should try something else. I really had NO complaints about the PX100s, I love the sound but should I try one of these?

Senheisser:
hd 205
hd 465
hd 212
hd 485

Grado:
SR 60

I'll be using these straight into my Ipod 100% of the time so I'm not about to spend over $100 - these are all around the price range of $49 - $79 which to me is reasonable. Haven't heard any of them but of course have heard a lot about the SR 60 (the one thing I noticed right away is the SR 60 doesn't look very comfortable).

I listen generally a lot of progressive/modern rock and "post-rock" (Genesis, Gentle Giant, RUSH, Mogwai, Godspeed You Black Emperor, Tortoise, Trans AM, Kate Bush, Sonic Youth, Radiohead, etc.) with some occasional Jazz & Classical.

Basically I like a clean, neutral and natural sound. My ears are sensitive to too much midrange and I like lower frequencies to be distinct and clear but not so much boomy and "inyourface".

Any ideas or suggestions or criticism of the above choices? Or should I stick to the PX100s?

Thanks!

 

[MaZa]

If you liked PX100, you can stick in Sennheisers and move up in that line. SR-60 are kinda opposite to PX100, fast and aggressive, bright headphones.

 

[donunus]

sr60

 

[HFat]

If you care about the lightness and the comfort, nothing that I'm aware of can replace PX100s... nothing that has a headband anyway.

Now, I do not consider the PX100s to be "clean, neutral and natural"... either these words have different meanings for me or the OP doesn't know what he's missing.

 

[Relayer71]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HFat /img/forum/go_quote.gif Now, I do not consider the PX100s to be "clean, neutral and natural"... either these words have different meanings for me or the OP doesn't know what he's missing.

Care to enlighten me?

To my ears the PX100s sound smooth and mostly balanced. On some recordings the high end is a bit tame but nothing ever sounds dull or one dimensional. These also give my ears nicely defined bass. Like the highs, it's toned down but not neutered - clear and pleasant, not dominant or boomy.

Again, through my Ipod, unamped and with my files at 256 variable AAC to 320 AAC I think these are great. The overall sound is mellow but still satisfying.

So what I"m looking for is something with a similar basic sound signature but more definitition/soundstage. Nothing too aggressive - and from the last hour of researching these forums it seems all those Sennheiser's I mentioned are the opposite and the SR 60 may be similar but with more pronounced high end.

 

[BrookR1]

If you're looking for portability, check out the iGrados...same driver, but they sound just a bit darker and laid back. Somewhere in between the SR-60s and PX100s.

 

[HFat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Relayer71 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Care to enlighten me?

I have nothing to teach.
Words are empty and fleeting.
Only the one who has heard can truly know. When music becomes music again, you will understand.

Seriously though, what are you comparing your Senns to? If you haven't heard many of the flavours, I think you should give something different a try. But if you really want something similar, MaZa's advice is sound... he probably has HD555s or possibly used HD580s in mind (there are Senns that do not sound like this).

 

[Relayer71]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HFat /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have nothing to teach. Words are empty and fleeting.

If words were truly empty and fleeting then we'd no use for communicating with strangers via internet forums

Back to topic though, I've listened to many "cheapies" from various brands over the years until I discovered these forums and picked up the PX100 upon reading so much praise about them.

These are inexpensive as well but sounded a whole lot better than anything I'd previously owned (last ones I had were the Sony MDR-V300, bleh).

Been reading about the Grado SR 80 and got to see a pair up close today on my lunch break and am really loving the look (love the box it comes in too, heh) so maybe I'll give those a listen.

 

[HFat]

Your mind can not tell you what is or isn't of use.

By the way, I think SR-60s and MS-1s come with pads that make the sound as well as the comfort of Grados more like PX100s... but better ask Gradologists about this.

 

[Joshatdot]

Try KSC75's with Headband mod, iGrados, SR60, mebby AKG K24P?