New to Head-Fi, Looking for a Jack-of-All trades phone

[Head_Hermie]

Greetings, first post, but I've been reading to forums on and off for a year. Unfortunately I now have the urge to buy a real set of headphones. I've been reading reviews, looking at threads others have started looking for help, and flipped coins trying to decide what I should buy. I only have a budget of $200USD and I'm trying to fill all of my audio needs.

I was planning on heading to the local Guitar Center and buying Beyer dt770's, but I tend to over think my purchases. Now I have 2 game plans, but I can't tell which would be better for me. I may just go get the 770's, I'm a bass player (basshead

) and when I tried them out I really enjoyed them. But I was also thinking about buying some cheaper Grado's (I listen to Rock and Metal mostly) Koss A130 from ebay, and a portable amp (probably the PA2V2) and cover my bases that way. If I get the Beyer's I won't have an amp right away, but i would get one within the next month or so.

Now for the question

What setup would work nicely for everything, games, movies, and music, but will stay in my price range? It doesn't have to be listed above, I just need some help, or some reassurance from people that actually have a knowledge base. I have roommates, so closed is prefered, but not required. I also have had problems with headphones that clamp hard that set on my ears (I can't think of the term, it's late).

Thanks in Advance!

 

[nickchen]

I'll bash you with my standard DT770 answer: Only recommended if you don't mind the bass being slowish & subwooferish, which only suits to downbeat-electronica IMO. And the creature needs an amp.

If your music taste is more conventional or has more bandwidth, I recommend the AT A900 heartly. It has enough bass for bassheads and is hardly to be beaten in the "Jack of all Trades" and in the "simple setup" section.

Maybe also the mentioned Grado, as you state to be Rockhead. The cheaper Alessandros need to be EQ'ed for basshead signature.

 

[augustwest]

The Grados in your price range don't have that much bass, unless you can snag a HF-1.

- augustwest

 

[DevilDog]

Grados are only going to be good for certain types of music and not good at all for movies or games.
I've never heard the AT A900 but since I have the Sennheiser HD-595s I'll heartily recommend them. They're good for everything, but if you're looking for boosted bass they don't have that. They're fairly well balanced.

 

[captian73]

Quote:

Sennheiser HD-595s I'll heartily recommend them. They're good for everything, but if you're looking for boosted bass they don't have that. They're fairly well balanced.

i have to agree with devildog, the 595's are middle of the road.

the beyers (i've got the 660's) are great for bass.

the grado's (i've got the sr60's and 125's) i would never considder if i wanted bass.

the 595 although i though the bass was lacking, fits in the middle.

it's a tough call, but i go with devildog and say get the 595's

 

[wnmnkh]

HD-595 as others say

 

[derek8555]

Another vote for HD595, they are quite good even unamped.

 

[Mercuttio]

I wouldn't try to EQ the extra bass into Grados. That really doesn't work too well.

 

[FooTemps]

Grados aren't very bass heavy, but they still can suffice for bass if you have the right pads and do some proper eq.

They aren't very "jack of all trades". Soundstage isn't good at all so games and movies aren't as great. Even my crappy aiwa headphones are better for games and movies.

edit: Mercuttio pretty much nailed it on the head. It's hard to eq bass well with my Grados, but once you find a good setting you should stick to it.

 

[nickchen]

595s for a guy who wants bass?

Awright, Charlton Heston for Nobel Peace Prize

 

[Ikarios]

Is something wrong with me? Do my Grados sound different? Everyone here isn't recommending Grados for bass... The Grado bass is awesome IMO, and the iM716 bass is horrid, IMO. I thought I was a basshead...

Maybe it has to do with me using comfies instead of bowls?

 

[Mercuttio]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aflac Is something wrong with me? Do my Grados sound different? Everyone here isn't recommending Grados for bass... The Grado bass is awesome IMO, and the iM716 bass is horrid, IMO. I thought I was a basshead... Maybe it has to do with me using comfies instead of bowls?

Grados have very nice tight bass, and it's certainly more prominant with flats. What else have you heard though?

 

[MD1032]

My HF-1's with flats give me plenty of bass, and while it's not crazy subwoofer bass, it digs deep, and it's extremely clean and tight. Bass drum kicks have quite an impact and tightness I've not yet heard any other phone match, it's uniquely Grado. Still, if you're a basshead, the DT770's might be what you're looking for. Personally, I heard them a few times at the national meet and was utterly dissatisfied with the bass. There's very little low bass compared to the gross, overblown upper and midbass.

 

[a1rocketpilot]

I will also recommend you check out the HD595. The DT-770's are a very good phone, and it certainly does have a lot of bass, but I wouldn't categorize it as one note flabby bass. Sure, it isn't tight like Grado bass, but it isn't as bad as some would have you believe. If you can, audition both and see what you like.

Aditya

 

[FooTemps]

I use my SR225s with the bowls turned around. I like the bass extention, but it's still lacking in bass impact. It's clean and a joy to listen to, it just doesn't have as much presense as I'd like.