balu_613
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2005
- Posts
- 49
- Likes
- 13
I'm a relative newbie to headphone listening and find the information on this site a little overwhelming as I try to decide how to upgrade my current setup.
My first pair of serious headphones were a pair of Stax Lambda Pro/SRM1-Mk2 (acquired circa 1986-87) that have seen very little use in almost 20 years. Though I loved their sound (and still do), I found them somewhat uncomfortable for long listening sessions. In any event, I was not really into headphone listening until I got an iPod, Ety ER-6i and Grado SR-60 about a year ago. Of late I find myself listening to music for almost 6-7 hrs a day at work and enjoying it for the most part. The Etys get used most of the time (to avoid disturbing my neighbors at work) but I switch to the Grados later in the evening. While they both sound good, it was clear that I had to do some serious upgrading to match the sound I get from my home stereo. What I think I need are an amp (or two) and some better headphones. I just received an RSA Hornet yesterday but haven't tried it yet since I'm waiting for the iPod dock connector from ALO Audio. I am considering getting a closed headphone, an IEM and perhaps, a Grado 225 or Sennheiser 600/650 for the late evenings I spend at work.
For closed headphones the choices appear to be Denon D2000 (or D5000), Beyerdynamic 660 (?) or audio-technica ATH-W1000. I see refernces to Darth Beyers but I am not sure what they are and if they can be purchased without having to wait for weeks. I don't have a firm budget for this item but something in the range $300-$500 looks reasonable to me considering I don't really have much experience with headphones. I listen primarily to Jazz and some classic rock and prefer a balanced sound to one that emphasizes the lows, mids or highs. I am looking for opinions and/or suggestions on which headphone in this category would serve as a good entry point that one can live with for a year or two without getting the upgrade itch.
For the IEM, I'm currently leaning towards Shure E500. Though I love the crystalline clarity of ER-6i, I find that they get a bit "shouty" at times and definitely lacking in bass. I was initially tempted to get a UE-10 Pro but the hassle of having to go to an audiologist (with the potential for repeat visits) changed my mind. Is there any other IEM that significantly outperforms the E500?
In the Open Headhones category I'm tempted to get both a better Grado AND one of Sennheisers' top models but think that will be going overboard too soon, so I'm going to restrict myself to just one of those. I like the Grado sound but find the SR-60 a little veiled and grainy, so I was thinking of getting an SR-225/325 which would be a step up. On the other hand, I'm definitely curious about the buzz that surrounds the Sennheisers, so I'm left with a difficult choice here. Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome.
Finally, I would appreciate any information on where I can find these headphones at good prices. The information I've gathered so far is:
1. Grados are almost never discounted, so go with some reputable dealer that offers good service.
2. PriceJapan.com for Denon D2000 or D5000 and Audio Technica stuff.
3. Shure E500: (from a recent thread) a couple of sites that offer them for around $325.
4. Sennheiser HD600/Hd650: Around $265 or $300 using Google product search.
5. Beyerdynamic DT 660 - $150 - $200 using Google product search.
Is the above information reasonably accurate?
Thanks.
My first pair of serious headphones were a pair of Stax Lambda Pro/SRM1-Mk2 (acquired circa 1986-87) that have seen very little use in almost 20 years. Though I loved their sound (and still do), I found them somewhat uncomfortable for long listening sessions. In any event, I was not really into headphone listening until I got an iPod, Ety ER-6i and Grado SR-60 about a year ago. Of late I find myself listening to music for almost 6-7 hrs a day at work and enjoying it for the most part. The Etys get used most of the time (to avoid disturbing my neighbors at work) but I switch to the Grados later in the evening. While they both sound good, it was clear that I had to do some serious upgrading to match the sound I get from my home stereo. What I think I need are an amp (or two) and some better headphones. I just received an RSA Hornet yesterday but haven't tried it yet since I'm waiting for the iPod dock connector from ALO Audio. I am considering getting a closed headphone, an IEM and perhaps, a Grado 225 or Sennheiser 600/650 for the late evenings I spend at work.
For closed headphones the choices appear to be Denon D2000 (or D5000), Beyerdynamic 660 (?) or audio-technica ATH-W1000. I see refernces to Darth Beyers but I am not sure what they are and if they can be purchased without having to wait for weeks. I don't have a firm budget for this item but something in the range $300-$500 looks reasonable to me considering I don't really have much experience with headphones. I listen primarily to Jazz and some classic rock and prefer a balanced sound to one that emphasizes the lows, mids or highs. I am looking for opinions and/or suggestions on which headphone in this category would serve as a good entry point that one can live with for a year or two without getting the upgrade itch.
For the IEM, I'm currently leaning towards Shure E500. Though I love the crystalline clarity of ER-6i, I find that they get a bit "shouty" at times and definitely lacking in bass. I was initially tempted to get a UE-10 Pro but the hassle of having to go to an audiologist (with the potential for repeat visits) changed my mind. Is there any other IEM that significantly outperforms the E500?
In the Open Headhones category I'm tempted to get both a better Grado AND one of Sennheisers' top models but think that will be going overboard too soon, so I'm going to restrict myself to just one of those. I like the Grado sound but find the SR-60 a little veiled and grainy, so I was thinking of getting an SR-225/325 which would be a step up. On the other hand, I'm definitely curious about the buzz that surrounds the Sennheisers, so I'm left with a difficult choice here. Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome.
Finally, I would appreciate any information on where I can find these headphones at good prices. The information I've gathered so far is:
1. Grados are almost never discounted, so go with some reputable dealer that offers good service.
2. PriceJapan.com for Denon D2000 or D5000 and Audio Technica stuff.
3. Shure E500: (from a recent thread) a couple of sites that offer them for around $325.
4. Sennheiser HD600/Hd650: Around $265 or $300 using Google product search.
5. Beyerdynamic DT 660 - $150 - $200 using Google product search.
Is the above information reasonably accurate?
Thanks.
