[Scot1970]

Hi there,
 
My Shure SE530s are no more and so I'm thinking of a change of direction. I'm considering over the ear headphones for my next pair of travel out-and-about cans. I listen to a lot of symphonies so I prefer a neutral and organic, tending to warm, signature that has a wide and open soundstage, has great detail and natural unforced bass that extends way down.
 
Can you please recommend a pair that would match this criteria? I was thinking perhaps of the Sennheiser Momentums. My source is a Cowon X9 (soon to be iBasso DX90 or Fiio X5) with FLAC files ripped from CD via Exact Audio Copy or high-res downloads.
 
Thank you. Scot

 

[CJG888]

You should definitely try the Beyerdynamic DT250 (250 ohm version).

They need quite a bit of power, but both the DX90 and the X5 will have no trouble at all.

This is about as close as you will get to a closed HD600 at a reasonable price (and they are lightweight and robust). Like the Momentums, they are circumaural but very compact (the MLs are supra aural, and the D2000 are quite bulky).


http://www.head-fi.org/t/598201/the-beyerdynamic-dt250-appreciation-thread

 

[Scot1970]

Thanks, folks. The DT250s and the DT880s have a huge impedence and seem to be more suitable for home listening. I already have a pair of Grado SR80is for home. The P7s look good and get a great write-up from What HiFi, but again they are recommended as a home use headphone. This is why I was looking favourably towards the Momentum over-ears: they seem to have a decently wide soundstage for closed cans, they're closed so good for travel, they have low impedence (18ohms) and they have a balanced and natural output. The only thing I still don't know is how suited they are to classical music (symphonies, mainly). In my ideal world, I would have a set of cans that have the wide soundstage of an open-backed set but were actually closed-back for on-the-go. Elementary physics probably says no.

 

[CJG888]

Neither of your preferred DAPs will have any trouble driving the DT250s. Even the DX50 will manage. An iPod will not, however...

 

[iBeyerX90-COP]

Beyerdynamic custom one pro is a great compromise. With velour pads for classic. Momentum is a good choice though.

Ps : i listening a lot of classical and baroque music.

 

[Claritas]

XPT100 or another CD990 clone (such as the original FA003--not the Ti revision--and HM5). Honestly though, I don't recommend full size for portable use and use in ears myself. Best luck!

 

[chrisjackson]

http://www.head-fi.org/t/530008/the-eu-deals-thread/675#post_10911764

 

[H T T]

Mikros 90 gets my vote for the criteria you list.