[XHale]

Hey everyone, looking to get some open headphones to complement my FA-003 since my biggest issue with them is the small soundstage.
 
I have 2 ways to buy them: get my sister to bring them back from Austria during summer break, so from EU or buying the locally (Malaysia)
 
I listen to all types of Classical exclusively.
 
These are my current choices:
 
1. HD598/HD558 110EU/75EU from Grothusenav.com in Vienna
2. FA-011 120EU from Headsound.de in Germany (I think)
3. AKG K612 175EU from Thomann.de in Germany
4. Audio-technica AD900X 170EU locally
 
They will be paired up with a O2 and Ipod 5.5G
 
Would definitely prefer it to as cheap as possible, funds are tight.
 
Thanks

 

[XHale]

I'm also considering MS1i's locally (to be modded to MS1000).
 
I'm a cellist so the timbre of the cello is very important.

 

[gtb123]

What about the K701? Wide soundstage and great detail.

 

[LugBug1]

Quote:

What about the K701? Wide soundstage and great detail.

+1 
 
my fave classical cans after the H800's. 

 

[XHale]

Hmm, I can get them for 205EU shipped from Thomann. That's a bit of a stretch for my budget though. If I can sell my FA-003 I may consider it, since I have no need for isolation now. Is buying a B-stock item ok? Also, a O2 should drive them fine, right?

 

[LugBug1]

Quote:

Hmm, I can get them for 205EU shipped from Thomann. That's a bit of a stretch for my budget though. If I can sell my FA-003 I may consider it, since I have no need for isolation now. Is buying a B-stock item ok? Also, a O2 should drive them fine, right?

B-stock is fine, and better than buying second hand. Just means they maybe an open box unit or returned item. But as good as new. 
 
I haven't heard the O2 but I have read plenty of people being happy with that pairing

 

[gtb123]

Quote:

Hmm, I can get them for 205EU shipped from Thomann. That's a bit of a stretch for my budget though. If I can sell my FA-003 I may consider it, since I have no need for isolation now. Is buying a B-stock item ok? Also, a O2 should drive them fine, right?

 
I am currently quite enjoying  my K701 with O2+ODAC. By the way, I am a Malaysian too.

 

[3X0]

DT 880.
 
Skip the 701. Poor timbre, insufficient rendition of lowest octaves.

 

[gtb123]

Quote:

DT 880.
 
Skip the 701. Poor timbre, insufficient rendition of lowest octaves.

I think he couldn't afford it. He has to sell his FA-003 to fund for a b-stock K701.

 

[XHale]

Ah, the DT880 is what I wanted to get originally, but lack of funds got in the way. Unfortunately, like gtb123 said, I still can't afford it. Thanks for the tip about the K701 though.
 
gtb123, nice! 

Where did you get your K701 and O2+ODAC?    
 
Thanks Lugbug1, will get B-stock if I buy from Thomann.
 
AD900X isn't available, so
 
HD598 (110EU) vs FA-011 (120EU) the HD598 is really cheap though, may go for that.
 

 

[LugBug1]

I also like the DT880 with classical, but the op stipulated that they wanted larger soundstage. 
 
DT880 : Bright, average size soundstage, soft sounding (but highly detailed), light on bass.
 
K701 : Huge soundstage, very neutral and balanced, Bass matches treble. 
 
The DT880 were the only headphone that I've had to use and equaliser to calm down the treble with any SS amp I used. I'm not saying they aren't very good headphones. But a transparent amp such as the O2 is not going do them many favours. I would recommend a LD mkIII or similar for the DT880's  

 

[gtb123]

Quote:

Ah, the DT880 is what I wanted to get originally, but lack of funds got in the way. Unfortunately, like gtb123 said, I still can't afford it. Thanks for the tip about the K701 though.
 
gtb123, nice! 

Where did you get your K701 and O2+ODAC?    
 
Thanks Lugbug1, will get B-stock if I buy from Thomann.
 
AD900X isn't available, so
 
HD598 (110EU) vs FA-011 (120EU) the HD598 is really cheap though, may go for that.
 

K701: Using a shpping service in Lowyat. He brings things from US to Malaysia for a cheap price.
O2+ODAC: My uncle bought it from US to Malaysia for me.
By the way HD598 is having a bundle sale at Jaben. You can check it out on its online store.

 

[XHale]

Lugbug1, Yeah that's what I read when I was planning to buy the DT880. I think the bright treble may have caused me to think that there was more detail when I heard it.
 
gtb123, PMed.
 
So how does the k701 fare with Cello?

 

[xaval]

MS1000 is more than enough. Amping them is not even an issue.

 

[XHale]

Hmm, the thing is that the total cost of the MS1i plus MS1000 mod will be around 200EU. Although I could get the MS1i first and save up for the mod...
 
But is the MS100 on par with the K701 and HD598 for classical?