Prog Rock Headphone Recommendation?

[beyondthepale35]

So Im just beginning to empty my wallet into headphones, but unfortunately I am still a starving student and am pretty destitute at the moment. Ive pooled about 200 bucks, and am looking for a pair of headphones that I can use preferably unamped until I can muster up more for that. I mainly listen to progressive rock like Yes, Pain of Salvation, ELP, The Strawbs, etc., but I also like jazz and classical pieces as well. Ive been lookin around at the ESW9s if I can find em used, the SRH840s and a few others I cant remember off the top of my head. I would love to have K701s as I had K271s previously and enjoyed the AKG sound, but Im not going to do them the disservice of a crappy rig. I appreciate any suggestions, Ive been reading way too much on head-fi and I think my eyes are about to bleed.

Open or closed doesnt matter to me really, Im just looking for the best overall value, since I probably wont be purchasing any new phones for 6 months or so.

 

[UNHchabo]

I listen to a lot of prog rock/prog metal (Dream Theater, Rush), along with some jazz and classical, and I bought an ATH-M50 because I thought it would fit in with my musical taste; so far I seem to be right!

It has a fairly flat response, with a little bit of extra bass. Some people find it "boring" because it's flat (since it's a studio headphone), but I love it! However, if you want a "fun" headphone, then you may want to look elsewhere.

Although you said you don't care about open/closed, I needed a closed headphone (using them at work), and they do remarkably well at providing isolation.

 

[baka1969]

What about the Grado SR-80i or Alessandro MS1i? Plus you can use an amp such as the Headroom Total Airhead or Nuforce Icon Mobile. If you're totally set against an amp, you can go with the Grado SR-225i.

 

[Joelby]

^ X2

Grados/Alessandros are terrific for prog rock.

 

[beyondthepale35]

Yeah, I actually have a pair of SR 60is that Im selling, and I have read that Grados really are the best rock cans, but Im still debating whether or not I want to climb up the Grado chain. Their ability to sound good without an amp is definitely a plus, but I feel like I want something a bit more natural and detailed in my sound.

 

[Vkamicht]

I am mainly a prog rock listener, and I have recently left Grado and gotten Sennheiser HD 600. I feel they're a bit more balanced for the kinds of music I like. It really depends - prog rock is a broad genre, so you have to ask if you like the harder in your face stuff, or the more complex "intellectual" prog. I tend to fall into the latter (not always) and I found the senns work well with that. Sound stage is great when there is a lot going on in the music. And with prog, you'll find that kind of complexity often. IMHO of course

The "distant sound" of sennheisers has not really been an issue at all. I still find myself rocking out to Devin Townsend and the like.

 

[beyondthepale35]

Yeah, Im definitely into the more intellectual prog, not so much prog metal. I have been looking at Senns and would love to try a pair of 600s, but would they sound halfway decent without any sort of amp?

 

[MacedonianHero]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joelby /img/forum/go_quote.gif ^ X2 Grados/Alessandros are terrific for prog rock.

X3 for Grado and prog rock!

 

[sampson_smith]

x4. Alessandro MS-1(i) or Grado SR-225i + math rock = infinite bliss.

 

[the_equalizer]

For more "symphonic" prog-rock I enjoy my AKG K701's very very much. For something like Rush or King Crimson it's my Grado SR-225's all the way.

cheers!

 

[tdogzthmn]

I used to own the HD600 which I enjoyed a lot with many genres until I got my K702 which was much clearer and natural sounding. Sounds great with Porcupine Tree!

 

[logwed]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdogzthmn /img/forum/go_quote.gif I used to own the HD600 which I enjoyed a lot with many genres until I got my K702 which was much clearer and natural sounding. Sounds great with Porcupine Tree!

I love my HD650 with my music, but I've always been curious as to how many details the k701/2 could resolve that I've left unnoticed...

 

[artforme]

Try the AKG K702. From my understanding the subtle upgrades are worth the small price difference.

If you like progressive rock you would probably like post rock as well, and the AKG K702s go well with post rock in my opinion. As you probably already know post rock is a bit more repetitive than progressive, but it's easier to use for study music.

 

[beyondthepale35]

Yeah, Ive been looking into getting some 701/2s, but I just didnt know what to expect with them because theyre so hard to drive and all I have are my pc and my fuze =( Granted, getting them and then seeing them sit in a corner by themselves will make me want to get off my arse and make some money haha.

 

[beyondthepale35]

And Im glad to see so many prog rock lovers here haha, I literally can find no one who listens to what I listen to on campus. I guess I have an old soul, most college kids dont put on Simon and Garfunkel or Caravan these days =/