Rank your headphones. Please rank your headphones that you own and use regularly. Please don’t list or rank headphones that you use to own or that you have tried. My goal here is to have a positive outlook ranking, not a product bashing list. I figure that if you own and use them, you must like them. Right?
My list.
1)AKG K1000
2)Etymotic ER-4S
3)AKG K501
4)Grado SR-125 (looking to upgrade these to SR-325i)
1) Senn hd650 + Zu Mobius
2) Grado hp-2 w/ reference cable
3) Akg k340
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Below are cans I could easily live without:
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4) hd600
5) hd580
6) Grado sr-225
7) Akg k271s
8) Philips hp170
9) Ipod stock buds
10) Aiwa hp-x222
Well truthfully I only use the top 2 regularly (sometimes #3 too) for critical listening, but I've put a lot of time on most of these cans at some point.
Edit: Broke the tie in the top 2 slots. Upon further listening with my new Meridian G08, the 650 + Zu is sounding like the better all-around can.
I'm just starting out, but fairly happy with #1 & #2, (though I do need a new closed can in the near future to replace #3). Here is my ranking of current phones:
1. Sennheiser HD 650/Zu-XLR: warm, inviting sound that always works for me; I never tire of its presentation and character - the HD580/600/650 has been my sound for over 2 1/2 years now
2. AKG K 1000: more resolving than the HD650/Zu-XLR but doesn't sound as cohesive and isn't as universally enjoyable as the HD650 to me; the presentation the K1000 achieves is certainly unique, however
3. Beyerdynamic DT770-80: these really are much better than their 250ohm brethren, and they are now my third favorite sealed headphones (right behind the K271 and DT250-250); the fact that they are the most comfortable sealed cans of all IMO (the silver velour is still unmatched and the headband is perfect once Kramer’s mod is performed) is why they're sitting atop my head as a type this at work
4. Alessandro MS1: a tad bright and tonally lightweight, but it's the best semi-portable open 'phone I've encountered and it lends nearly all genres a fun spin
5. Sennheiser HD25-1: the most portable full-sized headphone; this 'phone is warm and fun with great impact and clarity (especially when the stock steel cable is upgraded to OFC copper); they're not the most neutral or detailed sealed cans, and the clamping can grow wearisome (even with the velour pads and ample break-in/stretching), but for portable usage I have not found a more appropriate solution
6. Koss KSC-75: colored, a tad bloated and oh-so-fun! These classic cans started life as the KSC35 and PortaPro and the same basic design is still a winner - the resolution is startling for their price, and they fit snugly inside a beanie
7. Sennheiser MX 400-RC: these earbuds were included with my iRiver and while they cannot compare with the aforementioned cans above, they do hold their own and are some of the best 'buds around; the fact that they're ~ $10 only sweetens the package (I still listen to 'em every once in a while to remind myself of the average listening experience and I still have a blast with them on - it's the music, stupid!)
EDIT: Actually I think I prefer the DT770-80 to the MS1...
This list is comprised of all headphones I own (or at least I've located in the house).
Technically, #1 and #2 are tied, for each has a solely different purpose, and I love them both.
1) Audio Technica ATH-A900
1) Future Sonics EM3
3) Nakamichi SP-7
4) Bang & Olufsen A8
5) Sony MDR-G74SL
6) Sony MDR-W20G
7) every other crappy bud that came with various players over the years that are now collecting dust
1.) Stax SR Lambda Pro Classic
2.) Stax SR-5 Gold
3.) Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro
4.) AKG K-501
5.) AKG K-14 P
The Lambda is the clear winner. Best frequency range and the quickest can I have, also a great soundstage and very comfortable. The SR-5 gains place 2 because it has the best soundstage and a very nice warm sound.
The decision between place 3 & 4 is hard: The Beyer has a great soundstage, a great frequency range but is a bit too bright, boomy & slow for my taste. The K-501 has definitely the nicest and warmest sound, is the most comfortable one, is very quick but misses a bit at the upper and lower end of the frequency spectrum. I think I grab the Beyer a bit more often.
The K-14P isn't bad, it shares some of the good points of it's big brother, but as an earbud it's too far behind. But it plays in a different league than my noisey Knopex IRHP-200 IR Headphone and the cheap earbuds (philips, sangean, noname china) that I have. The original iPod earbud is still in it's sealed package, as I know it's probably too bad for me. I can't rate these budget phones as I don't listen with them anymore.
BeyerDynamic DT880 w/ Cardas Upgrade = Clean, Clear & Open
Koss KSC35 = ridiculous value for the money
Sennhieser HD565 = more congested than the top of the line Senns, but still have the Senn flavour...
Grado RS1 = The shock of the pack, now i've heard the coloration, I just can't get it out of my mind...
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