Reasonably priced "hard to drive" phones?

[Nathan P]

Hi all,
 
I built a Millett Starving Student a while back and while it sounds great with my MDR-V7506's, they really don't need it. I even adjusted the volume pot/resistor setup to make it more friendly for efficient phones but I still can only use the first quarter of the volume range or so. Are there any phones that would make better use of it's oomph without breaking the bank? I was looking at the T50rp but I'm concerned they'll sound terrible without mods. I'm interested in modding, but if I have to spend another $200 on mods I might as well buy a used set of HE-400s right? Is there much sound difference between the mkIII T50rps and the "originals" you can still buy for ~$60 cheaper? I figure if I did mod them, unless the drivers themselves are vastly improved, paying more for things like better earpads seems silly.
 
Is there anything else in the sub $150 range that would benefit greatly from amping? DT990 600 ohm used maybe? I am interested in dipping my toes in the planar side of things but I'm not positive I can get the sound I want in that world for the pricerange I'm looking at.
 
Thanks,
Nathan

 

[Redcarmoose]

Hi all,

I built a Millett Starving Student a while back and while it sounds great with my MDR-V7506's, they really don't need it. I even adjusted the volume pot/resistor setup to make it more friendly for efficient phones but I still can only use the first quarter of the volume range or so. Are there any phones that would make better use of it's oomph without breaking the bank? I was looking at the T50rp but I'm concerned they'll sound terrible without mods. I'm interested in modding, but if I have to spend another $200 on mods I might as well buy a used set of HE-400s right? Is there much sound difference between the mkIII T50rps and the "originals" you can still buy for ~$60 cheaper? I figure if I did mod them, unless the drivers themselves are vastly improved, paying more for things like better earpads seems silly.

Is there anything else in the sub $150 range that would benefit greatly from amping? DT990 600 ohm used maybe? I am interested in dipping my toes in the planar side of things but I'm not positive I can get the sound I want in that world for the pricerange I'm looking at.

Thanks,

Nathan

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yqm50k-PK30
Amazingly Zreviews on You Tube explains how the Fostex MK111s are soo much better than any previous models that it's a joke?
https://www.amazon.com/Fostex-Professional-Studio-Headphones-Semi-Open/dp/B0167XM092
Have not heard the Fostex MK111s but he is pretty confident.

 

[Nathan P]

Watching the review now. Laughed my head off at the inefficient comments.

 

[buke9]

With power the 400's are pretty fun. With a grill and Sorbathane mod they are pretty good.

 

[Me x3]

Hifiman HE-4
Beyerdynamic DT880/990 (600 Ohm)
K240 Sextett/DF/Monitor (600 Ohm)
K601
K612
HE500
 
(HE400 is quite easy to drive)

 

[Monsterzero]

  Hifiman HE-4
Beyerdynamic DT880/990 (600 Ohm)
K240 Sextett/DF/Monitor (600 Ohm)
K601
K612
HE500
 
(HE400 is quite easy to drive)

 

[Nathan P]

Picked up a pair of T50rp mkIII. Already love the sound, but I can still only turn my amp up to about 1/3 if I set my DAC to 0dB on the line out. Maybe I just have sensitive ears. These things have amazingly tight midbass. Goodness gracious. The vocals too... wooooooo.
 
I'm going to keep my eyes out for a pair of K240 sextett or monitors on ebay too just because I'm curious about the AKG sound and why not go old school now that I have a set of brand new planars? 

 

 

[Redcarmoose]

Picked up a pair of T50rp mkIII. Already love the sound, but I can still only turn my amp up to about 1/3 if I set my DAC to 0dB on the line out. Maybe I just have sensitive ears. These things have amazingly tight midbass. Goodness gracious. The vocals too... wooooooo.

I'm going to keep my eyes out for a pair of K240 sextett or monitors on ebay too just because I'm curious about the AKG sound and why not go old school now that I have a set of brand new planars?   

Cheers!