[linnerd40]

Hello all!
I'm a new member here, but I have been reading around these forums for quite some time now (you guys seem really knowledgeable)! So, I have come to ask about recommendations for good quality headphones for classical music.
I have been looking at the Ultrasone HFI 580s which look pretty darn good, in my opinion. However, what can you guys recommend? Price needs to be under $200 (preferably $150 +/- $20, but I will pay for good quality), I'm just rather non-wealthy high school student

The most important thing is excellent sounding classical music... not sure what that will mean in technical terms, but they should sound good

So, what other models are there to consider? Thanks!

-linnerd40

 

[Jo-Vo]

Hey,

I like my Sennheiser HD595 with classical music very much. I guess they should be in your budget (but might need an amp, don't know your equipment).
Greets
Jonas

 

[Rednamalas1]

K501 + decent amp - Classical specialist IMHO

 

[linnerd40]

Those HD959s look really nice, and are getting positive reviews too, from what I can see. However, I can't find prices below $200, so it would really be pushing it.

The AKG K501s look good too, what are their strengths? I can't seem to find much about them online (and seem to be sold out for that matter too).

I will be using these headphones mainly with my computer which will soon have an Asus Xonar D2 sound card. I don't have enough money for an amp, but it would definitely be a consideration in the future.

Thanks for the replies! Any one else have any suggestions?

 

[MONVMENTVM]

Quote:

Originally Posted by linnerd40 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Those HD959s look really nice, and are getting positive reviews too, from what I can see. However, I can't find prices below $200, so it would really be pushing it. The AKG K501s look good too, what are their strengths? I can't seem to find much about them online (and seem to be sold out for that matter too). I will be using these headphones mainly with my computer which will soon have an Asus Xonar D2 sound card. I don't have enough money for an amp, but it would definitely be a consideration in the future. Thanks for the replies! Any one else have any suggestions?

Driving these cans without an amp will be hard. Grados live up with an amp but don't necessarily need one, but these Senns and AKG won't really run without an amp. But for classical music you won't be happy with a Grado (if it is not a GS-1000 which is not cheap).
Maybe you should get a HD595 or K501 and a cheap (portable?) amp to begin with. Later you could buy a well performing desktop amp and use the other one as a portable on the go. That's what I'd do. Or you could buy a good portable amp, which easily drive these cans and be happy with it.

 

[linnerd40]

Thanks for the recommendations guys, I really appreciate it.

What will a fairly good amp cost me? I'm tight on the budget... and I am not an extreme audiophile, so is an amp worth it?

 

[Jaw007]

Sennheiser HD595s.Try finding them in the FS threads used.

 

[rocdoc]

I was in a similar situation recently. The HD 595's were high on my list, and everyone says they sound great even without an amp. I had an HP out on my integrated amp, and I knew a dedicated amp was on the way, so I got AKG K601 instead. I love them, but definitely need an amp. Classical music comes out amazing out of them. Just listened to the Wiener Philharmoniker on a good recording - wow those strings come out like they are beamed down from Heaven!

 

[linnerd40]

Well, it looks like the HD 595s are definitely in my consideration, and also the AKG K601s...

However, I am really looking for a closed design. I'll be using these in some environments were it'd probably be good to not have music leaking out or noise leaking in... And I really need something that doesn't need an amp for the time being.

Thanks for the help so far!

 

[ricmat]

MAN!!!

forget everything here your read!

You have two very good to decide:

- HD580 (there are a great pair on the FS now for about 150USD, DONT LOOSE THAT CHANCE!!)

- K701 (but here, the price tag should be hard to beat...)



grab the HD580!


Cheers!

 

[ricmat]

(of course if you very good HP at that price.... because you will not find very good closed HP for classical lower than 300USD... ...)

 

[rocdoc]

Ah, didn't know you needed closed. I'm sure there are lots of people here who own some to advise you. Best of luck, and happy listening once you get what you want. Let us know.

 

[linnerd40]

Thanks rocdoc, your advice was still quite helpful!

Are there really no good closed headphones for classical music for $200 or under? I mean... I am just a teen here... so I doubt I will REALLY be needing anything at such high prices. I just want something that sounds great for classical music, but it doesn't have to be top of the line perfection.

I am still leaning to my initial Ultrasone HFI 580s.. From what I've heard, they are all around excellent headphones... but I'm open to more suggestions. But please, $200 or below

Thanks for the many speedy responses! This is an amazing place!

 

[ricmat]

Well... ... I could advise to go with AT ES7! they are great HP! great detail, and very "airy" sound almost to everything you put on them, but they are not perfect for classical.

i.e. if you dont have a true reference you will love them, because they are great HP, with lots of detail, a very good bass response and very defined highs!! but once you compare them with some K701 you will see the K701 are very very neutral... ...

(just for the note... I love classical and lots of other stuff, and I must tell you that ES7 are my portable headphones!)



I dont know Ultrasone though... ... neverd heard any of those!




Quote:

Originally Posted by linnerd40 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks rocdoc, your advice was still quite helpful! Are there really no good closed headphones for classical music for $200 or under? I mean... I am just a teen here... so I doubt I will REALLY be needing anything at such high prices. I just want something that sounds great for classical music, but it doesn't have to be top of the line perfection. I am still leaning to my initial Ultrasone HFI 580s.. From what I've heard, they are all around excellent headphones... but I'm open to more suggestions. But please, $200 or below Thanks for the many speedy responses! This is an amazing place!

 

[ricmat]

(BTW... you will love ES7 price!

they are a still for that price!)


Quote:

Originally Posted by linnerd40 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks rocdoc, your advice was still quite helpful! Are there really no good closed headphones for classical music for $200 or under? I mean... I am just a teen here... so I doubt I will REALLY be needing anything at such high prices. I just want something that sounds great for classical music, but it doesn't have to be top of the line perfection. I am still leaning to my initial Ultrasone HFI 580s.. From what I've heard, they are all around excellent headphones... but I'm open to more suggestions. But please, $200 or below Thanks for the many speedy responses! This is an amazing place!