Recommendations please

Aug 31, 2008 at 2:36 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 5

alfzer0

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Hi all,

I've done a fair amount of reading through this excellent forum and have an idea of some cans that would suit me, but I'd like to throw out my specific prefs/usage to see if there might be any better recs.

Circumaural
Closed
Not very fatiguing (will be used for long stretches at moderate volume)
Comfortable/lightweight
~$150

Preferred genres:
Electronic (IDM/DnB/Downtempo, ie. NOT house/trance/techno)
Indie/electronic/progressive rock (like Mars Volta)
Indie/ambient/rock (like Explosions In The Sky)
90s grunge
Hardbop Jazz (Coltrane, Monk, Lee Morgan)

Usage:
20% transcribing (tabbing) guitar riffs/solos
10% learning to mix tracks w/ some dj software (Torq) and my midi controller
10% learning to write/produce electronic music (Renoise)
20% casual listening on the move
40% casual home listening

So I guess as far as sound characteristics are concerned, I'm looking for good clarity in the guitars frequency range, a nice sound stage and accurate bass (for the detailed electronic music), strong bass would be nice but tightness/accuracy is more important, and smooth highs (for the jazz and to reduce fatigue). If there are any closed designs that respond a lot like open designs (airy/transparency/nice sound stage), that would be very interesting as well and might be willing to drop a little more for it.

Thanks for all your help in advance!
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< soon to be me
-Jeff
 
Aug 31, 2008 at 2:50 AM Post #2 of 5
Welcome to Head-Fi.

Your request is more difficult than it may seem. Full-sized closed at that price point is going to be about compromise. Open (impossible right?) or double the price would bring up many options. I hesitate to bring it up as it may not have the bass you require and I can't comment on parts of your usage list, but the A900s are on sale for $169 and the closest I can think of if running down your list. Doesn't satisfy everything though comfy and quite good on a very short decent closed cans price ranking.
 
Aug 31, 2008 at 3:26 AM Post #4 of 5
Thanks so far guys, I'll do some further investigation on these.

I knew this was a bit of a lofty request...I am possibly thinking about going with an open design, though I would no longer be able to use them on the move or for mixing.

So please go ahead and throw out the open design suggestions too (please note that they are open design) as if one strikes me strong enough, I may get it and opt for a second set later on for mixing/portable use.
 
Aug 31, 2008 at 3:39 AM Post #5 of 5
I'm sure there is plenty of debate. But on closed headphones, at your price point, there will definitely be some SQ compromise. IMO, to equal the sonic quality of open end, one must pay more for so-called higher end closed phones. That said, the suggestions above are good ones.
 

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