Quote:
Originally Posted by iEar /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I would like frequency response down to 5Hz.
Budget;
about same ballpark as the Shures but no higher unless it is a fantastic deal!
Future;
I am interested in getting a portable amp/DAP or even a DAC/AMP in the future
but am still learning about these and really need to know how my current set ups
sound with a good pair of cans before buying more gear.
'Heya,
You will never get something that does 5hz. Largely because you'll never hear 5hz. Because you can't hear below 10hz in general. Unless you're a super mutant. Below 10hz, it's just a pressure feeling, not a sound anymore. And in general, even the best headphones cannot dip down to 5hz with authority. Not even amazingly expensive subwoofers can do 5hz flat. I think you're stuck in technical spec sheets instead of real world ability combined with physical actuality. Not trying to be rude with this, but it seems you're either misinformed or have expectations that are not possible for a few hundred dollars. For real world specs, not just tech sheets, you can probably safely claim you can hear from 15hz to 20khz relatively well. Above and below that is exceptional and likely not to last with age. Headphone and speaker specs will be way all over the place, like 5hz to 40khz which is bogus since you can't even hear that.
Since in the future you're interested in getting something to actually playback quality music other than your laptop's onboard circuitry, getting a nice headphone can make sense. If you're not willing to get something decent (and by that it can be as cheap as $50~150, to $300 for a great entry level source equipment setup), then I wouldn't bother wasting money on $300 headphones to playback from a low quality source. Something to keep in mind, since buying nice headphones only to hear the same thing you hear from cheaper headphones would be underwhelming and disappointing.
Based on what you're looking for, I think the Mr Speakers Mad Dog with Alpha Pads ($299) would be perfect for you. Alternates would be the AKG K550 and AudioTechnica A900X. And I would go ahead and get a simple inexpensive Fiio E10 to go with them, or if you want to go portable, a Fiio E07k or E17. Get something other than your laptop's onboard. And make sure your music is high quality, not compressed low quality rips from youtube or something. Rip some CD's to high quality MP3, WAV or FLAC. Visit HDtracks.com and sample some of their higher end recordings.
TL;DR:
Mr Speakers Mad Dogs with Alpha Pads
AKG K550
AudioTechnica A900X
With:
Fiio E10
Fiio E07k
Fiio E17
iBasso D-ZERO
Very best,