repost: what to buy, hd280, a500 or other?

[zeyus]

I'm thinking of getting a set of closed cans? hd280 sounds good. except i have a big head hehe
or say the a500 both are similar price range in the end.
anything i should watch out on either? or something for around that price?

also, (for later, not now, you guys would make me spend all my life savings ) for a portable amp, where would i start?

thanks heaps for all the help so far!

Luke

 

[zeyus]

Hey, im open to any suggestions here guys!!

I like bass (but not so i cant hear the music, and i dont want headaches)!
I probably dont want to spend more than 100USD
and closed/open i dont think really matters so much because I'll be using these babies at home and at work...
When i travel ill be using (mainly) the e4cs when i get em.

?

Luke

 

[donaldekelly]

280s are good, I haven't heard the A500s. Both are closed.

A500 may have better bass - see headphonereviews.org for reviews of both

 

[Cyclone]

Use the search tool. This is in the top 5 of "Most asked questions on Head-Fi" (with the e3c VS. er6i probably at #1) there should be a full nights worth of info out there for you.

 

[Buster Sword]

heres a quote from Lindrone
circa early 2004

Quote:

Comparison between HD280 and A500... er.. no comparison. HD280 has no bass to speak of whatsoever... Not that Audio Technica has a lot of bass.. but Audio Technica's sound signature has always been a very good balance between treble, midrange and bass. That's what makes it a great all-around headphone that can do everything well.. it's not genre specific. HD280 is purely an analytical headphone, all trebles, all high-end extension details. Extremely fatiguing for long listening sessions... the bass is near non-existent. People will tell you that you need to burn them in for 100 hours before you can judge them... I'll tell you this, I had one for two weeks, burned them in for 200 hours... they still suck. Lindrone he has both headphones.

Heres something I have discovered.
the HD280 is excellent for vocals, and music not requiring bass.
Singing with a grand piano would need no other substitute
at this price point. There is no punch or enough for it to mix
everyday music. Now i wish i can hear the audio technicas..
i would really want to.

 

[jyjjy777]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyclone This is in the top 5 of "Most asked questions on Head-Fi" (with the e3c VS. er6i probably at #1)

I'm pretty sure "best headphones for ipod???" beats e3c vs er61

 

[Cyclone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyjjy777 I'm pretty sure "best headphones for ipod???" beats e3c vs er61

We should have a contest. Rank the top 5 common questions asked in a month. I know the #1 in the portable audio section is without question "what is the best DAP" or some other variation of that same question

 

[Skylab]

And do not find them bass-shy. They do not have strength in the very bottom octave of my HD600's, but I think the HD280's are very good sounding, and for $99, a steal.

 

[White Fox]

'the bass is near non-existent'

That's a pretty silly statement. The lower bass is outstanding. It's the upper bass that is a little bit lacking - that is the reason that people say the HD 280s lack impact IMO.

 

[Buster Sword]

I am pretty sure thats what i LIndRone was trying to state
but didn't in the exact word. Its lacking punch, and its flluffy soft bass.
in that region
But it is very low and feels like a idling truck if you ask me.

He usually says pretty good and accurate stuff. A word or 2 left out i presume.

 

[White Fox]

Yeah, I will agree that the upper bass is soft sounding compared to most of my sonic references...

 

[crewchief]

I have the 280's and at first they were a little harsh and did not seem that impressive in the bottom end. Well after about 150hrs. of burn-in I started to notice big improvements and at the 200hr. mark they really reached thier peak. The harshness dissapeared and the whole sound signature flattend out and the low end became tighter and had more impact. So now I really love them, but I will have to see how much I love them after I get my 580's

Crewchief

 

[donaldekelly]

I think the 280s modded and with an amp are pretty good bass wise. (Damning with faint praise?)

I recently heard some 580s. Very nice. Nice bass and all around sound. Yep, probably easily outclass the 280s.

 

[DaHoboFest]

no, "whats the best for under $100"