[GuardianKnight]

Hi everyone, I am looking for my first step into mid-fi cans for around $200. I want to have a pair of headphones that is closed since so far I have obtained only open cans (MS-1 and ATH-CM7Ti). Portability would be a nice plus but not a necessity (unless they are could totally replace the ATH-CM7Ti that I am using right now(i.e. being small but having higher quality sound)). I mainly listen to a lot of j-rock, j-pop, and electronica with some classical mixed in. I just recently ordered a stock SuperMacro amp with 4 switches and 2x buffers which should be coming in next week to complement my Carbon as a portable amp. Looking through the threads I have found that the Senn HD 25(seems like this one is pretty portable out of all the rest in the list), AKG K271, Beyer DT660, or the Audio Technica A900 would fit my needs. Now I just have to decide which one to get which is where you guys would come in to hopefully lend me helpful suggestions.

 

[commando]

Have a read of the closed can review link in my sig. I like A900s.

 

[Helter Skelter]

I enjoy the K271, but it gets a lot of mixed reviews around here, so you'd be best trying it out before you buy, I think. They are a bit light on the bass, but maybe the supermacro's bass boost would help that.

I also use them portably, but I am kinda weird in that regard.

 

[Mikey01]

Beyer DT 770's at Guitar Center, meets the bill.

 

[rodbac]

Already been recommended, but closed under $200, my favorites have been the A900s and Beyer 770s (and the latter so much that I decided to keep them for my home cans).

 

[philodox]

K271 Studio are great, but most people have a love or hate reaction to them so you should try them out first.

 

[warubozu]

Another vote for the A900's or DT 770's. Both cans delivers lots of bass and are extremely comfortable.

 

[commando]

770-80s deliver way too much bass for me, and the clarity, while fine, isn't as good as the A900 - which also has better quality bass IMHO. I sold my 770s (and AKG 271s) and kept the A900s and the Senn 280s (use the with my laptop sometimes).

 

[go_vtec]

Another vote goes to A900. It's a very good, detailed and accomodates various types of music.

 

[Aman]

I am a member of Team "I-Hate-A900s"

Reason?
Because they just aren't good! They are INCREDIBLY over-hyped. They have sound characteristics that seem similar to the HD595s, which are, again, not a very good headphone.

Midrange is just so incredibly grainy, thin - it's not romantic nor lush. The result is pretty good bass response with really wierd-sounding highs.

They are comfortable, but don't isolate well, which defeats the purpose of closed cans. Details are good, but the K271S have better details than the A900s.

The clarity, detail, and midrange is all unbeatable. Mid-bass impact is also nice, and it makes my classic rock music exciting enough for me.

Just my thoughts.

By the way: You will never, EVER see a post from commando that doesn't mention the A900s

 

[KT88]

add 1 more for the A900's. very happy with them. great sound for most types of music.

 

[Ripley]

I'm new to this world of hi-fi headphones, but I couldn't be more than pleased with my A900s. I've had them for about a month (burned them in ~100 hours over the first week), and (to my ears) they sound wonderful. When not playing music, they don't seem to isolate too well, but with music even at low levels the outside world disappears. It's great!

I'm listening to them right now....on my brand new Sony D-211!

I thought Duncan might like to hear that. I still can't believe there was a pile of new in-the-box 211s out there!

 

[GuardianKnight]

Man...I wish I lived in a more populated area where people actually held meets so I could try these phones out easily. I guess the only way I can try them out is by ordering them and returning the ones I don't like (but I really don't have enough money to do so). I think I will check out the local guitar center and see if they have any of the phones on display...they probably won't though...sigh

 

[Nak Man]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aman Because they just aren't good! They are INCREDIBLY over-hyped. They have sound characteristics that seem similar to the HD595s, which are, again, not a very good headphone.

Hey hey, get your a900 away from my 595 !

Btw - no offense or hidden revenge =) but I found a900 to exhibit fewer flaws compared to 271s. I don't like the recessed mids on 900 but could live with them better than having combo of boosted mids over relatively weaker bass. But that's my preference of hearing more balanced sound over certain area of strength - just like hfi550 vs hd25. With price thrown in, 271s have the advantage on price/performance basis.

GuardianKnight, seems like HD25 would be a safer bet on sealed phones and would be useful if you occasionally need portable phones. A900, 271s and hfi550 are not quite portable and 271s would benefit from more amplification compared to others. Of these 3 big phones I heard, I prefer the lowly hfi550 but still curious about beyer dt660 et al. Another biggie, senn hd280, also seem to be a popular choice, and priced below $100.

 

[GuardianKnight]

Hrmm...I think I found a promising deal on the AKG K271S, $149.99 at djmart.com. I think I will just nab it from there and try it out, headphile has a cable upgrade for them so I will have an opportunity to enhance them in the future easily by myself if I wish to do so, otherwise I will sell them if I don't like them.