[shampoosuicide]

I've had my Sennheiser 497 for 2 years now, and I've since grown tired of its dry sound. I need some recommendations for a new set of cans

I listen to a range of genres, so I'm looking for something that does well overall, but exceptionally better with respect to rock music. Natural sounding, with a "front row" presentation, and good sound stage.

Grado seems to be the brand of choice for rock music, but I'm wary of reviews which lament their tiny sound stage, and I worry that they may be too bright or harsh, as I listen to music for extended periods of time. I'm also uncertain about their performance in other genres.

Comfort is also a factor. However, I do find my 497 very comfortable, although I know many would beg to differ.

Please take these into consideration:

1. Source: iMac, Intel High Definition Audio
2. Bitrate: 192kbps or higher
3. No amp
4. Genres: Rock, Pop, Hip-Hop, Dance, Electronica. Rock music is my first love and main priority.
5. Budget: <$150

I'm open to recommendations other than the 555 or MS1.

How does the 555 perform at rock music? And how does the MS1 perform at other genres (hip-hop, dance, electronica, etc.)?

Thanks!

 

[shampoosuicide]

Bump!

 

[balou]

Quote:

No amp. I listen to several genres (Rock, Pop, Hip-Hop, Electronica, Dance), but rock is my first love. My main qualms with the 497 are the veiled sound, and the lack of detail. Bass tends to sound muddy too. The sound is also laidback for my taste. I'm looking for something more natural sounding, active and upfront. I tend to listen to music for hours on end, so something that'll be comfortable to have on for a long period of time (both physically and aurally).

I had the HD497 for about 5 years. Then I upgraded to a pair of Grado SR80..
The HD497 sound like you have a wool headband between the 'phones and your head in comparison to the SR80. Voices with the SR80 are just great, and it's also very upfront sounding - you are between the musicians on stage. Some complain about the comfort, but I like Grados much more than those awful Sennheiser Headclamps.

So my recommendations would be:
Grado SR80
Grado SR125
Alessandro Music Series One

 

[shampoosuicide]

Thank you for the recommendations. I actually find my 497 very comfortable. Do you find the SR80's sound unrefined or unpleasant to listen to at a stretch? Also, could you comment on the soundstage of the SR80? I came across a review that said it was "tiny".

Thanks!

 

[apatN]

I tried sr80 for a limited time and I quite liked them. And I do think they're unpleasant to listen to as sometimes they want crack my skull open (due to brightness). Soundstage, well it is tiny indeed but I quite liked it.

 

[captian73]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shampoosuicide /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thank you for the recommendations. I actually find my 497 very comfortable. Do you find the SR80's sound unrefined or unpleasant to listen to at a stretch? Also, could you comment on the soundstage of the SR80? I came across a review that said it was "tiny". Thanks!

if your into your comfort, then you're going to have a hard time with any grado headphones.

let me slip on my SR125 to have a quick go on sound staging....(not mine anymore i gave them away, but i have them for a few days).

'vanessa carlton' - thousand miles. the sound staging is fine, as far as i can hear.

but i've just tried them against my stax sr-001 and there is a slight difference. the Grados sound staging is more open, but maybe not as well defined. the Stax sound staging seems to be quite narrow compared to the grados, but you can pick out different parts of the music a little better.

on the side of the grados, i do have to say that they are very forgiving when it comes to the souce.

maybe try the denon ah-d1000's at amazon.com......look into audio technicas at audiocube.com....... ..i'm still thinking......

 

[wavefunction]

I've no tips for headphone but:

Do yourself a favor and re-rip your music into 192 kbps at minimum. There is a difference in transparancy/artifacts going to 320kbps depending on your hearing, and how used you are to listen for details etc. Try for yourself if you find the file size/quality ratio to be enough reason to go higher. Also be sure to use lame encoder for mp3. (Or just use flac/other lossless if you have storage enough. And perhaps encode to a lossy format when you transfer to your portable)

As you described, a sizable portion of your music is in low quality bit rates, this would be perhaps as large an upgrade in SQ as upgrading the phones.

 

[balou]

Quote:

Thank you for the recommendations. I actually find my 497 very comfortable. Do you find the SR80's sound unrefined or unpleasant to listen to at a stretch? Also, could you comment on the soundstage of the SR80? I came across a review that said it was "tiny".

Yes, the HD497 are one of the more comfortable sennheisers. before my headband mod, I found them to become uncomfortable after a few hours of straight use. now it's fine. the hd497 gave me incredible hot ears after some hours - the grados are more open and therefore don't have this problem

soundstage... let me compare... with the grados you have more the feeling of being among the musicians, with the sennheiser you feel more away from them. but the 'quality' of the soundstage seems to be on par

unrefined, in no way. the senns seem veiled, the grados seem to be very accurate


captian73: comparing soundstage of any dynamic headphone to a electrostatic is unfair

 

[qazwsx]

A long time ago I bought and returned those HD497s. IMO/JM2C they have a muddy sound signature with no soundstage.

And based on your OP maybe look at some top-line Sonys? (Like the SA series) They have good detail, fast paced and airy.

 

[sarbruis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavefunction /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've no tips for headphone but: Do yourself a favor and re-rip your music into 192 kbps at minimum.

I think it depends on what encoding was used. If it's 128kpbs mp3, then yes, but if it's ogg or aac, then I really, really, really doubt encoding to 192kpbs will make any difference at all. A lot of people find 128kbps aac or ogg to be transparent.

 

[shampoosuicide]

Bump!

 

[shampoosuicide]

Anyone?

 

[facelvega]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavefunction /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've no tips for headphone but: Do yourself a favor and re-rip your music into 192 kbps at minimum... As you described, a sizable portion of your music is in low quality bit rates, this would be perhaps as large an upgrade in SQ as upgrading the phones.

Nope, not with that stock soundcard. With the headphones in question, you could probably get away without an amp, but not without a better source. Plugging an MS-1 into that jack is a serious disservice IMO.

 

[shampoosuicide]

Just to clarify, all my music is ripped at at least 192kbps, only a small portion at 128kbps. It is not possible to change the components (soundcard) of an iMac.

Can anyone fill me in on the performance of the MS1 at electronica, hip-hop, dance, etc.?

 

[Bozz_Keren]

does ms-1 comes with comfy? because i've never wear one, does it feels like Grados?