[Phraxos]

I'm in a bind. But before I get to that -

I'm fairly new to the world of hifi audio but I think I've made some pretty good buys so far, thanks mainly to some extensive reading I've been doing on these boards.

I started out with a pair of Grado SR-60s over a year ago, and they've served me well. They're pretty beaten up but I'm considering buying some of the yellow Senn. 414 pads and beautifying them a bit - I don't think I'm yet ready to quite let go of them.
About a month ago I decided I needed accurate sealed cans for college - sealed because the dorms were shared and accurate because I'm going into a filmmaking major, where I'll be doing a lot of recording and audio editing. After much deliberation I got the Equation RP-21s. I've enjoyed them immensely these past few weeks, though I have to say I find their analytical nature a little 'boring- sounding' at times. What struck me most about them though was how different they sounded from the Grados.
This lead me to wonder, somewhat unfortunately for my wallet, what kind of other 'sounds' there were out there. Hence my decision to get another set of cans a month after getting the very capable RP-21s. Here are my requirements:

- Preferably around $100, or if they're really special, around 200$ (I'm looking at prices in the trade-sell sections of these forums, where I intend to get the next set).

- Something with a drastically different sound signature from the SR-60s or RP-21s.

- Something that can doesn't require an amp to still sound good. (Mostly iPod 5.5G use.)

- Something that sounds good.

I don't have any other specific requirements, and I am considering 'phones for a variety of roles - if you have any suggestions, don't feel a necessity to ask what I want to use them for most - just suggest away, or suggest a a set of choices for a number of different purposes. (I don't like IEMs or earbuds though.) Here is what I'm currently thinking of:

-Ultrasone Proline 2500 or 750 (Ultrasone seems to have a very distinct sound, curious about S-Logic which may be fun for movie-watching, saw it for a little over $200 in trade/sell forums + only 40 ohms! <--no amp needed right?)
-Ultrasone DJ1 Pro (Cheaper Ultrasone, though 72 ohms.)
-ATH-EW9 (Wouldn't mind a nice portable set up - little over $100 in forums, and I get rather frightening headphone hair sometimes, so clip-ons would be a nice feature.)
-Beyerdynamic DT-990s (Also on forums for around $200, sounds fun to listen to, but I'm worried about having to shelve for an amp as its 250 ohms.)
-Beyerdynamic DT-880s (These seem to be better in some areas than the DT-990s, though I'm afraid they may have that slightly boring-sounding overly analytical feeling that I sometimes sense in the RP-21s, and again, same fear for unamped 250 ohm 'phones.)
-My dream headphone is a snakewood Darth V3 by the way, but I'll never afford it

I listen to a large variety of musical genres, and I'd like to be able to enjoy them all. Currently I'm listening to a lot of live stuff, piano and female vocalists though, if anyone must know to make a suggestion. I enjoy a kicking bass. Not a fan or fatiguing or harsh cans.

I know this has been long, and I appreciate those of you who got even halfway down for bearing with me so long... now, got any suggestions?

-Phraxos

 

[ericj]

Huh. No amp, special sound, under $100.

Good luck with that.

If you had even a simple cmoy amp, I'd easily recommend that you troll the various auction sites and online marketplaces for:

AKG K240-DF and K240-M (and not the K240-S) - you cannot buy these new, only used. Frequently they need new earpads.

oooold version Beyerdynamic DT990 - plastic headband w/ leather headstrap and probably needing new earpads.

all of the above are 600-ohm, thus the need for at least some kind of amp.

Nothing wrong with a DT770 Pro/80, either. Can be had $100ish used, sometimes.

Also, AKG K401 and K501, and possibly K400 too.

 

[tbonner1]

Quote:

but I'll never afford it

Stick around here and you will find a way.

Why not go in phases you can afford:

1-Buy new or used 770
2-Upgrade cable
3-Get wood

 

[BrookR1]

The PX100s will let you experience the Senn sound, ampless, portable, and cheaply. If you're thinking Ultrasone, the HFI-15G sound really good but the build quality is cheap. Another thing you could do is to purchase bowl pads for your SR-60s. That will turn them into budget SR-80s. I've looked at the EW9s but have heard mixed reviews. Another headphone that intrigues me is the ATH-ES5 SV. There's also the current FOTM ES7.

 

[Phraxos]

Thanks for the suggestions - looking forward to more. I think I'll make my budget '$200-ish' as I feel the $100 cap I set previously is a little too restricting. I like the idea of building up to darths via upgrades - I've always been curious of the DT-770 sound. If anyone's willing to let go of a 80 ohm pair for around a $100, please lemme know.

How would you describe the sennheiser sound?

Quick unrelated question; how are the proline 750s and 2500s unamped? Their hi-end but only 40 ohms so I don't know what to expect.

Thanks for all your suggestions!

 

[Phraxos]

Need more suggestions!