Smooothest Under $250?

[dissembled]

By "smooth", I mean no harsh trebles, no overbearing bass. Listening to it ([size=small]without a $300+ man sized amp[/size]) would be akin to having silk being rubbed against both of your cheeks. There should be no glaring issues with it. (Lack/overabundance of treble; bass)

Vocals should be clear and as natural as daylight. Soundstage is also a necessity. Remember, smooooth as refined silk. (No canal phones/IEM recommendations, please.)

Hahaha. Good luck.

 

[Pibborando]

Your ampless requirement is gonna make this hard.

I was SO gonna say DT 880, but uhh... HD 595, or maybe SR 225?

 

[dissembled]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pibborando /img/forum/go_quote.gif I was SO gonna say DT 880, but uhh... HD 595, or maybe SR 225?

Just tell me the DT880 doesn't need a $500 man amp to shine, and I'm sold. I've been eyeing it lately along with the AD900s/AD700s. Good details, smooth refined sound.

I'm guessing the SR225 is the only Prestige can with soundstage?

Thanks.

 

[Mr00000]

Off the bat I'd have to say that the Sennheiser HD-595s fit the bill for what you want. Laid back, never fatiguing, super comfortable, great soundstage, sound great un-amped, pretty even across all frequencies... Awesome headphones for the price (I got mine for $170).

They're a little light on bass (for some) but still very tight and responsive.

I definitely love mine

 

[Pibborando]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissembled /img/forum/go_quote.gif Just tell me the DT880 doesn't need a $500 man amp to shine, and I'm sold. I've been eyeing it lately along with the AD900s/AD700s. Good details, smooth refined sound.

I'm using mine with a HeadAmp AE-1 that I got for $175. It's pretty darn AMAZING. There's some even cheaper amps out there that I think would be perfectly sufficient. Running them from a powered jack from a soundcard or stereo receiver also works.

 

[dissembled]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr00000 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Off the bat I'd have to say that the Sennheiser HD-595s fit the bill for what you want. Laid back, never fatiguing, super comfortable, great soundstage, sound great un-amped, pretty even across all frequencies... Awesome headphones for the price (I got mine for $170). They're a little light on bass (for some) but still very tight and responsive. I definitely love mine

They're not veiled are they?

 

[holland]

Please define points of reference for proper bass, mids, and treble in the world according to you. If not, this will just be an excercise in posting.

 

[holland]

BTW, I was going to say AD900, but I don't know if it has too little bass for you or too much, or if you would find the highs harsh or not.

 

[mwallace573]

Another vote for the HD595. Solid all around set of cans that will benefit from a good tube amp, but don't need one. They scale up nicely with better gear. Comfortable as hell too. Next to a Grado they may sound a little veiled, but for a Sennheiser they're pretty lively.

Please note that the fact I'm about to sell mine played no factor in above recommendation.

 

[1Time]

Although I prefer the clear and natural vocals of the HD595 and even more so of the HD555, I'd have to suggest an open or closed Audio-Technica due to its superior smoothness.

 

[dissembled]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1Time /img/forum/go_quote.gif Although I prefer the clear and natural vocals of the HD595 and even more so of the HD555, I'd have to suggest an open or closed Audio-Technica due to its superior smoothness.

Yes, the AD700/AD900 should suit me fine. A little bass shy but I'm now used to it because of my EH350s. Both do superbly unamped, I've heard.

I'll consider the HD595/ DT880s after I get a dedicated home amp in the future. I'm been dying to hear how the DT880s sound like, especially.

 

[mk0v1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissembled /img/forum/go_quote.gif They're not veiled are they?

What veiled?

 

[musicmind]

I havent heard the AD900, but of the phones I have (Senn 595 and ATH-AD2000), for "smoothness", I would go with the Sennheiser. With sensitivity of 112db and 50 ohm, its a great unamped headphone, well balanced, no harsh brightness.
People say the 595 doesnt have bass, and I'm sure an amp will make it bassier, but to my ears, they have plenty of bass. Its all relative to what you are used to I suppose, but I dont think the 595 will disappoint.

 

[F107plus5]

While it does need an amp to start sounding civilized, unlike the HD650 it can get by quite nicely with even an old "gathering-dust-in-the-other-room" home theater or stereo receiver.

...and some of the lower priced headphone amps as well, I'd wager!

Yeah; the better the amp the better it sounds, but the HD600 is a darned nice sounding set of phones even with the lesser priced amps!

 

[Carl]

Stax SR-Xmk3 and a tube amp off ebay.