[JimJ]

I recently picked up a Decware CSP2 (2 watts of OTL tube power), and I'm somewhat at a loss to decide on a pair of closed phones that are "worthy" of it. I'd love to go with HD600s/HD650s, but I have a feeling my officemates will hoist me by my own headphone cord, so to speak...
 
If you were forced into a pair of closed cans for an OTL, which would you choose?
 
Thanks!

 

[Lorspeaker]

yamaha mt220

 

[alynx]

Shure 1540

 

[inthere]

Alpha Dogs would probably be my 1st choice, but the leakage could be a problem. 
 
Yamaha mt 220's are very close to the Alpha Dogs and have less of a leakage problem. 
 
What's your listening volume? if it's low you have less of a problem with leakage with the AD's, if you like it loud you may have a problem with the high mids on the Yamaha's if you're amping them. 
 
This is my 1st day with the Yamaha's though and maybe after a little burning in the high mids won't be as intense, but it's sounding pretty sensational right now. 

 

[JimJ]

  Alpha Dogs would probably be my 1st choice, but the leakage could be a problem. 
 
Yamaha mt 220's are very close to the Alpha Dogs and have less of a leakage problem. 
 
What's your listening volume? if it's low you have less of a problem with leakage with the AD's, if you like it loud you may have a problem with the high mids on the Yamaha's if you're amping them. 
 
This is my 1st day with the Yamaha's though and maybe after a little burning in the high mids won't be as intense, but it's sounding pretty sensational right now. 

 
I won't be listening incredibly loud.
 

  Shure 1540

 
Those were something I was considering, but I've heard from people who have owned them that the bass response can get a little overwhelming, even moreso with an OTL. My listening is usually classical/folk/rock/jazz in that order, so while a V-shaped bass cannon might be fun, I'm not looking for club cans.
 
They may be the ugliest I've ever seen, but the Beyer DT250s look interesting on paper - closed, supposedly neutral, and a fairly high impedance.

 

[inthere]

If not playing the loud, Yamaha is going to sound super sweet right out the box. I think Alpha Dogs need to be pushed a bit to sound great.

 

[JimJ]

Thanks, that's good to know.