[momopantsu]

Hello everyone, I'm a newbie here so if this thread is redundant please forgive me

. Since I've started into the headphone world without any experiences so I would like to ask you guys some recommendation for a fullsize/portable headphone (around 400$).
 
My current targets are: ATH ESW9A, Grado Sr325is, Sennheiser HD 25-1-II Adidas (any differences with the original version ?) and so far are some hungry-power headphones like AKG 701 or the HE-400.
 
About sources, I usually play music through my laptop or android phone and I'm going to get my Fiio X3 soon. My favourable genres are: Rock, Pop and some time is Classic (specifically is Piano only, not the Orchestra stuffs...) and Electronic/Dance. Any suggestions besides my currents targets mentioned above ? Thanks in advance for your help

 

[jackwess]

Hello and welcome!
 
Have you considered the Sennheiser momentum? i notice they have released an on-ear version which sounds like a good alternative to the HD-25's. 

 

[momopantsu]

Hello jackwess,
 
Thanks for your recommendation. As I remember they released Amperior and Momentum which are both portable. May I know if there are any dramatic differences between those two models ? ( since their price are quite the same 

). I have owned a pair or Sennheiser for years ago and kinda love their sound's signature.

 

[jackwess]

Amperior are more aggressive sounding headphones than the momentum, which have a "Relaxed/smoother" sound, aimed for different kinds of music. 

 

[Trunks159]

I'd suggest the KEF m500 or PSB m4u.

 

[Oregonian]

Denon D600

 

[blueangel2323]

AKG 701 and HE-400 are very good headphones but there's no way they can be used portable lol. My favourite portable over-ear headphones, in order of most neutral to most bassy, would be as follows: KEF M500, Sennheiser Momentum, PSB M2U/M4U, Denon D600, M-100
 
Try to audition one or two of them and then decide whether you want more or less neutrality

 

[momopantsu]

how about alessandro ms1i guys ? i heard lots of good recommendations about them but never tried yet

 

[cel4145]

Grados, Alessandro, HE-400, AKG 701--these are open headphones, and open headphones are a poor choice for portability because they have zero isolation. You'll be able to easily hear what's going on around you, and people around you can easily hear what you are listening to.

For portability, you need closed on ear or closed over ear headphones.

However, open headphones generally have a much bigger soundstage than closed headphones. Since you are new to getting into headphones, could be worthwhile to go with a set of closed, portable headphones, and then an open set for home use.

 

[momopantsu]

Hello cel4145
 
Many thanks for your advice my friend

. May I ask you if portable headphones needed to be paired with amps ? I'm thinking about grado/alessandro cans because they seems to be good without amps, though they are really loud as you mentioned above.....

 

[MrTechAgent]

The Amperior is really good ...... this one is not portable but the x1 has a stupid sale on it (Amazon)

 

[cel4145]

Hello cel4145

Many thanks for your advice my friend

. May I ask you if portable headphones needed to be paired with amps ? I'm thinking about grado/alessandro cans because they seems to be good without amps, though they are really loud as you mentioned above.....

I like Grados A LOT. And you are right. They will do very well with a laptop or phone without an amp. You could get the Grado SR80i for $100.

Then buy a set of portables. As MrTechAgent mentioned, the Amperiors are only $219 at the moment, which is an upgraded version of the HD 25-1-II. That's a great deal.

 

[WilliamLeonhart]

I'm surprised no one mentioned the THX00! Best all-around closed-back headphones I've ever tried.