Yeah, they were a nice pair of cans (440s). I was very close to buying them. I went to the store FOR them and saw the AKGs... but anyway, they are built really well, and, to be frank, just feel like quality. You get your money's worth, I would really think with the 440s.
If you are into harder hitting music you may not want something uber-resolving, I know the Denons are more Jazz phones for me, and for rock or electronic I pull out the HD555s, the XB700s (if I want to just relax into the music) and now the AKGs. I would imagine the Shure 440s sounding better on rock than Shure's higher priced pair. Hip-hop too, or triphop, IDM, glitch, industrial. Anything that needs a good all 'round sound would probably be better off on the 440s. Plus, if their efficiency is more, then you get a bonus of needing less power to drive them.
Even with the reduced power draw of these AKGs, they are really almost too much for my E-MU 0202 USB here at work, so I brought in a little "studio" headamp that uses opamps meant for power draw, and to cut the harshness of that device, I have a tubed output buffer in the chain.
I am not using it right now, just the E-MU, but I digress. Get those 440s, you won't regret it certainly. I am thinking about selling my Denons. the AD1001 is a very nice set, but not made for my musical tastes and setup (even if 50% of it is lossless). I can only get them to sound good on a non-oversampling tubed DAC going into my NAD c160 pre. I just can't carry that around like I can something like the E-MU.
I diagree regarding the 555s. I have had them for almost 7-8 years, and in that time I have heard a lot of headphones. There is a viel, yes, but if you are ok with a slight HF roll off (which I am), they bring the goods. The low end is actually pretty good. I listen to a lot of IDM, and the HD555s always sounded good reproducing the various unique sounds of a lot of IDM without fatigue. I have said this before, but, the HD555s are the only headphones in my collection right now that make me have to take them off to check to see if I left the main stereo speakers on. I think that speaks for itself. They are a natural, slightly veiled, sounding set that can worn for many hours on end. Bass slam is there because they are quick. You may not feel the lows like on the XB700s by Sony, but they are there for sure. I picked them up and plugged them in the other day after listening to another set for a little while, and was really surprised at how well they actually did perform. I got so used to their sound that something else was "better", but it gave me a chance to hear the 555s again, and I was really happy with them. I have no doubt that if you get a good little headphone pre, you can crank the 555s up for some very full bodied sound. Their open design is a bit of a mystery, because they don't *sound* open. I have heard closed that sound more "open". I would not just kick these to the curb. They are not for sale in the used section nearly as much as some others that are within the 555/595s price bracket. I am certainly hanging onto mine.
They remind me of PSB speakers. Designed in Canada using government supplied research facilities, PSB was one of the best "bang for buck" full range speakers and bookshelves around. The Alpha Bs are legendary. Many people dislike them because they actually *lack* character. The idea of speakers and headphones is to design them so they dissappear, but many people actually enjoy slight coloration. Wilson Audio makes some of the most expensive speakers in hifi, but also studio monitors. They openly admit to adding slight coloration to the consumer models.
Flat freq. curves don't always translate into sound we like. I happen to enjoy the HD555s neutrality, some people don't. I suppose it is an issue of taste. I hate sushi, but I am aware there are some very good sushi artisans in this world. It's just not what I like, but I am not going to bash someone's sushi because I hate it, that is not a fair critique.
God, he makes me mad. [/size]
