The best and smallest SET of headphones

[Solan]

It is common wisdom that no one headphone excels at everything, and so many people acquire more than one pair of headphones. Some have ten pairs, and some have just two, in their quest to get the ultimate experience out of all the kinds of music they listen to. And obviously, if you have the three top models from every manufacturer, your bases are guaranteed to be covered.

But what do you guys think is the smallest set of headphones needed to get the best out of a very varied music collection?

Examples:
1.
Grado RS-1 -- for intimate music
Senn HD650 -- for grand stages

2.
Ultrasone 9 -- great all-rounder, except for bassy stuff
Darth Beyers -- for bassy stuff
AKG k701 -- when I need accuracy

3.
Grado GS1000 -- excels at everyting

I add a poll, listing all the major contenders for "best can" mentioned around on the forums. I hope I haven't left out anyone's favourite, or lumped cans that shouldn't be lumped. Multiple choice, folks, so don't select just one unless you really mean it!

 

[krmathis]

Three...
1. Open back "state-of-the-art" for home use (ex. Stax SR-007).
2. Closed back "state-of-the-art" for home use (ex. Stax 4070).
3. IEM for portable use (ex. Westone UM2).


Guess where I placed my vote.

 

[webbie64]

Quote:

Originally Posted by krmathis /img/forum/go_quote.gif Three... 1. Open back "state-of-the-art" for home use (ex. Stax SR-007). 2. Closed back "state-of-the-art" for home use (ex. Stax 4070). 3. IEM for portable use (ex. Westone UM2). Guess where I placed my vote.

X2, both in the 'list' and the vote.

In practice I'd pare down to a best 'open back' (e.g. HE60) and best IEM (e.g. Livewires)

 

[namelock]

1. balanced hd 650s for casual/relaxed music
2. rs-1 for energy
3. darth beyers/dt770 for bass

 

[mnemonix]

1) W5000 for me at the moment + 2) something portable

I have no fit issues, and the bass quantity & extension make me scared to imagine what the L3000's are like. Almost holographic imaging & detail resolution for dynamic headphones, and overall a sweet, balanced & very musical sounding package. I'm reassessing my need for another pair of cans for home listening in the light of these.

 

[tfarney]

This is all so personal, but I think I'm almost there with:

Ety ER6s for portable in noisy environments

Senn earbuds for quiet walks, comfortable late-night movies on the laptop, and web-surfing.

HD580s for smooth, warm, serious listening. I may someday upgrade to the 650, but I really don't feel the need at the moment. What I feel the need for is...

...an alternative to the Senns. Something with a brighter, more "front row" presentation. I'd like a more forward midrange, but only if it is very smooth and transparent. Edgy, exaggerated mids ruin everything for me. I'd also like a bit more detail and transparency in the highs, though I might get this out of the 580s when I get a better DAC (Apogee Duet) in the mix.

Right now, based on reading only, I'm thinking it will probably be something in an AKG (501s for the mids) or Beyer (880 for the details). But before I do anything, I'm going to get the Duet in here and evaluate that effect. I'm also high on Rockhopper's list for the CKKIII demo program, to see what that will add to the Mac>Duet>580 chain.

Tim

 

[Nomad]

There are lots of phones not included in the poll for whatever reason. Anyway...

A very good closed dynamic set:
R10 - When Soundstage and romantic, laid-back presentation is preferred.
L3000 - When PRaT and/or Bass is required.
UE10 - Portable

Another very good open dynamic set:
K1000 - When Soundstage and Detailed sound is preferred.
PS-1 - When PRaT and/or Bass is required. There is synergy here. Usually people who like K1000 like the PS-1 too. It could work as semi-portable for hotels, trips etc.
AT-CM700 - Very detailed earbuds if somewhat lean for portable

There are lots more to build depending on preferences (with good mix of dynamic and electrostatic too) but these two are pretty good ones.

 

[Solan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nomad /img/forum/go_quote.gif There are lots of phones not included in the poll for whatever reason. Anyway...

Max 10 options, so I picked the ones I noticed mentioned most often. As your reply shows, that unfortunately leaves some good alternatives out ... If possible, though, "vote" for the nearest alternative, and write your exact choices in your reply anyway. It's the written replies that are most interesting, imho.

 

[Fitz]

I can't vote on this, because it doesn't include any of the best AKGs.

 

[Joelc87]

I'd say one open one closed and one set of high end IEM's for portable use. 1. HD650's or K701 depending on your preference. 2. either the Beyers or the Denon's also depending on your preference. 3. probably some customs if money is no object. UE-11 pros?

 

[Uncle Erik]

Well, you'd need the RS-1, DT880 and HD-650. I'd add an electrostat for good measure and probably the K-1000, because there's nothing else like it.

 

[stewtheking]

Pretty much what's in my sig now. The k1000, a custon iem for portable, and a closed can to rock out to. The ideal would have been the ED9 or the R10, but finances dictate otherwise.

 

[Duggeh]

I could live with just the Omega 2. But a set of Livewires would be sweet for portable listening too.

 

[synaesthetic]

Stax SR007 for good recordings
Audio-Technica ATH-AD2000 for (relatively) bad recordings and when I don't feel like electrostats
Ultimate Ears UE11pro for portable

That's what I'd do. =) I mean I love the beyerdynamic DT880s but the stax do everything the beyers do and much much more.

 

[toxicsweet]

Quote:

Originally Posted by synaesthetic /img/forum/go_quote.gif Stax SR007 for good recordings Audio-Technica ATH-AD2000 for (relatively) bad recordings and when I don't feel like electrostats Ultimate Ears UE11pro for portable That's what I'd do. =) I mean I love the beyerdynamic DT880s but the stax do everything the beyers do and much much more.

You pretty much wrote what I was gonna write...Except R10 instead of AD2000.