Think I'm getting hooked

[randy98mtu]

I have always liked music and have been more selective than most I know about what headphones I use.  I listen all day at work, so I like to have a decent headphone.  A couple years ago I tried the Bose AE's.  They were ok, but didn't blow me away.  I had various IEM's that I am not sure of models numbers on.  VModa's from the Apple store, various Sony's and Klipsh S4's (not sure which model, never really listened to them much.)  I started getting hooked with some Sennheiser HD428's.  A few months ago I wanted something more, so I got some Sennheiser HD 380 Pro's and a NuForce Icon IDO amp to use with my iPhone.  Most of my files are 256 or better and any new stuff I buy I rip Apple Lossless.
 
I have been looking for a new set to use at home.  The HD 428s and the Bose don't really do it for me.  Today I took a chance and grabbed the Beats urbeats IEM's.  Didn't know what to expect other than bass.  Turns out that's about all that was there.  The rest of the sound was very flat to me.  I don't know a lot of the lingo and nuances, but I know that these didn't make me smile except with a few genres of music.  I listen to a range of stuff, mostly country, rap, rock and the like.  Definitely returning the Beats.  But as I did more searching, I found a pair of B&W C5's at a local Magnolia Best Buy.  So I headed out and grabbed them.  At first I thought this is a lot more like it.  Very lively sound and pleasing to my ears, but a little light on the bass.  I had read reviews here and most people seemed to think they were bass heavy, so I was a bit confused.  I started swapping the tips and the largest tips sealed my ears better and the bass came to life.  Now I am really liking these!
 
As a gadget person and a music lover, I'm feeling more hooked than ever.  While I was at the Magnolia store I put on the Momentum's again (I had tried them there previously and wasn't impressed.)  They sounded MUCH better today.  Then I put on the HD 558s next to them and they sounded great as well.  I'm contemplating my next set being something from the Audio Technica ATH-A900X, Sennheiser Momentums, HD650's, or something else.  Open to suggestions.  Knowing I like the HD 380's and the C5's seem good.  Is there something I should have gotten instead of the C5?  I'm looking forward to hearing the C5's with my NuForce amp on Monday.
 
Just wanted to share my story and look for some tips/conversation on where to go next.  Thanks.

 

[Makiah S]

  I have always liked music and have been more selective than most I know about what headphones I use.  I listen all day at work, so I like to have a decent headphone.  A couple years ago I tried the Bose AE's.  They were ok, but didn't blow me away.  I had various IEM's that I am not sure of models numbers on.  VModa's from the Apple store, various Sony's and Klipsh S4's (not sure which model, never really listened to them much.)  I started getting hooked with some Sennheiser HD428's.  A few months ago I wanted something more, so I got some Sennheiser HD 380 Pro's and a NuForce Icon IDO amp to use with my iPhone.  Most of my files are 256 or better and any new stuff I buy I rip Apple Lossless.
 
I have been looking for a new set to use at home.  The HD 428s and the Bose don't really do it for me.  Today I took a chance and grabbed the Beats urbeats IEM's.  Didn't know what to expect other than bass.  Turns out that's about all that was there.  The rest of the sound was very flat to me.  I don't know a lot of the lingo and nuances, but I know that these didn't make me smile except with a few genres of music.  I listen to a range of stuff, mostly country, rap, rock and the like.  Definitely returning the Beats.  But as I did more searching, I found a pair of B&W C5's at a local Magnolia Best Buy.  So I headed out and grabbed them.  At first I thought this is a lot more like it.  Very lively sound and pleasing to my ears, but a little light on the bass.  I had read reviews here and most people seemed to think they were bass heavy, so I was a bit confused.  I started swapping the tips and the largest tips sealed my ears better and the bass came to life.  Now I am really liking these!
 
As a gadget person and a music lover, I'm feeling more hooked than ever.  While I was at the Magnolia store I put on the Momentum's again (I had tried them there previously and wasn't impressed.)  They sounded MUCH better today.  Then I put on the HD 558s next to them and they sounded great as well.  I'm contemplating my next set being something from the Audio Technica ATH-A900X, Sennheiser Momentums, HD650's, or something else.  Open to suggestions.  Knowing I like the HD 380's and the C5's seem good.  Is there something I should have gotten instead of the C5?  I'm looking forward to hearing the C5's with my NuForce amp on Monday.
 
Just wanted to share my story and look for some tips/conversation on where to go next.  Thanks.

I liked the ATH A900x but if your really interested in getting something that should wow you, try the Shure 1540. FROM impressoins It's sounding a lot like the momentum sound wise [but better] and ofc since it's a new Head Phone there are a lot of them for sale here at Head fi, most of them for around $450 ish or so dollars! 
 
Although an important question to ask you is
 
Open or closed?
 
The A900x are closed, as are the momentum and the HD 650 is open! Open headphones... often sound,,, more realistic, better sound stage and instrumental seperation, how ever they lack isolation of any kind, so if your home alone open headphones are awesome, if your out and about they are terrible
 
that said closed headphones... have a slighty narrower sound stage, still many of the emmeringing 200-500 range Closed Headphones are really starting to bring some VERY nice sound stage and realism to the table! Offering the isolation of closed back, with a very "open" sound
 
Non the less if you need isolation, closed is your best bet. If you Don't need isolation open would suite your needs! 

 

[randy98mtu]

I have all closed right now and realistically that's the only thing that makes sense for me.  I would like to try some open which is why I put the 650 on the list.  I hadn't thought to look for used 1540's.  I keep seeing them on the front page and they are intriguing to me, but the $600 price tag was a turn off (obviously.)  I have 3 kids (soon 4) under 5 and don't get a lot of time truly alone.  So like I said, realistically I need closed or IEM's.

 

[Makiah S]

  I have all closed right now and realistically that's the only thing that makes sense for me.  I would like to try some open which is why I put the 650 on the list.  I hadn't thought to look for used 1540's.  I keep seeing them on the front page and they are intriguing to me, but the $600 price tag was a turn off (obviously.)  I have 3 kids (soon 4) under 5 and don't get a lot of time truly alone.  So like I said, realistically I need closed or IEM's.

Closed would be good in that situation my friend! And they are not $600 new, they are $500 the market is just price jacking them :/ a shame but the new price will come down. Additionally the used price will as well. 

 

[randy98mtu]

I found them on B&H for $499 new.  That is where I buy most of my camera gear so I know they are reputable.  That would require returning the B&W's and some begging and pleading.  Need to go look into how the 1540 compares to something like the Momentum over ear.

 

[Makiah S]

  I found them on B&H for $499 new.  That is where I buy most of my camera gear so I know they are reputable.  That would require returning the B&W's and some begging and pleading.  Need to go look into how the 1540 compares to something like the Momentum over ear.

The 1540 should be a league above it, I mean that literally. 

 

[randy98mtu]

Well comparing the C5 to my HD380s at my office this morning.  I think the C5's have a bit more low end and good detail.  The soundstage feels a bit more cramped.  The biggest issue I'm having is the C5's are just not comfortable.  No way I can wear these for 6 hours a day.  I think I'm going to stop at the Apple store tonight and see if I can try out the P7's.  I wish there was a local place that had the 1540's.
 
I pulled out my old Klipsh S4's and my VModas (not sure which model, $70 IEM's) as well.  The VModas are way too soft on treble.  The S4's were way too sharp on treble.  All around neither are anywhere close to the B&W's or the Sennheisers.  They quickly went back in the drawer.  I almost never listened to the S4's.  I should have returned them right away.

 

[randy98mtu]

Well I caved and ordered the P7's.  I simply cannot wait for them to come in. 

 

[Makiah S]

  Well I caved and ordered the P7's.  I simply cannot wait for them to come in. 

Do enjoy :3 them and let us know what you think! I hear a lot of positives about the B&W P7 is it? They look very nice as well 

 

[randy98mtu]

  Do enjoy :3 them and let us know what you think! I hear a lot of positives about the B&W P7 is it? They look very nice as well 

Yes, they are B&W's.  I will certainly be back to give my impressions.  This is my first foray into something north of $200, so I'm hoping to be wowed.  If not I will return them and stick to my HD 380's.  Perhaps I'm just not as selective as many here.  The nicest thing other than my HD380's at my office is a few pairs of Bose.  Most people are just not selective about headphones.
 
That leads to another question I wanted to ask of people here.  What kind of setup do you use at work, assuming you listen to headphones in a cube farm?  My Sennheisers are big, but not exactly attention grabbing.  I'm going to have thick skin with the B&W's because I'll catch a lot of flack for having something so nice!

 

[Makiah S]

  Yes, they are B&W's.  I will certainly be back to give my impressions.  This is my first foray into something north of $200, so I'm hoping to be wowed.  If not I will return them and stick to my HD 380's.  Perhaps I'm just not as selective as many here.  The nicest thing other than my HD380's at my office is a few pairs of Bose.  Most people are just not selective about headphones.
 
That leads to another question I wanted to ask of people here.  What kind of setup do you use at work, assuming you listen to headphones in a cube farm?  My Sennheisers are big, but not exactly attention grabbing.  I'm going to have thick skin with the B&W's because I'll catch a lot of flack for having something so nice!

... I wear an AUdio Technica W1000x around my campus at School [College man here] and on top of that, since I do computer programming at school I have a number of people comment on my Audio Chain... USB Dac Amp 2 interconnectors an Adapter an then my W1000x! It looks cumber some but sounds awesome! But I do catch a lot of Flack my self  

 

[randy98mtu]

  ... I wear an AUdio Technica W1000x around my campus at School [College man here] and on top of that, since I do computer programming at school I have a number of people comment on my Audio Chain... USB Dac Amp 2 interconnectors an Adapter an then my W1000x! It looks cumber some but sounds awesome! But I do catch a lot of Flack my self  

Thanks for the feedback.  My amp is pretty discrete.  I just have the NuForce ICON IDO under one of my monitors.  I have my iPhone plugged into a dock feeding the NuForce.  So all most people see is my headphones and my phone.  A few people have mentioned the amp.  Even when i went from the HD428's to the HD380's, the difference was hardly noticeable.  If I start rocking these B&W's, people will notice...

 

[Makiah S]

  Thanks for the feedback.  My amp is pretty discrete.  I just have the NuForce ICON IDO under one of my monitors.  I have my iPhone plugged into a dock feeding the NuForce.  So all most people see is my headphones and my phone.  A few people have mentioned the amp.  Even when i went from the HD428's to the HD380's, the difference was hardly noticeable.  If I start rocking these B&W's, people will notice...

I dunno the HD 380 seem bigger than the P7 

 

[randy98mtu]

  I dunno the HD 380 seem bigger than the P7 

I think you are right, but the HD380 is all black and rather subdued in appearance.  The B&W has all the chrome and a very distinguished look.  To me anyway, they just LOOK more expensive.

 

[Makiah S]

  I think you are right, but the HD380 is all black and rather subdued in appearance.  The B&W has all the chrome and a very distinguished look.  To me anyway, they just LOOK more expensive.

True enough, but it's a good conversation piece I get ppl asking about my W1000x [American Cherry Wood Back] rather often! So I get a chance to share a lovely headphone with ppl rather often! I met a great friend because of my W1000x actually