[JoachimL]

Hi. My current setup is a TTVJ portable dac/amp and Grado 325e.
I listen mostly to acoustic stuff with vocals, some classical, and post-rock.
Somehow I feel ever so slightly brainwashed into thinking a lot of buying
some new higher-end headphones - even though I am happy with the sound
of the 325e's..

I haven't tried out different headphones for several years - so I'm not familiar
with Audeze, Hifiman, Oppo etc.

Headphones I've tried include:
Sennheiser "baby orpheus", HD650 and HD595. Grado RS1.
I wasn't really captivated by any of them.

What I'm looking for in a pair of headphones:
1) I prefer a presentation that feels closer to the stage, and an intimate presentation
of vocals.
2) A wider sound stage than the 325e
3) I am not a bass head
4) Musicality

I have a pair of Etymotic custom musicians' ear plugs, that fit with Etymotic ER4.
Not sure if they would fit other brands of IEMs.

In case I decide to upgrade, I would buy used headphones, and could spend up to
about $550 when buying from overseas, or up to $800 when buying locally.
(This is due to 25% import tax, fees, and shipping costs)

Based on what I read on this forum, I'm thinking Audeze EL8 (open) might be an option,
as well as Etymotic ER4SR.

Any suggestions?

 

[Monsterzero]

AKG K240 sextetts

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/akg-k240-sextett-gradod-akg.243339/

My review of the Sextetts

 

[ostewart]

Why not go up the line in Grados if you enjoy yours, the RS2e would be a little warmer and smoother than the SR325 but still give you a more intimate sound

 

[JoachimL]

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I tried AKG K240's several years ago, and felt it wasn't what
I was hoping to find in a headphone. I haven't tried the RS2e - however like I said I've tried the RS1,
and wasn't too captivated. My reasoning that the RS2e would be inferior to the RS1 because of the
difference in price, might be faulty.

 

[Monsterzero]

Are you sure you tried the sextetts?
There are literally 5 or 6 different headphones AKG has made all named the K240.

 

[JoachimL]

Oh, ok. I didn't know that. Do you feel they sound very different from the K240 monitors?

 

[Monsterzero]

Absolutely...have a look at my video and if you feel it might work for you I linked a guide I created on how to ID the various K240s as well as the three different sextett versions.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/hea...timate-solution.715478/page-456#post-13299270

 

[JoachimL]

Thanks