[Kowalski74]

I have the Sennheiser HD555 and now, although i like them very much, i want to replace them with better headphones. I use them mainly for movies, listen soundtracks (for which the hd555 are very good), classic rock, hard rock, gothic/industrial metal and occasionally electronic music. For rock and all those last genres i think the HD555 are not very good. I don't know how to say it, they sound a bit ... ¿flat? ¿smooth? ¿without energy? The soundstage is good, but I think they lack a bit of definition for rock and a powerful bass for gothic/industrial/electrical music (the bass are very good and textured, but without punch). Maybe this is cause I don't have an amp, I use directly my PC sound card. Now I have purchased the Asus Xonar Essence STX (it has not arrived yet), with integrated amp, and I hope that some of those issues could be fixed.

Anyway, I want to upgrade to a better headphones. Finally, after reading forums and reviews, and considering availability, I'm choosing one of those (in the range of 200€ - 300€):

Sennheiser HD600/HD650
Audio Technica AD900
AKG K701
Beyer Dynamic DT880
Grado sr225i
Denon AH-D2000 (closed headphones)

Which is the difference between them? How is their sound signature? I know that is difficult or impossible to find a good pair of headphones that performs very well with any genre of music. Only what I want is that they sound good overall, or at least that they perform better where the HD555 fails. A headphones not so "laid-back", more funny or engaging, with more clarity. Good for all kind of rock and music with bass and ambience (gothic, Industrial, etc…).

I think the best could be the Denon AH-2000 (closed, with clarity and powerfull bass, but with less soundstage, I think). Another great contender is the Beyer Dynamic DT880, semi-open, overall good, better soundstage but with less bass. The Sennheiser could not be a great option because they are more "laid-back", very very good but with similar sound signature than HD555, isn't it? I don`t know very much about AKG and Audio Technica, but they seem to lack bass. And the Grados are known to be the best for rock, but I don`t now how well they will perform with other music (how is their sound signature?).

Wich one would you recommend me?

Oh, finally again, sorry for my poor english!

 

[paaj]

The Grado's give a very forward sound, great detail and punchy bass. Great for rock/metal and they hold their own with other genres as well. I liked the Sr325i even with classical. The opposite of the HD555 and may be just what you want.

The HD650 is a big step up from the HD555, and if you amp it right I would never call it boring, but that is an extra cost you have to consider. Without an amp they sound decent, but without that energy you look for.

I listened to the DT880, very detailed intimate headphone, bass was right but no overpowering. nice sound but I preferred the HD650 because it gave a fuller sound. Certainly one to audition.

 

[Carlsan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by paaj /img/forum/go_quote.gif The Grado's give a very forward sound, great detail and punchy bass. Great for rock/metal and they hold their own with other genres as well. I liked the Sr325i even with classical. The opposite of the HD555 and may be just what you want. The HD650 is a big step up from the HD555, and if you amp it right I would never call it boring, but that is an extra cost you have to consider. Without an amp they sound decent, but without that energy you look for. I listened to the DT880, very detailed intimate headphone, bass was right but no overpowering. nice sound but I preferred the HD650 because it gave a fuller sound. Certainly one to audition.

Yes, I second the comments about the 650. They do need an amp. Almost sold mine until I started to amp them correctly and realized what I was missing. The Asus Xonar Essence STX will drive the 650 appropriately.
I also agree with the DT880. That one was my main headphone for many years and gave me lots of musical pleasure but I rarely listen to it today as I have other headphones that I prefer for various reasons. From memory, the DT880 will get the job done, it's very clear across all musical spectrum, and handles all music forms fine. I will have to listen to it again to see what exactly keeps me from going back to it.

Both the Denon AH-D2000 and the Audio Technica AD900 would do well with what your interests are and can be found much cheaper than the 650. The Denon may have a bit to much bass for movies and games but that may be a good thing if you like big explosions. The D2000 also works well with the Asus soundcard but will work fine without a amp if needed. The D2000 has a slight coloration with classical but still sounds fine to my ears. From memory it handled rock just fine as well.

I can't comment on the Grado as I've only owned the Grado SR-80. That Grado captured highs really well, with the guitars crunching nicely, but I thought didn't do as well with other types of music (I gave it to my daughter who only listens to rock, indie, and punk - she loves it).

 

[paaj]

will you keep the HD555 for movies etc or are you selling them?