Upgrade Rec's from Sure SRH940?

[Mashuganut]

Hi there,

I've got these Sure SRH940's that I love the sound on (first headphones I've had worth anything) but hate how uncomfortable they are for me. Cups aren't bad but the headband part is pretty painful after a while. Well I put up with it for years but now they are pretty much falling apart and I'm outta patience & superglue.

If anyone knows what these sound like and have some recommendations for something better and hopefully more comfortable I would love to hear about it.
I listen to a lot of vocal prominent and even instrumental like idenline, not so loud music. Not a bass head really.
I've gotta have closed head since I can't have too much sound leakage.
No amps, just straight into laptop.
Budget would be around 300 or so.

Thanks for the help!
Cheers,
Mashuganut

 

[PurpleAngel]

Maybe the best Audio Technica model you could get, for your $300 budget?
Audio Technica ATH-A990Z ($220).
(used, $170?)

Maybe talk you into getting a FiiO Q1 Mk II USB-DAC/amp?

 

[Mashuganut]

Hi PurpleAngel,
I've got this in my laptop: ESS SABRE HiFi audio DAC technology
Since I don't use them on other portable devices, would it be better to put the extra money into whatever the best AT cans I can buy? or do you think it's still worth splitting up my cash for cans/amp?
Cheers,
Mashuganut

 

[PurpleAngel]

Hi PurpleAngel,
I've got this in my laptop: ESS SABRE HiFi audio DAC technology
Since I don't use them on other portable devices, would it be better to put the extra money into whatever the best AT cans I can buy? or do you think it's still worth splitting up my cash for cans/amp?
Cheers,
Mashuganut

Assuming the "ESS Sabre" is referring to an add-on DAC chip
and the ATH-A990Z is easy to drive,
then there is less of a reason for getting a external DAC/amp.
So you should be able to get some nice sound (used A990Z, $160), for well under your $300 budget.

Unless someone else on Head-fi can recomend better headphones, for the $300 budget.

 

[PaganDL]

Hi @Mashuganut,

The SRH 940 was my first 'good' headphone as well & I still own it.
The issue with the 940 where fit is concerned, is thicker, more comfortable pads than stock do make fit better & the head size for the headband is bigger than most realise, setting 4 - 6 is often recommended.

For similar if not better sound, I can suggest &/or recommend the following in no particular order :

Meze 99 Classics
Audio Technica MSR 7
Sony 1AM2

The ESS Sabre DAC chip you mentioned is almost pretty standard good quality audio chip one can find nowadays in most electronic devices so it all depends on you whether you like to spend more on good headphones or an amp.

If you do want to spend more on other potential headphones &/or an amp, what would be your extended budget?

Hope you have agreat day !

 

[Mashuganut]

Thanks guys I'll check those out. The 99 classics look amazing. My budget remains around $300 sadly so i'd probably want to get some headphones near that range and wait for another time on the amp.