[Pibborando]

So I've had my Audio-Technica ATH-A700s for a couple years now, and they're great. Granted, I haven't been using them a whole lot lately because of my speaker rig (Energy C-9s), but I think a nice little upgrade will get me back into the fun and crazy world of headphone listening.

Here's what I like about the A700s, ordered by most important:
1) Very detailed
2) Go quite deep and have good bass impact
3) Lively 'front-row' presentation
4) Very comfortable

Here's what I don't like so much:
1) Overly bright to me (especially after listening to speakers for a while)
2) Highs can be slightly fatiguing after a while
3) Small sound-stage (sounds in my head)
4) Very bulky (moves around on my head if I lean forward/back etc)

Here's the short list of what I'm looking at:
1) Beyerdynamic DT880 (2006 model) $300
2) Sennheiser HD-595 $200-$250
3) AKG K601 $250-$300
4) Denon AHD2000 $250-$300
5) Audio-Technica ATH-AD900 $200-$250

I want to try headphones with a more laid back sound (compared with the A700s), as long as it's musical and not boring. A wider, deeper, more speaker-like presentation would be great. Super detail resolution is good but as long as it doesn't sound grainy or "etched". An all around life-like sound is more important. Bass impact is nice but not the most crucial factor. I guess what I'm basically looking for is the most "real" sound, and NOT sounding like it's in my head with highs that won't burn a hole in my brain.

e: By laid back I guess I mean less "IN YOUR FACE" and more like I'm listening from a little ways back

I'm also considering finally getting some amplification. I'm looking at the Zhaolu D2.5, Little Dot 2++, Gilmore Lite and Corda Arrieta for example. Also looking for a DAC unless I get a DAC+headphone amp in one.

Any ideas?

 

[WittyzTH]

Why don't you look for Senn HD650s instead of HD595s. It produces well deep bass, good details. Also, it has, of course, a laid-back sounds.

 

[dissembled]

It seems that you should have purchased the AD 700's: the open version.

Especially love this part in the review by Good Gear: http://www.goodgearguide.com.au/inde...pt;1;pg;1;pa;1

The upper mid tones and highs are the real strengths of this model. The AD700 has some of the most exquisite detail and separation you will hear without spending several hundred dollars more. Instruments flow from one to the other with a beautiful layering effect that brings out the full sound of a large performance (eg: Orchestra)

This review says a lot about the AD700's. Imagine the improved AD900 model!

 

[kamal007]

try and buy used gears (if you dont mind that). you'll save yourself some money and burn in time

 

[warubozu]

Although I haven't audition a pair yet, after reading the brief impression in the link below you might want to try taking a look at the AT-AD900:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=238849

 

[Pibborando]

Quote:

Originally Posted by warubozu /img/forum/go_quote.gif Although I haven't audition a pair yet, after reading the brief impression in the link below you might want to try taking a look at the AT-AD900: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=238849

Yeah, I actually just read that before posting this thread. It's why I added the AD900 option at the end of my list. Some part of me wants to get away from the Audio-Technicas maybe... just to try something different. That is unless the AD900 really is the second coming of audio christ and would be perfect for me.

I went to a showroom to try and demo the HD600s but they had just sold their last one. I listened to some lesser Senns along with some Grados (FINALLY), comparing them with my A700s I brought.

Didn't listen to the Senns for too long. I think they were the HD 265s. The soundstage was wider than my ATs, but the bass just overpowered everything and it wasn't as clear as I wanted. I'm assuming the HD 600s (or HD 595s) are much better... I hope.

The Grados surprised me. I listened to the SR 225 first and the first thing I noticed is that it was NOT as bright as my A700s. After all this "Grados are so bright omg it burns" stuff I'd always heard, they really sounded just fine. The bass was lacking in oomph but was definitely there and very tight. When I switched back to the A700s, holy **** cymbals and horns and high end stuff was much louder. I want to say that the A700s felt like I was sitting in the middle of a performance with everyone playing their instruments directly at me. I can hear every little detail but it's too much sometimes. The 225s were more open and natural to me.

I switched between the 225s and 60s for a bit and was surprised that... the 60s didn't sound bad at all. The differences were there, but the SR 60 is most of what the 225 is.

All that being said, I don't think Grados are for me though.

 

[Pibborando]

Ok, I think the Denon's are a bit too much, and the HD 600s definitely are. Same with the DT880s, and I'm hearing that the Beyers are a bit "cold" and a little etched in the highs.

SO... between the HD 595, K601, and AD900, which would be best for me based on what I've stated? I can get all of those for around $200, and that's pretty much where I want to stay as far as price.

Which one will sound best unamped, which will improve the most with good amping? Which would synergize with solid state, which with tubes?

 

[dissembled]

With the HD 595's I've heard arguments from both sides. Some say they sound good unamped, others say they don't. Some people however have built dyi ones just for these things to maximize performance.

The AD900 is 32 Ohms though I can't say what amps synergize well with them since it's rarely talked about here. Love for the Audio Technica's (lower) AD series is nonexistent in HF and I think that's partially why I personally have decided to go with them. There's just something about supporting the underdogs that's appealing to me. It just doesn't feel right that such incredibly capable phones are ignored. And they deserve to be loved a lot more really.

I can't tell you about the K601's. For $60, more though you might find the K701's to your liking. Neutral, detailed and was stated to have a soundstage that's one of the more unique ones in history. It's low IMP but many agree that it's power hungry and will benefit the most from amping.

 

[Pibborando]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissembled /img/forum/go_quote.gif I can't tell you about the K601's. For $60, more though you might find the K701's to your liking.

Well, to be honest, I don't really like the white. The K601s are just so sexy to to me though. If it's THAT much of an improvement then I may consider the K701s. But as good as they seem to be I think I've heard an equal amount of people that don't favor their sound. I keep hearing how thin on bass they are. I would guess the same is true of the K601s...

The AD900s are looking better and better...

edit: Well after reading this, I might just drop the HD 595s out of the running if the AD900s sound THAT much better. So what's the verdict on the K601s?

 

[Pibborando]

Ok, reading more it looks like the AD900s really are JUST what I'm after. Read several favorable reviews against the K601s, so... I guess that settles it

As far as amping, I've heard that some tubes make the ATs sound wonderful. Would the Little Dot II ++ be a good choice? I don't want to spend more than $200 here.

Also, a decent DAC would be good as well. What's the best choice for $200 or less. I'm not really after a certain sound here (I'll let the amp do that), just quality conversion.

 

[Thermofreak]

AKG's review from Asr
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=215457

 

[Pibborando]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thermofreak /img/forum/go_quote.gif AKG's review from Asr http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=215457

Ah, well that settles it even more. The K601's don't sound like they'd be for me (not detail resolving enough, high end falloff, weak bass, narrow sound-stage), but they're still gorgeous.

I'm almost considering saving up for the AD2000's now... I mean, they're only $270 more than the AD900!

Is the difference worth it?

Also, hows the Lite DAC-AH? I would be going Chaintech AV-710 (optical out) -> DAC -> Amp -> Phones

The little dot II++ is looking more and more attractive also. Is there ANYTHING else around that pricerange (<$200) that would synergize better?

 

[Pibborando]

Well, so much for saving up. I just impulse bought a pair of 2005 DT880's from head-fi'er el_monkey for $200. Oooooo!!

I mean, that's $30 less than the lowest price for the AD900's and... I just couldn't resist the shiny metal bits!

So... will I notice a significant improvement from my A700's? Can anyone comment on the bass differences?

I'm thinking of getting a Little Dot MkIII to drive them (don't have any amplification currently, besides my Denon pre-amp). That should warm up their notoriously "neutral" sound right?

I'm very excited!

(where's the beyer smilies?

)

 

[only500made]

lol, dude, I just got the A700s an hour ago...one in, one out

 

[Pibborando]

Damn you 4th of July for delaying the arrival of my new headphones!

But now... they've arrived! Holy crap I'm actually wearing a pair of DT880's right now! Someone pinch me...

They're actually smaller than I was expecting (not a bad thing!). Guess I've gotten used to the A700's hugeness. So comfy and they stay in place even when rockin' out (which I've been doing).

I've been listening for about an hour (computer -> Denon PRA-1500 -> DT880), and I am in love. I've got Wilco's "Sky Blue Sky" playing right now. I never realized how recessed the mids of my A700's were until now. These mids are to die for. Vocals have so much presence. Bass is deep and powerful, but not boomy like almost every other phone I've heard (excluding Grado's). The highs sparkle but don't sear my ears. I think the best thing is just the effortless display of the whole frequency spectrum. It just sounds so life-like. The imaging is definitely more precise too, especially in the center (where the A700's kind of "blur" the center image a bit).

Oh these are just wonderful. Thank you el_monkey!

I definitely need a portable amp. I plugged them directly into my X5 and they were VERY quiet (on the volume setting the A700's are usually on). If I max the volume out, it's an acceptable loudness, but doesn't sound quite as good.

What should I consider for $150 or less, to start off with?