[Balisarda]

I get goosebumps every time I hear "Land unter" or "Morgenrot" from Herbert Groenemeyer's "Unplugged" album--over my sister's huge old Klipsch speakers. Sadly, when I listen to the same songs over my headphones, I don't get that emotional reaction. I notice more detail, etc., but no goosebumps.

Therefore I ask: what are the most emotionally involving/stirring headphones you've ever listened to?

Thanks!!

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The results are in! (At least, the four pages of results that I'm going to tabulate are in.) My thanks to everyone who voted!

Here's the standing:

10 votes audio-technica ATH-L3000

9 votes Sony MDR-R10

8 votes AKG K1000
8 votes STAX SR-007 "Omega II"

7 votes Sennheiser HE90 "Orpheus"

6 votes Sennheiser HD 650 (including all single-ended and balanced cable upgrades)

5 votes Grado RS-1

4 votes Grado GS-1000
4 votes STAX SR-404

3 votes audio-technica ATH-AD2000
3 votes audio-technica ATH-W5000
3 votes beyerdynamic DT880
3 votes Etymotic Research ER4S/ER4P
3 votes Grado SR325i
3 votes Jecklin Floats (various models)
3 votes Ultrasone PROline 750
3 votes Ultrasone PROline 2500

2 votes AKG K501
2 votes AKG K701
2 votes Grado HP-2
2 votes Grado SR80
2 votes JVC HP-DX1000
2 votes STAX 001/003/005

Quite a few other headphones received a single vote each; I chose not to list them here. Also, lest anyone flame me for headphones that are or are not listed, I'm just the accountant!

 

[Azure]

STAX SR-404

 

[Dexdexter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Balisarda /img/forum/go_quote.gif I get goosebumps whenever I hear "Land unter" or "Morgenrot" from Herbert Groenemeyer's "Unplugged" album--on my sister's huge old Klipsch speakers. Sadly, when I listened to the same songs over my headphones, I don't have that same emotional reaction. I notice more detail, etc., but no goosebumps. Therefore I ask: what are the most emotionally involving/stirring headphones you've ever listened to?

Ultrasone PROline 2500. I'm a veritable puddle of tears every time I remove them following a listening session!

 

[edstrelow]

I get lots of goosebump experiences with Stax Sigmas and 404's, but I think this misses the real issue. The effect is the result of the music and associated equipment as much as the phones themselves. You need a certain minimum of quality for even the best phones to shine and even then major investments in supporting equipment will improve the result.

 

[bizkid]

L3000 for male vocals, W5000 for female vocals. Works always for me

I find them both more emotionally involving than what you find below in the "gone" part of my sig.

 

[warubozu]

The L3000 would also be the most emotionally involving headphones that I've had the opportunity to own and listen to. Whenever I put them on, I just can't help but to really get into the music I'm listening to.

 

[saint.panda]

Sony R10. The first pair of headphones that made me forget about analysing the equipment even if it was my intention to do so.

 

[electrathecat]

Although I generally prefer technical phones, I must say that the L3000 is colored in such a rich and intimate way that they're the tops I've ever listeed to in that regard.

 

[bdh]

Unfortunately it really depends on the song. Some do it for me with the DB's, some with the Grado's, some with none, etc. Of the headphones I've heard though, I'd call it a tie between the R10's and L3000 for the most often. However, none have come close to the emotion of sitting near-field to my B&W 801's with Conrad-Johnson amp.

 

[Chinchy]

The liveliness and musicality of the SR-225 out of HPA-1 is pretty awesome.

 

[Asr]

ATH-AD2000, every time.

 

[Dept_of_Alchemy]

It's L3000 for me, too. Oh that bass...

 

[W.T.]

EDIT: Scratch that. Hearing the original Omega 1's was the greatest joy.

Outside of the impossibility of finding said pair i LOOOOVE the L3000's.
I am so glad i finally picked up a pair in perfect condition

 

[highlighter]

havent had much experience but so far the etymotic in er4s just cause all in ear headphones seem very present lol

 

[feh1325]

ms2