What is your choice for the best headphone for femal vocal?

[mulveling]

Of the cans I've owned the female vocals crown would go to either the K340 or HP-2 (w/ flats), though I'd probably have to give the edge to the K340 here.To me, both are noticeably smoother than the HD650 (though a tube amp like RKV can help smooth these out), which in turn has much more presence, warmth, and smoothness than the HD600+Cardas.

 

[joelongwood]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawat I see that you also have the denon 370 and a few tube amps Joelongwood, how do you think the rs-1 would perform with this setup and a headphone amp using 6922 tube?

My Denon is out of commission, as it began acting strangely (skipping, getting stuck) awhile ago. I'm now using a Sony 333ES SACD, and an AMC CD-8B player. I've tried the RS-1 with my 3 tube amps (RKV, EMP, MG Head DT) and was not happy with them. They seemed to impart too much warmth in the lower midrange, where it was getting a bit too thick and syrupy for my taste. It was only when I hooked the RS-1 up to the RA-1 that I discovered what the RS-1s could do.
With the CD3000, I find the Earmax Pro does a wonderful job with female vocals. To my ears, the CD3000/Earmax Pro combo can run with the best of them.

 

[kramer5150]

K501

 

[crazyfrenchman27]

Any of the high-end Grados.

They project unrealistic intimacy (i.e. no one actually sits that close to a singer at a concert), but I like it nonetheless.

 

[jjcha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoRedwings19 Whoa there tiger, My rs-1 are your sleeping buddies, damn! The rs-1's have two timed me

Matey, you think that's bad - I gotta break it to you. Your PS-1 is a PSP whore. It'll plug into any PSP it happens to run across...

Best,

-Jason

 

[Spiritboxer]

Female vocals? At home Grado SR 225, portable Shure E3's. Say what you want about the E3's but they're superb at reproducing the female voice and have an outstanding middle.

 

[pbalcer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawat I'm a fan of the cardigans and I was wondering what would be the best headphone for this type of music and voice ? something under 500$ please. I currently use the hd650 and cd3000 ,they are good but i'm hoping to find something better for femal vocals. I think I need the cans with the best mids possible.

I have HD600 and RS1, and I'm using homemade "pure" class A amplifier.

I prefer HD600 over RS1 when I listen to Kiri Te Kanawa or Kate Bush, but when I listen to Diana Krall or Toni Braxton RS1 sound better to me (but only with smooth-sounding, fairly neutral amp). Anne Sofie Von Otter sounds good on both cans. This is only my personal preference.

I think a lot depends on the type and quality of the recording as well. HD600 seem to sound better when there is a lot of instruments/voices involved. RS1 like small assemblies and are much more intimate.

I didn't try K501 yet but some people say it has really good midrange... so it should be good for female vocals (and strings, etc.). I'll have to give it a try...

 

[Andrea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawat I'm a fan of the cardigans and I was wondering what would be the best headphone for this type of music and voice ? something under 500$ please. I currently use the hd650 and cd3000 ,they are good but i'm hoping to find something better for femal vocals. I think I need the cans with the best mids possible.

Mmmm, with vocals independently from their sex I think the HD650 is the best one for sheer realism, but I admit having a weakness for the way the HD595 reproduces vocals, with a special magic made of closeness and a velvety and sweet touch...

 

[Jorg]

IMO ATH-L3000 does female vocals best from dinamic cans (havn't heard the Qualia), though R10 has an overall sweeter midrange.

PS-1's midrange is not so rich, but it's very special too (seems to be called liquid on Head-Fi

)

 

[sean-xenos]

Imho the Grado RS-1 is the best headphone for female voices,
lovely mids, intimate sound.
I'd recommend it especially with ported beta C-pads (or something similar) and the RA-1 amp (or a clone) or maybe a tubed amp.

I strongly prefer the Grado RS-1 (with ported C-pads) over the Sennheiser HD650, the HD650 sounds too dark and syrupy for my taste.

 

[bubbagump]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kramer5150 K501

second that. I wish I could get an idea what it sounds like on great sources and amps, but on my modest setup the 501 still will send chills down your spine because you feel like your listening next to said vocalist in the studio...

 

[Jon L]

AKG K1000 being fed 176.4kHz via Foobar would have to be up there for female vocals..

 

[number1sixerfan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by adhoc imo the 2 best cans for female vocals i've heard so far would be the rs-1 and the k501.

I have to completely agree.

 

[saint.panda]

A good source and amp provided: Sennheiser HD 650 for the in my opinion most realistic presentation; Grado RS-1 for a lush and intimate experience. I find the HD 650 to be the only headphone that gets the lower, mid and upper midrange balance right.

Edit: I haven't heard the upper echelon headphones (R10, Omegas, ...) yet.

 

[geardoc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawat .. I currently use the hd650 and cd3000 ,they are good but i'm hoping to find something better for femal vocals. I think I need the cans with the best mids possible.

I'm always saying how bad the A900's are with mids but female vocals
sound good with them in a way by providing intimacy. The female voice stands out from the instruments. I'd still rather listen with the HD650's.