[Hey_Its_Cole]

I Love the SA5000s, but am looking to find something a little less fatiguing, on some songs, they are just too much. I have the HF-1s but am just not digging the Grado sound so far (I have not given them up yet), they just sound kind of muddy better after 50 hours of burn in but I still find myself grabbing the SA5000s. Here is what I am considering, K701s, AD2000 (or some other AT phone as I loved the A900s, maybe a woodie), DT880 (I enjoyed the 770s when I owned them but find them to bass happy and lacking in the mids.), HD650s but from the descriptions, I don't think they are my cup of tea. Lets keep the budget less than $700. I love details and sound stage.

 

[tkam]

I haven't heard the k701 or ad2000 but I think the dt880s would fit the bill. They are detailed and have a great soundstage and unlike the sa5k's they aren't fatiguing.

 

[[AK]Zip]

CD3000's! I am getting a pair of K701's here in a few days (on their way) and I will be able to say more about them once they come in. I did not like the DT880's and the HD650's were to laid back for me.

-Alex-

 

[jagorev]

HD 600

 

[Hey_Its_Cole]

Quote:

Originally Posted by [AK]Zip CD3000's! I am getting a pair of K701's here in a few days (on their way) and I will be able to say more about them once they come in. I did not like the DT880's and the HD650's were to laid back for me. -Alex-

You have had both the 5000s and the 3000s right Alex? I think the 650s are going to be to laid back for me.

 

[[AK]Zip]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hey_Its_Cole You have had both the 5000s and the 3000s right Alex? I think the 650s are going to be to laid back for me.

I have both right now. I am actually waiting for the buyer of the SA5000's to come by and get them.

-Alex-

 

[Hey_Its_Cole]

Quote:

Originally Posted by [AK]Zip I have both right now. I am actually waiting for the buyer of the SA5000's to come by and get them. -Alex-

Now that I think about it, I knew that, It just failed to register.

 

[saturnine]

HD-580/600 or Beyer DT-880. Maybe the RS-1 if you could deal with a tighter soundstage.

Also, the K701 or K1000 (if you can find them) could be exactly what you are looking for.

 

[earjam]

The sa5000 were my favorite phone until my recent purchase of the stax404s. I loved the detailed presentation of the 5000s. They are like a window on the music, with a clear unrestricted view of every nuance in the music. The stax have the same unrestricted view of the music except it is like some one opened the window and there is nothing between me and the music. The 313 amplifier is very good, but there is an etchiness in the treble that was not apparent, until i a-b compared the 313 with the mcalistor ea-1 amp i recently acquired. The ea-1 has a smoother, more delicate, more detailed treble, that is a step up from the 313. The ea-1 has a stronger, more filled end, solid bass extension than the 313 amp also. I know that there are fewer options when you step up to electrostatic headphones, but for me the upgrade was worth it.

 

[raisin]

I'd second that Senn 600 reccomendation, your budget allows enough room for a Cardas cable, and the sound would be a gentle introduction to the "warm" side.

 

[Hey_Its_Cole]

For some reason (I have yet to hear Sens) the way they are described, I don't think they will be my cup of tea as laid back is not what I am after.

 

[cheechoz]

I would say to try, if you can obtain one, the CD3000. They maintain a great amount of detail, but IMO, are a bit more tame in the highs, as compared to the 5K, with a fuller bass. I am receiving my K701's today also, and hoping for a nice suprise!

 

[Hey_Its_Cole]

Yea, the k701s sound apealing to me because from peoples descriptions, it is taking all the good traits from a bunch of phones and creating something that does it all. Peoples descriptions just sound to good to be true, I am afraid they are still in that new excited review stage.

 

[james__bean]

I'm in a very similar situation myself. When I first heard the SA5000's I just had to have them. The detail is so intoxicating, but they're not the type of headphone you bring home to the folks.

They're definitely high maintenance. I had a great time with the A900's for about a year, but after being with the SA5000's I honestly just can't go back to them. The bottom end is just a little too bloated for my tastes. Heh, ok enough of the innuendo. In all seriousness, I love the A900's, but I need something with better midrange, open soundstage, and more dynamic bass. At the moment I'm heavily leaning towards the AD2000's. Although they don't have the looks of the W5000, from what I've been reading it sounds like they'd be more up my alley. I won't make any decisions though until I listen to the K701 at the next oregon meet.

 

[Hey_Its_Cole]

Quote:

Originally Posted by james__bean I'm in a very similar situation myself. When I first heard the SA5000's I just had to have them. The detail is so intoxicating, but they're not the type of headphone you bring home to the folks. They're definitely high maintenance. I had a great time with the A900's for about a year, but after being with the SA5000's I honestly just can't go back to them. The bottom end is just a little too bloated for my tastes. Heh, ok enough of the innuendo. In all seriousness, I love the A900's, but I need something with better midrange, open soundstage, and more dynamic bass. At the moment I'm heavily leaning towards the AD2000's. Although they don't have the looks of the W5000, from what I've been reading it sounds like they'd be more up my alley. I won't make any decisions though until I listen to the K701 at the next oregon meet.

Exactley why the AD2000s sound so apealing in description, just not to many people have experience with them here. Do any of the other ATs match the description of what I am looking for say maybe the W100s or something similar.