What's the LEAST bright can?

[Mrvile]

Another dumb little question...

My ears are extremely sensitive to brightness and sibilance, so I have a hard time listening to brighter phones (I can't stand Grados) without it quickly becoming painful. So I'm wondering, as kind of a future upgrade path, what are some well regarded headphones that are the least bright? Besides the obvious DT770, of course...

Currently I use a pair of K501 through a Lunchbox tube amp, and the setup does keep the trebles well under control.

Thanks.

 

[ap3rtis]

Sennheiser HD 580/600/650 are regarded as very warm headphones, with soft treble.

 

[nothing101]

what about bose???

 

[kramer5150]

K240s is by far my softest can.

 

[Davesrose]

Actually, Beyers can get quite bright (they're usually cited for having recessed mids). Do you find the 501s too bright? If so, I'm not sure what else to suggest.....you may find the 580s less fatiguing because they are warmer and bring out more bass. Yet while the 501s may have some more detail in the mids, the 580s seem to have a bit more upper treble extension. Perceptually, many people find them rolled off in the treble regions.....so you may find them the least fatiguing.

 

[Mrvile]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davesrose /img/forum/go_quote.gif Actually, Beyers can get quite bright (they're usually cited for having recessed mids). Do you find the 501s too bright? If so, I'm not sure what else to suggest.....you may find the 580s less fatiguing because they are warmer and bring out more bass. Yet while the 501s may have some more detail in the mids, the 580s seem to have a bit more upper treble extension. Perceptually, many people find them rolled off in the treble regions.....so you may find them the least fatiguing.

Well I know the 880s can be quite bright, but from what I've read the 770's bass just kinda overpowers everything...

Nah, my 501's control the highs perfectly, but I'm looking for a bit more kick in the lower frequency range - something the K501 obviously lacks. I've been eyeing the Senn 580/600/650 line for a while, and I'll probably just end up picking up a pair of 580's for their sheer value. Just wondering if there were any other options out there...

Also kind of afraid that if I do end up getting the Senns and liking them, my AKG's won't get any use since they both are used for pretty much the same kind of music...

 

[saturnine]

The new Bose Triport OE. Recessed treble, bass, hell; recessed everything. Still sounds reasonable considering it's portability & isolation. The HD-650 with stock cable pair with a mellow amp (OPA-627 for you solid state DIY folks) is next in line.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Try one from the Sennheiser HD-580/600/650 line. I think the 650 is dark and mellow.

 

[flamerz]

I believe someone's already said this, but the DT770's are actually pretty bright. They just have a lack of mids.

 

[HFat]

I was going to suggest the K271S to a fellow K501 fan because it has those marvelous AKG mids that make the Senns sound dead to me in comparison but I thought I'd check the HeadRoom graphs... here's what I read in the tea leaves:
-The 580 and 501 are both rolled off and have a similar treble extension but either one can be significantly stronger than the other at any given frequency. To me, the 501 sound brighter, probably because its bass is weaker which impacts the volume I listen to as well as the overall impression I get of its sound signature.
-The 271 and 240 are both strongly rolled off in the extreme treble but then again they have a nasty treble peak centrered around 9kHz. Interestingly, I don't remember hearing that peak. The 271 has stronger mids and the 240 stronger bass so depending on how you set the volume when you're listening and how you percieve bright you might say either one is brighter.

 

[jdimitri]

HD201 has no treble

A good sounding dark can: HD580/600/650
If you're interested in IEMs: UM1/2

 

[sgrossklass]

HD650. (I actually found the HD580 to not be much less bright than the HD590.)

 

[PiccoloNamek]

The HD650's treble actually extends pretty high. But, there are no peaks in the upper mids or lower treble, (or anywhere) so they won't sound bright at all. (Although I don't really find it "dark" either, but that is only me, it seems.)

 

[Mrvile]

So it looks like the basic consensus comes down to the Senn HD580/600/650 line...as of right now I can't afford the 650, so the 580 should hold me over pretty well right?

Just out of curiosity, what are the differences between the 580 and 600 that result in sound differences? I mean, I know both use the same drivers and basically the same build...is it the carbon fiber? The metal grills?

 

[jdimitri]

HD580/600 is brighter than the HD650 though (never heard the HD600, i'd just assume its a slightly improved HD580 with the same sound sig)