[pianoman1245]

EDIT: for anyone who read this before, I changed a lot of what I'm looking for...

Hello everyone. Let me first say that I love this forum, and lurking on it has been extremely helpful. Anyway, recently my kef iq3 speakers blew and I decided I want to get headphones, since I can't bring speakers to university next year.

I want to spend up to $300, but preferably less.
I would rather get headphones that sound great with no amp (amp may be added in the distant, distant future)


I have an Asus Xonar D1 internal sound card. I listen to FLAC on my desktop, and use foobar2000 (ASIO or KS-->xonar). My music library is very eclectic, and I listen to a lot of indie/rock, a small amount of metal (mostly lo-fi though), a fair amount of electronic, some classical (not my main concern, but a concern nonetheless). Radiohead, My Bloody Valentine, Pavement, The Flaming Lips, Bjork, Sonic Youth, Portishead, Arcade Fire, Pixies, Tool, Animal Collective, etc are my most-listened-to bands.

I would like an engaging sound that isn't fatiguing. I don't want something that is just detailed but not fun to listen to. I HATE SIBILANCE; I think imaging and sound stage are very important; and I don't want something uncomfortable. Overpowering bass annoys me, but muddy bass annoys me more. I'm not a basshead, but I want to feel the bass when I listen.
I wear glasses, if that changes anything from a comfort perspective (sound quality remains my priority, hell I'd switch to contacts if the SQ was that good). I don't want Grados due to their fit (they'd probably bother me and my glasses) and lack of sound stage.

I'm going to be dorming with someone in college next year, but I'm kind of thinking that sound leaking won't be that big of an issue. I mean, how much sound actually leaks from open headphones? Enough to bother someone across the room? Wouldn't a roommate have worse things to deal with?

Anyway, I'd really appreciate suggestions. I don't mind buying used, if they're in like new condition.
I'm now leading toward Audio-Technica ATH-AD900, and the Kenwood KH-K1000. Shure SRH-840 are a possibility too, since they're much cheaper than the others. Any opinions on the AD900 compared to the KH-K1000, and how the SRH840 compares, would be immensely appreciated.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the help in advance.

 

[Drubbing]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pianoman1245 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Closed or Open is a big question for me. The vast majority of my listening time would be in my room, but there MIGHT times when I would want to listen in a library, and when I have a roommate I feel like opens would annoy him. However, I don't want to sacrifice sound stage just for a select few times when I would want to bring my headphones somewhere. The problem is that I don't know how useful isolation would be for me in college. SQ still remains my priority... but I suppose closed are a "safer" buy? Until recently, I was almost certainly going to buy the Audio-Technica ESW9a for 225$ shipped, but I noticed that they are "portable". I think the fact that they are both portable (supra-aural) and semi-closed would eliminate most soundstage and impact SQ (can anyone attest to this?) I mean, I could straight-out ask which has a better unamped sound for what I listen to: Grado s225 or the ESW9? What about the Denon D2000 or the Beyerdynamic 770 (closed) or the 880 (32 ohm version)? .

If you're sharing a room you'll need closed. That means you'll compromise on sound stage, but SS isn't the be all and end of enjoyable sound. But it appears you haven't had any headphones before, so 'thinking' SS is going to be really important is a huge assumption on your part. Good closed phones can still have excellent SQ.

Portability has nothing to do with affecting SS and SQ - those things are down to the individual phone, and not its design.

I would still amp the 32ohm Beyers to get the best from them. Certainly wouldn't be as amp/power fussy as their 250Ohm versions, but still...

I would suggest the Beyer DT250, simply because it's quite neutral and works well with a wide range of music, more laid back sound, no sibilance, and bass will be as much as there is in the music, and no more. And they're comfortable.

 

[pianoman1245]

Thanks a lot for clarifying on SS and portability. That kind of reaffirms my interest in the ESW9s, but I'm going to check out the DT250s...anyone else have opinions?

 

[pianoman1245]

Bumping for some more input...what about the Denon D2000 as compared to the ESW9?

 

[Palpatine]

HD25 I II...you don't really have to worry about getting them scratched up. They look rugged, are rugged, and sound brilliant.

 

[pianoman1245]

I largely readjusted my stance. Highly considering the Audio-Technica ATH-AD900s. Any opinions?

 

[chinesekiwi]

not really portable tbh, there are better headphones in the price range, isn't that much different from the much cheaper AD700s.

 

[pianoman1245]

Portability isn't really important to me. Which headphones in that price range are better than the AD900s? Keep in mind, I have no amp.

 

[David.M]

Senn HD595's are pretty laid back and have a nice warmth texture in bass.

I'd definitely try those out !

 

[pianoman1245]

Can anyone tell me just how useful closed headphones are in college dorm life as compared to open? Do open headphones really leak THAT much/is there really THAT much noise in dorms?

 

[Mysteek]

I'm living in a dorm as we speak. I hugely prefer closed cans right now because I study better with music and there's no way in hell I'd be able to bring my Beyer DT880's or my Grado SR-325i's to the library. The Shure SRH840's on the other hand... =D

 

[pianoman1245]

Does anyone have opinions on the AD900 compared to the Kenwood KH-K1000? Can the much cheaper Shure SRH840 hold its own against these two? That would be extremely helpful.

Thanks everyone for the help.

 

[pianoman1245]

bump

 

[David.M]

Ultrasone Pro 650?

 

[pianoman1245]

I heard that in Sam Ash and wasn't that impressed.