[1UP]

I'm gonna be rebuilding my system from scratch.

What phones would you recommend that do liquid female vocals, provide a good rendition of acoustic piano, yet can still give natural sizzle and decay to cymbals and percussion? AKG, AT?

 

[Scottyyy]

I find HD650s do female vocals and piano very well. It's what I listen to get mostly (check last.fm in sig).

 

[krmathis]

Hard to beat the Stax SR-007...

It does female vocal and piano very well. Plus most other music/instruments..

 

[warsurferX]

Hmm.... pardon my ignorance but what amp are you using? I understand from your sig it's WNA mkII?

Anyway, it'll be good if you could state a budget. liquid voices plus good piano? ---> W5000

 

[Akabeth]

Oh gosh there are a lot of headphones that can do these things "well".

I vote for HD650 and in particular: Stefan Audio Arts Balanced HD650

 

[Tiemen]

Among several others, I think the AKG K601 can do it as well.

 

[zyxwvutsr]

If you're on a budget, definitely look into the AKG K501. Female vocals, realistic acoustic instruments ... these are things that it was naturally bred for.

 

[1UP]

Hmm, budget, well I think like $500 ish is a good place to start.

Gonna be changing my amp and source, too - most likely a Twisted Pear Opus DAC with Borbely FET headamp.

 

[progo]

How in earth you can buy a whole set (source, amp, phones) with $500?! :<
And I agree with others that HD650 is very good for both the vocals and piano.

 

[1UP]

$500 is for the phones!

Think I'm gonna just get myself over to the US first then go to a meet

 

[GreatBug]

sounds like Grado to me.

 

[synaesthetic]

beyerdynamic DT880

 

[Uncle Erik]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zyxwvutsr /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you're on a budget, definitely look into the AKG K501. Female vocals, realistic acoustic instruments ... these are things that it was naturally bred for.

The K-501 is one of the best, budget or not. I'd take a serious look at them.

Still, I think the Beyerdynamic DT48E is a little more fun to listen to for acoustics, female vocals and piano. Neutral, a little more forward than the K-501 and more sparkle up top. The soundstage is narrower, but the excellent sound makes up for it. You can get them though B&H for about $300 USD, and I strongly recommend using them with a tube amp. Tubes deliver magic in the mids.

 

[yourtoys7]

HD600, I had them with iMod/ Tomahawk, it was a pleasure to listen.

 

[jordanross]

@ yourtoys7 The Tomahawk was powerful enough to power those 600's? Do you think it has enough to power a pair of 650's? Even if it's not the best amp for the job...