Beginner looking for headphone upgrade

[shipofwooks]

Currently have HD 515. Looking to upgrade and budget would be $250.00 max. Mostly for listening to 320 MP3s and CDs. I listen to LOTS of live music, especially acoustic music (namely bluegrass).

Any recommendations?

Thanks

 

[agarwalro]

Anything missing in the sound of the HD515 or you're looking just because? Also, what are you driving them with? Headphone amp or mp3 player? Have gone to Best Buy or somewhere to try other brands/styles?

At this time all I can say is, stay away from anything Beats or Monster or "lifestyle" oriented.

 

[Kinga]

Personally, I love my RBH HP-2 Berylliums. Current sale price on RBH site: $199.00 (normally $249.95)

 

[tyhjaarpa]

What will you use as a source? Are you using them at home or on go? Do you want open or closed back (is sound isolation needed)?

 

[Dan Madden]

I agree with the above post about avoiding the 'Beats' and 'Monster' poo poo stuff. If you want good, clear and accurate sound (especially bass) , check out the Grado line of headsets. All Grado do is headsets and phono cartridges.

Also, a headphone amp can make a major difference in how headphones perform.

 

[Kinga]

I agree with the above post about avoiding the 'Beats' and 'Monster' poo poo stuff. If you want good, clear and accurate sound (especially bass) , check out the Grado line of headsets. All Grado do is headsets and phono cartridges.

Also, a headphone amp can make a major difference in how headphones perform.

What do you think of the new Sony Waltham with built in amp?

 

[Kinga]

What do you think of the new Sony Waltham with built in amp?

Walkman. Damn auto correct

 

[cel4145]

Research the AKG K7XX Massdrop special edition headphones. Excellent value. Massdrop typically has them available at least about once a month. However, they may need a headphone amp to drive them, depending on your source device for your headphones.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Currently have HD 515. Looking to upgrade and budget would be $250.00 max. Mostly for listening to 320 MP3s and CDs. I listen to LOTS of live music, especially acoustic music (namely bluegrass).

Any recommendations?

Thanks

If you have 515 and you like them, stick with Sennheiser, 600 would big upgrade, but it's above your budget.
Massdrop's AKG 7xx are good phones, but I'd argue they "excellent value". Massdrop doesn't offer returns after item shipped and AKG K702 (made in china, just like K7xx) cost about same on amazon.

Keep in mind I own K702 pro (but I chose to buy Austria made version) - it was almost double the price of version sold now - I love the sound.

One generally agreed great phones are these:
https://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-990-Premium-32-Headphones/dp/B0024NK344/ref=sr_1_3?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1473539608&sr=1-3&keywords=990+headphones
32 ohm version would be easiest to power from practically everything, while 600 would be hardest.
They are masochists out there that purposely buy 600 version and must use expensive amps (just to get last 2-3% of sound quality)

Lastly - these are really great deal (but you'd likely to need headphone amp to power them - it's ok as they really compete vs $400-500 headphones, not vs similary priced)
https://www.amazon.com/Fostex-Professional-Studio-Headphones-Semi-Open/dp/B0167XM092
Make sure you're only getting the mk3. You'd also need to replace the ear pads to these (it's really easy process)
https://www.amazon.com/Shure-HPAEC1540-Replacement-Alcantara-Headphones/dp/B00HXAV0UY/ref=pd_sim_267_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=8JPHN1XRWT57HY44HA58
wait till they are back to $40 (often)

 

[cel4145]

Massdrop's AKG 7xx are good phones, but I'd argue they "excellent value". Massdrop doesn't offer returns after item shipped and AKG K702 (made in china, just like K7xx) cost about same on amazon.

Just to clarify, the K702 on Amazon is not the same headphone as K7XX. K7XX is based on the 65th Anniversary edition of the K702, which is a little different. Measurements for each

http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/AKGK702.pdf
http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/AKGK7XX.pdf

 

[tyhjaarpa]

If you have 515 and you like them, stick with Sennheiser, 600 would big upgrade, but it's above your budget.
Massdrop's AKG 7xx are good phones, but I'd argue they "excellent value". Massdrop doesn't offer returns after item shipped and AKG K702 (made in china, just like K7xx) cost about same on amazon.

Keep in mind I own K702 pro (but I chose to buy Austria made version) - it was almost double the price of version sold now - I love the sound.

One generally agreed great phones are these:
https://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-990-Premium-32-Headphones/dp/B0024NK344/ref=sr_1_3?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1473539608&sr=1-3&keywords=990+headphones
32 ohm version would be easiest to power from practically everything, while 600 would be hardest.
They are masochists out there that purposely buy 600 version and must use expensive amps (just to get last 2-3% of sound quality)

Lastly - these are really great deal (but you'd likely to need headphone amp to power them - it's ok as they really compete vs $400-500 headphones, not vs similary priced)
https://www.amazon.com/Fostex-Professional-Studio-Headphones-Semi-Open/dp/B0167XM092
Make sure you're only getting the mk3. You'd also need to replace the ear pads to these (it's really easy process)
https://www.amazon.com/Shure-HPAEC1540-Replacement-Alcantara-Headphones/dp/B00HXAV0UY/ref=pd_sim_267_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=8JPHN1XRWT57HY44HA58
wait till they are back to $40 (often)

Sennheiser HD600 go for 250$ time to time with discount. Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 over ear model goes for around 250$ as well and would be a good pick.

 

[Dan Madden]

I've tried many over ear Sennheiser's and to my ears, the Grado's outperform them. I have a pair of in ear portable Sennheiser's and they are shockingly good with the right 'nibs' to fit tight into your ears. Like speakers, it really is a good idea to audition as many headsets as you can to find the sound you like.

 

[Goodband]

All those guys gave you good advices ... you could also look at Kef M400 ... I have a pair and they sound really good to me. They are easy to drive if you want to use them on the go without an amp.

Envoyé de mon SGH-I337M en utilisant Tapatalk

 

[KenM10759]

I have the KEF M500 and they have the same specs as the M400, other than the more pricey one being 33g heavier. They are indeed easy to drive. Lacking only the deepest bass of some pricier competitors, they would work well for that type of music.

On sale now.

https://www.kefdirect.com/headphones/mseries/m400-on-ear-headphones.html