Newbie seeks headphone purchase recommendations

[Ferrara]

Now that I've selected the new system I am going to buy when I get my fat legal settlement in ten days (Rega Brio amp, Rega DAC-R, Spendor A4 speakers, and optionally the OPPO UDP-205 if I can find one at a good price), the last item I will want is a good set of headphones. I've been using a set of Bose over-ear phones (don't laugh) for too many years and it's time to upgrade.

I want the over-ear design with comfy ear pads and closed ports. And lightweight because I'll be using them on the go 80% of the time and occasionally at home when I don't want to disturb the housemates or for certain kinds of music. I am looking to spend in the $400-600 range. I suppose Sennheiser and Grado are the classic audiophile headphone brands, but what other makes and models should I consider? I had my eyes on the OPPO PM-3 till I found out they're sold out and hard to find (like their UDP-205).

So what would you buy, given my budget and preferences?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Are you looking for wired or wireless?
Do you like overly heavy bass?
Most phones in your price range would open back. Is that going to be a problem for you?

 

[Ferrara]

Looking for wired. Not looking for overly heavy bass. I suppose I could go for open but seeing as most of my listening will be out in public spaces with surrounding noise, I prefer the sound insulation of closed back.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Looking for wired. Not looking for overly heavy bass. I suppose I could go for open but seeing as most of my listening will be out in public spaces with surrounding noise, I prefer the sound insulation of closed back.

not many closed back options in your price range.
I guess these match the requirements. Current price often goes down to $500.
https://www.amazon.com/FOSTEX-premium-Reference-headphone-TH610/dp/B01F00XWWW/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1525578592&sr=1-3&keywords=fostex+headphones&dpID=41pBdbR2Z2L&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

 

[Ferrara]

So is it that closed back models are priced higher than open back? Or the other way round?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

So is it that closed back models are priced higher than open back? Or the other way round?

hi-end closed backs aren't common. There some ultra-hi-end which are closed, but at 2-5 times your budget and there are a bunch of less expensive 100-200 closed back. somehow very little in the middle. I guess not much demand.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

some decent closed back shootout here:
https://www.innerfidelity.com/content/survey-foster-443742-variants-subjective-listening-tests-denon-ah-d5000-massdrop-fostex-th

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/e-mu-teak-headphones
Notice MD's drop day in July

 

[Ferrara]

I see what you mean about the pricing: https://www.amazon.com/slp/audiophile-closed-back-headphones/twnsedc9kqxv8yt

That list has this model by Shure right at my price point: https://www.amazon.com/Shure-SRH1540-Premium-Closed-Back-Headphones/dp/B00FR8DMR8/

These planar magnetic phones look pretty good (Unfortunately they are on-ear, not the over-ear that I want): https://www.amazon.com/AUDEZE-Closed-Back-Headphones-Standard-Built-/dp/B01D7ZNVSC/

I realize I'm supposed to think that headphones with cups of fine tropical hardwoods are classy, but I can't help feeling that I ought to be sitting in a big recliner and smoking a pipe while listening to them, rather than riding on the Metro or bopping down the street as I'm more wont to do.

 

[Ferrara]

One critical factor is I want the phones to sound loud enough when listening on my iPod. On Oppo's page they say "The OPPO PM-3 has a sensitivity of 102 dB, which allows it to be easily driven with mobile devices." So is it this sensitivity rating that indicates the headphones are suitable for mobile device listening without additional amplification? How do I read and understand what this number means? Shure lists the sensitivity of their SRH1540 as 99 dB, is that in the range that compares with Oppo's claims for the PM-3?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

That list has this model by Shure right at my price point: https://www.amazon.com/Shure-SRH1540-Premium-Closed-Back-Headphones/dp/B00FR8DMR8/

I never heard any on or over the ear Shures, but I do have SE425 IEMs and they are awesome. Don't think you'd go wrong there.

One critical factor is I want the phones to sound loud enough when listening on my iPod. On Oppo's page they say "The OPPO PM-3 has a sensitivity of 102 dB, which allows it to be easily driven with mobile devices." So is it this sensitivity rating that indicates the headphones are suitable for mobile device listening without additional amplification? How do I read and understand what this number means? Shure lists the sensitivity of their SRH1540 as 99 dB, is that in the range that compares with Oppo's claims for the PM-3?

You can't just use sensitivity by itself, you also should look at impedance. anything over 100 ohm is definitely no go for mobile devices. Even 50ohm with lower sensitivity (below 85db) would be a struggle to play loudly on most mobiles. You should aim for 30-40ohm impedance and 95+ sensitivity.

Further reading:
https://benchmarkmedia.com/blogs/application_notes/14017381-headphone-impedance-and-sensitivity

 

[Ferrara]

Thanks for that elucidation, it's very helpful. So looking at several models we have:

OPPO MP-3 is 102 dB and 26 ohms (good for mobile use)

SHURE SRH1540 is 99 dB and 46 ohms (in the ballpark)

BEYERDYNAMIC DT-1770 is 102 dB and 250 ohms (definitely not)

BEYERDYNAMIC T 5 P is 102 dB and 30 ohms (good)

So for me both the PM-3 and the T 5 P will serve me well for both at-home listening on my system and on-the-go with iPod or phone, but whereas the OPPO lists for $400 (now selling for up to twice that due to scarcity), the T 5 P sells for almost $1000 on Amazon. Have you used this latter model? It's sold as audiophile and designed for mobile use. I might even pay that much after I can read some reviews of its value and performance.

I don't want to pay an inflated price for some OPPO cans from an eBay seller if I can get something as good or better from Shure or BD. At least I'm getting somewhere in terms of making a purchase decision. Thanks again.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

No direct experience with any BD's, but my bff loves his BD T-90
One more curve ball at ya: I recently bought Senn's PCX550. These are designed for mobile usage, but could also be used as wired. I love the sound, the comfort, and active noise cancelation. they are well within your price ballpark.

 

[Ferrara]

Not sure if I'd want the noise cancellation (it's a feature I have never experienced) but comfort is critical for sure.

 

[Ferrara]

Crazy price fluctuations on Amazon. The Shure SRH1540 were $499 when I put them in my 'save for later' cart a few days ago and now they're $374. Maybe the BD phones will come down in price as well if I wait a bit (I hope).

D'oh! This Just In:

1 item in your Saved Items has changed price.

• beyerdynamic T5p Second Generation Audiophile Headphone has decreased from $988.53 to $988.32

21 cents price drop, heh

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I use keepa.com to keep track of such.
A better feature of Amazon is a hassle-free returns