Looking for Some Quality Headphones

[Jforsyth89]

Hi all.

I don't now if you guys "specilize" in headphones, but I thought I'd ask a few questions. I'm looking for some nice all-around ones. I'd like to spend $150 or less, but if a product has very good value I'd be willing to pay a little more.

I've been looking at the Sennheiser 595's and the Audio-Technica A700s

But to tell you the truth, I don't really know much about this kind of stuff, have no idea what the technical specs mean, and am really just going off user reviews. Has anyone used or have an opinion on the ones I'm looking at or have some good suggestions as to other headphones that I might like?

 

[markw]

Personal taste has all to do with it.

You really can't go wrong with Sennheiser or Grado. AT has it's devotees, too, and so do some Sony's.

I own both Sennheiser (580) and Grado (80). Both sound great but different. I find the Grado's better suited for Rock and the Senn's do better for classical and jazz.

I find the Senn's are more comfortable overall but the Grado's aren't too bad, either.

Ya really gotta try 'em and see for yourself. Good luck..

 

[Jforsyth89]

Yeah from what I have heard Senns are very comfortable in general. However, I've been slightly more interested in the A700's because audiocubes.com has a great deal on them for $130. Plus, they are closed ear which I prefer more. My household is fairly noisy and I'd rather be isolated from all the outside sound. I'm going to check out Grado's selection as well.

P.S. I've been hearing a lot about headphone amps. I listen to most of my music on my computer and was wondering if these are necesesary/useful items to have. Do they really make that much of a difference?

 

[markw]

Make sure you can return' em if you don't like 'em.

There are no specs for comfort. Likewise, specs aren't the end all and be all in what one prefers as fars sound goes.

As for your computer, you nmay be at the mercy of the sound board inside. I myself, am perfectly happy with a pair pf Koss Porta Pro's for my laptop computer.

Dedicatd headphone amps can wind up costing a pretty penny. If push came to shove on thatmatter, a used vintage receiver would be a cost effective way to go.

As I said before, try the phones and send 'em back if they don't satisfy you. I take it you don't have any local stores?

 

[Jforsyth89]

I haven't looked at the selection in stores near me, but in the past its been pretty bad. There's pretty much just a Best Buy and a small (and very expensive) independent store.

I think I'll hold off on the amp, at least for the time being. A year ago I upgraded my computer sound from onboard to a SB Audigy 2 ZS card. Althought its not top of the line it has very good sound and probably won't limit the quality of my headphones as long as I stay in this price range.

 

[mazersteven]

Hi all.

I don't now if you guys "specilize" in headphones, but I thought I'd ask a few questions. I'm looking for some nice all-around ones. I'd like to spend $150 or less, but if a product has very good value I'd be willing to pay a little more.

I've been looking at the Sennheiser 595's and the Audio-Technica A700s

But to tell you the truth, I don't really know much about this kind of stuff, have no idea what the technical specs mean, and am really just going off user reviews. Has anyone used or have an opinion on the ones I'm looking at or have some good suggestions as to other headphones that I might like?

Your better off asking your question over here. www.headfi.com

JMO I like the Senn 595's better. www.headphone.com

I personally like the Senn HD600's better. They can be had for about $229 new. Or E-Bay for under $150 used.
Also look into Beyerdynamics DT 880's.

 

[mustang_steve]

Headphone amps are good when the soundcard is not capable of putting out enough power at higher impedances, or you are trying to listen to a higher impedance phone off of say an ipod.

The cheapest headphone amp is a cmoy, named after it's creator, Chu Moy. These are very tiny amps, most have in fact been built inside of Altoid tins, powered from a single 9v battery. You can find these on Ebay for $30-50.

Just be sure you need an amp first...they do get pretty pricey...My Creek OBH-11 was $200, it's a great amp...but I can't just blanket reccomend to people in part due to how pricey it is. For some people it would just become an expensive volume knob. In my case, I honestly should have not bought it....this was a case where the ap is more expensive than my headphones (Grado SR-125....fantastic sound)

 

[mazersteven]

I haven't looked at the selection in stores near me, but in the past its been pretty bad. There's pretty much just a Best Buy and a small (and very expensive) independent store.

I think I'll hold off on the amp, at least for the time being. A year ago I upgraded my computer sound from onboard to a SB Audigy 2 ZS card. Althought its not top of the line it has very good sound and probably won't limit the quality of my headphones as long as I stay in this price range.

If you want a quality amp without spending a lot of money take a look at this amp. Gary sells them for $60 new if you e-mail him.

PA2V2 Headphones Amplifier

http://cgi.ebay.com/PA2V2-Headphones-Amplifier-Rechargeable-Headphone-Amp_W0QQitemZ9736809141QQihZ008QQcategoryZ40138QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[vierling]

Go For Sennheiser !!

The sennheiser HD-25, the best on the martket.
They seal up to 30 dB´s of external noise, and have Flat response.
Deep bass, clear highs, low impedance ( perfect for portables )

 

[mazersteven]

The sennheiser HD-25, the best on the martket.
They seal up to 30 dB´s of external noise, and have Flat response.
Deep bass, clear highs, low impedance ( perfect for portables )

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but to say that the HD 25's are the best?

A good headphone indead, but not the best.

And an amp works better with these cans.

 

[Nick250]

Your better off asking your question over here. www.headfi.com

Be careful at headfi. There is a lot of snake oil there. Pay NO attention to anything you read about amps and cables. It's probably nonsense. Also ignore anything the say about amps or cables at headphone.com. Grados are pretty easy to drive so you should be able to drive them fine from your computer. Most Senns are pretty easy to drive but not the 580s (I own them) or 600s. Take your time on this, there are pitfalls. Someone mentioned Koss Porta Pros. A great inexpensive way to get started and they are very easy to drive. I own them too.

Nick

 

[musicmind]

Hi

I suppose it all depends what music type you intend to listen to, what your personal preference is in terms of the "presentation" of the sound.

I have the HD595's. They are probably one of the most comfortable headphones and the build quality is excellent as well.
With 50 ohms impedance, they are easy to drive from your mp3 player or laptop without getting a headphone amp.
The laid back non-fatiguing sound, good soundstaging and adeqaute bass makes it a good " all-rounder"headphone. Anyway, there are plenty of reviews and descriptions on head-fi for you to check out at length

I would second the suggestion on the Beyerdynamic DT-880, which is a very good heaphone with a different character to the Sennheiser.There is a low impedance version of this model also. I'm sure the A700 you are considering is very good as well, but I havent tried that myself yet.

Hope that helps

Cheers