Headphones... Sennheiser HD 598 or AKG K702

[RochaCullen]

Hi All,

I use a pair of Sony Studio headphones for work, MDR-7506, which are closedback. I fancy some open back headphones for home use, and given the fact that we now have a little person in the house, headphones might just be the ticket.

The two pairs that I have been looking at are:

- Sennheiser HD 598
- AKG K702

Any opinions.

I am also open to second hand headphones if anyone has any they would recommend and are willing to part with.

Regards,

Nathan

[StanleyB]

Also consider the Audio Technica ATH-AD500 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audio-Technica-ATH-AD500-Open-Air-Dynamic-Headphones-/260787036638?pt=UK_AudioVisualElectronics_HomeAudi oHiFi_Headphones&hash=item3cb81e61de). I bought one for someone as a Christmas present after listening to one. For less than £100 it is a cracking set of cans.

[RochaCullen]

Hey Stan,

Just had a look at those. They look a bit plasticy. From what you saw of them do you think they would go the distance?

Nathan


Also consider the Audio Technica ATH-AD500 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audio-Technica-ATH-AD500-Open-Air-Dynamic-Headphones-/260787036638?pt=UK_AudioVisualElectronics_HomeAudi oHiFi_Headphones&hash=item3cb81e61de). I bought one for someone as a Christmas present after listening to one. For less than £100 it is a cracking set of cans.

[jon1]

Hi Nathan i have a pair of these..http://www.alessandro-products.com/main.php?p=headphones





jon

[Werner Berghofer]

Nathan,


Any opinions

I suggested to you already eleven days ago (http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?p=267041#post267041) to first try the AKG K 702 on your own head before making any decision. The headband might be a source of constant pain. You also should check out if you like their sound signature and if your headphone amplifier is a good match for this very special type of headphone. I tried for more than one year to like my pair of AKG 701 and eventually made the switch to a pair of Beyerdynamic DT 990. Since this day the AKG K701 collect dust.

Of course this is a matter of personal taste, but compared to the AKG K 70x models the Sennheiser phones may sound a little bit dark and muddy.

My recommendation are the Beyerdynamic DT 880, DT 990 or – if your budget allows this – the Beyerdynamic T1. Contrary to the AKG K 70x models, the Beyers are very comfortable. They sound excellenct, crisp, lively, with a deep but not bloated bass; attributes I wouldn’t use describing the more sterile, plasticky, anemic AKG K 70x sound signature. The Beyer headphones are built very well using worthy, high quality components.

Depending on your requirements you also might need a dedicated headphone amplifier: usually headphones with high impedance (300 Ω or more) sound better, but also need more voltage to sound pleasing and satisfying. A voltage level which the majority of the popular DAC/headphone amp combinations fail to deliver.

These recommendations only reflect my personal opinion and experience. Of course your mileage may vary.

Werner.

[RochaCullen]

Thanks Werner,

This is good info, currently I do not have a dedicated heaphone amplifier. I planned on using my Caiman to drive the headphones to start with and perhaps make the move to get a headphone amplifier after that, but I would prefer to remain with the Gatored Caiman. I'd prefer to keep the box count down... :eek:

So, Werner, you would recommend the Beyerdynamic DT990 PRO Headset - 250 OHM?



Nathan,



I suggested to you already eleven days ago (http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?p=267041#post267041) to first try the AKG K 702 on your own head before making any decision. The headband might be a source of constant pain. You also should check out if you like their sound signature and if your headphone amplifier is a good match for this very special type of headphone. I tried for more than one year to like my pair of AKG 701 and eventually made the switch to a pair of Beyerdynamic DT 990. Since this day the AKG K701 collect dust.

Of course this is a matter of personal taste, but compared to the AKG K 70x models the Sennheiser phones may sound a little bit dark and muddy.

My recommendation are the Beyerdynamic DT 880, DT 990 or – if your budget allows this – the Beyerdynamic T1. Contrary to the AKG K 70x models, the Beyers are very comfortable. They sound excellenct, crisp, lively, with a deep but not bloated bass; attributes I wouldn’t use describing the more sterile, plasticky, anemic AKG K 70x sound signature. The Beyer headphones are built very well using worthy, high quality components.

Depending on your requirements you also might need a dedicated headphone amplifier: usually headphones with high impedance (300 Ω or more) sound better, but also need more voltage to sound pleasing and satisfying. A voltage level which the majority of the popular DAC/headphone amp combinations fail to deliver.

These recommendations only reflect my personal opinion and experience. Of course your mileage may vary.

Werner.

[RochaCullen]

Hey Jon,

These look like hybrid Grado's how are you getting on with them?

Nathan


Hi Nathan i have a pair of these..http://www.alessandro-products.com/main.php?p=headphones



jon

[jon1]

Hey Jon,

These look like hybrid Grado's how are you getting on with them?

Nathan






They great:eyebrows:..And yes they are hybrid grado's..good value:cool:



jon

[Werner Berghofer]

Nathan,


you would recommend the Beyerdynamic DT990 PRO Headset - 250 OHM?

yes, absolutely. The difference between the Pro and the standard DT 990 model is the outside finish and the clamping pressure, which is a little bit stronger on the Pro model. This is because the Pro model is aimed primarily for studio and stage use, where probably the head is more often moved compared to home use.

I own the DT 990/600 Ω (non-Pro) variant, because I like the outside finish of this model more and don’t need the extra clamping force on my head. And I have a headphone amplifier which handles the high impedance very good.

http://www.berghofer.com/photos/gear/headfun.jpg

If you plan to use your Caiman’s headphone socket, the Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro or DT 990 Pro (both with an impedance of 250 Ω) certainly would be a much better choice. The main difference between the sound signatures of the DT 880 and the DT 990 is that the 880 model has a more flat and linear frequency curve, while the 990 in comparision has a little more pronounced treble and bass. The price of the Beyer Pro models is lower than the price for the home use and audiophile versions.

Werner.

[bobbasrah]

As another Beyer user I can also highly recommend the DT990Pro 250 ohm version, although I would suggest taking your DAC with you to audition them alongside other cans if at all possible.
I do notice the clamping pressure of the Pro initially, but they otherwise are a very comfortable fit as I have a thin face. If you have a rounder face, this may become an issue, so try them for comfort and sound if at all possible.
These are not closed type cans, so they can also be heard in the room when in use, if that may be an issue.

I think Werner's cans are the Premium version (louvres angled down as opposed to the Pro's straight slats) which are quite a bit more expensive than the Pro, but I am sure he will clarify that.

[Werner Berghofer]

Robert,


I think Werner's cans are the Premium version (louvres angled down as opposed to the Pro's straight slats) which are quite a bit more expensive than the Pro, but I am sure he will clarify that.

confirmed, I own (and highly appreciate) a pair of the Beyerdynamic DT 990/600 Ω premium version headphones.

Kind regards,

Werner.