Headphones... suggestions please

[Haselsh1]

Given that my Icon Audio amplifier has a headphone socket, can anyone recommend a pair of 'phones for say, £100 - £200...?

[sparrow]

Sennheisser have good ones in your price range ..I have 595's which cost aroud £150 ..good phones IMO. and very comfortable for extended use.

[Marco]

Have a read at this thread, Shaun (post #73 on page 8, may be of the most interest): http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=9733

See here, too: http://www.koss.com/en/products/headphones/full_size_headphones

If you can handle their weight, trust me, the PRO4 AAAs rock! :)

Marco.

[morris_minor]

Sennheisser have good ones in your price range ..I have 595's which cost aroud £150 ..good phones IMO. and very comfortable for extended use.
+1 for the 595s. I think there may be an update to these - 598s in a creamy beige.

I've got a pair of 650s too, but never feel I'm slumming it using the 595s; they're just different.. ..

[bobbasrah]

In that price range there are a lot of excellent headphones from Sennheiser, AKG, Koss, Sony, Beyer, to name but a few.
Personally I have and enjoy the DT990Pro, but had good previous experience with Beyers, and got a good deal at the time at just over 100GBP. They get good reviews also which helped somewhat, and no regrets. The Senns did not quite make it for me, lovely though they were.

If there is any way to borrow cans from members to audition, that would be ideal, as some models may better suit you in terms of comfort, your environment, or indeed, the amp. If you want these for christmas, you will be tight for time though and may not get so good a deal.

What has surprised me is the range of prices you find between the UK and other european countries for some models. I prefer to support local business, but with 50% differentials, it can sometimes be hard to justify. Google uk or de, and some of the differences are quite substantial.

[Haselsh1]

OK so I've just ordered and paid for a pair of the old 70's retro type Koss phones the Pro4/AAT but have now realised that Marco recommended the triple A's. Too bad, there's little I can do now but the retro phones were only £63 from Amazon including postage. I think that's a bit of a bargain if they're as good as folk say they are.

[Marco]

Hi Shaun,

Nice one. Worry not. It was my mistake - I meant double 'A', not triple 'A' :)

And the only difference between the PRO4 AA and PRO4 AAT is the looks. The internals are identical. The 'AA' have a retro look, and the 'AAT', a more modern one.

When you get them, let me know if the AATs are really heavy (as per the retro AAs) or if they feel fairly normal. It could be that the modern looking ones are lighter.

Hope you enjoy them! :cool:

Marco.

P.S A small tip, to hear them at their best, leave them with a signal running through them (such as a CD left on repeat) for 24 hours, so that they burn-in fully before you listen to them seriously. You should notice quite a big difference that way.

[Rare Bird]

If you can handle their weight, trust me, the PRO4 AAAs rock! :)



Not as much as Ross RE272 ;)

[sq225917]

I used to use the Grado 325'i good headphones if you can get them 2nd hand but they offer poor physical value new. The sound is top notch if all you desire is a quick sounding, dynamic pair of headphones- they reminded me very much of well fettled Olive series NAim gear. In fact they were passed onto a devote of Naim amps, Ynwan.

[Marco]

Hi Shaun,

I'm curious to know how you got on with the Koss headphones? :)

Marco.

[Haselsh1]

I'll post an addition to this and answer your question as soon as I have time to do it justice. At the moment I am working like mad to pay the bills but things will get better very soon I hope then I'll do a mini review. See you soon.

[Marco]

No worries, Shaun. I look forward to it - don't work too hard! :cool:

Marco.