View Full Version : I need help with headphones
I decided I need a pair of headphones. I don't want to hear anymore wife and daughter screaming "Lower that volume!!!".
I gave a look around and I found some models that could match my current budget:
AKG K-271 MKII
Ultrasone HFI-680
Beyerdynamic DT-770
Beyerdynamic DT-990
Audio-Technica ATH-M50
I read several reviews, but what I really don't understand is which kind of headphones would better adapt to the kind of music I usually listen ?
As I'm an acoustic guitar player, I listen to a lot of acoustic music, ranging from blues, bluegrass, folk, to modern fingerstyle and classical guitar.
Sometimes I listen to Jazz or Classical music, but I always prefer the intimacy of small ensemble: classical string quartets, jazz trios a la Jarret-Peacock-DeJohnette, etc.
I hope someone can help me in focusing my quest for a good pair of headphones that won't require me to sell a kidney :D
I know that I should go and try some in a shop, but I am lazy and I don't have so much time. BTW most of HIFI specialists I knew closed, due to the competition of big supermarkets.
So I'd prefer to buy online trusting your advice and my instinct.
I'm now considering Beyerdynamic DT 660 Edition too. I read good reviews and the price at Thomann is very interesting :scratch:
After spending a day reading reviews I think I restricted my choice between Grado SR80i and AKG K-601. Maybe I need to sleep on it... :mental:
don't forget these.
http://www.headphone.com/headphones/audio-technica-ath-w1000x.php
goraman, they are nice, but the price !!!
I just pulled the trigger for the AKG K-601 ! At 165€ I think I cannot go wrong.
Hi,it's a bit late now,but for the sort of music you listen to i would have gone for the Grado's.I have only heard the 701's and prefered my SR80i's.Having said that the 601's got some good reviews on headfi and as you got such a good deal on them ,as you say you can't go wrong..Happy Listening.
They are of course open backed so you might still get complaints from the family.:argument: If you need closed back phones one day i suggest you have a listen to some KRK KNS8400's can have them as loud as i want without upsetting my wife...
Good luck,don't forget they will need 50 hrs running to sound their best..
I do not think the Grados will get you want you want in terms of the detail you need to get the best out of acoustic guitar music
I would save get HD600 and change the cables This would give you bags of detail and soundstage to enjoy this type of music
Sorry do not know any cheaper headphones to really get the best out of acoustic guitar but others might be able to recommend
Remember with this style of music you need a lot of resolution and very clean sound to get the best out of it
I have not heard HD600's,but i found HD650's a touch boring when i had some,much prefer my SR325i;s that i now use.Headphones are very subjective,one man's meat is definitely anothers poison.Seem to take me ages to settle on the phones,not to mention amps.eight amps and seven sets of phones.Content at last.:D
Yes agree very subjective
I found changing the cable on the HD600 really made the headphones very holographic but powering them with a enough drive is critical
My 650's had enough power,perhaps i should have recabled them no doubt it would have changed them a lot.I was a bit of a cable sceptic in those days.Will get round to it one day,if i can find some at the right price..but can't sneak anything past her indoors radar at the moment..
wee tee cee
10-12-2012, 17:40
Yes agree very subjective
I found changing the cable on the HD600 really made the headphones very holographic but powering them with a enough drive is critical
John,
Just out of interest what cable did you use for the 600s. I run 650s and have considered re cabling them.Thread running with lots of DIY advice but alas my soldering skills are sadly lacking...
I changed to the Cardas not cheap but improved the sound I think its essential upgrade to get the best out of headphones. I am sure some of the other cables listed would do a similar good job.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_from=R40&_nkw=sennheiser%20cable&_sop=3
wee tee cee
10-12-2012, 18:18
I changed to the Cardas not cheap but improved the sound I think its essential upgrade to get the best out of headphones. I am sure some of the other cables listed would do a similar good job.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_from=R40&_nkw=sennheiser%20cable&_sop=3
Ouch....bit salty.
Might have to try some DIY solutions in the interim!!!
Thanks anyway.
stupinder
10-12-2012, 18:29
Grados are lovely to my ears. Some folks claim they are harsh but I just don't get that i'm afraid.
Grados are lovely to my ears. Some folks claim they are harsh but I just don't get that i'm afraid.
I have heard and owned a few Grados.
Some are good I worked my way up from SR80's to SR325i and hated the 325i all the burn in in the world couldn't help those cans.They may work well for someone with bad hearing loss in the upper ranges but for me it was like bee stinging bright. The SR225 is a better balanced headphone. The PS1000 is by far best sounding of the bunch but to heavy and way over priced.
stupinder
10-12-2012, 19:02
I have heard and owned a few Grados.
Some are good I worked my way up from SR80's to SR325i and hated the 325i all the burn in in the world couldn't help those cans.They may work well for someone with bad hearing loss in the upper ranges but for me it was like bee stinging bright. The SR225 is a better balanced headphone. The PS1000 is by far best sounding of the bunch but to heavy and way over priced.
I must be deaf then :) I love the 325i.
Interesting thoughts and like everything, each to their own. I have owned a few flavours of phones and right now I'm totally content with my HD650's. I bought some Grado 225i's and didn't like them, an overly bright harsh sound which I found fatiguing and worst of all they were probably the most uncomfortable headphones I have ever tried, couldn't wear them for more than 30~40 mins. Sold them on a few months after I bought them, kept going back to them with different music but to be honest I hated the darned things and was glad to see the back of them.
Interesting thoughts and like everything, each to their own. I have owned a few flavours of phones and right now I'm totally content with my HD650's. I bought some Grado 225i's and didn't like them, an overly bright harsh sound which I found fatiguing and worst of all they were probably the most uncomfortable headphones I have ever tried, couldn't wear them for more than 30~40 mins. Sold them on a few months after I bought them, kept going back to them with different music but to be honest I hated the darned things and was glad to see the back of them.
If you think the 225's are bright the 325i will flat out light up your ears!
Grados are lovely to my ears. Some folks claim they are harsh but I just don't get that i'm afraid.
They do need high current amps & IME do sound thin & harsh without these. I use an NVA AP10H, which is basically an NVA power amp with a headphone output...
Anyway, looking at the OP's music tastes, these are screaming out for a STAX electrostatic setup (if you can handle the sound leakage).
They do need high current amps & IME do sound thin & harsh without these. I use an NVA AP10H, which is basically an NVA power amp with a headphone output...
Anyway, looking at the OP's music tastes, these are screaming out for a STAX electrostatic setup (if you can handle the sound leakage).
Using a high current tube headphone amp they are still ear bleeders.
Way more in the top end than the bottom and they have a very narrow sound stage at best. Not to mention being heavy and ill fitting.
If your going to go Grado your money is best spent on SR80's more money spent brings very small improvments and sometimes not so much.
The pads should be replaced once a year as well.
Have you considered closed back headphones? AKG 550 or a nice pair of Denon AHD 2000 could fit the bill.
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