Wanted - really good headphones (offers or suggestions!)

[jandl100]

Headphones wanted.

Prepared to pay up to £500.

Used or new.

Closed / minimal leakage.

No bass exaggeration.

Not in-ear or on-ear ... Must surround the ol' lug-holes and be very cumfy.

Suggestions / offers? :)

[struth]

oppo's the PM-3 planer -sound and comfort to die for... Price varies from £350/400. I forget i have them on tbh.

[jandl100]

Try turning the sound up. ;)

Yup, thanks, I'll look into those :thumbsup:

[jandl100]

Hmm, not a bad review http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/headphones/oppo-pm-3-1299128/review

"Don't even bother reading this review - just go out and buy these headphones."

[Light Dependant Resistor]

Hi Jerry
AKG 701's I am very happy with, they are the most comfortable headphone and best sounding
with nothing exaggerated, I have heard. I'm keeping mine, but recommend them to you.

Some hifi dealers will have a range of headphones you can try. and Head fi https://www.head-fi.org/
is easy to spend several days looking for what is good. Generally those manufacturers that also
manufacture microphones are pretty good at making headphones too, ie Sennheiser, Audio Technica
and AKG to name a few.


Headphones wanted.

Prepared to pay up to £500.

Used or new.

Closed / minimal leakage.

No bass exaggeration.

Not in-ear or on-ear ... Must surround the ol' lug-holes and be very cumfy.

Suggestions / offers? :)

[jandl100]

Thanks Chris.
I have owned 2 pairs of AKG 701.
I sold and re-bought as, given the reviews and high regard, I couldn't believe I actually disliked them as much as I did when I had the 1st pair.
I did.
They sound awful to me! Light and boppy, amongst other crimes!
I want rather more gravitas to the sound while retaining detailed and open mids and highs.

I have a pair of AKG 551 that I hugely prefer.

[Lawrence001]

Fostex T50RP with new pads can't be beat at anywhere near the price, have a lovely tone and detail but not in yer face. I has Akg 701 and 702, like you I sold them both, the Fostex is a keeper even though I have hifiman HE400/500/6.

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[jandl100]

Fostex T50RP with new pads can't be beat at anywhere near the price, have a lovely tone and detail but not in yer face. I has Akg 701 and 702, like you I sold them both, the Fostex is a keeper even though I have hifiman HE400/500/6.

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Thanks Lawrence - I see they are described as semi-open - how much sound do they leak?

[Ash_R]

Sennheiser HD600 or HD650. Either is at half your budget.
See the innerfidelity YouTube video reviews.
A
Nearer your budget try the Beyerdynamic T1 second generation (used) or the AKG 812 (see Amazon Marketplace for one for a our £610)
However, IMHO, to truly beat the HD600 or HD650 you'll need to spend near to £1K upwards which puts you in Audeze, Mr Speakers, Focal area
Amazon have a 30 day money back policy, so worth using them if there's not a dedicated store near you.

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[Lawrence001]

Thanks Lawrence - I see they are described as semi-open - how much sound do they leak?

Virtually none, the porting is a curious small slat that actually improves bass response like a ported speaker. I have the open and the bass was crazy, so.I.opened it.up and inserted a cotton wool pad which tightened it up. By.picking the open version I had the tuneability, but if you dont need that just go for.the closed version, think its T40RP. Or get whatever's going on ebay and stuff the port.

[jandl100]

Thanks Ash - but the Senns are an open design.
These are for early morning use - I don't want to awaken the mrs. :)

I'm happy to buy used as a sensible price and move them on if I'm not keen.

[Ash_R]

Not sure what you eventual set up is to look like but there's some lovely used headphone kit for sale here, like the Brocksieper Earmax Pro (assuming you have a decent DAC)
You'll need to budget for those too if you're considering 'proper' headphones
My current HD650, Schiit modi & Earmax Silver are perfect... We're I to upgrade my headphones I likley would need to be at least£1k to hear a noticeable improvement...


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[jandl100]

Virtually none, the porting is a curious small slat that actually improves bass response like a ported speaker. I have the open and the bass was crazy, so.I.opened it.up and inserted a cotton wool pad which tightened it up. By.picking the open version I had the tuneability, but if you dont need that just go for.the closed version, think its T40RP. Or get whatever's going on ebay and stuff the port.

OK!

Looking at the Amazon listing for the Fostex I see they are described as 'on-ear' - is that correct? I want my ear surrounded and untouched!

Features
Fit Design Headband
Earpiece Design Ear-Pad (On the Ear)

[Lawrence001]

I don't like on ear, they go round my ears which are above average size. These look like they have upgraded soft pads, offer £80 and you've got a bargain.

Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/232334212550

[Lawrence001]

But they might touch round the edge, ie not press on but the outside edge of the ear, touches the inside edge of the pads, with soft pads you don't notice.

[Lawrence001]

They like an amp being relatively power hungry.

[jandl100]

I don't like on ear, they go round my ears which are above average size. These look like they have upgraded soft pads, offer £80 and you've got a bargain.

Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/232334212550

Yes, I saw those.

OK, I've made an offer.
£20 for replacement pads is OK if needed.

One online reviewer appears to say the Fostex are as good as his Oppo PM3.

[Lawrence001]

You won't need upgraded pads from the photo. Although I found the brainwaivz pads on the ones I bought made the bass too prominent.

[Lawrence001]

(As in reduced the treble)

[jandl100]

Thanks Lawrence - they do seem intriguing.
If they already have decent pads then they are worth the full asking price.
You are confident of that? ;)

[Lawrence001]

I'm confident they are worth the asking price, and.I think they match your description of what you like. If not give me a shout and we might be able to tune them.

[Lawrence001]

Just ask if the pads are felt/velour if unsure.

[montesquieu]

Funnily enough Jerry there were dozens of head-fi companies represented at Munich ....

[jandl100]

Funnily enough Jerry there were dozens of head-fi companies represented at Munich ....

;)
Well, I wasn't interested then.

[jandl100]

I've invested in those Fostex - will see how I get on with them.
Thanks Lawrence.

[Lawrence001]

Great news let me know what you think.

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[montesquieu]

Great news let me know what you think.

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I'm currently exploring options for setting my lad up with a decent headphone rig (at least, one that doesn't cost a fortune) so I'm interetsted as well.

£100-ish for a set of headphones = fine. I saw stuff at Munich that was 3000 Euros upwards :mental:

[Lawrence001]

I just bought my HE6, but to be honest I could happily live with my fostex for everyday use.

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[Vince]

I own a pair of Oppo PM 3's and a pair of Sennheiser HD800. The Sennheiser are 3 times the price of the Oppo's, but they are not 3 times as good. I have a couple of friends, Mad Moon and Vinyljunkie, and they prefer the Oppo's. I prefer the Sennheisers, but the Oppo's are not far off. The Oppo's area no brainer, an absolute steal at the price.

[jandl100]

I have just a smidgeon of a suspicion that I might find the Oppo PM3 just a tad too smooth in the upper regions.
Might well try a pair though if the Fostex don't work out for me.

[struth]

I have just a smidgeon of a suspicion that I might find the Oppo PM3 just a tad too smooth in the upper regions.
Might well try a pair though if the Fostex don't work out for me.

depends on what you listen to I feel. I like mine for most stuff(the likes of eva cassidy is astonishingly good) but prefer my dynamic AT cans for rock etc. a bit more drive.

[loosend]

Knowing what u like soundwise my lickle ducklin, I'd go for closed back Audio Technicas, a pair of the better ones of course, right up ur street, exciting and engaging

[paulf-2007]

Here's hoping they work for you Jerry.
Anyone have experience of Stax headphones, have always wanted to try some but never got around to driving miles to a dealer.

[jandl100]

Knowing what u like soundwise my lickle ducklin, I'd go for closed back Audio Technicas, a pair of the better ones of course, right up ur street, exciting and engaging

What ho, Dan.

ATs, eh.
I did have a pair of ATH-M50 and found them rather bass heavy and lacking transparency (probably cos of the bass).
Not tried anything of their's more upmarket though.
I shall have a look.

[struth]

Knowing what u like soundwise my lickle ducklin, I'd go for closed back Audio Technicas, a pair of the better ones of course, right up ur street, exciting and engaging

love my A T's(ATH-MSR7). super cans for the money, and depending on mood I prefer them to the oppo

[jandl100]

Here's hoping they work for you Jerry.
Anyone have experience of Stax headphones, have always wanted to try some but never got around to driving miles to a dealer.

I've had quite a few Staxes, Paul.
Usually (but with vintage ones, not always) transparent and detailed. The lower in the range can sound surprisingly warm and murky.
None that I have heard (quite a few) really do bass in a well balanced way, imo.
But defo worth a listen.
Curate's egg - good (can be superb) in parts.

[struth]

What ho, Dan.

ATs, eh.
I did have a pair of ATH-M50 and found them rather bass heavy and lacking transparency (probably cos of the bass).
Not tried anything of their's more upmarket though.
I shall have a look.

the m50's were bass overdrive. not one of their audiophile versions imv

[loosend]

I got the ATH-D2000x's (think it's a 'W' for the closed), open back but give a sound that is relevant to their closed back equivalents. The better AT's have a great balance with a tone that excites but never cross the line. Welcome to borrow mine to get a kinda idea of what u may get from spending more pennies up the line AT wise :)

[jandl100]

Welcome to borrow mine to get a kinda idea of what u may get from spending more pennies up the line AT wise :)

Thank you, I'd love that. :thumbsup:

Maybe see how the mrs gets on with AT open backs.
Previous very nice Grados were a nono - I think they sounded louder in the room than to the wearer! :doh:

PM on its way.

[Lawrence001]

The fostex are rather smooth in the high regions, I would've put them on a par, though I haven't heard the oppos. At first I didn't like them but gave them a few days then missed them every time I went to my others.

[Lawrence001]

Any news on the 'phones?

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[jandl100]

I've been away for a few days.
There's a mystery package waiting for me to collect it tomorrow at the PO depot.

[jandl100]

Any news on the 'phones?



Yup.
Collected them from the PO depot yesterday.

They are fantastic!
And really quite comfortable, don't know if they have the notoriously horrible earpads, but if they do then I have very unusual earlobes! :)

They look just like this stock pic, so I guess I do have strange ears (you all knew that anyway, didn't you ;) )

Fostex T50RP MK3 Professional Studio Headphones

https://www.picclickimg.com/d/l400/pict/391632610752_/Fostex-Professional-Studio-Headphones-T50RP-mk3n.jpg

Thanks for the reccie, Lawrence. Search over, I think. :thumbsup:

And I just love the orange cabling! :D

[Lawrence001]

Brilliant pleased you like them. I don't know why everyone doesn't own a pair at the price. I'm sure the pads looked velour in the listing. Now you just need to think about cable and pad upgrades :-)

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