Recommendation of headphones (for home use)

[delancyst 0]

Ok, I'm coming from an old Sony MDR-CD780 which has served me well for years.

So i've decided that its long overdue that I change these cans for better ones.

 

Here are some of the criteria that i'm looking at

1) 50mm drivers (no smaller)

2) closed-back

3) non-leather pads as I've had bad experience with leather peeling / breaking after long exposure to oily skin

unless the leather grade for new headphones now have improved, i'll be able consider.

 

I'll mainly be using these cans interchangeably at home (have a portable rig for outdoors), between

1) a Yamaha RX-V359 home AV receiver

2) and my PC, which is running a X-Fi Titanium soundcard.

 

I'm also looking to drive the cans preferably unamped so that I can stretch my budget a bit more for more choices.

Music taste wise, I love sound with revealing details PLUS bass that's deep/punchy/refined without being overpowering and muddy (don't be mistaken, im no basshead)

 

Anybody who is kind to help, please suggest.

So far, I've heard and read on Senn HD650 (open), AKG K701 (open), DT880 (weak bass?), D2000/5000 (leather+overpowering bass?) which none seem to fit ALL the criteria I'd wished for.

I've seen the Grados and Ultrasones but the design don't seem to cup the ear fully.

Edited December 8, 2008 by delancyst

[Stereo_Electronics 0]

I agree that except the Grado GS1000, the other Grados have a smaller ear pads but have you worn an Ultrasone yet?

[Guest dragonboy]

Ok, I'm coming from an old Sony MDR-CD780 which has served me well for years.

So i've decided that its long overdue that I change these cans for better ones.

 

Here are some of the criteria that i'm looking at

1) 50mm drivers (no smaller)

2) closed-back

3) non-leather pads as I've had bad experience with leather peeling / breaking after long exposure to oily skin

unless the leather grade for new headphones now have improved, i'll be able consider.

 

I'll mainly be using these cans interchangeably at home (have a portable rig for outdoors), between

1) a Yamaha RX-V359 home AV receiver

2) and my PC, which is running a X-Fi Titanium soundcard.

 

I'm also looking to drive the cans preferably unamped so that I can stretch my budget a bit more for more choices.

Music taste wise, I love sound with revealing details PLUS bass that's deep/punchy/refined without being overpowering and muddy (don't be mistaken, im no basshead)

 

Anybody who is kind to help, please suggest.

So far, I've heard and read on Senn HD650 (open), AKG K701 (open), DT880 (weak bass?), D2000/5000 (leather+overpowering bass?) which none seem to fit ALL the criteria I'd wished for.

I've seen the Grados and Ultrasones but the design don't seem to cup the ear fully.

If the Ultrasone HFI doesn't cover your ears..... u must have big ears, bro.

[delancyst 0]

haha, please pardon me because I was judging based on pics i saw on the internet.

The designs of both Grado and Ultrasone looked very similar with the thin headbands, hence the conclusion that the earpads don't fully encompass the ear.

hmm, so the HFI series would fit my requirement? But seems like the driver size are mostly lesser than 50mm.

 

I can't seem to find any models from SE's online catalog 'cept for the Edition 9.

 

I heard that the Senn HD650 can do bass deep enough to rumble / felt, but is it boomy?

I'm afraid it that because of its open design, it might cause disturbance to others nearby if cranked too loud.

To anybody who own the 650s, have you tried driving them through PC soundcards before?

I know it will probably sound rubbish, but at least it should do better than my Sonys right?

Edited December 9, 2008 by delancyst

[peanutbutterjam 0]

hmm, so the HFI series would fit my requirement? But seems like the driver size are mostly lesser than 50mm.

Hey just curious, why do you need the driver to be more than 50mm? Driver size doesn't equate to sound quality...

 

I heard that the Senn HD650 can do bass deep enough to rumble / felt, but is it boomy?

I'm afraid it that because of its open design, it might cause disturbance to others nearby if cranked too loud.

To anybody who own the 650s, have you tried driving them through PC soundcards before?

I know it will probably sound rubbish, but at least it should do better than my Sonys right?

Only you can judge what kind of bass is too much. Seriously if i were you i won't waste time, just go and try.

 

And whoa if you can disturb other ppl, I think your eardrums must be about to pop

 

Ah if you want to drive stuff through your PC sound card, get something easier to drive like portable cans. The HD650 would probably sound worse than a KSC75 at a tiny fraction of the former's cost.

Edited December 9, 2008 by peanutbutterjam

[delancyst 0]

Hey just curious, why do you need the driver to be more than 50mm? Driver size doesn't equate to sound quality...

Only you can judge what kind of bass is too much. Seriously if i were you i won't waste time, just go and try.

 

And whoa if you can disturb other ppl, I think your eardrums must be about to pop

 

Ah if you want to drive stuff through your PC sound card, get something easier to drive like portable cans. The HD650 would probably sound worse than a KSC75 at a tiny fraction of the former's cost.

 

Well, I had the CD580 (40mm) before the 780.

The sound would just crackle and buzz on bass sections of songs but not the 780, at the same volume.

Perhaps I really cranked it too loud but I haven't been listening to cans for awhile now.

 

I set my iPod volume limit at 2/3rds the max volume under the Music Settings (and I max it at the volume setting while in the song) with nicely sealed UM2, and i can still hear morning traffic while going to work.

But thats the kind of level that I usually listen at.

 

Should I really need to get an amp if I get something thats more than 35-40ohms?

I would listen more from the PC rather than my Yamaha receiver, hence I'm more concern of how capable the soundcard is in driving cans without an amp.

I was actually eyeing on the Denon D2000s. Based on what I read of it, they seem to be the best choice for me.

But unfortunately, SE don't carry them, if not I'd audition them first.

Edited December 9, 2008 by delancyst

[Stereo_Electronics 0]

The Denons are coming in soon.

[delancyst 0]

The Denons are coming in soon.

 

wow thats great!

anytime that they will arrive before Xmas?

[Guest dragonboy]

wow thats great!

anytime that they will arrive before Xmas?

I'll suggest u to try the HFI-780 aron mod. Not exactly like the Ed9, but very impressive headphone at that price. I intend to get one for my nephew who had fall in love with my ed9. With the hfi780 aron mod at that price, with that performance...... at least it won't burn a very big hole in my pocket. Wonder would I be able to get before X'mas?

Edited December 10, 2008 by dragonboy

[delancyst 0]

I'll suggest u to try the HFI-780 aron mod. Not exactly like the Ed9, but very impressive headphone at that price. I intend to get one for my nephew who had fall in love with my ed9. With the hfi780 aron mod at that price, with that performance...... at least it won't burn a very big hole in my pocket. Wonder would I be able to get before X'mas?

 

What's the price range for that?

Does the mod take long to do?

Edited December 10, 2008 by delancyst

[lucifix 0]

You might want to consider Grados, they are really comfy!