Any headphone freaks here?

I've been happy with my Sennheiser HD-555 plugged into my external DAC, but lately I've gotten the unexplainable and unhealthy urge to try the world of really Hi-Fi...

so I've been reading around and I think I want a nice little tube amp and some Sennheiser HD-650s... pretty much this setup right here:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/review-little-dot-mkiii-tube-headphone-amp-pre-amp-309855/

Any recommendations?

I was looking for headphone threads on WATMM and was surprised to see that many of us listen through pretty modest equipment for a bunch of music-obsessed nerds.

I've got the 440's which are only $100 and they sound amazing. Highly recommend

edit: nvm looks like u just want an amp... for anyone else though check these out

go with Sennheiser, fuck shure

btw this should be in this thread

  On 12/28/2009 at 12:33 PM, Blanket Fort Collapse said:

go with Sennheiser, fuck shure

Have you compared them? For $100 I don't think you can beat the 440's

the 440s color the sound too much if you ask me, not good for making music thats for sure and im pretty sure hes wants a higher level of quality than those anyway

  On 12/28/2009 at 12:41 PM, Blanket Fort Collapse said:

the 440s color the sound too much if you ask me, not good for making music thats for sure and im pretty sure hes wants a higher level of quality than those anyway

Ah, well I don't make music. And from the time I have spent with them, music has never sounded as rich/detailed. I guess I like the color they add

  On 12/28/2009 at 12:34 PM, Blanket Fort Collapse said:

go with Sennheiser, fuck shure

 

btw this should be in this thread

lol, i saw that thread while searching but when i saw:

Hallucination Inducing Headphones Started by: troon

I didn't think it would actually have anything to do with headphones.

no offense troon

but anyway, no kramer i'm also looking at HD-650 (maybe HD-600) phones... I know there are a few AKG 701 fans here, but I've heard they might be a little bass-light. They are beautiful though.

I've got some AKG240M studio's that cost me £80-£90 back in 2000 and they're still going strong, not the most upfront sound but this is ideal for long sessions as wearing headphones even at moderate levels seems to put more pressure (and humidity if a factor) on the ear.

I also treated myself to some Shure E2's which had a shit bass response, very uncomfortable to wear and started falling apart after 4-6 months which is not what you expect for a £40+ earphones. I use some CX300II's now £14 from Amazon which are perfectly good for Mp3 use.

Grado have a rep for good sound but bad build quality but I don't think you can go too wrong with Sennheiser however they do have the reputation of suddenly failing after 3-4 years which is something to consider if your splashing out.

the high end is a bit screechy on those shure 440s. i have the sony mdr 7506s and i like them a lot more.

  On 12/28/2009 at 1:29 PM, MAXIMUS MISCHIEF said:

the high end is a bit screechy on those shure 440s. i have the sony mdr 7506s and i like them a lot more.

Hmm really? Those were my previous pairs and I find the 440's to be better, not to mention the build quality is shit tons better. I hate those cheap slip on covers. Always falling off and a bit to get on after

ive just got 595s for now but no amp, defo in the future when i get some moneys ill be aiming @ 650 and tube amp

  On 12/28/2009 at 1:34 PM, karmakramer said:

  On 12/28/2009 at 1:29 PM, MAXIMUS MISCHIEF said:

the high end is a bit screechy on those shure 440s. i have the sony mdr 7506s and i like them a lot more.

 

Hmm really? Those were my previous pairs and I find the 440's to be better, not to mention the build quality is shit tons better. I hate those cheap slip on covers. Always falling off and a bit to get on after

Are you sure you're talking about 7506s and not some other Sony mdr model?

Back to op. SoS did a headphone comparison in their latest issue. Ususal suspects got good reviews (HD650, Sony MDR 7509) but the Beyerdynamic DT880 pro also got a very good write up, and many of the contributors thought them better than the Sennheisers. Bear in mind that this was from music tech point of view rather than hifi, though at this price point there shouldn't be a distinction as you should be able to get accuracy and listenability.

Sennheiser HD-265

  On 12/28/2009 at 6:53 PM, kanarie said:

Sennheiser HD-265

those cans are extremely bassy

Again, this is not the first thread about headphones...

Tell us what is your need for headphones. Do you want to go outside with them? Will you use them only at work? home? Ignore all those answers above until you've answered that.

  On 12/28/2009 at 7:06 PM, Blanket Fort Collapse said:

  On 12/28/2009 at 6:53 PM, kanarie said:

Sennheiser HD-265

 

those cans are extremely bassy

That's exactly why i like them so much:)

get grados

Grados are fucking uncomfortable and they slide off your head if you have more than a buzzcut.

I've been looking to unload a pair of Grado SR-325i as a matter of fact...

It is hard to go wrong with the HD-650s and a decent amp, and most importantly a good source. Seriously, any more than that and you are just going down the audiophile rabbit hole of diminishing returns. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

It does depend what you want them for of course. Personally, the best combination of comfort and my preferred sound is the AKG K-501, which I've modified with K-601 earpads and a dual-entry cable so I don't have one side pulled down more than the other. Most of the time I'm listening straight out of a cheap chinese DAC i bought on ebay (Tianyun Zero). The K-702, which is their current model, is also great and you're much more likely to find parts and support for it.

^ don't listen to him, audiophiles don't require comfort, besides, i use my grados for hours on end with no discomfort.

get grados.

Even if you go crazy with it, it's better to get into headphones than speakers from a $$$ standpoint.

  On 12/28/2009 at 8:57 PM, ward said:

^ don't listen to him, audiophiles don't require comfort, besides, i use my grados for hours on end with no discomfort.

 

get grados.

Just my personal preference. I also don't think they are very good headphones for most electronic music other than the fact that the higher end grados are super fast.

buy a pair of AKGs. you can't go wrong with them.

I've heard good things about the ATH-M50S but all of a sudden I have no money.

I don't really get the Grado love. I have a pair of SR-80s and they sound meh. Although I suppose it's my own fault for plugging them directly into an iPod Classic.

beyerdynamic dt880. not super high end, but for about three hundred us dollars, they're the best thing you're going to get. far far better than the equivalent akg and i prefer them over sennheisers. absolutely neutral sound, crystal clear.

  On 12/28/2009 at 9:04 PM, zaphod said:

beyerdynamic dt880. not super high end, but for about three hundred us dollars, they're the best thing you're going to get. far far better than the equivalent akg and i prefer them over sennheisers. absolutely neutral sound, crystal clear.

If you do go for the dt880, beware the pro version if you have a big head -- it is very tight.

Also the modern version of the dt880 has a really weird booming bass. Like, more than the 770pro.