paulsaints1553552770 Posted March 29, 2014 Posted March 29, 2014 Taking something like the AKG K451 as a benchmark (retail $250-300) what would forum members recommend as a worthwhile audiophile headphone for use for both computer (external dac) use when traveling and home listening when family requires a bit of audiophile peace?
MorrisTheCat Posted March 30, 2014 Posted March 30, 2014 Can i just say Paul, a massive THANK YOU for this as a thread starter. I shall be watching with keen interest indeed as i am actively on the desperate hunt myself amongst what seems to be 1000s upon 1000s of headphones and earphones. I'm even willing to stretch my budget until my wallet bleeds if it has to so that i can have something truly good... !
Ernie1553552694 Posted March 30, 2014 Posted March 30, 2014 You're probably aiming too low price wise. $400-500 will get "audiophile" level phones. Denon, AKG, Ultrasone, Grado, Sennheiser, Beyerdynamics and Audio Technica will yield good results. Some of the more recent brands like Beats and Fanny Mae you may want to steer clear of. For $300 you will get a set of mid-range phones that will do an ok job performing the duties you've described. The fundamentals of headphones have not changed much. There are probably some newer models, but if you do a trawl through the archives there is plenty of comment about what is a decent buy. My faves are Ultrasone or Grado. Denons put me to sleep, and Senns are sometimes also lacking a bit of pace. ATs can have a weird midrange, but that can be offset with the right amp. It's all a moving target and there is much comment and choice out there. Because the opinion is local doesn't ensure the veracity of comment. If you want to make an informed decision, without going through the process of buying several sets of mediocre phones, read widely. Stuff like Headfi and associated sites. The magic bullet is not just in choosing the right phone, but also the amp that has synergy, and a source that will do justice to the components mentioned in the preceding. Like I said, I have my favorites, but everyone's taste is different.
40Hz Posted March 30, 2014 Posted March 30, 2014 A few questions: When you put the K451 forward as a benchmark, is that in terms of budget, or 'sound' (or both)? For home listening, are you in the same room as the family, or elsewhere in the house (open headphones aren't necessarily an option if you're in the la-z-boy whilst everyone else is watching telly...)? What will you be driving the phones with at home?Do your tastes in music suggest a headphone that emphasises mid-range (for eg) or are you after something of an all-rounder? Getting some parameters around what you're after should help with the recommendations, and then you can hopefully find some demo phones...
paulsaints1553552770 Posted March 30, 2014 Author Posted March 30, 2014 Thanks for those comments - a very helpful start. I put the K451's in there partly because the original question was sparked by my son who can't afford a stereo system but currently uses modest headphones with his PC. So $250-300 would be his limit. But also for myself because that price isn't too hard to cover, but buying "just a pair of headphones" for much more than that would require more work to justify. Cheap is usually bad, but in some areas you can get reasonable performance for medium outlay (which I would define in the $250-300 area). On the other hand that's not always true and in some areas you will only get decent performance for significant money. And I would be happy with that if I felt that more $$ was needed rather than wasted. For instance I have a pair of Sony MDR-V6 "Studio Monitor" headphones. They didn't cost very much, they fit well and sound reasonably ok. But as my general listening experience grows I am getting more aware of the difference between a quality sound and a poorer result. So I am really asking do I need to go well up to $1000 or more for a good listen (compared to the MRD-V6's) or are there modest priced headphones out there that are stellar for the price. My listening is likely be in a common room with other sound going on. I would say I prefer mids rather than super tweeted and based-out sound. Source is most likely to be from the laptop with a usb dac (otherwise I would be enjoying the real deal). Ernie - I was interested that you listed so many good brands - is the implication that most namable companies make something good in their line-up? Thanks.
Ernie1553552694 Posted March 30, 2014 Posted March 30, 2014 Most companies do make something decent and not necessarily right in the premium price range. Grados get better as you go up the range. I can't say as much about Senns. For a balanced sound, I'd recommend Ultrasone. They do mainly closed back phones that are used for studio monitoring. I've sold lots of them and peeps love them. Get them repaired even. Then again they might reveal the weaknesses of your gear rather than synergise with them. If you want that midrange thing, then maybe Senns or Beyers could do good things. If you don't mind some off timing, which your DAC won't be correcting anyway, you might be ok with HD595 or 650s. (Just because it doesn't sound perfect doesn't mean it's altogether bad.) A secondhand pair of Denon D5000s could be the genius purchase of the decade for you. I've already written they are zzzz inducers, but frankly, by what you've said already, I'd start looking for a pair. Premium sound, without the premium price, and generally owners of this kind of gear look after them. Even if you have to do a purchase on Headfi it could be worth it. Do a search, see if they sound like your cup of tea.
Guest Posted March 31, 2014 Posted March 31, 2014 $300 is an interesting price point. I like Grado's but they are open backed, so the sound will leak to your travelling companions and your family. Ernie, "off timing" with Senns? Never heard that expression before. What does it mean?
Shane Hanify Posted March 31, 2014 Posted March 31, 2014 I expect Cliff that he means the Senns are slow timed - otherwise known as relaxing. I find the 555's I have to be warmer and slower than any of my AKG's - hardly a bad thing, but lack a little energy for some types of music. Regards, Shane.
Ernie1553552694 Posted March 31, 2014 Posted March 31, 2014 Cheers Shane. Once you find your feet with certain models, you get a feel for what a brand does to the music. Already said too much.
paulsaints1553552770 Posted April 1, 2014 Author Posted April 1, 2014 Found Head-fi - very comprehensive! Looks like a whole audiophile alternative universe
40Hz Posted April 2, 2014 Posted April 2, 2014 head-fi can be good, but it isn't what it used to be. Sorting the useful information from the fanboy froth and the shilling takes time and patience, these days, but if you have both you will have an abundance of information. From what has been said above, I too would rule out open-backed phones (Grados, Senns) which leaves you with a hunt for a good closed over-ear phone (Audio-Technica W1000 might suit, for example, but second-hand would be the way to go) or a good, and effective on-ear. The K451s may or may not fit the latter bill. Headphonic might also be a good place to nose around (http://headphones.com.au/pbrowse?catID=1&subCatID=3). Several forum members have had good dealings with them previously, as I recall. Good luck....
Guest Posted April 2, 2014 Posted April 2, 2014 If you're in Auckland then AV World have recently added a dedicated Headphone room. They seem to stock Senn, Grado, Focal, AT, B&W which will make it easier to compare and contrast. Senn make a good closed back HP-25-1 II. Unfortunate, I sold mine as they were too tight for my big ears. But the guy I sold them to, who was a recording engineer, wears his 8 hours a day, and this was his 3rd pair. I see AV World have Audio Technica ATH-A900x closed back on sale for $299, which could be worth considering. Focal Spirit One as well.
Ariki Padlie Posted April 3, 2014 Posted April 3, 2014 I have been using Older Shure SRH840s for the past couple of years and they are great in my opinion. Very detailed with great Vocals. At first i thought they were bass shy but through a decent headphone amp/output the bass is superb and there when required. They are very comfortable,well built and i even use it on my IPOD when walking home from work now and again....keeps the ears warm during winter. They can be found for around the $300 mark.
little blue penguin Posted April 3, 2014 Posted April 3, 2014 +1 for the Shure SRH840. The supplied curly cord sucks though. Bought a straight one thru ebay till I can find a source for the locking 2.5mm trs connectors the phones need.
Hooster Posted April 4, 2014 Posted April 4, 2014 AKG Q701. I have a pair that I re-cabled myself, balanced direct to driver dual entry, and could not be happier. They are fine, even unmodified and the price is right. The midrange and soundstage are wonderful but the bass is slightly weak compared to some others. The bass is however clean and well defined so I don't mind, it works better for me than over the top bloated bass. In my quest for headphones, a couple of years ago I found the NZ market difficult, with what to me was a limited selection and unreasonable prices. I got mine online. If you are ever lucky enough to find yourself in Akihabara, Tokyo you will find headphone heaven. Have a source, such as music on a smartphone and knock yourself out testing cans that are available there.
tamarillo Posted April 20, 2014 Posted April 20, 2014 Dr beats solo. $300. Sound amazing. Just bought for 11 yr old birthday, trendy as hell and he insists. Amazingly crap. Most distorted horrible sound have had displeasure to hear. Astonishing what marketing and too much bass can do.
kaka Posted April 20, 2014 Posted April 20, 2014 My best two are AT 2000 and Beyer T1. Along the way Audexe LCD2, AKG 701, mid-level Stax and AT1000W have been and gone. The Audeze were a bit polite at the top with my amps (I still have various Grados which are a little savage with the same amp).
Reverend Johnny Heathen Posted April 20, 2014 Posted April 20, 2014 Dr beats solo. $300. Sound amazing. Just bought for 11 yr old?... Good god man! Is this what I'm in for!? ...my 7yr old just got a pair of $40 'Moshis' from the Warehouse for Easter and this cheap bastard dad says 'that's good enough'.
Owen Y Posted April 21, 2014 Posted April 21, 2014 ......till I can find a source for the locking 2.5mm trs connectors the phones need.cloth_ I'd be interested in a source of locking TRSs for my son, who's repaired & made better quality replacement cables for his HP25s (which get club DJ hammering). (Off topic sorry...PM if any info, if u would, cheers.)
paulsaints1553552770 Posted April 21, 2014 Author Posted April 21, 2014 What does TRS stand for? I understand what it is and what a locking one is but what do the letters TRS actually stand for??
Owen Y Posted April 21, 2014 Posted April 21, 2014 Tip Ring Sleeve - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phone_connector_(audio)
paulsaints1553552770 Posted April 25, 2014 Author Posted April 25, 2014 Does anyone have any experience of the Lawton Audio Level 2 mod for the Denon D5000 (internal mods, fatter angled pad, custom wood cups)? Thanks.
Ernie1553552694 Posted April 25, 2014 Posted April 25, 2014 Wow, things have come along since I last looked. Looks like a hot rod store for your phones. MarkL was the original Denon modder. I'd say you're in safe hands if you go down that track. He's only been doing it since 2007!
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