Headphone recommendations?

[Hi Fi Delirium]

I am after some recommendations on hi-fi headphones (closed type so I don't disturb my shift-working partner). Source will be Rotel 1062 amp and I will be using mainly to watch movies and listen to a wide range of music, from hard bop jazz to lounge, to rock, pop, but rarely orchestral. I love a good mid-range and top-end sound.

My budget is up to $400.

Does anyone have any recommendations? I really don't know where to start.

Col

[ophool]

I am after some recommendations on hi-fi headphones (closed type so I don't disturb my shift-working partner). Source will be Rotel 1062 amp and I will be using mainly to watch movies and listen to a wide range of music, from hard bop jazz to lounge, to rock, pop, but rarely orchestral. I love a good mid-range and top-end sound.

My budget is up to $400.

Does anyone have any recommendations? I really don't know where to start.

Col[/b]

Col,

have a look at the ATH-A900 the rest of the site is worth a browse.

I like the AT W1000 (over your budget) which is easily driven and will run quite well from most sources with a headphone socket without a dedicated amplifier.

The few reports of the AT-A900 I have had, put it as highly recommended, this includes one fellow who designs and sells headphone amplifiers and phono stages and uses headphones for critical listening during the development. A highly experienced audio engineer with background in recording and broadcasting he has highly developed critical listening skills and stringent requirements, I doubt he would have given this recommendation lightly.

His amplifiers are highly regarded and used by Sennheiser UK to demonstrate their products.

Like most components, headphone choice is a very personal thing and it is always best to try them for yourself prior to purchase if at all possible.

ciao TG

[warnsey1]

I would second the Audio-Technica recommendation. The A900 are great cans and very easy to drive.

[Hi Fi Delirium]

Thanks for the good advice. OPHOOL, I've had a look at the Headphonics site. They have some reasonable prices there. Asked them what they'd recommend too, and interestingly they recommend the Beyer DT250 over the AT A900 as it is better 'overall'.

Does anyone have any knowledge/experience with Beyer? They sound German.

Those AT W1000's look pretty exciting but out of the budget I'd set.... (at least that's what I'm trying to convince myself).

Unlikely I'll get to listen to any of these in Brisbane so will probably take my chances buying online.

Cheers,

Col

[ophool]

Thanks for the good advice. OPHOOL, I've had a look at the Headphonics site. They have some reasonable prices there. Asked them what they'd recommend too, and interestingly they recommend the Beyer DT250 over the AT A900 as it is better 'overall'.

Does anyone have any knowledge/experience with Beyer? They sound German.

Those AT W1000's look pretty exciting but out of the budget I'd set.... (at least that's what I'm trying to convince myself).

Unlikely I'll get to listen to any of these in Brisbane so will probably take my chances buying online.

Cheers,

Col[/b]

Col,

if it were me and I could not demo/tryout (Marcus does offer a trial period) I would read as many reviews as I could, paying particular attention to the experience of the reviewer, his other gear, and most particularly what types of music he used/prefers.

Beyerdynamic are an experienced manufacturer of long standing who supply to many recording studios and many professional audio people use certain of their models.

You might well prefer their sound, I have not heard them, I would note that they come in 2 different impedances - 80 or 250 ohm - both of which will be harder to drive than the AT.

Neither the recommended impedance or the amount of power available on your headphone socket is mentioned in your amplifiers manual so no help there.

You might also prefer that their earpads are cloth, although I do not mind the W1000 and find them very comfortable, they can be a bit sweaty when it is hot - I think the A900 have similar earpads to the W1000.

With both of these headphones (Beyer & AT) the pads rest on your head and surround your ear.

I would expect the clamping force of the Beyer to be higher than the AT since they have no top of the head support.

Just a few points for you to consider.

Have fun :wink:

[jkn]

jch

[brumby]

The Beyerdynamic DT250 might float your boat. It comes in under your budget top. It's closed. It has 250 and 80 ohm versions - the 80 ohm version probably wouldn't need a headphone amp. Headphonic recommends it. I haven't heard it so I can't comment on quality.

Have a look

[jkn]

Thanks jch

[Hi Fi Delirium]

Thanks jch [/b]

Yes, that was me, but irrelevant now. I was asking how much you were selling your Beyers for. Since then, my TV has blown up so the focus has moved from headphones to researching LCD HDTVs!

[jkn]

Yes, that was me, but irrelevant now. I was asking how much you were selling your Beyers for. Since then, my TV has blown up so the focus has moved from headphones to researching LCD HDTVs![/b]

jch

[norpus]

I bought and just had delivered 2 pairs of Etymotic ER6i - one for the son and one for me to travel on airplanes with

They are small bud style that fit right inside the ear and effectively act as a closed system. I wanted to try for my long flight to the Florida in 2 weeks.

Ist impressions - not that great for something that has a RRP of US149.

The bass is lacking even though you jam these right into your ear to seal.

Son also complaining same thing

Oh well, will persist with them (maybe they 'break-in' over mths - hope so although toes will need to be crossed!!)

[k371n]

Etymotic ER6i[/b]

What are you using these with? Ipod?

Ety's are known to have a very tight bass to those who love them

and "limited" bass to those who don't

k_

[k371n]

bugger.. double post

[Marine]

Hi Norpus, try the foamies if you haven't already, these provide more noise reduction and may enable you to get a better seal, which is important for good bass response. I also find them more comfortable when taking them in and out often. I have Ety 4P and the bass response is pretty flat, I can't find freq. response graphs for the 6's though. Head over to headphone.com they have a video for inserting IEM's that may help.

[jaspert]

I bought and just had delivered 2 pairs of Etymotic ER6i - one for the son and one for me to travel on airplanes with

They are small bud style that fit right inside the ear and effectively act as a closed system. I wanted to try for my long flight to the Florida in 2 weeks.

Ist impressions - not that great for something that has a RRP of US149.

The bass is lacking even though you jam these right into your ear to seal.

Son also complaining same thing

Oh well, will persist with them (maybe they 'break-in' over mths - hope so although toes will need to be crossed!!)[/b]

I got a black pair of ER6i from ebay this week for similar purpose too.

Comfort is an issue atm despite trialling different tips for my small ear canals and unfortunately i'm not that impressed with the sound so far.

Having said that, it does sound better with better fit now and ?more hours but i was expecting more from my first canal earphone. So far the bass and soundstage width is not that impressive relative to my much cheaper $45 Yuin PK3 ear buds. At least i only pay less than half of local retail and it will still serve its purpose on the future plane trip.

[norpus]

Hi Norpus, try the foamies if you haven't already, these provide more noise reduction and may enable you to get a better seal, which is important for good bass response. I also find them more comfortable when taking them in and out often. I have Ety 4P and the bass response is pretty flat, I can't find freq. response graphs for the 6's though. Head over to headphone.com they have a video for inserting IEM's that may help.[/b]

Thanks for the pm of the link Marine - will try those tips and tricks

Son also watched the video so has gone off to play with his iPod mini

[Hi Fi Delirium]

After the headphone purchase was delayed by a blown up telly (Excuse to buy a Sony X series bravia LCD), I bought a set of the AudioTechnica ATH-A900 phones and am very, very happy with them. Nice support tabs that sit on top of your head too. Thanks to all for your advice.