Help choosing new headphones

[nothing1]

i would like some advise on choosing a new set of headphones this is my system

Quad core 3.2ghz pc -> Windows 7 64bit -> Foobar -> Asus Xonar essence stx -> Digital Coaxial -> Minimax Plus -> Rotel RC1550 -> Rotel RB1582 -> Bi-Wired Wharfedale Diamond's 9.6's

At the moment i am running a set of Sony MDR-XD100 plugged into the Rotel RC 1550. I need to get a new set as one of the wires in the cable has broken and the sound in the left ear cuts out from time to time and requires jiggling of the wire to get working again(pain in the proverbial). I intend on plugging the new ones into the Rotel still and would like to get a reasonably good set up to about $300. I am looking at a new set of Audio-Technica A900 available for $240. So what are your thoughts/advise? are these good headphones? could i do better with my budget? anything i have to consider with my setup? I mainly listen to music through my speakers during the day and use headphones when the kids are in bed. Thanks

[kunalraiker]

It actually depends on what sort of music you listen too, but would strongly recommend a pair of open-air headphones.

At that budget you could either get them hi-fi man HE-300 http://head-direct.com/Products/?act=detail&id=108

Or look at a pair of Sennheiser HD 600.

There's more options but will depend on what style of music you listen to.

[Show]

Not sure if this will sound good with the Rotel but I had did get some K701 to play with my:

3.5ghz PC -> Windows 7 64bit -> Foobar -> Essence STX -> Arcam Alpha 8 Pre-amp -> Arcam Alpha 8 Power-Amp (has headphone out) -> K701

It sounded amazing. I did put some External DACs in but either didn't like the change, or didn't notice the change. "thomann.de" are selling the AKG K701 for $300 delivered so it's spot on for your budget. Also another option is a grey import HD650 for $400. I have no experience with grey import anything so can't tell you if it is a safe choice.

Edit - my setup was for mostly Jazz and classic RnB and the occasional PC gaming.

Edited May 20, 2012 by Show

[LogicprObe]

I love my 701's straight out of my ASUS Essence card.

They can be had for not much more than $300 these days and even less second hand.

[wolster]

It actually depends on what sort of music you listen too, but would strongly recommend a pair of open-air headphones.

At that budget you could either get them hi-fi man HE-300 http://head-direct.c...t=detail&id=108

Or look at a pair of Sennheiser HD 600.

There's more options but will depend on what style of music you listen to.

I had build quality issues with two pairs of hi-fi man earphones. Nor sure if the headphones would be any different.

[Show]

I love my 701's straight out of my ASUS Essence card.

They can be had for not much more than $300 these days and even less second hand.

I thought they sounded a bit too sharp on the treble and very weak on the bass, straight out of the card. Somehow, all headphones sound like that straight out of the Essence STX except the LCD-2 but then again, the card doesn't have enough power to run the LCD-2, period.

But I digress. K701s are highly recommended. Had one with proper amping and it was compatible with some of the $500-600 headphones I have listened to. Some may even dare say they can compete with the $1k headphones but I feel the K701 always loses when it comes to bass.

[nothing1]

I listen to all sorts of music blues, jazz(some), progressive rock, folk, electronic, pop and some classical so pretty much a bit of everything most are high res vinyl rips or sacd iso's

What is the difference between open and closed backs(regarding the sound obviously)

Edited May 20, 2012 by nothing1

[LogicprObe]

I thought they sounded a bit too sharp on the treble and very weak on the bass, straight out of the card. Somehow, all headphones sound like that straight out of the Essence STX except the LCD-2 but then again, the card doesn't have enough power to run the LCD-2, period.

But I digress. K701s are highly recommended. Had one with proper amping and it was compatible with some of the $500-600 headphones I have listened to. Some may even dare say they can compete with the $1k headphones but I feel the K701 always loses when it comes to bass.

Did you adjust the gain/impedance in the ASUS control panel?

I found the default setting too weak but the next step up was fine.

[bruce108]

Have to admit I would doubt that the Rotel would drive 701s adequately, or for that matter Senns. Much safer pick for that range of music would be the Audio Technica ATH-AD900 which is comfortably in your price range. Very easy to drive

[Show]

Did you adjust the gain/impedance in the ASUS control panel?

I found the default setting too weak but the next step up was fine.

Just did that! Never knew I could adjust the gain on the card! Thanks! Haha. Looks like I am not getting any sleep tonight. Going to have to scrutinize this card again on the different gains.

[LogicprObe]

Just did that! Never knew I could adjust the gain on the card! Thanks! Haha. Looks like I am not getting any sleep tonight. Going to have to scrutinize this card again on the different gains.

Yeah, I was a bit disappointed when I first plugged them into the ASUS until I did that because they worked fine straight away in my Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro.

[nothing1]

Have to admit I would doubt that the Rotel would drive 701s adequately, or for that matter Senns. Much safer pick for that range of music would be the Audio Technica ATH-AD900 which is comfortably in your price range. Very easy to drive

one of the reasons i choose the AD900 was that they would be easy to drive by the Rotel as i prefer my minimax plus's sound over the Asus Xonar's dac and that they had a frequency responce of 5-40000hz which is ideal for my high res recordings and they are a good brand with a good reputation. But if anyone knows of something better then let me know.

[LogicprObe]

It's obvious that you'll have to buy both!

[GregWormald]

I like both Sennheisers and Grados. The Grados do bass better than almost any other headphone.

I don't know the prices any more, so you'll have to look at models yourself.

For the in-ear phones, the Audeo Sonak are a bargain for the quality.

Greg

[nothing1]

been looking at the 701's they seem like great headphones, they are an open design where as the A900's are closed whats the difference? also the 701's are 62 Ohms will the Rotel be ok for these?

[GregWormald]

Closed 'phones seal around the ears and give better isolation from sound getting either in or out.

Open 'phones have the transducers open to the air.

Greg

[Show]

been looking at the 701's they seem like great headphones, they are an open design where as the A900's are closed whats the difference? also the 701's are 62 Ohms will the Rotel be ok for these?

The biggest difference between open and closed are that:

1) closed headphones passively isolate some noise. open headphones do not.

2) open headphones do not "reflect" sound. It reduces the echo and sound more airy.

Your Rotel will drive 62 ohms and the sensitivity of those headphones without a problem.

[LogicprObe]

It's funny that I prefer sealed speakers and open headphones!

[goooobags]

If you want something open, look at the AD900 as mentioned earlier in the thread. They are the open version of the A900.

I started off by getting the k701 and wouldn't recommend it, buy something that is easier to drive. I have been through a number of headphone amplifiers before finding one that drives them well.

[nothing1]

I started off by getting the k701 and wouldn't recommend it, buy something that is easier to drive.

can i ask what the problem was? show seems to reckon that my Rotel won't have a problem driving them as they are only 62 Ohms, which is a relatively small amount compared to some i have seen.Thanks

[Show]

Impedance and sensitivity are 2 separate things. *Mind Blown gestures*. Here is a little read.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loudspeaker#Efficiency_vs._sensitivity

Whilst your amp may make your headphones produce sound, it may not necessarily make it sound good. I think that was what goobags was implying. And this is also a very personal taste kind of thing. The reason I suggested the K701 or the HD650 is because they are what I consider a benchmark entry level headphone. They do not cost and arm and a leg (or kidney) but they do sound leaps and bounds beyond the average JB Hifi/Harvey Norman "toys". You can pursue audio perfection further by mixing and matching amps and DACs once you feel you have grasped what the headphones can and cannot do and what kind of sound you want to achieve. In some cases, the matching is impossible (some amps do not support high impedance loads, OTOH, some just don't give out enough wattage).

Have a read and post up any revelations you have.

[LogicprObe]

Some amps can be modified to support high impedance headphones though.

[hiSky]

I am currently owned the following Headphones:

1. AKG 701 + consonance Cyber 10 - has the biggest sound stage and details out of the 3,but not good in the low end

2. Sennheiser HD 600 + Woo audio valve amp - good bass and balance through out. soundstage not as good as AKG701

3. Studio Headphones – Beats by Dr. Dre by Monster - purely bass and average overall.

and recently i need a portable Headphone which require no external AMP, sound good with iphone and my laptop at work. I went to Harvey Norman and test out all the headphones they have on displayed and was blow away with the Klipsch imageone and endup bought one. I am very happy with this headphone so far!!!!

I would recommended you to try this portable headphone Klipsch imageone http://www.klipsch.com/image-one-on-ear-headset before buy anything.

[LogicprObe]

How much are they?

[Show]

Klipsch makes pretty good easy listening commuting headphones. Not great at anything but not bad at anything either. Looking at the funky orange ones for $350 at the moment from the US. Had some earphones with microphone years ago and I thought it was the best commuting companion I have had.