Need help choosing over-the-ear headphones,

2010-08-03 14:49:05

Good day y'all,

I'm wonderin if you have any recommendations regarding 'audiophile' MP3 players and ditto headphones? As of now I'm usin the massively popular Sony MDR-V700 for DJ'ing purposes, but I can't say their quality is pristine ... and those are the only over-ear/on-ear headphones I've got. My only real in-ear ones are the Sennheiser CX400-II. The reason I bought these is because they were the best alternative available from my manufacturer. Now I'm wonderin if this was a good choice at all, or if other Sennheiser models would be to prefer. Nevertheless I can't stop usin them, so I guess I've never used a couple of really good headphones before.

So I'm looking for suggestions for 'audiophile' MP3 players and over-ear headphones ... money isn't really a problem. Cheers!

Need help choosing over-the-ear headphones,

Reply #1 – 2010-08-03 21:18:16

I find my Sennheiser HD555 to be a crisp delight. The HD555 has a visceral bass characteristic that I personally find very pleasing. I've never listened to any Beyerdynamic gear, so I can't judge, but apparently it's quite the respectable aural bling if you have some cash to burn.

The name Beyerdynamic rings familiar, though, and when I went to the shop to get my new phones (which was around 5 years ago), I *think* also tried out something akin to this one, but from standing there, listening to my own CD of music, I was unable to detect any night and day differences. I went with the most pleasing sound for the most reasonable money, and I'm quite happy.

I don't have a recommendation for a player because I don't do portable music.

Oh, aside: can tiny players even properly drive big cans without a tiny amp to puff up the signal? This might be a slightly OT question—yet it might be very helpful to the OP.

Need help choosing over-the-ear headphones,

Reply #2 – 2010-08-03 23:14:42

Based solely on online reviews -- a bad way to buy speakers or headphones -- I recently purchased the 32-ohm model of the Beyerdynamic DT-990s. Without an A-B test with comparable pairs, though, I know I might not have gotten the absolute best sound for my money.

There's not much power in the bass, and can’t be from a small transducer, but in a new Baroque recording on original instruments I've just purchased, I can hear and distinguish very clearly the sounds of the bass and cello and know very well what I'd hear through a better pair of loudspeakers. I find this to be result of a good design, not a defect.

The sound of the other original instruments is so striking, I’ve listened to it over and over. This is what I was wanted. (I’ve also listened several times to an older but remastered progressive-rock album by PFM. I’d never hear them sound so good, but the difference isn’t night-and-day like with the acoustic recording.)

Sennheisers have the reputation for providing a more-satisfying ('warmer') bass response and for some this is perfect. I can't really say one way or the other, as there's nowhere in town to audition the better Senns. From memory I think the Grado SR325, which I did audition, are about the equal of the Beyers. My decision there was based on what appeared to be the DT-990's sturdier design, which I need, and my guess that I'd prefer a circumaural pair.

I'm not exactly able to describe what it is I like about them. I think it's what reviewers call an 'analytic' sound. For the first time ever, I can listen to headphones for hours straight without listener or wearer fatigue.

I couldn't be more pleased.

Need help choosing over-the-ear headphones,

Reply #3 – 2010-08-04 07:48:22

I've never tried the 990's, but I A/B'ed the 880's (also 32-ohm) and found them comparable to my K701s - though with much nicer construction.

In my opinion though, if you are just listening to mp3's on an ipod-like portable, most 'audiophile' headphones are simply overkill. I would recommend a pair of SR 60i's to anyone in falling in that category.

Need help choosing over-the-ear headphones,

Reply #4 – 2010-08-04 11:51:57

I own HD 238. They're one of the most comfortable headphones I've ever had on. This is mostly because of the very low pressure and so they fall off rather easily (definitely not good for sports). Sound-wise, they are slightly over-bassed making the sound rather "warm" and "soft". Otherwise, they provide full spectrum (unlike PX100, which attenuate higher frequencies). The sound is not so accurate (compared to HD380) but it is pleasant to listen to (which is the point of most consumer-grade headphones, I guess).
They're not collapsible. They don't feel very sturdy, especially the cable is rather thin. Subjectively, they require like 30+ hours of burn-in (they sound harsh and aggressive out-of-the-box, especially treble).
They're probably the most useful and all-round headphones I've ever bought. Small enough for portable, good enough for home/office (sound-wise). I seldom put on my HD380 due to night-and-day difference in comfort.