7 ms·

Still checking out the post but to anyone looking at getting a nice set of headphones, the Sennheiser 600s (mentioned in the post) can be picked up (especially

by atwebb 12y ago

Still checking out the post but to anyone looking at getting a nice set of headphones, the Sennheiser 600s (mentioned in the post) can be picked up (especially used or open box) much cheaper than $500. I'd actually recommend going ahead and looking at the 650s which run $350 and under on eBay or directly from Senn during a sale. Gotta be able to have open backed headphones though, they leak a lot.

mnw21cam 12y ago
I'm using Sennheiser HD280 Pro, and they performed perfectly in the tests. Really excellent headphones. They're closed cup, so people don't hear what I'm listening to, and I use them on flights to cut out flight noise.
- aaronem 12y ago
  I used a pair of HD 280 Pros for about a year before I got my 558s, and I have to say, isolation is the only area in which the former outdoes the latter; in particular, as far as comfort goes, the 280s made me feel like I was wearing a bench vise on my skull, while the 558s sit so lightly that I barely notice I'm wearing them at all. Since I was working in a cubicle environment at the time, I figured I'd keep the 280s at work, primarily for their excellent isolation, and the 558s at home, where I maintain a quiet environment in which open headphones' lack of isolation doesn't pose a problem. That lasted about a week before I started carrying the 558s to work, because I could simply no longer stand to wear the 280s. It really is a shame the 280s are so big and clunky, because they are, as you say, quite good headphones otherwise, albeit IMHO a little weak in the lower part of the frequency range. HD558s being as cheap as they are, and from all I can gather being also the price/performance sweet spot of the Sennheiser 5x8 range, my experience leads me to suggest that it'd be worth your while to consider picking up a pair. (And I hear elsethread that the 558 foam mod makes them effectively indistinguishable from the twice-as-expensive and even more neutral HD598; I can't speak to that from personal experience, as I have yet to do the mod, but if true then the HD558 is most certainly the standout performer of its range.)
- mattgreenrocks 12y ago
  I use HD280's for guitar practice from my POD. They work really well in this case: as they're very analytical, and they don't leak. The closed cup helps me focus on listening to my playing v. the drums/bass. However, they're really hard on most music that hasn't been mastered well. And that is pretty much all modern music.
  - jerf 12y ago
    That's what I'm wearing right now. Since I almost entirely away from horrifically mismastered stuff, it works out OK. Bass may not be the strongest but I'm not personally a big bass person. They're definitely monitor-style headphones meant for accuracy rather than "bass-boosting". If you're looking for a closed headphone set with that as the goal, it's a decent buy as they seem to run ~$80, given how many people are tossing around multi-hundred dollar recommendations. It really does seal you off from your environment a bit... I can't hear my cell phone ring in my pocket when I have them on.
aroch 12y ago
To add, if you're looking for a great overall performer that isn't super expensive ($300+), look at the Sony MDR-7506 (~$100 on Amazon) or AudioTechnica M50 (~99-$130 depending on model). These plus a good USB-DAC (like those based around NwAvGuy's ObjectiveAmp) will make your listening experience much nicer.
- Qworg 12y ago
  I'm a huge fan of my Sony MDR-V6's - I'd love to do a comparison test between the V6's and the 7506's some time. How do audiophiles get a chance to do this? I've never seen a "headphone store" on a street corner.
  - cmer 12y ago
    I came here to vouch for the v6 as well. With the Beyer Dynamics velour pads, they're just incredible. Comfortable, great all around sound and doesn't break the bank. (source: I was an audio engineer in a previous life. I also own 3 pairs)
  - cmer 12y ago
    Comparison: http://www.head-fi.org/t/539506/sony-mdr-v6-vs-mdr-7506-there-is-a-difference-in-sound-pictures-too http://www.head-fi.org/t/539506/sony-mdr-v6-vs-mdr-7506-ther...
  - mdellabitta 12y ago
    In NYC, you can check out Park Audio, Tekserve, and B&H (although B&H had horrible amplification last I checked).
- crunchcaptain 12y ago
  +1 Sony MDR-7506 http://lmgtfy.com/?q=sony+mdr-7506+%22on+set%22 http://lmgtfy.com/?q=sony+mdr-7506+%22on+set%22
- Sephiroth87 12y ago
  +1 for AudioTechnica from me, definitely the best headphones I've ever owned, especially at that price
gtani 12y ago
If you're going high end, the head-fi meetups can be great, listen to hundreds of pairs of AKG, Beyer Dynamic, Shure, ATH, Denon, Grados etc, many more than any store stocks. (I also like the gear reviews in Recording mag, which are pitched at people building their own studios http://www.head-fi.org/f/62/meets-get-togethers-factory-tours http://www.head-fi.org/f/62/meets-get-togethers-factory-tour... here's buyer's guide also http://www.head-fi.org/a/2013-head-fi-summer-buying-guide-introduction http://www.head-fi.org/a/2013-head-fi-summer-buying-guide-in...
clarry 12y ago
Just keep in mind that the expensive and well regarded headphones aren't always the best for you. There's no best really, as far as subjective listening experience goes. I have the Sennheiser HD650s and AKG K701s. Used to have the HD595 also. I tend to prefer the latter for most music, as well as speech. The Senns I find more preferrable for movies and classical music. I also have an ancient pair of Grado SR-80s (or SR-60s?), which are by no means an expensive high-end headphone. But I still like their sound on some things. Other people prefer considerably bassier headphones and I can see how that is a valid preference, especially considering how some electronic music is mixed.. in fact, I wouldn't mind having such a pair for myself.
- atwebb 12y ago
  Absolutely agree, I was more wanting to point out to people not fully in the know that $500 was either an old price or a non-US price. I've got a nice set of GE monitors from probably the mid 70s and they sound fantastic for music that's not incredibly bass heavy and were a quarter so that was nice. Have you tested the Senn Momentums? They are closed and have a lot more low end than the 600/50s. I really liked them but, since I'm mostly alone at work, I went with the 650s.
- fourk 12y ago
  HD595s aren't worth buying directly. It's cheaper to buy HD555s and mod them. They have the exact same driver, with a piece of sound dampening material that can be removed. http://mikebeauchamp.com/misc/sennheiser-hd-555-to-hd-595-mod/ http://mikebeauchamp.com/misc/sennheiser-hd-555-to-hd-595-mo...
  - aaronem 12y ago
    I'll note here that the Sennheiser 5x5 line has lately been replaced by the 5x8 line, which from all I've been able to gather is hardly different at all. I've got a pair of HD558s which I quite like; indeed, they're the best headphones I've ever owned. What I'm curious about is this: Can someone who's actually done the foam mod give me an idea of whether the result is worth the risk? I'm pretty sure I can complete the modification without damaging my headphones, but I'd like to know it's worth my while before I carry it out. Thanks in advance!
sturmeh 12y ago
I'd much rather stick with the Beyerdynamic DT990 PRO's that you can get for less than $150 USD.
dclowd9901 12y ago
Everyone has them, but my ATH-M50s blew those tests away. I had thought originally they were shitty because the music I listened to through them sounded like it would distort on occasion, but I'm pretty sure now it's just how poorly those songs are mixed, and the headphones were impartial observers, and they're right around the $100 mark.
- aaronem 12y ago
  Most popular music produced in the last twenty or so years has been horribly mismastered, with effectively no dynamic range whatsoever; once they're done smashing the shit out of it, the result consists of nothing but silence and peaks, which can easily produce distortion and clipping at any volume level high enough for the music to be audible at all. A lot of older music gets remastered the same way when it's re-released; this is one of the legitimate reasons for preferring vinyl, since you can be sure you won't find that problem on an LP. (Granted, you'll have to put up with Rice Krispies instead, but some find that preferable to trying to suffer through modern mastering, and I can't really say I blame them.)
driverdan 12y ago
If you want closed cans check out PSB M4U 1. They fold up for transport and are low impedance for use with phones, laptops, etc. Obviously they sound better with an amp but they still sound very good with a MBP's crappy DAC + amp. For $300 they're very hard to beat.
- mattgreenrocks 12y ago
  I've heard some people saying recent MBP's have very decent DAC's now. Not sure how true it is, but worth pointing out.
  - dankoss 12y ago
    They most likely have the Cirrus CS4207, which is quite good. http://www.cirrus.com/en/products/cs4207.html http://www.cirrus.com/en/products/cs4207.html http://ifixit.org/blog/5515/macbook-pro-retina-15-teardown/ http://ifixit.org/blog/5515/macbook-pro-retina-15-teardown/
wazoox 12y ago
I have a pair of Sony CD-1700 and they're really wonderful headphones, I love them. Light, comfortable, and great sound (hardly distinguishable from the CD-3000, quite close to the Sennheiser 600 but more aerial and comfortable). Probably bought 15 to 18 years ago.
fuzzix 12y ago
I own Grado this and Sennheiser that, even a decent pair of JVC the other, but one of my favourite, best sounding and most comfortable sets is my Superlux HD681s. €20. I believe they use the same drivers (and superficial design) as AKG K240s. In this case, they passed the tests reasonably well I think. Great frequency response (cut in at the limits of my hearing), no rattle, all the rest... I might put together a few sets for this test, though I suspect the Grados will fail rattle :)
- notacoward 12y ago
  I have a pair of HD681s that I was using until just a moment ago. The sound isn't as good as my Shure SRH440s, but for 1/3 the price and greater comfort they're sure (heh) close enough. Great value, indeed.
abhn 12y ago
650s require a decent amp to get the most out of. More $$$

by atwebb 12y ago

mnw21cam 12y ago

I'm using Sennheiser HD280 Pro, and they performed perfectly in the tests. Really excellent headphones. They're closed cup, so people don't hear what I'm listening to, and I use them on flights to cut out flight noise.

aaronem 12y ago
I used a pair of HD 280 Pros for about a year before I got my 558s, and I have to say, isolation is the only area in which the former outdoes the latter; in particular, as far as comfort goes, the 280s made me feel like I was wearing a bench vise on my skull, while the 558s sit so lightly that I barely notice I'm wearing them at all. Since I was working in a cubicle environment at the time, I figured I'd keep the 280s at work, primarily for their excellent isolation, and the 558s at home, where I maintain a quiet environment in which open headphones' lack of isolation doesn't pose a problem. That lasted about a week before I started carrying the 558s to work, because I could simply no longer stand to wear the 280s. It really is a shame the 280s are so big and clunky, because they are, as you say, quite good headphones otherwise, albeit IMHO a little weak in the lower part of the frequency range. HD558s being as cheap as they are, and from all I can gather being also the price/performance sweet spot of the Sennheiser 5x8 range, my experience leads me to suggest that it'd be worth your while to consider picking up a pair. (And I hear elsethread that the 558 foam mod makes them effectively indistinguishable from the twice-as-expensive and even more neutral HD598; I can't speak to that from personal experience, as I have yet to do the mod, but if true then the HD558 is most certainly the standout performer of its range.)
mattgreenrocks 12y ago
I use HD280's for guitar practice from my POD. They work really well in this case: as they're very analytical, and they don't leak. The closed cup helps me focus on listening to my playing v. the drums/bass. However, they're really hard on most music that hasn't been mastered well. And that is pretty much all modern music.
- jerf 12y ago
  That's what I'm wearing right now. Since I almost entirely away from horrifically mismastered stuff, it works out OK. Bass may not be the strongest but I'm not personally a big bass person. They're definitely monitor-style headphones meant for accuracy rather than "bass-boosting". If you're looking for a closed headphone set with that as the goal, it's a decent buy as they seem to run ~$80, given how many people are tossing around multi-hundred dollar recommendations. It really does seal you off from your environment a bit... I can't hear my cell phone ring in my pocket when I have them on.

aroch 12y ago

To add, if you're looking for a great overall performer that isn't super expensive ($300+), look at the Sony MDR-7506 (~$100 on Amazon) or AudioTechnica M50 (~99-$130 depending on model). These plus a good USB-DAC (like those based around NwAvGuy's ObjectiveAmp) will make your listening experience much nicer.

Qworg 12y ago
I'm a huge fan of my Sony MDR-V6's - I'd love to do a comparison test between the V6's and the 7506's some time. How do audiophiles get a chance to do this? I've never seen a "headphone store" on a street corner.
- cmer 12y ago
  I came here to vouch for the v6 as well. With the Beyer Dynamics velour pads, they're just incredible. Comfortable, great all around sound and doesn't break the bank. (source: I was an audio engineer in a previous life. I also own 3 pairs)
- cmer 12y ago
  Comparison: http://www.head-fi.org/t/539506/sony-mdr-v6-vs-mdr-7506-there-is-a-difference-in-sound-pictures-too http://www.head-fi.org/t/539506/sony-mdr-v6-vs-mdr-7506-ther...
- mdellabitta 12y ago
  In NYC, you can check out Park Audio, Tekserve, and B&H (although B&H had horrible amplification last I checked).
crunchcaptain 12y ago
+1 Sony MDR-7506 http://lmgtfy.com/?q=sony+mdr-7506+%22on+set%22 http://lmgtfy.com/?q=sony+mdr-7506+%22on+set%22
Sephiroth87 12y ago
+1 for AudioTechnica from me, definitely the best headphones I've ever owned, especially at that price

gtani 12y ago

If you're going high end, the head-fi meetups can be great, listen to hundreds of pairs of AKG, Beyer Dynamic, Shure, ATH, Denon, Grados etc, many more than any store stocks. (I also like the gear reviews in Recording mag, which are pitched at people building their own studios http://www.head-fi.org/f/62/meets-get-togethers-factory-tours http://www.head-fi.org/f/62/meets-get-togethers-factory-tour... here's buyer's guide also http://www.head-fi.org/a/2013-head-fi-summer-buying-guide-introduction http://www.head-fi.org/a/2013-head-fi-summer-buying-guide-in...

clarry 12y ago

Just keep in mind that the expensive and well regarded headphones aren't always the best for you. There's no best really, as far as subjective listening experience goes. I have the Sennheiser HD650s and AKG K701s. Used to have the HD595 also. I tend to prefer the latter for most music, as well as speech. The Senns I find more preferrable for movies and classical music. I also have an ancient pair of Grado SR-80s (or SR-60s?), which are by no means an expensive high-end headphone. But I still like their sound on some things. Other people prefer considerably bassier headphones and I can see how that is a valid preference, especially considering how some electronic music is mixed.. in fact, I wouldn't mind having such a pair for myself.

atwebb 12y ago
Absolutely agree, I was more wanting to point out to people not fully in the know that $500 was either an old price or a non-US price. I've got a nice set of GE monitors from probably the mid 70s and they sound fantastic for music that's not incredibly bass heavy and were a quarter so that was nice. Have you tested the Senn Momentums? They are closed and have a lot more low end than the 600/50s. I really liked them but, since I'm mostly alone at work, I went with the 650s.
fourk 12y ago
HD595s aren't worth buying directly. It's cheaper to buy HD555s and mod them. They have the exact same driver, with a piece of sound dampening material that can be removed. http://mikebeauchamp.com/misc/sennheiser-hd-555-to-hd-595-mod/ http://mikebeauchamp.com/misc/sennheiser-hd-555-to-hd-595-mo...
- aaronem 12y ago
  I'll note here that the Sennheiser 5x5 line has lately been replaced by the 5x8 line, which from all I've been able to gather is hardly different at all. I've got a pair of HD558s which I quite like; indeed, they're the best headphones I've ever owned. What I'm curious about is this: Can someone who's actually done the foam mod give me an idea of whether the result is worth the risk? I'm pretty sure I can complete the modification without damaging my headphones, but I'd like to know it's worth my while before I carry it out. Thanks in advance!

sturmeh 12y ago

I'd much rather stick with the Beyerdynamic DT990 PRO's that you can get for less than $150 USD.

dclowd9901 12y ago

Everyone has them, but my ATH-M50s blew those tests away. I had thought originally they were shitty because the music I listened to through them sounded like it would distort on occasion, but I'm pretty sure now it's just how poorly those songs are mixed, and the headphones were impartial observers, and they're right around the $100 mark.

aaronem 12y ago
Most popular music produced in the last twenty or so years has been horribly mismastered, with effectively no dynamic range whatsoever; once they're done smashing the shit out of it, the result consists of nothing but silence and peaks, which can easily produce distortion and clipping at any volume level high enough for the music to be audible at all. A lot of older music gets remastered the same way when it's re-released; this is one of the legitimate reasons for preferring vinyl, since you can be sure you won't find that problem on an LP. (Granted, you'll have to put up with Rice Krispies instead, but some find that preferable to trying to suffer through modern mastering, and I can't really say I blame them.)

driverdan 12y ago

If you want closed cans check out PSB M4U 1. They fold up for transport and are low impedance for use with phones, laptops, etc. Obviously they sound better with an amp but they still sound very good with a MBP's crappy DAC + amp. For $300 they're very hard to beat.

mattgreenrocks 12y ago
I've heard some people saying recent MBP's have very decent DAC's now. Not sure how true it is, but worth pointing out.
- dankoss 12y ago
  They most likely have the Cirrus CS4207, which is quite good. http://www.cirrus.com/en/products/cs4207.html http://www.cirrus.com/en/products/cs4207.html http://ifixit.org/blog/5515/macbook-pro-retina-15-teardown/ http://ifixit.org/blog/5515/macbook-pro-retina-15-teardown/

wazoox 12y ago

I have a pair of Sony CD-1700 and they're really wonderful headphones, I love them. Light, comfortable, and great sound (hardly distinguishable from the CD-3000, quite close to the Sennheiser 600 but more aerial and comfortable). Probably bought 15 to 18 years ago.

fuzzix 12y ago

I own Grado this and Sennheiser that, even a decent pair of JVC the other, but one of my favourite, best sounding and most comfortable sets is my Superlux HD681s. €20. I believe they use the same drivers (and superficial design) as AKG K240s. In this case, they passed the tests reasonably well I think. Great frequency response (cut in at the limits of my hearing), no rattle, all the rest... I might put together a few sets for this test, though I suspect the Grados will fail rattle :)

notacoward 12y ago
I have a pair of HD681s that I was using until just a moment ago. The sound isn't as good as my Shure SRH440s, but for 1/3 the price and greater comfort they're sure (heh) close enough. Great value, indeed.

abhn 12y ago

650s require a decent amp to get the most out of. More $$$