list of headphones

[Skillfulkmmd]

Hey guys i was looking at getting my first pair of decent headphones but im at a struggel of which one I should get so I figured you guys could help me.

 

the choice is between:

 

1. Sennheiser HD 558

2. Sennheiser HD 595

3. Beyerdynamics DT880s

4. Sennheiser 25-1 II addidas orginals

 

and I'm also open to suggestions from the community around the price range of 100 to 250

 

thanks in advance

 

[KingStyles]

What type of amp will you be using to run them or are you going to be just using them from your laptop or ipod? Also, what type of music do you listen to? This info might help us narrow down the field.

 

[Panelhead]

Dr Dre Beats. Made by Monster Cable.

 

[Skillfulkmmd]

Im going to pick an amp latter down the road, as even just the headphones are going to sound amazing as i've never had decent ones. And as you may guess im not to up on what amps are good so that's another reason I'm yet to pick one. Moving on Ill be use it on my pc for home and my rooted HTC desire HD for when im on the move having rooted means I have the beats by dr dre audio driver and im also able to use dsp manager which gives much better audio control. and finally I listen to mostly electronic music which would include Pendulum, the prodigy, DJ fresh, Nero, Daft Punk, the qemists and more like that.

 

thanks in advance.

 

[HiFiInsider]

DT880 is my pick. Get Beats of you like how it looks, but if you want headphones for sound get the Beyer DT880.

 

[Skillfulkmmd]

I would never buy a pair of beats after all ive heard about them. Im just going to get the most recomended or the most picked, thanks for the current feedback.

 

[bikemig]

Actually whether you get an amp or not matters because some headphones won't work well without one. If you want something easy to drive (you won't need an amp and it will work fine with an ipod or the headphone out from your laptop) and sounds great, get the audio technica ATH AD700: http://www.amazon.com/Technica-ATH-AD700-Open-air-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B000CMS0XU

 

[AudioDoctor]

There are many great Grado headphones at that price range, the SR-80i are $100 and are great headphones, easy to drive as well, can be plugged into an iPod or a computer and easily get enough juice.

 

[Skillfulkmmd]

Do you need to drive sennheiser hd series or are they good without?

 

[AudioDoctor]

that the Sennheisers require more current than the outputs straight from a computer or iPod are able to give. So yes, for optimum sound an external amp would be required.

 

[sandyk]

AudioDoctor

I would add this :

International standard IEC61938 specifies that headphones should be driven by a 120 ohm source, regardless of headphone impedance.Many, but not all,(AKG K701, ATH W1000 are a couple of examples) headphones are designed for optimum performance under these conditions.

To drive these headphones optimally, you will normally need a proper headphone amplifier with suitable voltage rails and current drive capabilities.

Unfortunately, not all manufacturers are forthcoming with the required information as to suitable source impedance.

SandyK

 

 

[dointhefish]

The DT880s are rated at 250 ohms so your PC may not be able to drive them alone. Consider getting a amp to go with them. The Dennon AH-D2000 are 32 ohms, have a great low end response and will sound good w/ just you PC's audio out.

 

Checkout www.headphone.com for what is possibly the best online selection. You can try all their stuff for 30 days and return w/o risk. Good luck.

 

Andrew

 

[bikemig]

That's not quite right. The Beyer DT 880s come in three flavors: 32 ohm, 250 ohm, and 600. You'd be fine without an amp with the 32 ohm version. The sennheiser 595 HD don't need an amp either. I like them a lot but for my money I'd get the AT AD700s; that's a matter of taste and your mileage will likely vary.

 

[Skillfulkmmd]

Well IM now worried about having them mainly for my phone I am going to have to get a pair that my phone can drive or a set of cans with a portable amp.

 

There are way to many to pickfrom.

 

[bikemig]

Well there are a lot of pretty good choices. If you want them for your phone, then you are looking for something you can walk around. Do you want closed or open (or semi-open) cans? The ATH AD700s, which I recommended earlier, are probably not the best for traveling with since they are difficult to pack. For travel (which is why I assume you want them to work with your phone), I'd go with the Audio Technica ath-m50. They're closed (so noise doesn't leak out) and come in a pretty decent carry bag since they fold up. They are fairly easy to drive and should work well with your phone (you can always get an inexpensive amp if you like). Google the ath-m50s; they get a ton of positive reviews: http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B000ULAP4U

 

[scobek]

from Dr Dre.

 

[Skillfulkmmd]

So much choice LOL I,m not sure what to get. I would like to go to a shop and try before I buy as from the looks of this thread it comes down to preference.

 

[Panelhead]

My daughter asked for a pair of the noise canceling Beats for Christmas. I could not believe they are 300.00. Found her something nice at Fry's for a 1/10 of that. She uses them when playing electronic drums.

If you are close to an Apple store go there to demo. They have lots on display and it makes it easy to see how they work with a phone.

My son decided on a set of Skull Candy buds. But may be looks or name that he went for. Not sure he really cares about SQ. His iTunes folder is all 128K MP3.

The wife got a set of AKG K311 for her iPhone today. These sound fine. Better than the Skull Candy and Dr Dre models.

I have not purchased a set of headphones for myself since the early 80's. Just do not like wearing them.

 

George

 

[DigiPete]

Sennheiser HD-25-1 II is an old classic.

Linear and crystal clear as they should be.

 

They are quite popular amongst DJ's and for use in other noisy areas (traffic, cities, workplaces etc.).

They sound great driven by an iPhone.

 

They come in two versions: 70 and 600 ohms.

Phones can only drive the 70 ohm type.

 

The sound and build quality is great.

Street credit is low and so it the risk of theft.

Sound dampening and wearing comfort is high.

 

I love mine and I take them everywhere.

The Addidas version is technically the same but adds street credit, risk of theft and price.

 

Highly recomended!

 

 

PS. Sennheiser makes a large variety of "HD 25" models.

"HD 25-1 II" is the one to go for!

Alternatively "HD 25-1 C II" if you prefer coiled cable

 

[Dj]

Thanks for the correction DigiPete. My HD-25 is the 70 Ohm version and I have used it with both HTC touch and iPhone with good results.

 

[Dj]

Sennheiser HD-25 has a few different versions. If you decide for one take the 30 Ohm [edit: 70 Ohm] version of it. Your phone will drive it easily. You can get a decent headphone amp later if you have some money.

 

I would take the black version of it because that blue addidas headphone toy will bore you after a while These Headphones are good and will last you for 5 to 10 years. I have had one for at least 5 years and using it every day at work and it still rocks.

 

[DigiPete]

Also check out the AIAIAI TMA-1 headphones, if you would like something awesome and sounding great with a mike for use with the phone.

 

[DomieMic65]

+1 for the HD 25-1-II

Even though I don't own them I had the opportunity to hear my brothers for a few days now on Christmas vacation and I can understand 100% why they are so highly regarded!

I drove them with an iPod Mini 4gen (alac & mp3) + LOD cable + cMoyBB v2.03 and they sounded very very good!

More upfront presentation -something I like- than my AKG's K271mkII i had with me, with better bass (through cMoy wich isn't the most powerful amp for the very insensitive K271mkII).

I wish I will get a pair sometime!!! Great!!!

They are sensitive enough so I wouldn't worry about the 70 ohm impedance!!

 

No I wouldn't like to trade them with any of my K's but that's another story...

 

[eeyoredave]

Have the DT880 (600R) and the AD700. Firstly, the AD700 only comes in metallic purple. Secondly, I recommend that you select you system, which will probably include a headphone amp, based on the headphone first. Choose the one you like the sound and price of, and then work backwards. The amp will be different for each headphone. I find the DT880 very detailed, crisp and analytical. I find the AD700 a little more 'mushy', but more musical. It isn't as revealing. Can't say about the others. If you can find one within your price range, I'd recommend the HD650, as it is (to my ears) a perfectly well balanced headphone; warm, musical and revealing.

 

On the note of headphone choice, I seriously recommend that you consider comfort. Based on head shape, ear size, listnening position, etc. I currently used a pair of EM4, which are custom moulded to my inner ear, and they are by far the most comfortable I have used. The HD650 was better for me than the DT880 (mainly cause I have big ears...).

 

If you do decide on the DT880, you need to pick the impedance. Basically, the lower the impedance, it requires more current and less voltage, and the higher the impedance, the more voltage is required. I chose the 600r version, cause almost all of my headphone amps are tube amps, and they are able to produce more voltage easier than current. Whereas solid state devices are better at pushing out more current. that is why some high end headphone amps, like the Violectric and the SPL Phonitor operate at 60V+. Also, that is why portable audio headphones are almsot always low impedance, cause they can't really provide the voltage to drive higher impedance cans. Hope that helps.

 

[senmurv76]

Basically, the lower the impedance, it requires more current and less voltage, and the higher the impedance, the more voltage is required

 

With lower impedenace I agree current levels increase, but wouldn't the overall voltage levels remain the same?