Looking to make my first headphone upgrade and could use your collective wisdom. Started out with Goldring DR 150, which I still really like a lot. When I got these some 10 or so years back, I also listened to an AKG 240 of some sort and Senn. 595. The 150's sounded as good as the Senn., even though the 595 were just shy of twice the price. The 240's struck me as flat and lifeless at the time. The 150 sounds neutral in terms of EQ but full. I think the comfort and performance are well worth the $150 I paid at the time. These were the only things available for audition in my area, which is Grand Rapids, MI area.
Fast forward to now. Plug in ear cup of 'phones broke, and while I have the parts to fix them easily, maybe it is time for an additional pair. If I'm going to get an additional pair, perhaps an upgrade would be in order. They will be used both at home and in the studio, but studio work will be their most important job. At home they will be driven by a receiver or integrated amp, and sometimes a two year old MacBook Pro laptop. In the studio they will be plugged into one of the station's elderly but still very functional boards, (power unknown) for broadcasting/monitoring and production/editing. No mixing/mastering. Budget is 300-ish, but I don't feel obligated to spend all of that. I would go to 400 for the right thing, and might be able to be convinced to do 500 for a truly exceptional performer. I think 300 is reasonable for what I need.
Non-negotiables:
open or semi-open -I cue through the 'phones, and need to hear the monitors at the same time
flat EQ -for obvious reasons
comfortable -generally worn for about 5-6 hours, sometimes as many as 8 at a stretch
circumaural -same as above
Negotiables:
prefer removable/replaceable cord -hard wired phones may be considered, but will be modded for removable cord immediately upon expiration of warranty
prefer single sided cable -that is what I have now and find it easy to manage/keep out of the way in studio; two sided seems like an unnecessary complication more for home use. Any reason to reconsider that opinion?
The only things I've listened to this time, so far that I would actually consider are the BeyerDynamic DT 990 (250 ohm?), liked them quite a lot, but they are not substantially better than what I've got. If I had heard these last time around I might have had a harder time choosing.
Listened to several things I won't be getting, just to get a basis for comparison:
AKG 240 (55 ohm) sounded very good for $80, but not as good as what I already have
Beyer DT 770 closed back and sounded like it, no thanks
Yamaha HPH MT7 closed back but very nice
V-Moda Crossfade LP 2 closed back, okay
V-Moda Crossfade M-100 closed back, pretty good
Senn. HD 280 closed back, not good, not even a deal at $80, utterly lifeless
Grado RS1 truly awesome, but $700 is a bit much
Below are what I'm hoping y'all can help me chose between. Are there things not on this list that are worth considering, given my criteria? There is no chance of hearing these without buying them first. No one here carries them in an actual store. If someone lives around here and will let me audition something, I'll bring beer.
Senn. HD600 or 650, or 598/599- leaning toward the 600 based on what I've read and having spent 5 minutes with them once
HiFiMan HE 400I or maybe 400S- leaning toward the I based on what I've read
Philips Fidelio X2- many enthusiastic reviews
AKG 701/702/712- classic sound, classic look
That's everything I've got. All feedback on the above is welcome, especially with regard to things I've missed and should be considering. Thanks very much in advance everyone, I genuinely appreciate the help.
Fast forward to now. Plug in ear cup of 'phones broke, and while I have the parts to fix them easily, maybe it is time for an additional pair. If I'm going to get an additional pair, perhaps an upgrade would be in order. They will be used both at home and in the studio, but studio work will be their most important job. At home they will be driven by a receiver or integrated amp, and sometimes a two year old MacBook Pro laptop. In the studio they will be plugged into one of the station's elderly but still very functional boards, (power unknown) for broadcasting/monitoring and production/editing. No mixing/mastering. Budget is 300-ish, but I don't feel obligated to spend all of that. I would go to 400 for the right thing, and might be able to be convinced to do 500 for a truly exceptional performer. I think 300 is reasonable for what I need.
Non-negotiables:
open or semi-open -I cue through the 'phones, and need to hear the monitors at the same time
flat EQ -for obvious reasons
comfortable -generally worn for about 5-6 hours, sometimes as many as 8 at a stretch
circumaural -same as above
Negotiables:
prefer removable/replaceable cord -hard wired phones may be considered, but will be modded for removable cord immediately upon expiration of warranty
prefer single sided cable -that is what I have now and find it easy to manage/keep out of the way in studio; two sided seems like an unnecessary complication more for home use. Any reason to reconsider that opinion?
The only things I've listened to this time, so far that I would actually consider are the BeyerDynamic DT 990 (250 ohm?), liked them quite a lot, but they are not substantially better than what I've got. If I had heard these last time around I might have had a harder time choosing.
Listened to several things I won't be getting, just to get a basis for comparison:
AKG 240 (55 ohm) sounded very good for $80, but not as good as what I already have
Beyer DT 770 closed back and sounded like it, no thanks
Yamaha HPH MT7 closed back but very nice
V-Moda Crossfade LP 2 closed back, okay
V-Moda Crossfade M-100 closed back, pretty good
Senn. HD 280 closed back, not good, not even a deal at $80, utterly lifeless
Grado RS1 truly awesome, but $700 is a bit much
Below are what I'm hoping y'all can help me chose between. Are there things not on this list that are worth considering, given my criteria? There is no chance of hearing these without buying them first. No one here carries them in an actual store. If someone lives around here and will let me audition something, I'll bring beer.
Senn. HD600 or 650, or 598/599- leaning toward the 600 based on what I've read and having spent 5 minutes with them once
HiFiMan HE 400I or maybe 400S- leaning toward the I based on what I've read
Philips Fidelio X2- many enthusiastic reviews
AKG 701/702/712- classic sound, classic look
That's everything I've got. All feedback on the above is welcome, especially with regard to things I've missed and should be considering. Thanks very much in advance everyone, I genuinely appreciate the help.
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