Recommend me some headphones - Page 4

The electrostatic Senns are kind of an acquired taste, especially with respect to the lack of body, which the 580/600/650s have in spades, and perhaps too much for some tastes. I have a pair of baby Orpheus (HE60 + HEV70) for which I would someday like to get a tube amp to perhaps solve the body issue, but the idea of putting 600V across my head with some random DIY person's design is not appealing.

If you want electrostatic cans, the Stax sound is a bit closer to mainstream stuff, but still with that electrostatic sound.

--Andre

i have ath-w5000 with x-can v8, i recommend the x-can v8-- it is a tube amp with a digital audio converter in one small compact package that sits nicely on the desk, and i've heard good things about it with denon d2000/5000/7000

It has a laser, it reads the disk. It has a DAC, it converts it to audio. (Or it has a digital output, and you use a DAC on a component upstream.) I can't tell you the last time I actually spun a digital disk for the purpose of listening to music, though. For me, it's all Apple Lossless via my music server and Apple Airport Express at home, and iPod at AAC160 in the car. Last time I bought a CD in a store, which was In Rainbows, to give you an idea of how long ago it was (usually I go through Amazon) I literally ripped it in my car on my MacBook and sync'ed my iPod. And fair point, Andre, on the occasionally excessive "body" of the Senn 580/etc. line. I doubt a tube amp would improve things any, especially given that the Orpheus amp is tubed. An EQ seems a likelier route.

Allow me to put in a humble word for the Koss PortaPros:

Best $40 I've ever spent + lifetime warranty.

Bonus points for the ironic '80s look (if you're going for that).

That series of Koss is really quite good. I've owned a number of them, basically all of the earclip models that use those drivers (KSC-35, KSC-50, KSC-75), and used to use them for working out and such. Durability was never a strong suit, but they're so cheap that who cares?

I did write "used to," though. Of late, my workout headphones have been Senn PMX100's, which sound quite similar and have much higher build quality.

Portable use: Senn HD280 Pro. I always just wrap the cord around my neck or hang it off my shoulders.

Home use: Grado SR225. I would never take these outside due to the fact that they are both expensive, "open" headphones. Great bass.

I've heard good things about the new iPod headphones. Has anyone tried them?

You're probably right, but I can't help but wonder. I have a HeadRoom Supreme from the early 90s when they were still putting headphone-specific EQ in them, and it makes every headphone sound like the greatest headphones ever.

--Andre

That HeadRoom Supreme sounds like fun. Wish they still did that. It would give me a reason to upgrade from my ca. 1999 Total AirHead. And speaking of "body" in headphones, I thought the '580s had a lot, but my new Denon AH-D2000's are absolutely spanking 'em in that regard. (My IEM's were getting uncomfortable for library sessions, so I needed some decent closed cans.) They're very smooth through the midbass and lower mids, maybe even a touch more so than the 580s, but oh my there are a lot of those frequencies there. So far I really like them, but I wonder what I'll think of them after using them to study for 6 hours a day for a month...

Has anyone tried either the Denon AH-D5000 or AH-D7000? How do they compare to these?

Sony MDR-7506 Bought these for music production back when I was really into that... Great studio quality headphones that you'll notice most pro's use... Price range is around $100-130.

Recs for a closed back headphone $250 and under? Doesn't need insane isolation, just needs to be able to block out a reasonable amount of sound with music on. Also can't leak sound, this is probably the most important part... I'm bringing these to my dorm+listening on the plane+library. I own a pair of SR80i's and I LOVE the upfront sound and clarity. I understand this really isn't all that possible with a closed back, but as long as its not toooo laid back or bass heavy I'm good. I'm looking at the AT-ESW9. Looks purddyy and is nice and compact.

There is a $150 Audio Technica but I forget the numbers. I like the Beyerdynamic cans in this price range too. Also check out Denon.

A reliable site for suggestions is the Headroom page. www.headphone.com

http://www.headphone.com/selection-g...headphones.php

ATH-ESW9. Best headphones I've ever had for $200 bucks. One complaint I have is they press against my ears a bit, so they get sore and hurt after prolonged use.

Also check out: http://www.innerfidelity.com/