Headphone Audiophiles - Page 29

I've been busy with laptops, but now here reading this thread for closed headphone ideas.

Arny mentioned Sennheiser 280s or HD 380s, which are fully sealed closed ear types, in post 787 above. Of these the Sennheiser HD 380 Pro looked interesting and gets many "comfortable" comments. Amazon had a used (like new) Sennheiser HD 380 Pro Collapsible for $99 + $7 shipping, and I went with that just today. IMO $106 to get a real sample is better than all the reading you can possibly do.

Anyway while reading Amazon's owner reviews, one guy (Jerry Alessandro) bought both the HD 380 Pro *and* Shure SRH840, and titled his June 6, 2010 review "Sennheiser HD 380 pro Versus Competition"

Since a pair of SRH840 is more money, I figured I'd wait until I make up my mind on how much I like the HD 380 Pro as it likely offers the three main things I want: comfort, decent sound, enough isolation that nearby people won't be bothered by me playing music on my laptop computer.

But the point of that review by Jerry Alessandro is that he mentions many closed headphones. It's on the 1st page of reviews for the HD 380 Pro at: http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-380-Pro-Collapsible-Professional/product-reviews/B001UE6I0G/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

I am planning on getting some decent headphones soon. I would love some enthusiast input. I currently have a nice HT setup with definitive technology speakers, an HSU VTF-15H sub-woofer, and an Denon 3313ci AVR. After running audyssey room calibration I did raise the bass from -3.0db to +1.0db. I tell you this to give you an idea of what I prefer. I also chose definitive technology speakers rather than klipsch due to the cleanliness of the sound. In my opinion the klipsch (rf-62 system) sounded boxy and dull in the highs, almost muffled. Of course this is opinion but I tell you for the sake of my preferences. I have been thinking about getting the Denon AH-D600's. I like the brand, I like the way the cables can detach and use the shorter travel style cable or the longer studio like cable. I have read that these headphones have a litter hotter bass than some with clean highs witch I like both. If anything a couple reviews said they were a little short in the mids but that was in comparison to Denon's top of the line over $1,000 headphones. But again if I had to sacrifice anything it would be a little midrange. Again this is my preference. So I have been researching as I always do and am looking at all of these other brands you all mention on here. Any recommendations?

Also I am trying to ask myself, 'Will it be that much of a difference compared to another brand for about $200? I see a bunch on Amazon for this range.

http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-Custom-One-Pro-Black/dp/B008XEYT48/ref=sr_1_45?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1361649387&sr=1-45

http://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-Crossfade-Over-Ear-Noise-Isolating-Headphone/dp/B00A39PPDK/ref=sr_1_33?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1361653472&sr=1-33

http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-770-PRO-250-ohms/dp/B0006NL5SM/ref=sr_1_27?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1361653501&sr=1-27

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-558-Headphones/dp/B004FEEY9A/ref=sr_1_29?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1361653526&sr=1-29

http://www.amazon.com/AKG-K702-Headphones/dp/B001RCD2DW/ref=sr_1_40?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1361653579&sr=1-40

http://www.amazon.com/AKG-240-Stereo-Studio-Headphones/dp/B0016MNBAM/ref=sr_1_50?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1361653597&sr=1-50

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-HDJ-1500-K-Professional-DJ-Headphones/dp/B007TCFJD0/ref=sr_1_78?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1361653679&sr=1-78

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PXC-350-Cancellation-Headphone/dp/B000OOZVD8/ref=sr_1_204?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1361653912&sr=1-204

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PXC-350-Cancellation-Headphone/dp/B000OOZVD8/ref=sr_1_204?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1361653912&sr=1-204

Anyway you get the point. I'm just trying to figure if it is necessary to spend a little more. Thanks all!

^^
I own AKG K702s and I would guess you wouldn't be happy with them if you want very strong bass. They do have tight bass and plenty of it when used with the right amplification not sure if your Denon's headphone jack qualifies--the headphone amp in my Denon 4310 doesn't show these phones at their best), but it's not the deepest bass you'll get compared to some other headphones.

Dont forget to consider the Sennheiser HD-598's!

The new Denon AH-D600's get some overall excellent comments/reviews at Amazon.

If my new Sennheiser HD 380 Pros don't turn out to my liking, I'll likely get a pair of Shure SRH840 or SRH940 headphones because they also get excellent reviews, cost less money than the Denon AH-D600, and are somewhat more portable.

But what I pick is based on my interest in isolation and portability for use with a laptop, and also note that my "amp" is a puny under-powered NuForce uDAC-2 which runs off of power from the USB connecting cable.

Then consider the Ultrasone Pro 900. I heard it has great bass and over time the highs get tamer. Its 295 currently. Dont know if you want to stretch it to that. Theres the Ultrasone Pro 700s as well for lower. But 900 is better for the money.

2nd response, and yes I'm a mild headphone enthusiast.

My own reading of Amazon owner comments/reviews on the Denon AH-D600 is that it is likely one of the few safer high-end headphone purchases, provided you want isolation. Short of isolation, my vote goes to either Sennheiser 650 or 600, both of which I already own.

But I'm looking for a *portable* headphone, which the Denon AH-D600 is not.

Odd comment. I especially wouldn't sacrifice mid-range, nor treble.

I might sacrifice bass, but you don't have to do that with Denon AH-D600 headphones as the Denon closed headphones (including Denon AH-D600) are well noted for having good bass.

My own take of Denon AH-D600 is that it offers excellent highs and mids *and* bass.

Such a deal!

It just isn't portable.

FWIW my "like new" purchase of the cheaper and very compact Sennheiser HD 380 Pro headphones showed up yesterday.

I can't stand them.

This is with my main acid test of male vocals like the CD of Bocelli"s "Andrea" and also Groban's "Awake"

If anyone thinks these 2 CD's are poorly recorded, and not worth using as an acid test, kindly comment!

My goal is to get vastly better isolated and portable sound from my laptop computers (Lenovo X220 and T530), with an already ordered NuForce uDAC-2 DAC/amp which I expect to show up today or tomorrow in the mail.

Odds are that I'll try buying either a Shure 840 or 940 (both very portable) in the not too distant future.

^Well gents I just placed an order for the Denon's! AH-D600's here by sat. It was an option for an extra 8 dollars with Amazon prime for the quick shipping. I decided to just go for it. I am selling my MacBook pro tomm to a friend so I justified it that way. I am not discouraged by them not being as portable as some. After all you can put them on your head and walk out of the house with them on. But I understand the portability desire of the more flexible phones...I was thinking of adding the fiio E17 soon after. Any thoughts on that little portable headphone amp/dac? I am new to the headphone world. Lots of people seem to like that little fiio.

Sure, thats what I hear. I kinda see them as the Emotiva of the headphone world. Less expensive chinese manufactured amp. If you do end up deciding on them, you can get them for 129 at jr.com with coupon code MADNESS.
About the Denon, I guess you were pretty much set on it to begin with. I hope you like it. The Ultrasone pro 900 I had recommended earlier went on a sale yesterday for 199. It could have been a good buy, given it doesnt need an amp necessarily.
Enjoy your new headphones!

Well the Denons are nice. The app makes them 10 times better. You can customize your EQ line and save numerous presets. It really tailors to your liking.

Does anyone know how to post a pic from an ipad

You cant.

Here is what appears to be a heck of a deal on some great-sounding headphones:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SENNHEISER-HD380-HD-380-STEREO-HEADPHONES-AUTHORIZED-DEALER-FULL-WARRANTY-/130855035018?pt=US_Headphones&hash=item1e7791608a

My pair showed up yesterday and they appear to be just fine, if a little weak on documentation.

Just for info, ADGtron is DAKmart and DAHmart (aka: Drew Alan Kaplan, for those of us old enough to remember getting DAK catalogs in the mail).

They sell a wide selection of new and refurbished Sennheiser headphones and are an authorized dealer, although their online reputation is a bit sketchy depending on who you talk to.

Interesting. I do remember DAk's first ads. I don't think I've ever bought anything from them before, but who knows?

No matter what, this doesn't detract from the fact that HD 380s seem to sound nice and are pretty comfortable.

I've placed any number of refurbed 280s into the hands of even teenaged musicians at church over the years with no problems.

Hey Arny, not that you're a newbie (LOL!) or anything like that, but welcome to the Sennheiser headphone club.

My own take is that while Sennheiser HD 380 Pro headphones are OK+ on comfort and excellent on being somewhat portable, they fall well short on sound quality.

And I'm a Sennheiser fan (owning and loving HD600 and HD650), so you can't call me biased! (again LOL!)

FWIW my own take is that there is no one single headphone that is "perfect" for all good recordings.

Ive never heard the 380 (or 280). I think the HD 598 and HD 600 are the sweet spot in the lineup for "bang for the buck," but both cost more the the 380 and they are open.

The 380 being a closed headphone certainly has its place. There's also the HD 4xx series which I personally haven't heard but has good reviews.

Oh, I guess now's a good time to mention that I ordered a pair of HD 800's over the weekend. Expected arrival on Monday

For about $55 more you can get a brand new HD-380 pro at amazon, plus accessories include a detachable, 3.2-foot coiled cable (extendable up to 9.8 ft.), a carrying case, and a screw-type 1/4" (6.3 mm) jack adapter.

ss.


I am sure you will like the HD-800's big soundstage.
With the HD-800 I like my WA5 LE with my WE-300B's, TSRP 6SN7GT's and EL-5U4G. Really controls the highs, low's and mids, plus adds to the soundstage depth.

ss

I'm not a tube fan, but I do have high hopes for them. I'll report back on how I like them.

I received my HD800's on Monday. It's a very impressive headphone...that unfortunately doesn't play well with my Carver Receiver. Same issue with every Sennheiser headphone I've owned - bloated bass and muddy midrange.

I borrowed a friend's Burson HA-160D for a few days and the HD800's sounded noticeably cleaner and punchier.

Deciding now whether to buy an amp and DAC to properly enjoy the HD800's or stick with my Denon's and send the Sennheisers back.

A headphone of that quality can sure use a dedicated headphone amp. I'd go that route.

That is unfortunate, I have the 600's and they sound great using an iPad and a Pioneer VSX-23 AVR.

I don't normally use headphones, but I've noticed that my HD598s do not sound great through my Marantz AVR -- same problem, bloated bass/muddy mids that sound unfocused. They sound much better through my audioengine D1. I briefly tried them through my new HK3390 and it sounded great, IMO the best of the bunch.

The issue is probably that your receiver doesn't have a "Low Z" or "0-ohm" headphone output. Many older receivers - and even some newer ones - could have a headphone output in excess of 100 ohms!

The output impedance should be 1/8th or less your headphone impedance and ideally 10 ohms or less. You might want to try something like the O2 Amplifier which offers very good performance at a reasonably low price.

Headphone amps I have owned include the Objective2, Violectric V90, Schiit Asgard, and NuForce Icon HD. I had a Schiit Lyr and Burson HA-160 on loan over the weekend and the HD800/Burson combination sounded very good. Unfortunately, although I wish it did, the HD800 does not sound good with the O2 - I think it simply lacks sufficient power (voltage).

I do believe impedance is probably part of the issue with the Carver, but I also think there's more to impedance matching than just the 1/8th rule. For example, if the 300Ω (nominal) Sennheisers sound bad because the Carver has a high output impedance, then my 25Ω Denon AH-D7000's (25 Ohm) should sound dreadful - yet they don't. The Denons have tight punchy bass, smooth clear midrange, and sparkly treble. Actually, the Denon's sound virtually the same through every amp I've tried with them (including unamped plugged directly into my Sansa Clip).

What I believe is that some headphones do not rely on electrical damping (factor) to control driver movement. Apparently, the Sennheisers do at least to some degree (related to their crazy mid-bass impedance hump, I suspect). And yet pairing them with a low Z output amplifier does not guarantee good results. I don't know enough about the subject to figure it out...

I have a friend visiting this Saturday bringing his Violectric V200 and Woo Audio WA7 for more fun and games!
Edited by palmfish - 3/14/13 at 11:44pm

I'm not at all surprised. The HD800's (and all my other headphones) actually sound quite decent through my Pioneer AVR. Not great, but with no obvious frequency response anomalies.

Newer receivers (such as our Pioneers), for the most part, have seperate (discrete) headphone sections (usually opamp driven). Older vintage amps (like my Carver), on the other hand, power headphones off the main (speaker) amp with resistors to step down the power.

The HD 800s are relatively sensitive headphones - they only need 0.242Vrms / 0.16mW to reach 90dBspl. The O2 shouldn't break a sweat driving the HD800.

If you don't like the sound of the HD800 through the O2, I suspect you just don't like the sound of the HD800, as the O2 is about as neutral as you can get.
It doesn't mean they should sound dreadful, just that they don't sound as designed - though some headphones will sound awful.

The Denon frequency response does seem less affected by impedance than the HD800 does though, but there are other effects from impedance mismatches as well.

The HD-800's are a great headphone but none of your amp choices are right for the HD-800's. With the amps your are using or on loan with the HD-800's is like having a race horse pulling a wagon. However there are other things to take into consideration, like your source material and to a lessor extent your DAC.

ss

It may lack gain for your situation, but it is very unlikely to lack sufficient power given its relatively high internal supply voltages and the high impedance of the HD 600s.