Headphones

[bluemeanies]

GreenKiwi...Thank you. I am not ready right now to make a purchase. Probably sometime next month since my birthday is July1.
I am hoping not to have to buy a HP amp as my purchasing power is only $300-400 and I want the emphasis of my purchasing power to go to the headphones. I would not want to buy something like headphones even if they are returnable. One reason is automatically if the HP do not sit well on the old dome I am not interested no matter how they sound. I think you would agree that being comfortable is a MAIN point.
There are two Home Audio stores that I deal with that are close by as well as BB.
I not a big fan of BB since there help there is mostly uninformed to the degree that I think they should when selling audio products. This is not to say I am a snob, or have the Bullwinkle idea that I know it all. I was less than satisfied when looking at a Mitsubishi projector that was for sale. I knew more then the sales-person.

Thanks again

[GreenKiwi]

I'm not a huge fan of BB either... but the one near me did have the HD598, 650 and 700... the last of which, I hadn't heard or seen elsewhere. So I find it a good place to at least go in and look.

[bootman]

With your budget get the 325i or even better the MS2.

www.alessandro-products.com/main.php?p=headphones

Yes they are made by Grado but voiced flatter for pro use.

[sahmen]

Talking about reading reviews, here's a resource you might find invaluable: I mean David Mahler's in-depth comparative reviews of several major "flagship" headphones.  There are a  total of 58 such evaluations, and they'll make a nice read while you ponder and await your decision:

www.head-fi.org/t/634201/battle-of-the-flagships-58-headphones-compared-update-audeze-lcd-2-revision-2-6-4-13

[bluemeanies]

sahmen...thanks MORE reading material...LOL
Seriously guys thanks for all of the information. I have a lot to work with and good advice. It is going to take some time to genuinely review all of this info and I have a busy schedule upcoming.
Not giving excuses. It's just I have to prioritize. I have some very important home projects to take care of including TAXES. Yes you read right taxes.

Let me slap myself for moaning.
Thanks again everyone.

[bootman]

Jun 11, 2014 11:32:22 GMT -5 Boomzilla said:

I don't like headphones. I've never found any pair that was comfortable on my ears for more than about 15 minutes. I've tried in-ear, on-ear, and over-ear; I liked none. I have a Musical Fidelity headphone amp that sounds pretty good, but I'm still not spending any time listening to phones. Just me...

Even a Beyerdynamic DT-990 or DT-880?
They are (to me at least) the closest thing to wearing pillowed cans.
If you haven't yet tried a pair I suggest you do.

Try the Beyerdynamic DT-990-Pro-250 for $140 and a nice tube headphone amp (that X-Can will do nicely) and see if they change your mind.

[DYohn]

Also in the $300 price range see if you can audition some Sennheiser HD 598s.

[Boomzilla]

Jun 13, 2014 8:25:28 GMT -5 bootman said:

Even a Beyerdynamic DT-990 or DT-880? They are (to me at least) the closest thing to wearing pillowed cans. If you haven't yet tried a pair I suggest you do.

Thank you, Bootman - I may do so.

[bluemeanies]

I just received my Sound and Vision magazine and by coinsodence on the front cover was EARTOPIA a small collection of headphones both for mobile and the finer art of listening at home ambiance for private listeners. The headphones in here are from the cheap ( price) to moderate to what I would call the ridiculous base on what I want to spend and what I can afford.
Here is a list of some of these headphones along with prices in the event there are others out there considering to buy cans in the nearby future.

Bose QuietComfort 15 ($300)

PSB M4 2 ($400)

HIFIMAN RE-600S ($400)

Emotiv Research hf5 ($149)

Beyerdynamic DX 160 ie ($119)...HEY BOOTMAN

JVC HA-RX700 ($60)

Audio Technical ATH-M50 ($199)

Nad Viso HP 50 ($299)

Sony MDR-7506 ($130)

Beyerdynamic T 51p ($289)...HEY BOOTMAN

Philips Fidelio X1 ($399)

AKG K812 ($1500)

Audeze ($1799)

Two items that I was surprised to see was a headphone amplifier from McIntosh for a mere $4500, also which I was happy to see but thus far have not read any details about is that OPPO is introducing their Headphones and Headphone ampifier the

HA-1 Headphone Amplifier and the ($1199)
PM-1 Planar Magnetic Headphones ($1,099)

I would.d like to take this combination for a test drive.
Just how much should one spend for a good sounding, reliable, well built pair of cans and an amplifier? After reading about some of these products I feel like putting my tail between my legs and going home.
The prices at times are discouraging to make a good decision. Perhaps I will keep putting my money in the piggy bank until I feel comfortable that I am able to buy something worth the cost and considered good headphones.

[GreenKiwi]

I've seen the Senn 598s on sale at very good prices.

[bootman]

Jun 16, 2014 9:51:17 GMT -5 bluemeanies said:

I just received my Sound and Vision magazine and by coinsodence on the front cover was EARTOPIA a small collection of headphones both for mobile and the finer art of listening at home ambiance for private listeners. The headphones in here are from the cheap ( price) to moderate to what I would call the ridiculous base on what I want to spend and what I can afford.
Here is a list of some of these headphones along with prices in the event there are others out there considering to buy cans in the nearby future.

Bose QuietComfort 15 ($300)

PSB M4 2 ($400)

HIFIMAN RE-600S ($400)

Emotiv Research hf5 ($149)

Beyerdynamic DX 160 ie ($119)...HEY BOOTMAN

JVC HA-RX700 ($60)

Audio Technical ATH-M50 ($199)

Nad Viso HP 50 ($299)

Sony MDR-7506 ($130)

Beyerdynamic T 51p ($289)...HEY BOOTMAN

Philips Fidelio X1 ($399)

AKG K812 ($1500)

Audeze ($1799)

Two items that I was surprised to see was a headphone amplifier from McIntosh for a mere $4500, also which I was happy to see but thus far have not read any details about is that OPPO is introducing their Headphones and Headphone ampifier the

HA-1 Headphone Amplifier and the ($1199)
PM-1 Planar Magnetic Headphones ($1,099)

I would.d like to take this combination for a test drive.

For the Beyerdynamic get the 990 pro I linked above from Amazon for $140

If you are looking for an IEM then my vote from this list would be the Ety hf5.

Now if your budget allows, that HIFIMAN is supposed to be really nice but I haven't had the chance to listen to one yet.

I have listened to the Beyer's (both 880 and 990) and Etymotic HF5.

[restless]

I just read in Tone Magazine that the Grado is coming out with a new series (E). Those might be of some interest to you, and have a wide range of pricing.

[Shaker]

Jun 16, 2014 9:51:17 GMT -5 bluemeanies said:

I just received my Sound and Vision magazine and by coinsodence on the front cover was EARTOPIA a small collection of headphones both for mobile and the finer art of listening at home ambiance for private listeners. The headphones in here are from the cheap ( price) to moderate to what I would call the ridiculous base on what I want to spend and what I can afford.
Here is a list of some of these headphones along with prices in the event there are others out there considering to buy cans in the nearby future.

Bose QuietComfort 15 ($300)

PSB M4 2 ($400)

HIFIMAN RE-600S ($400)

Emotiv Research hf5 ($149)

Beyerdynamic DX 160 ie ($119)...HEY BOOTMAN

JVC HA-RX700 ($60)

Audio Technical ATH-M50 ($199)

Nad Viso HP 50 ($299)

Sony MDR-7506 ($130)

Beyerdynamic T 51p ($289)...HEY BOOTMAN

Philips Fidelio X1 ($399)

AKG K812 ($1500)

Audeze ($1799)

Two items that I was surprised to see was a headphone amplifier from McIntosh for a mere $4500, also which I was happy to see but thus far have not read any details about is that OPPO is introducing their Headphones and Headphone ampifier the

HA-1 Headphone Amplifier and the ($1199)
PM-1 Planar Magnetic Headphones ($1,099)

I would.d like to take this combination for a test drive.
Just how much should one spend for a good sounding, reliable, well built pair of cans and an amplifier? After reading about some of these products I feel like putting my tail between my legs and going home.
The prices at times are discouraging to make a good decision. Perhaps I will keep putting my money in the piggy bank until I feel comfortable that I am able to buy something worth the cost and considered good headphones.

don't be discouraged! like anything in the world of music there is a ridiculous range of price points. and as always, the law of diminishing returns applies -- it gets harder and harder to appreciate and justify paying more as you climb that price point ladder. in addition, everyone's ears are different -- just like with speakers. so what sounds good to me may not sound good to you. you may hear subtle differences from one set of cans versus another and that subtlety may be lost on me (sometimes for anatomical reasons). so don't assume that an astronomical price point is justified or will guarantee audio nirvana for you.

you previously mentioned that you are interested in Grados. I have had a pair of SR60 for many years that I have enjoyed and used at the gym to my wife's amusement, though I wouldn't describe them as anything special. I'm currently comparing the PS1000 to some other high end cans. FWIW, I feel like the Grados have a very distinctive signature and they are easy to differentiate from other cans. If you happen to prefer that sound then you can find a set of Grados to fit your budget. Personally I think you can find good sounding Grados at a much lower price point then the PS1000 and IMHO the law of diminishing returns is more pronounced for Grado versus some other lines.

Find the cans you like best and then you can determine if you even need an amp. the Hifiman cans (e.g. 600) can be harder to drive. My CEntrance HiFi-M8 can drive the Hifiman 600, but it struggles to do so. 

enjoy the journey!

[bluemeanies]

Shaker thanks for reminding that what I hear in a speaker or a headphone can be all togather different then what you hear.
I have to keep things in perspective and realize what I can afford and what is reasonable in price for the best listening experience I can have no matter what kind of headphones I purchase.

Signed...Still Searching

[KeithL]

Oppo is supposed to be coming out with a "#2 headphone model" for about $700 shortly. I haven't heard the Oppos, but planars in general sound very nice, and Oppo's "claim to fame" is that their planars are MUCH more efficient than most others (reviews I've read so far suggest that they sound very nice).

It all depends on what you want, and what you consider expensive. If you want to stay below $100, check out Sennheiser HD-428's (I think a newer model may have replaced them), and there are plenty of decent ones in the sub-$200 range. Another hint is to stick with ones that are in the 30-50 ohm range, and that are moderately efficient - that way you'll be able to use them without a separate headphone amp. (Sure, a lot of headphones will sound better with a dedicated headphone amp, but many can sound pretty decent without one - especially if what you plug them into has a decent headphone amp - like most of our gear. You can always try them without and add a separate amp later if you decide you need it.)

Different models of headphones sound VERY different from each other (more even than speakers) - and expensive ones don't always sound "better" than cheaper models. If you're just "getting into headphones", it would be a really good idea to listen to several different ones and decide which ones you like. Also decide whether you prefer open-back or isolated, and whether you like "in ear", "on ear", or "over ear". (One man's "comfort" is another man's "torture" - and comfort may be more important than even sound quality; it doesn't matter how good they sound if you can't stand to wear them.) Don't take other people's word about what YOU are going to like.  (I've heard $100 models that I like better than some $1000 models, and I personally can't stand IEMs, and like open-backed over-ear ones the best... but that's me.)

Jun 16, 2014 10:30:46 GMT -5 Shaker said:

Jun 16, 2014 9:51:17 GMT -5 bluemeanies said:

I just received my Sound and Vision magazine and by coinsodence on the front cover was EARTOPIA a small collection of headphones both for mobile and the finer art of listening at home ambiance for private listeners. The headphones in here are from the cheap ( price) to moderate to what I would call the ridiculous base on what I want to spend and what I can afford.
Here is a list of some of these headphones along with prices in the event there are others out there considering to buy cans in the nearby future.

Bose QuietComfort 15 ($300)

PSB M4 2 ($400)

HIFIMAN RE-600S ($400)

Emotiv Research hf5 ($149)

Beyerdynamic DX 160 ie ($119)...HEY BOOTMAN

JVC HA-RX700 ($60)

Audio Technical ATH-M50 ($199)

Nad Viso HP 50 ($299)

Sony MDR-7506 ($130)

Beyerdynamic T 51p ($289)...HEY BOOTMAN

Philips Fidelio X1 ($399)

AKG K812 ($1500)

Audeze ($1799)

Two items that I was surprised to see was a headphone amplifier from McIntosh for a mere $4500, also which I was happy to see but thus far have not read any details about is that OPPO is introducing their Headphones and Headphone ampifier the

HA-1 Headphone Amplifier and the ($1199)
PM-1 Planar Magnetic Headphones ($1,099)

I would.d like to take this combination for a test drive.
Just how much should one spend for a good sounding, reliable, well built pair of cans and an amplifier? After reading about some of these products I feel like putting my tail between my legs and going home.
The prices at times are discouraging to make a good decision. Perhaps I will keep putting my money in the piggy bank until I feel comfortable that I am able to buy something worth the cost and considered good headphones.

don't be discouraged! like anything in the world of music there is a ridiculous range of price points. and as always, the law of diminishing returns applies -- it get's harder and harder to appreciate and justify paying more as you climb that price point ladder. in addition, everyone's ears are different -- just like with speakers. so what sounds good to me may not sound good to you. you may hear subtle differences from one set of cans versus another and that subtlety may be lost on me (sometimes for anatomical reasons). so don't assume that an astronomical price point is justified or will guarantee audio nirvana for you.

you previously mentioned that you are interested in Grados. I have had a pair of SR60 for many years that I have enjoyed and used at the gym to my wife's amusement, though I wouldn't describe them as anything special. I'm currently comparing the PS1000 to some other high end cans. FWIW, I feel like the Grados have a very distinctive signature and they are easy to differentiate from other cans. If you happen to prefer that sound then you can find a set of Grados to fit your budget. Personally I think you can find good sounding Grados at a much lower price point then the PS1000 and IMHO the law of diminishing returns is more pronounced for Grado versus some other lines.

Find the cans you like best and then you can determine if you even need an amp. the Hifiman cans (e.g. 600) can be harder to drive. My CEntrance HiFi-M8 can drive the Hifiman 600, but it struggles to do so. 

enjoy the journey!

[bootman]

...and wasn't Emotiva playing with a headphone design last year?

[bluemeanies]

Thanks Keith with your thoughts.