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Head phones anyone?
#387139 12/21/12 12:55 AM
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dakkon Offline OP
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So, i am using a pair of Bose QC2's.. They are comfortable.. But, pretty much sound like crap... I am looking for an over the ear headphone, and are comfortable and can be worn for semi long periods of time. I wear my headphones for about 3 or 4 hours a day depending on what i am working on...

I will be using my tivoli model 1 radio to power said head phones.. If i need to get a headphone amp, then i may get one...


So, i am thinking my price range is around 600ish..

I was thinking about these.
http://www.amazon.com/Grado-RS1i-Referen...;keywords=grado

Or these
http://www.amazon.com/Grado-PS-500-Profe...;keywords=grado

However, some reviews have said that the Grados are not that comfortable to wear, this would be a deal breaker for me.....

I went here (http://www.innerfidelity.com/) to try to find some recommendations but was not as successful as i thought i might be.

Re: Head phones anyone?
dakkon #387140 12/21/12 01:14 AM
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If you are looking for a tonally bright headphone, the Grado's are the way to go. Upfront and narrow soundstage. However they still IMO lack build quality to that of other manufacturers.

If you want something that is very analytical but more refined and with a better soundstage, the Beyer DT880. Better build quality too. They come in different ohm versions.

http://www.headphone.com/headphones/beyerdynamic-dt-880---32-ohm.php

If you want something that is less analytical but still detailed and has an excellent overall warmth check out the Senn HD 600 or Senn HD 650. Excellent comfort and soundstage too. The best option if you are sensitive to listener fatigue.

http://www.headphone.com/headphones/sennheiser-hd-600.php

http://www.headphone.com/headphones/sennheiser-hd-650.php


I’m armed and I’m drinking. You don’t want to listen to advice from me, amigo.

-Max Payne
Re: Head phones anyone?
dakkon #387141 12/21/12 01:30 AM
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dakkon Offline OP
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the build quality of the Grado's was something else someone brought up... right now my headphones are in their case, and in my backpack on the train into work with me everyday... build quality is a big factor for me on any purchase.. of the 3 links, the Beyerdynamic's look like they would be the most comfortable...

I would also guess that any of those would kick the crap out of the Bose i am currently using..

would these sound much better than the 880's?
http://www.headphone.com/headphones/beyerdynamic-t70p.php

Re: Head phones anyone?
dakkon #387142 12/21/12 01:43 AM
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I don't know, I never heard that particular Beyer model you linked. Don't kid yourself, the Senns are very comfortable. Yes, the Beyers and Senns are night and day difference in terms of sound quality over Bose QC IMO.


I’m armed and I’m drinking. You don’t want to listen to advice from me, amigo.

-Max Payne
Re: Head phones anyone?
dakkon #387144 12/21/12 02:42 AM
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Alex, these appear to fit your needs for comfort and otherwise.


-----------------------------------

Enjoy the music, not the equipment.


Re: Head phones anyone?
dakkon #387146 12/21/12 03:07 AM
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While I love my Grados, I would never travel w/ them. They're not that durable in that sense. I do travel with my Shure 840s and I prefer their comfort level. I had the DT770s at one point and with those velour pads, I could wear them for HOURS.

Re: Head phones anyone?
dakkon #387154 12/21/12 02:45 PM
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If the headphones have to be lugged around all the time the only benefits of the Grados would be their sensitivity. They would be able to play loud on any device you hook it up to. On the flip side you will go deaf because Grados are one of the most open headphones out there for letting ambient noise in. Also, if you are carrying Grados in a backpack, the cup design is also prone for letting debris like hair and dust to access the transducers. This causes what's known as "Grado Grattle". I have had it happen to me. Google, it is quite common.

The Beyer DT 880 and Senn HD 600 and 650 IMO are not headphones I would want to carry around with me all the time. They are too nice! I would be worried about ruining them. I would also be concerned with the Senns being driven properly and anything other than the 32 ohm version of the Beyers.

I also have the Audio Technica AD700 that John linked. Nice headphones at their price point, very comfortable, good sound but lack bass. However, they are WAY to big and bulky to be carrying around and you would look like a fool with them on in public.

As oldskool mentioned the Shure 840 would fit the bill very nicely. Their closed, good sensitivity, well balanced sound from top to bottom, they fold up and they are durable.


I’m armed and I’m drinking. You don’t want to listen to advice from me, amigo.

-Max Payne
Re: Head phones anyone?
dakkon #387172 12/22/12 04:28 AM
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I have the Beyerdynamic DT 880 PROs. They're 250 Ohm, so a little more difficult to drive than the 32 Ohm standard model, but I can get more than comfortable levels out of them with any device I've tried. I like the PRO model too, because they are rebuildable. The velor pads feel really nice, but when using them several hours on most days they will eventually get funky. So being able to swap the cushions out for fresh parts is a huge plus.

Oh, it seems the ear pads are replaceable on the regular 880s also, but the headband part is not. That too gets a little dirty, should be able to be cleaned in place.

Last edited by ClubNeon; 12/22/12 04:33 AM.

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Re: Head phones anyone?
dakkon #387174 12/22/12 04:33 AM
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That's something I've always wondered about, why headphone resistances are quite different amongst styles, manufacturer's etc., yet speakers are commonly 4 or 8 ohm.


Jason
M80 v2
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QS8 v2
PB13 Ultra
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Re: Head phones anyone?
jakewash #387177 12/22/12 03:29 PM
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Originally Posted By: jakewash
That's something I've always wondered about, why headphone resistances are quite different amongst styles, manufacturer's etc., yet speakers are commonly 4 or 8 ohm.


Mainly due to standards I believe or a lack there of in headphone industry. Almost all solid state is designed for speakers between 4 ohm to 16 ohm and with a relatively low output impedance. Also think of the application. A loudspeaker is played in free space with a listener so many feet away. A headphone is played a cm or so from the ear drum. Benefits of 4 ohm make sense for a loudspeaker but I would think a 4 ohm headphone with relatively high sensitivity would be a danger to your hearing on modern portable gear.


I’m armed and I’m drinking. You don’t want to listen to advice from me, amigo.

-Max Payne
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