Which headphones?

[deadseasquirrel]

If there is a better choice out there, feel free to post it.

I will be using them for hooking up to my little Behringer guitar amp, as well as for playing games on the computer at night (using onboard nf4 audio), and for watching TV late at night hooked up to my Denon amp. Basically something to allow me to watch TV/game/jam without waking the wife and kids.

 

[lenjack]

Sony mdr-v6...about $80.

 

[Tiamat]

Koss Portapro for 35$ at amazon.com.

I have those Grados - although they sound real nice, they are uncomfortable.

THe Koss is an excellent compromise - surprisingly since its relatively cheap.

 

[Baked]

I doubt a lot of people know about the Audio-Technica brand, but good choice on putting it in the poll. Excellent unamped headphone, super comfortable, all around good performer. I bought my A900 from Audiocubes.com

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: lenjack
Sony mdr-v6...about $80.

Those are pretty widely hated on head-fi. Personally I don't buy any Sony products/services.

OP, do you prefer an open or closed phone, or not care? Will you be using an amplifier? The 590s in particular won't reach their potential without one. You can't go wrong with any of the phones in your poll, I'd suggest auditioning them, or narrowing your selection down further based on open/closed status, price, or what you'll be using them for the most (and if music, what genres). Comfort plays a role as well, and if you'll be listening to them for many hours at a time the 280s & 125s might not be the best option, neither is known for their comfort.

PS - You might want to look at dropping $25 on the Chaintech av710 sound card; for $25 you get really excellent sound quality, noticeably better for music than the audigy 2 ZS (I can attest to this, as my main rig has both cards in it).

 

[teutonicknight]

I use the Grado SR60's, very nice sound and confortable on the ears too. At that price range, I would definately recomend the Grado SR125's to you.

 

[w00t]

senhiser 155 the best

 

[deadseasquirrel]

Originally posted by: Gurck
OP, do you prefer an open or closed phone, or not care? Will you be using an amplifier? The 590s in particular won't reach their potential without one. You can't go wrong with any of the phones in your poll, I'd suggest auditioning them, or narrowing your selection down further based on open/closed status, price, or what you'll be using them for the most (and if music, what genres). Comfort plays a role as well, and if you'll be listening to them for many hours at a time the 280s & 125s might not be the best option, neither is known for their comfort.

Honestly, their main function would be to make it so that I can jam with my electric guitar instead of annoying all those around me (or waking them up). Secondary uses would be for gaming and watching TV through my Denon amp.

So, open/closed wouldn't matter to me much, unless the sound while I was playing guitar would filter all the way into other rooms with open phones (which I would doubt). And, really, open is probably the better option that way I can hear the phone ring or the baby cry or my wife yell at me if I'm wearing them.

The 590s not "reaching their potential" doesn't bother me at that much if their comfort, durability, and sound is better than the others.

So, I suppose my preference would be in this order-- Comfort, durability, open phones, sound quality.

 

[pelikans]

Headphone sound is pretty personal. And open vs. closed is a big difference in sound. See if you can listen to some of these headphones before you buy them. It looks to me like you have good choices up there, except for the 590's without an amp.

 

[w00t]

i have dsp-500 and i tried senhiser 155 and i can honestly say they are better.

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: deadseasquirrel

Originally posted by: Gurck
OP, do you prefer an open or closed phone, or not care? Will you be using an amplifier? The 590s in particular won't reach their potential without one. You can't go wrong with any of the phones in your poll, I'd suggest auditioning them, or narrowing your selection down further based on open/closed status, price, or what you'll be using them for the most (and if music, what genres). Comfort plays a role as well, and if you'll be listening to them for many hours at a time the 280s & 125s might not be the best option, neither is known for their comfort.

Honestly, their main function would be to make it so that I can jam with my electric guitar instead of annoying all those around me (or waking them up). Secondary uses would be for gaming and watching TV through my Denon amp.

So, open/closed wouldn't matter to me much, unless the sound while I was playing guitar would filter all the way into other rooms with open phones (which I would doubt). And, really, open is probably the better option that way I can hear the phone ring or the baby cry or my wife yell at me if I'm wearing them.

The 590s not "reaching their potential" doesn't bother me at that much if their comfort, durability, and sound is better than the others.

So, I suppose my preference would be in this order-- Comfort, durability, open phones, sound quality.

Grados' forte is their sound for rock & metal, you might like a pair for their sound quality if you play guitar and listen to rock/metal a lot - but though ears & tolerances differ, Grados aren't known for their comfort - all of their offerings have the round ear pads, which generally press more on the ear than around it (especially for those of us with a gigantic pair of radar dishes ). Grados also aren't known for their durability, a lot of people talk about how their pair are held together by tape. The 280s, on the other hand, clamp like a damn vice grip. My pair is well broken in and despite that, after ~3 hours I need a rest. My head isn't all that big (I wear a size 7.25 hat), though my ears certainly are. They do sound good, if a bit boring for metal & rock. Other genres sound great through them though. I hear some good things about the a500/a900 that another poster mentioned, but can't comment on them in depth. Couldn't hurt to check out head-fi, many of them have spent thousands on headphones, amps & sources vs. the tens or hundreds most ATers spend on them, so they generally know what they're talking about (except the ones who like ipods )

 

[imported_johnson]

audio technica ath-m40 for $70. Impedence 60 ohms

http://www.musiciansfriend.com...etail/base_pid/270553/

 

[0roo0roo]

590= comfort masters

 

[Funyuns101]

the hd280's are on sale for $60... check out hot deals~

 

[yhelothar]

IMO it's a waste to spend money on nice headphones if you're not getting an amp for it.
An amp with a $50 pair of headphones will sound much better than $150 headphones with no amp.

 

[imported_johnson]

Depends on the impedence

 

[imported_Reck]

the a500s are your best bet.

 

[hoppa]

ive got a pair of hd590s, and they are wonderful. they are so comfortable i sometimes wear them out to town as a fashionable hat.

NO headphone will reach its potential without an amp, but still there are plenty of cans out there that sound fabulous unamped anyway.

ok the thing about the hat was a joke, but your kids will make fun of you for wearing these things. they make any man look like a buffoon. girls on the other hand... mmm girls in headphones...

 

[butch84]

If you need good sound isolation, go with the 280pros. However, if you don't absolutely NEED that kind of isolation, I would definately go for open cans like the 590s. For one thing, the 280s aren't that comfortable (at least for me, I have a big head) and secondly the sound of closed headphones just doesn't sound as authentic to me. I personally own the HD280pros and the HD555s. I much prefer the latter.

Good luck -