Headphone (maybe) noob

[Atjan]

I'm playing with the idea of getting a set of cans for listening when my kids are making a racket or when I want to listen loud and everyone else needs a rest.

Anyway, I'm planning to run the cans off my Maverick Audio D1 TubeMagic. Not a dedicated amp but by the sounds of it (HeadFi) pretty decent. My best situation would have been me grabbing my CC and getting a pair of Sennheiser HD555's. Reason being that they are not costing the earth, although to me not cheap, is pretty comfortable (I don't like on/in ear phones) and if I feel adventurous it appears they can be "upgraded" to sound like the HD595's.

Now, considering that I've not yet decided this is for me, I'm not planning to spend more than R500 (although less would be better). What options are out there? What could you recommend?
Looking around on the classifieds there's not many used ones going....so I may have to buy new...unless someone here has a pair. 

[GearSlave]

I doubt you'll get a set of 555's for R500. Aim more to the R900 mark maybe?

[Atjan]

I doubt you'll get a set of 555's for R500. Aim more to the R900 mark maybe?

Yeah, I noticed their prices are about there.
I'm looking for a 'beginner' set, if there's such a thing. Obviously I still want the best value at my price point, hence my post.

[GearSlave]

AKG K66, if you can find any. Cheap as chips and punches waaaay above its price point. I've got a set and will likely get rid of the 555's before I'd even consider flogging the K66's.

[iondb]

I bought these: http://www.akg.com/site/products/powerslave,id,1067,pid,1067,nodeid,2,_language,EN,country,EN.html a while ago.

They cost just under R700 here in SA and I am pretty happy with them. I am not a avid headphone user, but it feels/sounds like value for money to me.

I am running them off one of Gert's HP amps, the Aurelia and also from a diy hybrid amp now and then.

[Atjan]

I bought these: http://www.akg.com/site/products/powerslave,id,1067,pid,1067,nodeid,2,_language,EN,country,EN.html a while ago.

They cost just under R700 here in SA and I am pretty happy with them. I am not a avid headphone user, but it feels/sounds like value for money to me.

I am running them off one of Gert's HP amps, the Aurelia and also from a diy hybrid amp now and then.

Those AKG cans look cool! Where did you get yours?

Also, can someone shed some light on the difference , soundwise, between open and closed 'phones?

[---------]

Those AKG cans look cool! Where did you get yours?

Also, can someone shed some light on the difference , soundwise, between open and closed 'phones?

Atjan, I would like to throw another option in the mix - Grado SR80i. I own a pair and they sound great. Cost: about R1k.

From my experience, there is little difference in sound between open and closed HPs of similar quality. The main difference is that closed 'phones allow for silent and private listening, whereas open ones 'leak' quite a bit of sound. I prefer open HPs and find the closed ones can get hot and uncomfortable after a while.

[kamikazi]

Sounds like u need a closed headphone for your purposes. Open headphones will still let you hear your kids. For just starting out the Sennheiser hd205 should offer a good experience in your price bracket. Something like the Grado SR60 will transform you into a headphone fan though!

[Atjan]

Hau! Sounds like I'm being too cheap again!

Guys, thanks for your input so far. Doesn't seem there's much good going on new in my price backet. I'm looking on Have2have to see prices. They seem to have the best prices 'locally'. These things are also priced so far apart. On wantitall (my money it seems ) HD555 will set me back R 1512 and on Have2have R 1221.

Sounds like u need a closed headphone for your  purposes. Open headphones will still let you hear your kids. For just starting out the Sennheiser hd205 should offer a good experience in your price bracket. Something like the Grado SR60 will transform you into a headphone fan though!

On have2have the Senn 205's (R 893) are more expensive than the SR60's (R 871) though. Looks like the SR60's are on ear? Not sure I'd be able to listen like that for long. How about the HD202? The new Senn HD 428 also looks ok...although at (R578) slightly over my budget. Any comments?

[iondb]

Those AKG cans look cool! Where did you get yours?

Also, can someone shed some light on the difference , soundwise, between open and closed 'phones?

I bought mine from a music shop in Atterbury Value Mart in Pretoria. Can't remember the name now. They are next to where The Audiophile was.  Had to order for me though. Took 3 days IIRC.

[kamikazi]

Look and Listen has the Sennheiser HD205 for R750. http://www.lookandlisten.co.za/view/119178/

If you want a really wide headphone selection in your price range go visit Nuworld at Menlyn Shopping Centre in Pretoria. They have lots and lots of headphones in the sub R1000 category. You should definitely find something there that you would like. I bought my Sennheiser PX200ii there for R850 last year which was a very decent price at the time.

I would still advise against the HD555 as they are open headphones, leak a lot of sound and let in a lot of sound. More so even than my Grado's! If you want to go with an open headphone which is not that expensive (and has a touch better isolation) I would suggest you look at the PX100ii. I'm very sure they will kick some serious butt and they are very portable too (also in the R750 category).

Another option you might want to check out is the Panasonic HTX7 which is about R700. They look quite retro and funky (can't believe I use these two words in the same sentence) and apparently sound very decent too.

[Atjan]

Mmm, never really thought about the sound leaking. Thanks for that! Wifey will not be over the moon with me listening to music while she's trying to sleep next to me.

I must say the Sennheiser HD428 looks like a pretty viable option from Have2have.

[PearlJam]

I have the 595's and my wife can hear everything I am listening to from a distance. Not necessarily detail, but enough to be a nuisance!

[kamikazi]

Just watch out with Have2have, I think they source stuff from Amazon if I'm not mistaken, which could imply that might have warranty hassles should your headphones break. Otherwise consider importing them directly from Amazon yourself which should be cheaper.

Lol, my wife also really disliked the HD595s sound leakage. One of the reasons I eventually sold them...

[Atjan]

Lol, my wife also really disliked the HD595s sound leakage. One of the reasons I eventually sold them...

LoL
I agree, pick your battles!

Does the courier cost not negate the difference in price?
Also, which would you recommend UK or US based?