Headphone Choice - Unsure

[Dan]

I want to buy a pair of headphones that I will be using on my PC 95% of the time. I will get a Asus Xonar so that will be my source and at a later stage I might look into a headphone amp if necessary.

The headphones I am looking at getting are:

> AKG K701

> Beyerdynamic DT770

> Sennheiser 595 or 600

Or should I save some money and go for the Audio Technica ATH-AD700 or ATH-A500 Pro and how do I make a choice between these two.

I listen to everything from classical to rock. Most of the music I listen has quite a bit of bass but the bass should not be overpowering.

What would you get and why?

[MikeQ]

I've got a pair of Grado SR-80's which are incredible. They're an open design, so not really suitable for shared spaces, but sound fantastic. The sound is warm, rich and incredibly realistic.
The SA distributor is Roy Davis in Hillcrest and they'll set you back somewhere around R1200.

[GearSlave]

The only set of cans I listened to on your list are the Senn 595's, so it's a little hard to give you any solid advice. Getting hold of an AKG to audition is also not likely to happen, but I must be honest that if AKG was not so overpriced here I'd go for it purely on the reviews on the net.

[Hennie]

I have not listened to all those models, but AKG usually has better bass than Senn.

[Dan]

I can get the AKG for about R2500 new and the other headphones for more or less the same price. For the same price the Audio Technica ATH900 are also a choice.

The ATH500 and 700 I can get for about R1200.

I'm def not paying local prices for them.

[Scrat]

I would say the AT's won't suit your bass requirement. The bass on there is not so in-your-face. My Senn HD515 are heavier than my AD700. A preference for me, but that is a personal choice.

You may want to look at the Senns HD555 as well? They're going for about R1200 as well.

[gavinbirss]

The sound may be somewhat compromised regardless of what you choose. It is common for most devices to have a capacitor in series with the headphone socket to protect any possible DC to get to the headphone. The impedance of the headphone (load) together with the capacitor will make a low pass filter (R/C) and this will determine the BASS response.

You may be disappointed at first with a >32ohm / Hi-Z (impedance) headphone but the newer AKG's are 55ohms. Comfort should be also a strong motivator. Grado's are http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headphones#Supra-aural and may not be as comfortable as AKG's. Low Z cans require more current and Hi Z require a larger voltage swing. Also the output impedance of the amp/source can determine the sonics...

A good dedicated headphone amp with DC coupling may be the only choice if you do go for good cans.

[Dan]

Thanks for all the info, my first choice would be the AKG's purely because of the positive reviews and secondly because I have a really old pair of K280's which my dad got about 15 years ago. The only problem is they have no bass and after listening for a long period the weight would hurt my ears. Then again they are very old and most probably will not be the issue with a newer version. Ultimately the set I purchase must sound good with my PC soundcard because that's where they will be used.

[dotVIBE]

naah, you need a pair of these:

http://www.headfonia.com/hifiman-he-6-first-impression/

[Blues]

I also have the 701 and use them mainly on the computer. never heard the other models you mentioned, the only direct comparison I have is with the koss porta pro, and as one would expect, there is quiet a difference. but it also becomes quiet obvious that you'll need a headphone amp to get their best. and there's a real bargain to be had on this very forum...
also they are very comfy.

[Hi-Phibian]

Have had lots of cans, mostly sennies. Said this before, I now enjoy cans but it took a dedicated can amp and sennies HD600 with Cardas wire loom. Untill then, it was never my thing.
So I would say spend the 2k5 if you can, though it is double 1200, 1200 buys little hifi these days and if it can get you to a top of the line heaomes a relatively small amount. Maybe you wont need  replace in a year or so if you buy better to last, it is prolly a saving in the long run.

[Dan]

Thanks for all the advice, I was considering the grado sr325is but earphones that do not cover my ear totally just dont seem to be that comfortable. The AKG's were my first choice but it seems that without a AMP they do not sound that good. Like I said I do like good bass and i'd rather buy a pair that will sound decent straight of the PC soundcard.

[Cure]

i had a short stint with 701, and you're absolutely right.  you need to find a good amp that'll drive it to its truest potential. i've had experienced a beyer dt990 as well - this is one helluva of can, almost the same with hd600 but with a tighter bass.

i'm currently using a senn 600 and  grados sr80i/225. HD600 is laidback, midcentric cans (this too will require a good amp) whilst grados tend to bright sounding phones great for rock and acoustic genres. Both are in a different league but will complement each other pretty well.

if you're looking for an all-rounder cans, you might want to look at ATH-M50.  Unbeatable for its pricepoint.

[Dan]

Thanks Cure, this helps. I just ordered my dad a pair of  HD555 for his birthday, ill listen to those and make a choice after that. But right now the Dt990 are on top of my list.

[Cure]

No problemo Dan. Keep us posted