Which headphones to buy?

[sap81uk]

I am looking for a perfect pair of headphones to use with a variety of sources and uses (PC gaming, music, video etc).

I will use them with my amplifier (I will get a headphone amp if need be), PC, other sound systems I have (Razer Mako & Logitech Z-5500) and possibly for PS3. I will not use them for portable devices like an MP3 player etc. The soundcard on my PC is a Asus Xonar D2.

Also does anyone recommend headphones/earphones for portable devices?

I was thinking of a set of Grado's, and possibly a top end pair of Sennheisers... but which ones?

Thanks to anyone who offers help.

Steve

[thechippy]

I have a pair of Bose QC2's and a pair of QC3's which I think are both great headphones. One is over-ear and one is on-ear which ever you prefer.

I know that there will be many Bose haters posting comments, but go and try them in your local Apple shop, I'm sure you will enjoy them. They are both noise-cancelling which is just excellent when flying, if that is going to be a factor?

[sap81uk]

Not so sure about Bose, never really heard them, I don't really have much to say about them good or bad. It really depends if I can find a pair in my local area of Plymouth, England.

Steve

[mudstuff]

Have you considered the Astro A40? This is a headset and mixamp combination. The sound is pretty good from the headphones and the mic detaches easily for use with mp3 etc. Alternatively, the mixamp can be bought on it's own and you could pair some decent Senn's with it.

[sap81uk]

A top end pair of Senn's will need an amp to get the best out of them am I right? That's the reason Grado is being considered, it will do just fine until I purchase or review a headphone amp to see if it is any good as an addition to the headphones.

Steve

[c64]

I still like and rate very highly Goldring dr150 everyone that I know who has or had sennhesier 555 600 595 etc hold them up there with hd 600 's

[sap81uk]

So how can I compare the Grado's? I've had the SR60's and they're pretty good. I did wonder about the 125/225/325's. Same with Sennheiser 595/600/650.

I am really looking to spend no more than Grado 325 money (about 290 pound) but I may go into RS1/RS2 etc territory.

Steve

[Drubbing]

Top end Senn's, and most other top enders will need an amp, Grado's included - everything up to the 325 will get by without, but any good phone will be source dependent for SQ.

Given your sources, I don't think you'll realise the benefit and cost of near 300 quid on phones. You say you have an amp, but amping poor sources often degrades SQ by finding the sources limits easier via higher volumes. Your PC soundcard appears the best for most of your uses.

From your post, I'm assuming you want to plug into desktop speakers and a PS3 - this is the worst thing you can do for good quality phones, these are really poor sources.

There isn't one headphone that will be perfect for all your uses - Grados are better at music than they are games.

[sap81uk]

Yeah I figured that. I just want an excellent pair of headphones that I could add a headphone amp at a later date to.

Music quality I listen to on my PC is MP3 320Kbps, FLAC and WAV. I was thinking of adding a Asus Essense sound card to my PC in regard to these headphones.

As regards to PS3, it is currently connected via optical cable to my Logitech Z5500 speakers. I am not intending to play music through it, just games and video (Blu-Ray) so sound quality in that regard should be more than good (I understand playing music through the PS3 may not be ideal sound-wise).

Buying the Grado 325s may be the absolute best option I have (without spending crazy money for stupid reasons due to source). It at least ensures whatever I play through it will sound the best it possibly could. And still enabling me to take advantage of decent headphones if my sources improve.

Thanks for the input.

Steve

[Drubbing]

No problem. I see where you're coming from now; didn't mean to patronise, but you sort of get used to people wanting to buy high end gear and match it with low end sources.

Be aware that the 325 is as aggressive a phone as you'll get; superb detail and great for rock, but really fatiguing on the ears. I nearly bought them after hours of trying them out, but went for something a bit more laid back. They're an instant W-o-W phone, but I knew they'd be hard to live with day to day, and that's also been the impression of many others I've spoken with who've tried them.

Americans seem to love them though, possibly because the Grado's sell extremely well there, and they like the bright, punchy sound sig - but the 325 is at the extreme end IME.

[sap81uk]

I listen to mainly rock and metal to be honest, it is in FLAC, WAV and MP3 320Kbps quality. The Asus Essense sound card is a dedicated headphone sound card for PC (which I think works pretty well with speakers too), this might be on my new PC build (next month or so).

My main use will be PC, the Asus cards are meant to be alot better than Creative cards of the same calibre. I could try the 325s (if they're punchy and for rock and guitars they'll be up my alley totally) and see if I'm suited to them.

If I had my way I'd have top end kit (Cyrus or Arcam would spring to mind) to power the headphones, and probably have Senn's, Beyers, Grado's and AKGs for choice with the system if needed.

If I go the Grado route, should I buy new from Ebay in the US where the price is much cheaper than standard sellers in the UK? A pair of 325s can be had for £200 which is an absolute bargain, even if I have to pay import duty.

Any ideas on this?

Thanks for your help.

Steve

[Drubbing]

Originally Posted by sap81uk

If I go the Grado route, should I buy new from Ebay in the US where the price is much cheaper than standard sellers in the UK? A pair of 325s can be had for £200 which is an absolute bargain, even if I have to pay import duty.

Any ideas on this?

Yes. Don't.

Grado forbid any of their US distributors from selling/exporting outside the US, and the reputable ones won't, as they don't want to lose Grado's business. They all make this clear on their sites, that Grado sales are for local customers only.

So buying off ebay will be a huge risk - these guys won't be authorised dealers, they could be fakes, or even if it's all above board, you won't get a local warranty and they'd have to go back if there was a problem.

[sap81uk]

What's your opinion on my sound card as a source? And what would you consider a great source (in terms of example products)?

Steve

[Drubbing]

Originally Posted by sap81uk

What's your opinion on my sound card as a source? And what would you consider a great source (in terms of example products)?
Steve

Difficult to answer, mate. I've not heard the Essence, but if that's the STX, I've heard nothing but good about it, it appears one of the best for music around. It's got a small amp in there as well, but not capable of driving the phones that need dedicated amps.

Great sources are subjective - the STX may be all you ever need, if it's matched with headphones you really like. North of there in cost are good dedicated DACs.

I have the Cambridge DACmagic, but there are quite a lot of these around that can USB from a PC. I have a Mac, so cards were never an option.

[sap81uk]

It is indeed the STX. I've also looked at the Cambridge Audio DACmagic which looks very nice, it can be had for £230 which isn't so bad. It could be a good way to get some decent life out of my Sony/Cyrus combination back at home.

Steve