[chippyteaforme]

Hi everybody!

I only got into the whole 'Audiophile' headphone thing (albeit on a bit of a budget!) a while back when I decided to get a set of Beyerdynamic DT431s that someone told me were a bargain (£40). Have to admit I think they are fantasic, although are getting a bit tatty now.

I decided to upgrade them, and bought a set of Sennheiser HD595s (50ohm) before Christmas. Having given them about a 100 hour burn in I can genuinely say I'm pretty happy with the sonic quality but I prefer listening to music through my DT431s still.

Why? Because they are REALLY comfortable. I can honestly forget I am wearing the Beyers, but the Sennheisers are always clamping the sides of my head (I have a largish head). I think with headphones as comfy as the DT431s my brain thinks 'these can't be headphones', whereas with the Sennheisers I'm always aware they are there. It just gets in the way (IMHO). I also struggle to get my ears to feel comfortable in the HD595 enclosures. It might be something to do with the 'EAR' technology, which involves sticky-out plastic moulded in the earpieces to direct music properly into your head.

I guess what I'm looking for are some 'phones, which will make all my music sound 'live', and which are so comfortable I will forget I'm wearing them.

The music I will mainly be listening to will be Rock / Metal, with some Pop. I may occasionally listen to something classical, but it'll be Rock / Metal 90% of the time so I'd like to focus on those genres.

Any recommendations would be appreciated!

I have a maximum of £100 to realistically spend, although I'd rather not go right up to that limit. The 595s for example were about £80 inc P&P.

[chippyteaforme]

Just to add, it'll ideally be a set that can be driven by my iPod, phone and PC, nothing that 'requires' a seperate amp. I'll consider an amp in the very near future as an upgrade but will be using with portable stuff without external amplification first

[DorKnight]

For Rock and similar Grado are ace, for your price range you could get the SR60 or SR80 new or you could look at the second hand market for the SR225.

Certain people have issues with comfort from Grado, however, a change of ear pads to Grado Flats or Sennheiser HD 414 pads soon resolve that issue.

Grado are not known for an amazing soundstage but for the fact that they work very well with Rock/Metal/Thrash etc.

[Steven]

Pop down to a shop, such as superfi who sell many popular cans and demo them. (they'll never know I cant afford the £600 Grado RS1's lol). There's a thread at head-fi where grado fanboys testify to their soundstage lol

Its all opinion and the best thing you should do is try before you buy if you can

[eviljohn2]

Any version of the Beyerdynamic DT990 should keep you happy. The Pro version are around £75, sound great but grip the head fairly tightly with big velour cushions.

There are few more comfortable cans around and they give a really nice bite to rock and metal IMO.

[-Ad-]

alessandro grado ms-1 for $99 is really the only choice for rock + + driven easily by anything. Plus grado's are a rip off outside USA.

[Reano]

Originally Posted by DorKnight

For Rock and similar Grado are ace, for your price range you could get the SR60 or SR80 new or you could look at the second hand market for the SR225.

Certain people have issues with comfort from Grado, however, a change of ear pads to Grado Flats or Sennheiser HD 414 pads soon resolve that issue.

Grado are not known for an amazing soundstage but for the fact that they work very well with Rock/Metal/Thrash etc.

Grado have a great sound stage and for Rock are very good and easily driven by ipod. Best suited to a warm amp (most things with tubes) to keep any highs contained. Comfort is not up there with Beyer or AKG's but I can wear mine for 4 hours+ (non stop) with no issues! If you are willing to go down the secondhand route then you may be able to pick up the Grado 125 but definately go for the Grado 80 over the 60.

[DorKnight]

I have issues with my Grados so I modded them, much better (sound & comfort wise) now they are.

I don't think the soundstage comes close to my AKG K 701s or or Senn HD 650s, but that's my ears.

Second hand 225s will cost you about £100 shipped.