[Tejstar]

As the title really. I'm looking for a pair of full size open backed headphones for hifi and PC use. I was considering the Sennheiser HD 595's and just wondered whether anyone had any other recommendations?

[eviljohn2]

Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro.

Same as I always recommend for some reason.

[Tejstar]

Cheers eviljohn2, I'll have a look at those.

[mattski73]

alessandro MS-1 for $99 delivered. it doesn't come better than that.

[Tejstar]

I'd never even heard of Alessandro headphones! The design looks a bit too funky for my tastes!

[mattski73]

alessandro's are basically customised grado's. the looks are an acquired taste.

what's your budget? the 595's are a good and comfortable pair of headphones.
i've recently aquired a pair of Denon AH-D1000's from hifibitz.co.uk, and they are superb.

on the subject of sennheiser, although i like the 595's, i do prefer the HD25-1's, because the earcups are smaller, and the sound is a little bit more punchier.

http://www.rebelio.co.uk/app/urwfilt...ack/index.html

[reevesy]

i've no complaints about the 595's for music and movies....very comfy..and revealing.
...the sp 25's i use for portable use being closed are a bit more bassy.
....if it was my money think i'd go with the 595's

[Tejstar]

Originally Posted by mattski73

on the subject of sennheiser, although i like the 595's, i do prefer the HD25-1's, because the earcups are smaller, and the sound is a little bit more punchier.

I'm really not a fan of closed headphones for the house, I find open phones more comfortable for longer periods and to me I prefer the airy sound of open backed phones.

[mattski73]

Originally Posted by Tejstar

I'm really not a fan of closed headphones for the house, I find open phones more comfortable for longer periods and to me I prefer the airy sound of open backed phones.

then the Denon AH-D1000's might change your mind. For under a £100 they are supremely detailed.

but if you must go for open headphones, and the Grados/Alessnadro's aren't your thing, then the HD595's would be next on my list.

hang on a sec though, if you want deeper bass, you might want to consider a pair of Beyerdynamic dt660's.

http://www.iheadphones.co.uk/headpho...amic+DT660.htm

[Tejstar]

Yep, I'm considering the Beyerdynamic and Sennheiser brands right now. I think it will come down to what I can find for a decent price!

[themanwithapc]

If you haven't already bought something yet, have a look at these. I got them (along with a couple of others) after doing a bit of research on head-fi, and have simply been blown away by everything about them, looks, sound and comfort. Definitely have a look at them mate.

[Tejstar]

Cheers, I'm stil on the prowl as the prices of the 595's are still sky high!

I'll have a look at the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700!

[crashhot]

I've just recently got a pair of open back headphones that I really like, I bought them on eBay so they were cheaper than in the shops but they are absolutely superb, they also work excellently with an iPod (although everyone who sits next to you can hear what your listening to).

What I bought was Grado SR 60s as I didn't want to spend quite as much money as you but what I would recommend for the price are the 80s,

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GRADO-SR80-SR-...QQcmdZViewItem

I hasten to add I am nothing to do with this shop I am just pasting a link to let you know what kind of things they are like, these are really, really excellent headphones and I can't tell you how highly I rate them.

They will cost a lot more if you buy them from somewhere else other than eBay but you can get them in a number of places, I seriously recommend them

Hope that's useful

[Devil On Your S]

Originally Posted by eviljohn2

Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro.

Same as I always recommend for some reason.

Great cans, worth double the price IMO as good as a Senn 650. Pro Audio for Hi-Fi rox

[Tejstar]

Originally Posted by crashhot

I've just recently got a pair of open back headphones that I really like, I bought them on eBay so they were cheaper than in the shops but they are absolutely superb, they also work excellently with an iPod (although everyone who sits next to you can hear what your listening to).

What I bought was Grado SR 60s as I didn't want to spend quite as much money as you but what I would recommend for the price are the 80s,

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GRADO-SR80-SR-...QQcmdZViewItem

I hasten to add I am nothing to do with this shop I am just pasting a link to let you know what kind of things they are like, these are really, really excellent headphones and I can't tell you how highly I rate them.

They will cost a lot more if you buy them from somewhere else other than eBay but you can get them in a number of places, I seriously recommend them

Hope that's useful

I did think about the Grado's but I'm not sure whether I could get past the dated design. How comfortable are you SR 60s, that's one of my main concerns?

[DorKnight]

Grados really shine with Rock, Metal, Industrial etc

A number of people have issues with the bowls (pads on the SR80 model upwards), however, you can pop on TTVJ.com Flats or Senn HD414 pads to improve comfort if required.

The SR80s can be purchased for under £90 in the UK, I would advise staying away from eBay as you'll have no warranty.

Oh yes, it's all about the music isn't it and not the looks of the headphone

[Tejstar]

Originally Posted by DorKnight

Oh yes, it's all about the music isn't it and not the looks of the headphone

I agree, which is why I'm too bothered, especially since it'll only used at home. Also, this is one of the few items that I won't need to get wife approval for too. As long as it's not messing with her lounge she's not bothered what I wear on my head!

[crashhot]

Originally Posted by Tejstar

I did think about the Grado's but I'm not sure whether I could get past the dated design. How comfortable are you SR 60s, that's one of my main concerns?

To be honest mine are really fine and very comfortable, they do look slightly dated but they sound great & quite frankly I haven't found anything in the same price range to beat them (in fact, not even really get close).

A friend of mine has some sennheisers which do reproduce vocals slightly better but there is no comparison when it comes to providing drive or rhythm from any kind of music.

The 80s are probably more uncomfortable, although I have to be honest I wouldn't really call them uncomfortable, just slightly less comfortable than the 60s, and the sound reproduction is better so if you can afford them I would probably go for them over the 60s.

As for the guarantee, I've never had any kind of problem with the audiophile stuff I've bought from eBay and unless you're planning on throwing them down a drain or doing something equally random and unlikely I wouldn't really worry about it.

Like I say, I'm not the guy selling the stuff I've just bought my own from an eBay seller (I actually bought some reconditioned ones and they are excellent), if you're not majorly fastidious I would recommend it due to the potential savings you can make. However, as the other poster said, you can get the things over here if you look so a more traceable option is always available if that's what you want to do.

Good luck

[Tejstar]

Just to let everyone know, in the end I went for the Sennhesier HD595's. I did a lot of research on here and on Head-Fi, and for my needs it seems that these will suit me best. Hopefully they'll be here next week!

Thanks for everyone's suggestions!

[Tejstar]

I've got them this morning and boy do they feel comfortable. Now for some thorough testing!