Headphones, i'm lost.

thelawns · 08-02-2008, 10:27 PM

OK, I have recently felt the desire for better sound. I am biting my tongue, as such, when it comes to a home cinema surround sound system in the lounge a, because I don't really want to ruin my simple setup b, because I can't really afford it.

Now this leads me on to the PC. I had a really simple cover the ear(closed cup??) set of Creative headphones for a while, then upgraded to some Plantronic DSP500 USB based headphones with their own processor for gaming and music. Then I bought an Auzentech Prelude X-Fi sound card and as those headphones were USB, changed to the Analogue equivalent as I felt I wasn't getting the best out of the card. I was disappointed with the sound, or at least I wasn't blown away. Then the dog got his leg wrapped around the cable and now they are in two pieces. This leads me on to my current hunt.

I want something that makes music from the PC, mostly mp3, sound awesome, like I'm almost there. Movies on the PC just didn't seem natural before so I want something to make me feel part of the movie, rather than a few feet away, if you get what I mean.

I guess I don't want to spend a fortune, up to a hundred quid maybe? I also, would prefer the type that go around my ears, is this called close cup? This is for PC use by the way, so 3.5mm best or at least an adapter to make so...

Does such a headphone exist to meet my requirement??

thelawns · 08-02-2008, 10:39 PM

Hmmn, just realised my Sony in ear headphones have a 3.5mm jack, so am trying them right now.

So I think in ear would be good really. I just want the best sound possible really?

I hope someone knows where i'm coming from...

whitesnake11 · 09-02-2008, 7:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thelawns

Hmmn, just realised my Sony in ear headphones have a 3.5mm jack, so am trying them right now.

So I think in ear would be good really. I just want the best sound possible really?

I hope someone knows where i'm coming from...

Well if you really want to push the boat out and want IEM's that have a superb soundstage, then try a pair of Shure SE530's. I use these and they are quite simply stunning.

http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/accessorie...9290293,00.htm

tmcg · 09-02-2008, 7:53 AM

Best sound possible? Stop listening to mp3's then! The Grado SR80's always get good reviews, they are over ear and not in ear and come with adaptor.

whitesnake11 · 09-02-2008, 7:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmcg

Best sound possible? Stop listening to mp3's then! The Grado SR80's always get good reviews, they are over ear and not in ear and come with adaptor.

There is a thread on here that suggests the Grado SR80's has a poor bass response, never used them just what a couple of guys claim. As for not using MP3's if your on the move a lot then carrying CD's around is a pain

thelawns · 09-02-2008, 4:52 PM

Thanks. Those Shure ones are darn expensive!

What about Sennheiser, are they any good??

mattski73 · 09-02-2008, 4:55 PM

try the Alessandro MS-1's (customized Grado SR80's, without the price tag). Grado's are very forgiving of whatever source you use.

http://www.alessandro-products.com/headphones.html

take advantage of the exchange rate and the free worldwide shipping.

thelawns · 10-02-2008, 8:26 PM

Ok, so where can I read more about these alessandro ms-1s?

I have definately decided I want over the ear, not in the ear...

1. Are any of the Sennheiser HD range worth looking at?

2. A mate has a pair of Bose Triport Over Ear and recommends those, but I am unable to borrow them as he is in London at the mo!

thelawns · 10-02-2008, 10:26 PM

The Denon AH-D5000 come highly recommended by the look of it, but at £430 I see why!

I'm spending far too much time looking at this. I just want some really decent headphones, without breaking the bank.

10-02-2008, 11:59 PM

I'd second the praise of the Alessandro's, I find them to be a more natural, less aggressive Grado, better suited to a wider range of music. You can only read about them and buy them from the website linked. Auditioning a pair of Grados in this country will give you a flavour of them.

With people recommending Grados, Senns etc, I would urge you to demo some, The Grado house sound is hugely different from the Sennheiser sound to the extent you may really love or hate one or the other. There's a reason detractors refer to Grados as "Gratos" or that listening to Senns is like listening through a veil.

mattski73 · 11-02-2008, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thelawns

Ok, so where can I read more about these alessandro ms-1s?

1. Are any of the Sennheiser HD range worth looking at?

2. A mate has a pair of Bose Triport Over Ear and recommends those, but I am unable to borrow them as he is in London at the mo!

http://www.alessandro-products.com/headphones.html

Quote:

1. Are any of the Sennheiser HD range worth looking at?

depends on which one you buy. if you've got enough for the HD25-1's then go for it.

i like the Bose, OE's but many hate them.

11-02-2008, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattski73

if you've got enough for the HD25-1's then go for it.

Are these not closed back rather than open headphones?
(edit: nm the op didn't specify open... another thread, sorry!)

Around the same price £100 or so, the HD595's would be the obvious Sennheiser choice.

thelawns · 11-02-2008, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mnemonix

I'd second the praise of the Alessandro's, I find them to be a more natural, less aggressive Grado, better suited to a wider range of music. You can only read about them and buy them from the website linked. Auditioning a pair of Grados in this country will give you a flavour of them.

With people recommending Grados, Senns etc, I would urge you to demo some, The Grado house sound is hugely different from the Sennheiser sound to the extent you may really love or hate one or the other. There's a reason detractors refer to Grados as "Gratos" or that listening to Senns is like listening through a veil.

When you say listening through a veil, you mean it's a slightly muffled sound??

I am seriously considering the Senn HD595 @ £82 from Play or the Alessandro MS1 £50-60. The Senns appear to have a wider frequency range at 12 to 38500 Hz compared to the MS1 at 20 to 22000 Hz or am I missing the point here?

Also, would I need a headphone amp to run the HD 600/650 as they show as 300 Ohm, compared to the HD 595 at 50 Ohm? I assume these are better than the 595's but how do they compare to the MS1?

EDIT: I think they HD 600/650 are too far out of my price range anyway, but I still would like to know how they compare!

thelawns · 11-02-2008, 5:23 PM

It's done... I ordered the 595's from Play this afternoon.

*c64* · 13-02-2008, 5:49 PM

Goldring dr150 just got these going from grado sr60's superb headphones for the price.£60 delievered from many places.

thelawns · 13-02-2008, 5:52 PM

Cheers for that... Still waiting for my delivery from Play of the 595's...

10-02-2008, 11:59 PM	#10
mnemonix Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Headphones, i'm lost. I'd second the praise of the Alessandro's, I find them to be a more natural, less aggressive Grado, better suited to a wider range of music. You can only read about them and buy them from the website linked. Auditioning a pair of Grados in this country will give you a flavour of them. With people recommending Grados, Senns etc, I would urge you to demo some, The Grado house sound is hugely different from the Sennheiser sound to the extent you may really love or hate one or the other. There's a reason detractors refer to Grados as "Gratos" or that listening to Senns is like listening through a veil.
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