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Post by John on Dec 5, 2018 11:59:40 GMT
I always been a bit of reluctant headphone user. However I plan to travel next year for about a month and looking at a good headphone to purchase. So far the best headphones I heard was the HD600 with Cardas cables and using a very decent headphone amp. It was the most holographic sound I have ever heard and the bass was well controlled However they are very hard to drive and plan to use a LG V30 smartphone or get a Dragonfly
Criteria
* Comfort Tried a few headphones that I could not live with due to comfort
* Clean highs I had quite a few that just have not been clean in the treble
* Easy to drive as be using with a mobile phone
* Good mid end punch and bass
I am quite fussy when it comes to sound in the past had Grado S80 AKG701 and not kept them for long I have a pair of HD598 that are well balanced apart from the top end which I find a bit annoying.
I listen to stuff like Dream Theater, Dhafer Youseff, Surinder Sandhu, Zero Hour, and quite a lot of Jazz and world music
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2018 12:07:07 GMT
Kinda off topic, but what are you using for a Headphone amp, John?
I have a Topping amp that was recommended by someone on here if I remember correctly that is pretty good that you are welcome to borrow for the period as I rarely use it now I travel less if you'd like?.
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Post by MartinT on Dec 5, 2018 12:14:06 GMT
My son has a pair of Audeze EL-8 series (not cheap) and uses them with his phone a lot, says they are easy to drive.
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Post by MikeMusic on Dec 5, 2018 12:28:14 GMT
How about those Philips SHP9500s from slightly earlier ?
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Post by John on Dec 5, 2018 12:39:10 GMT
The Philips has very mixed reviews regarding treble which I can be very sensitive too
I be travelling so will not be using a headphone amp so needs to be easy to drive I have think about your very kind offer
The Audeze EL-8 looks interesting and certainly one to demo
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Post by jandl100 on Dec 5, 2018 18:31:05 GMT
I've got the Audeze EL-8 and they're very good sounding, seem to be robust and are easy to drive.
They come in 2 versions: open- or closed-back. I've got the closed back version and there is very little sound leakage in or out - would that aspect be important?
Phones like Sennheisers can be very leaky and a distinct annoyance for anyone nearby.
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Post by rfan8312 on Dec 5, 2018 20:16:03 GMT
I could be wrong because it's been over a year since I've heard both open and closed versions of the EL-8, but if I recall they really are a trebley sounding headphone. They really should be heard before purchasing.
I usually prefer open back design but the closed back EL-8 sounded better to me.
Exquisite build, top notch materials and feel.
Better even than Audeze very high end models
Built like a tank.
But they cost $600 -$700 new. Very easy to drive though, and come I believe with an adapter for iPhone. They would sound great on v30, but $600 is it a lot for what I think is a mid-fi headphone.
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Post by jandl100 on Dec 5, 2018 20:27:21 GMT
Yes, the EL-8 (closed back) are a bit bright compared to some headphones, quite obviously so at first, but they have a clean sound so I find that I soon adjust to that. They have a very solid, dynamic but detailed sound. I got mine minty and used for £300.
An easier listen are Fostex TH600 - warmer and more open sounding, but a bit less detailed than the EL-8.
A cheaper alternative are Philips Fidelio X2 - detailed and open, but a bit exaggerated in the bass which can be fun if you aren't being hypercritical.
Those, Stax SR3 (which require a power amp) and a pair of vintage Wharfedale Isodynamics (which are a real pain to drive, they would laugh at a smartphone!!) complete my current headphone collection. I'm happy to own them all, and they provide a nicely varied range of presentations and capabilities.
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Post by John on Dec 5, 2018 21:58:26 GMT
Some really good suggestions
I am starting to build a list
They will need to boogie a bit
I think closed back will be best as will have to be aware of noise pollution But in the end getting the right sound will help
I think I might need to go and see a specialist dealer as seems tough to get this right
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Post by The Brookmeister on Dec 5, 2018 23:15:14 GMT
A client of mine dropped off some HD700's that he doesn't need any more you are quite welcome to borrow them for a bit chief.
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Post by John on Dec 6, 2018 4:51:21 GMT
Pm Sent
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Post by jandl100 on Dec 6, 2018 6:11:11 GMT
The Senns are VERY open-backed!
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Post by John on Dec 6, 2018 7:42:20 GMT
Yes and also probably hard to drive
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Post by rfan8312 on Dec 6, 2018 14:30:06 GMT
Kind of a shot in the dark here, because I havent heard them, but you may want to look at these as long as you'd be using a v30, which I use and it's jaw dropping sound quality for a phone. The Fostex T50rp. One of the most modded headphones ever, and I believe the starting point for many of Mr. Speakers and Fostex other models. Semi-open, semi-closed for $150. I've heard great things about this one. Fostex RP-Series T50RP g.co/kgs/pC79oF |
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Post by jandl100 on Dec 6, 2018 14:38:12 GMT
I've owned Fostex T50rp mk3 and I agree they are great cans for around £100.
It was happily owning them for quite a while which inspired me to spend out more £££ on a pair of Fostex TH600 when a used pair came along on ebay, which are similar in many ways but more of a "no holds barred" design. The rrp is about 6x as much so they should be better!
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Post by John on Dec 6, 2018 17:04:28 GMT
Thanks Everyone
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Post by rfan8312 on Dec 12, 2018 0:30:49 GMT
I've owned Fostex T50rp mk3 and I agree they are great cans for around £100. It was happily owning them for quite a while which inspired me to spend out more £££ on a pair of Fostex TH600 when a used pair came along on ebay, which are similar in many ways but more of a "no holds barred" design. The rrp is about 6x as much so they should be better! Are you familiar with the ZMF mod on these by any chance? www.zmfheadphones.com/order-the-zmf/zmf-classic |
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Post by John on Dec 12, 2018 5:42:02 GMT
Yes I just saw a review on youtube
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2018 11:52:42 GMT
If you can get hold of a pair of Sennheiser PX100 or PX100-II they would be worth a look at. They are not made anymore and used to retail for around £30-40 but have an excellent tone for the price and are designed for travelling. Maybe a bit bass friendly, but nothing like those shockingly bad Beats things.
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Post by John on Dec 12, 2018 14:25:39 GMT
Had them many years ago I could not live with them
Headphones I had likes/dislikes
HD600 with Cardas cables
Very Holographic soundstage lacking in bass and hard to drive
AK701 Good but nothing special
HD598 like a lot of what this does easy to drive good comfort but treble adds something to the mix
SR80 could not live with them uncomfortable
PX100 Tizzy up top not able to live with Uncomfortable
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