Headphone Heights

• First off, what are you going to use them with? - Ivan303 17:30:51 04/18/13 (2)
  In Reply to: RE: $200 headphones posted by mtbikeNH on April 16, 2013 at 11:44:09

  iPod/mp3 player or a computer?
  
  High end dedicated headphone amp?
  
  Plugged into a piece of audio gear like a receiver or CD/DVD player?
  
  Makes a difference what you intend to use them with.
  
  I think I've found a very good compromise/solution for low power mp3/iPod player and headphone jack on a laptop computer.
  
  And that's NOT the headphones (Senn HD600)I use with the headphone amp that's part of my 'main system'.
  
  Horses for courses, as they say.
  
  
  
  
  
  

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  • RE: First off, what are you going to use them with? - mtbikeNH 05:50:36 04/19/13 (1)
    In Reply to: RE: First off, what are you going to use them with? posted by Ivan303 on April 18, 2013 at 17:30:51

    I will either plug them directly into my Cambridge 840 integrated or I am thinking of giving some of the Emotiva gear a try so it would be the XSP-1 preamp.
    
    I have a pair of Stax SR-5, gold version, any idea how new $200 +/- headphones might compare?
    

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    • See my review down the page a bit, Beyerdynamic 770 Pro 32 Ohm... - Ivan303 08:00:54 04/19/13 (0)
      In Reply to: RE: First off, what are you going to use them with? posted by mtbikeNH on April 19, 2013 at 05:50:36

      In that case I was looking for something in the $250 range that would work well with low power sources and I am VERY pleased with the results.
      
      A bit more that your $200 price point but still seems to make the point that if you choose carefully and match the headphones to the source and the material you plan to listen to, there is likely quite a few decent choices one could make.
      
      Perhaps I just got lucky, but...
      
      
      

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• RE: $200 headphones - mg16 15:16:04 04/18/13 (4)
  In Reply to: RE: $200 headphones posted by mtbikeNH on April 16, 2013 at 11:44:09

  Audio Technica ATH-AD900. $169.00 .Enthusiastically recommended. I have had mine for 2 years. I drive them with a pure class A headphone amp. I have owned Grados and Sennheisers. I am keeping these.
  mg16

  • http://www.amazon.com/Technica-ATH-AD900-Audiophile-Open-air   (Open in New Window)

  
  

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  • RE: $200 headphones - DrChaos 13:12:11 04/19/13 (0)
    In Reply to: RE: $200 headphones posted by mg16 on April 18, 2013 at 15:16:04

    
    There is an epic comparative review here:
    
    http://www.head-fi.org/t/634201/battle-of-the-flagships-57-headphones-compared-update-ultimate-ears-uerm-added-4-14-13#user_TLDR
    
    The AD900 is a good choice.
    
    

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  • RE: $200 headphones - mtbikeNH 05:45:47 04/19/13 (2)
    In Reply to: RE: $200 headphones posted by mg16 on April 18, 2013 at 15:16:04

    Thanks I will look at these. If I could add up to $50 of my own would you suggest anything different?
    

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    Edits: 04/19/13

    • RE: $200 headphones - mg16 07:24:59 04/20/13 (1)
      In Reply to: RE: $200 headphones posted by mtbikeNH on April 19, 2013 at 05:45:47

      I can only speak for my own likes and dislikes, but I prefer an "open sound". I would love to hear the AD1000's by Audio Technica, but $350 is out of my range too.
      As a second choice, I would listen to the Grado sr225i for $200.00.
      I have owned Sennheiser hd600, Grado sr80, and now Audio Technica ad900.
      Of the 3, I liked Sennheisers the least. They were too laid back for my tastes. Grados were very lively, and put you right up on stage with the musicians and instruments. It was always fun and interesting, but sometimes a little too much of a good thing. The AD900's are like the Goldilocks headphones to me ; not too "hot", not too "cool", just right.
      I remember a pair of Audio Technica ,Electret Condenser phones that I owned in the 70's or 80's. They were an attempt to make an electrostatic type headphone, without the high voltage stators and transformers. I loved them back then. Kept them many years till they finally broke, and could never find another pair.The AD900 have some of those same great qualitys. Namely; openness, transparency, and wide,(for headphones anyway), imageing. Qualitys I enjoy most.
      Good Luck!
      mg16
      

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      • RE: $200 headphones - mg16 07:37:02 04/20/13 (0)
        In Reply to: RE: $200 headphones posted by mg16 on April 20, 2013 at 07:24:59

        I forgot to add that these are absolutely the most comfortable headphones I have ever had on my head. Very little pressure on the ears or temple; unlike Grados I owned. Super lightweight and comfortable to wear for long periods.
        mg16
        

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• RE: $200 headphones - RickeyM 17:51:23 04/17/13 (0)
  In Reply to: RE: $200 headphones posted by mtbikeNH on April 16, 2013 at 11:44:09

  The Sony MDR-1R is on sale at that price until 4/27. From the Sony store online. It's gotten some good reviews.
  

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  Edits: 04/17/13
• Check out innerfidelity.com and Tyll's Wall of Fame. - orpheus 11:58:25 04/16/13 (1)
  In Reply to: RE: $200 headphones posted by mtbikeNH on April 16, 2013 at 11:44:09

  The Wall of Fame on innerfidelity is a great resource, and an excellent starting point to spend your $200.
  
  -Aaron.
  

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  • RE: Check out innerfidelity.com and Tyll's Wall of Fame. - mtbikeNH 12:25:33 04/16/13 (0)
    In Reply to: RE: Check out innerfidelity.com and Tyll's Wall of Fame. posted by orpheus on April 16, 2013 at 11:58:25

    Thanks, I will look.
    

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