Headphone Heights

RE: Closed-back Headphone With Sound Like AKG K240?

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In Reply to: RE: Closed-back Headphone With Sound Like AKG K240? posted by Inmate51 on November 15, 2012 at 21:04:23

First, I want to thank you all for the excellent suggestions! Any one of the recommended phones would make a music lover very happy.
For me, it was all about a sound that was similar to the AKG K240 "Monitor", in a closed-back phone with good isolation. I bought those phones about 15-20 years ago specifically because they're a standard in the recording biz, they sound great, they're extremely comfortable, and they're not over-priced. I paid about ninety bucks, which was a bit pricey at the time, but not excessive. I still love 'em! Great investment.
Someone suggested the AKG K550, and someone suggested the A-T 50's. Well, I totally spaced out the 550 in my comparisons, and that kinda pisses me off. I need to write these things down before going shopping! I did listen to the A-T 50, the Sony 7506, the UltraSone some-or-other, and the Shure 440 and 840. A couple years ago, I'd previously listened to a $150-$200 (street) Sennheiser model as well.
Although I had several CDs with me for listening (Talking Heads, Eric Clapton, Frank Sinatra, ...), it was late in the day, so I didn't get into all of them. I chose the Mstislav Rostropovich DG recording of Schubert's String Quintet in C Major to do the comparison. It's a work that I'm very familiar with, have recorded live, and I have a good sense of the sound of cello, viola and violin (and variations among models).
I liked the A-T 50. Very nice sound, although bright-ish. "Average" isolation. This would be a great choice for many people.
As I said earlier, I didn't try the AKG 550. Dang!
Not impressed with the Sony 7506. High quality sound and good isolation, but not the audio contour that appeals to me for my needs.
Ultra Sone something-or-other, at about $150-$200. I'd already ruled out UltraSone, but gave them another listen anyway. Average isolation, artificially nice sound.
Shure 840. This is the phone that I thought I'd buy. But, it has a pronounced peak in the upper midrange which made it unlistenable at loud levels - it hurt too much. But very good isolation.
Didn't listen to the Shure 940 - out of the price range ($300).
Shure 440. Good isolation - as good as the Shure 840, decent match to the AKG 240 sound, and just as comfortable as the 840. Doesn't have the peak that the 840 has. Bought 'em for $99.
One of these days, if I can hear the AKG 550 and like 'em, I'll give my kid the Shure 440's. But for now, I'm a happy camper with them. Good isolation, comfortable, familiar non-peaky sound, great price.
Still, none of these phones have the isolation of my Peltor ear protectors. I think I see a product development in my future. Look out, David Clarke! ;)
:)

Edits: 01/01/13

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