Which headphones?

[monya]

I was thinking of treating myself to some cans for using with the tv for films etc + maybe the headphone socket on the pc. Is a decent pair a waste of money and would need a headamp to drive them - a road I'm not interested in going down at present. Had these in mind http://www.amazon.co.uk/AKG-Quincy-Reference-Premium-Headphones/dp/B004GHY0IG/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1374777270&sr=1-3&keywords=akg+q or is it a waste for this kind of use?

 

[themadlatvian]

Senn HD600s.

Much better, and better value than those.

 

[f1eng]

These were the phones I chose after listening to quite a few, I paid list price in order to buy from the guy who let me demo a wide range of phones. They seemed to be very naural with clear deep unexaggerated bass.

OTOH some don't like them, if you have been used to the hyper bass boom-cans which prevail in the youf market they would sound lacking.

I must say though they aren't that efficient, but sound fine with phones output of my bluray player but hopeless with standard portables, sublime with Colorfly C4.

- - - Updated - - -

Senn HD600s.Much better, and better value than those.

Amusing simulpost, the Sennheiser HD600s (and HD800s) were amongst those I rejected on audition...

 

[themadlatvian]

Amusing simulpost, the Sennheiser HD600s (and HD800s) were amongst those I rejected on audition...

Of course, YMMV!

:^

 

[tkimages]

I spent a long time auditioning headphones at the end of last year. Sennheisers were too 'dark' for me and Grados could get a bit OTT at times. I was even loaned a set HD HD800s and I doubt I could live with them. As I liked the tonal balance of my Shure IEMs I decided to try Shures studio headphones and they turned out to be exactly what I wanted. I went to a large music shop (warehouse) and they let me demo the whole range. They can be driven relatively easily by an iPod, iPhone and laptop headphone socket, so I assume the headphone out of a TV or DVD etc will drive them.

 

[pmac]

These were the phones I chose after listening to quite a few, I paid list price in order to buy from the guy who let me demo a wide range of phones.

:^

 

[mongeddavid]

Whilst i currently own some Grado RS2is ( great fun ) I also enjoyed Sennhieser HD600s and 595s. They are very comfy and good for games and tv etc. Musically they are not bad with a very natural laid back kind of presentation but i found them ultimately un involving. Also you would look a bit of a pratt wearing them outdoors and im not sure if they ran that well of my Ipod to be honest. Lower end Grados are good try the SR80is or Sr125is but they can be a bit uncomfortable in prolonged use unless you are prepared to mod them.

If you want something comfy and stylish at the same time with actually pretty darn good sound the Bower and Wilkins P5s are great. I have a pair and may be willing to pass them on ( no im not really trying to get rid but i am actually having a bit of a battle with the missus as she thinks that owning more than one pair of phones is an extravagance. ) .They will run well from a pc etc and sound good with music movies and games. They are also great with an iphone ipod etc without the need for a head amp.

 

[Joker]

Although i don't get on with 600's, i think the sennheiser momentum are great. ATH M50's are good but with a bit more bass. Neither need a head amp. More expensive are the ultrasone signature pro which sounded great to me and were very comfortable. Also easy to drive. I thought the akg were not in the same league as the above and not as easy to drive.

headphones are such a personal thing. You need to factor in comfort, the type of music you like and your preferred source. It def requires some auditioning .

 

[FiftyPlus]

The Grado SR80is are the best I've heard to date, and very tollerant, even plugged into pocket sets - though I have heard a couple of units (CD players) where they were not quite as good with (though not actually bad). The AKG 702s I have read definately need a decent headphone amp, but I wouldn't take anybody's word for it if I had the chance to audition some options - and if you're spending £100 plus on over ears then I would hope a dealer would let you try and compare. Having heard headphones costing up to £250, the SR80s at £112 hold up very well (albeit they are open rather than closed).

 

[monya]

Guess I'll visit the hifi show and pay a visit to the Headzone which I read is going to be bigger this year. Should be plenty there to compare.

 

[FiftyPlus]

Guess I'll visit the hifi show and pay a visit to the Headzone which I read is going to be bigger this year. Should be plenty there to compare.

Try to take some of your own music. They do like their demos, and they aren't always representative of what you might listen to in the real world.

 

[julian2002]

I'll chuck the Ultrasone Pro750's into the ring. Ignore the 'surround' marketing spew, they are immensely capable headphones which are used by a fair few muso's I knew from my game programming days.

 

[AmDismal]

If it's for TV use, I would value wirelessness over ultimate sound quality. I bought my dad a pair of wireless Sennheisers a couple of years ago for TV use, and he's delighted with them. Mind you, the reason he wanted them is that he's going deaf and had to have the TV up so loud it annoyed my mum, so his perspective may be different from yours

 

[Chivas]

The Grado SR80is are the best I've heard to date, and very tollerant, even plugged into pocket sets - though I have heard a couple of units (CD players) where they were not quite as good with (though not actually bad). The AKG 702s I have read definately need a decent headphone amp, but I wouldn't take anybody's word for it if I had the chance to audition some options - and if you're spending £100 plus on over ears then I would hope a dealer would let you try and compare. Having heard headphones costing up to £250, the SR80s at £112 hold up very well (albeit they are open rather than closed).

+1 for the Grado SR80. Relatively cheap and easy to drive. Nice soundstage and quite exciting, will be great for music, movies, computer games and what have you. I am not sure I agree with an earlier statement that the HD6xx are any good for movies/games, they are quite laid back. In saying that, if I had to listen to an action movie or play computer games (which I don't) for a couple of hours, I'd choose the Senn's to avoid a migraine.

I own the HD600 and HD650 and really wanted the HD800, but in the end I was bowled over by the Grado PS1000 and settled with them, even though I wanted the HD800's to win. In saying that, I was never really satisfied with the PS1000's after I bought them and spent more time with them, as said somewhere else in this thread, they can be somewhat OTT and bright, very sensitive to partnering equipment. I finally paired them with Icon Audio's HP8 valve headphone amplifier and now they are perfect and I will live happily ever after. I don't think I will be in the market for headphones in the next 20 years or so...

 

[benmilne]

Akg 702 AMAZING! Not for listening to on the move though as they are just about as loud on the outside as the inside! I tried with just my iphone and whilst it sounds pretty good I'd say you def need an amp for them so for out and about I bought a set of krk kns8400. These are such good headphones for the money. Whilst the could also be improved with an amp I use them all the time plugged into my iphone without an amp. They are such a good fit they might as well be noise cancelling and you can have them turned up loud before anyone near you can hear them. I'd say they are very neutral sounding and lacking in the bass dept but I can't rate them highly enough if you are away from home. Good luck. Ben

 

[lowendall]

a bit of a odd ball but maybe try cheap sony v6 headphones, not too bad at all I just got a set £60 delivered , and they work fine, but seem good value to me,

lowendall