Decent Headphones - Grado Vs AKG Vs Audio Technica Vs Sennheiser Vs Shure?

[The Groke]

Looking to buy a nice pair of cans for home listening.

Maximum budget of $300US, will be used to play lossless and 320kb rips from a Macbook via a decent external DAC/amp.

Had all but decided on the Grado SR325is, but some digging around offered very positive reviews on the AKG 701s and the Audio Technica range.

Sennheiser are also a popular choice, but I seem to have an irrational prejudice against their kit having bought a cheaper pair of their portables about 5 years ago and thinking they sucked. Happy to be convinced otherwise though!

I was also considering the cheaper option of a pair of Shure HD840s - I love my Shure earbuds, but not sure what their cans are like?

Biggest problem I have is not really having a chance to audition or purchase anything here in Dubai - choice for cans seems to be weirdly limited to low-end Sennheisers, Skullcandy and Dr Dre Beats things, so I would like to get this right first time to avoid having to send things back overseas!

Anyone got any recommendations/thoughts/experience? Would be most likely to buy from Amazon.com, hence the dollar price limit etc.

 

[Sunray]

With that sort of price its better to go listen to them than trust other people opinions. Whats good for them isn't necessarily good for you.

 

[The Groke]

With that sort of price its better to go listen to them than trust other people opinions. Whats good for them isn't necessarily good for you.

I know and normally I would, but I an unlikely to be in a position to do so for some time...

 

[editor]

I think Grado will probably give you the most neutral and open sound, but that may not be what you want.

What Hi-Fi 'best of' listing here: http://www.whathifi.com/BestBuys/Headphones-BestBuys/Headphones/

 

[IMR]

Grados have quite a nice sound but I wasn't too impressed with the finish and build quality on my old SR 60s.

Resist the urge to buy a pair of Sennheiser HD25s, despite the fact that some people now use them for casual listening when they're out and about. They are really meant for field/location sound recordists and although very robust, will grip your head like a vice.

If you want closed-back headphones for use at home, I'd recommend Beyerdynamic DT 770s.

Very detailed sound and comfortable to wear. I use them for hours on end at work.

 

[The Groke]

Ta Ed - you had a pair of 60 or 80s didn't you? Presume you were happy with them? Dd you find them uncomfy at all? Seems to be the most common criticism I see levelled them - certainly I see few complaints on sound quality...

 

[The Groke]

Hm - will take a peek at the Bayer dynamics as well then!

 

[IMR]

They're not cheap but you'd be really happy with them. Great sound, good build quality, business-like retro looks and comfy to wear.

 

[mincepie]

Likewise avoid the HD280's - too tight for sitting around at home - your head will be squashed to death!

I have a set of Beyerdynamic dt250's (from ebay for £60) - very happy with them! i couldn't afford the 770's pictured above!

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

+1 on the 770's, they're great.

You really should try and try headphones before you buy though, as how comfortably they fit your head is just as important as how they sound.

 

[mauvais]

I've got Grado SR80s and they're very good. Open backed though so can only use them on my own. Look like they fell out out of a passing biplane too.

 

[The Groke]

You really should try and try headphones before you buy though, as how comfortably they fit your head is just as important as how they sound.

Also true...

*sigh*

I don't wanna wait until I am back in the UK late in the year though.

Oh the dilemma.



At least the local market is such that if I do end up getting something unsuitable, I can probably sell it for a profit without much difficulty!

 

[The Groke]

I've got Grado SR80s and they're very good. Open backed though so can only use them on my own. Look like they fell out out of a passing biplane too.

Is the leakage pretty bad then?

Will Mrs Groke kill me?

 

[mauvais]

I sometimes stick them in the bathroom on full iPod volume and you can hear the track well enough. It's probably about half the listener's volume for anyone nearby.

 

[Sunray]

Grados have quite a nice sound but I wasn't too impressed with the finish and build quality on my old SR 60s.
D2

I have abused my SR60's and they sound as good today as they did 12 years ago when I bought them.

 

[audiotech]

Had a pair of Sennheiser HD580 for what seems like decades now. Hard wearing. Fit, finish, quality, price all good. Very comfy too. Ability to replace headphone cables without having to rewire.

 

[8den]

Had a pair of Sennheiser HD580 for what seems like decades now. Hard wearing, fit, finish, quality, price all good. Very comfy too. Ability to replace headphone cables without having to rewire.

I want to get Sennheiser for my next set....Very easy to repair, excellent finish.

 

[Shippou-Sensei]

Resist the urge to buy a pair of Sennheiser HD25s, despite the fact that some people now use them for casual listening when they're out and about. They are really meant for field/location sound recordists and although very robust, will grip your head like a vice.

i use them all the time and i don't find them uncomfortable. they are very snug but i find them to be less sweaty and cumbersome as large headphones

 

[Refused as fuck]

I have abused my SR60's and they sound as good today as they did 12 years ago when I bought them.

Too plasticky.

 

[Sunray]

What are your headphones made out of then?

 

[Refused as fuck]

Stupid question.

 

[grit]

I bought my first pair of Sennheiser recently, very happy camper FWIW.

 

[bmd]

The 701s are an absolute bastard to drive by all accounts. Not sure that the Macbook and the headphone amp will cut the mustard with them tbh.

Have you seen this thread at Headfi?

 

[bmd]

Is the leakage pretty bad then?

Will Mrs Groke kill me?

They're akin to strapping a small pair of speakers on your head really.

I would definitely try before you buy if only because the ones you choose might not suit your head and be really uncomfortable. I find the Grado SR80s uncomfortable for anything other than a short time.

 

[Xanadu]

My Grado SR80s are fine for about 2 hours, but more and I start getting irritated. Sounds leakage is worse than your average open-backed.

 

[kropotkin]

I've got Grado SR80s and they're very good. Open backed though so can only use them on my own. Look like they fell out out of a passing biplane too.

Yeah, I used to own a pair of those, and they were good if not at all suited to any portable use.
I now have some Sennheiser HD25 cans that are simply wonderful- the sounds is incredibly crisp and clear, and they can really pack in the bass. They are quite tight, but it doesn't bother me.

One of my best-ever purchases

 

[honeymonster12]

Has anyone tried the high end model Sennheiser HD800 yet? I can't afford a pair (yet) but they look amazing in the photos?

 

[editor]

My Grado SR80s are fine for about 2 hours, but more and I start getting irritated. Sounds leakage is worse than your average open-backed.

They are absolutely not to be recommended for use away from the home.

 

[pesh]

Grados have quite a nice sound but I wasn't too impressed with the finish and build quality on my old SR 60s.

Resist the urge to buy a pair of Sennheiser HD25s, despite the fact that some people now use them for casual listening when they're out and about. They are really meant for field/location sound recordists and although very robust, will grip your head like a vice.

If you want closed-back headphones for use at home, I'd recommend Beyerdynamic DT 770s.

Very detailed sound and comfortable to wear. I use them for hours on end at work.

i've got HD25s and DT-770s, its true, the HD25s do grip your head pretty hard, great for short tube journeys, DJing etc but agonizing on a 30 hour flight to NZ... ended up getting the DT 770s as they are far more comfortable for prolonged use. and they sound fantastic. even the 70 ohm ones are pretty hard to drive though, they definitely benefit from a decent headphone amp.

 

[The Groke]

I bought the Grado 325is in the end. Got them from Amazon in the states for about two thirds of the cheapest price I saw them in the Uk.

Glad I did, I bloody love em.