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I need some help with choosing the headphones

Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2016 9:55 am
by Darek
As per title I'm looking for headphones (no experience in this direction at all). I have try few sets already and the best what I heard was the Sennheiser HD 650 but still I wasn’t very impressed.
Guys any experience with AKG 701 or 702 ?? any different suggestions?
Please mind the costs, for me it is only option to listening music late in night and for gaming as well.
Thanks in advance D.

Re: I need some help with choosing the headphones

Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2016 11:30 am
by Fitzgeme
I am selling a set of hd800 one of the best, see the classifieds section. Some negotiation possible


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Re: I need some help with choosing the headphones

Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2016 12:22 pm
by Darek
Thanks for that but they are way over my budget :)

Re: I need some help with choosing the headphones

Posted: Sun May 01, 2016 10:53 am
by Fran
The k701 are great headphones, but beware that they need a good amp to sound their best. HD650 are easier to drive with a broader range of amps (eg they tend to sound better with chinese valve headphone amps) and HD800 are better again, although the price is higher.

The daddy of them all imho is still stax - if you can root around and get a set at a reasonable price that is what I would go for. Bear in mind that all of the above are open - so others in the room will hear the sound.


My suggestion: Older Stax secondhand, HD650/800 as budget allows and build yourself a good headphone amp.

Re: I need some help with choosing the headphones

Posted: Sun May 01, 2016 1:07 pm
by tony
Following on from what Fran advises I have K701's and at the moment a chinese amp! Little Dot Mkiii maybe you would like to borrow for awhile and see how it works for you. It will give you a flavour of what to expect. I had a Cayin Ha-1A that I loved but when I needed to release funds as I found I just wasn't using it any more it went up on the forum. It has done the rounds here not exactly sure who has it now think it might be Fergus:) but a few people had it for awhile and I think it is great amp.

Re: I need some help with choosing the headphones

Posted: Sun May 01, 2016 4:16 pm
by Darek
Fran Thank you for the advice I definitely like to try the 800 one day but I'm not really ready (mentally ) to spend ~1k for headphones.
I like to try the Stax one day but I don't know anybody who have them.

Tony it is very kind and I be delighted if I can try the 701, I do have the Musical Fidelity tube phono amp and as well my CD player is equipped with phono out.
Please tell me when we can meet.
Just in case my phone is 0860449924

D.

Re: I need some help with choosing the headphones

Posted: Sun May 01, 2016 5:47 pm
by tony
Ok Darek will give you a text or call during the week and we can arrange something. If you are baulking at HD800(Don't blame you!) the Audeze phones are probably out also. I think they are the nicest ones I have heard, the AKG's are clean and detailed and some find this too clinical. The little Dot does not handle them as well as the Cayin which in my opinion where fabulous with them. Personally I found the HD650's too bassy and bloated. I tried out Fran's Stax set at one point(they are ancient) and they are really nice. Definitely reckon Stax are the dogs bxxllxx for headphone listening but can't justify them, well at least at the moment!

Re: I need some help with choosing the headphones

Posted: Sun May 01, 2016 6:23 pm
by sebna
If I would be buying headphone it would have to be one from LCD family :) Was very impressed by them but they are not cheap and also power hungry.

Re: I need some help with choosing the headphones

Posted: Sun May 01, 2016 7:19 pm
by Ivor
Darek wrote:Fran Thank you for the advice I definitely like to try the 800 one day but I'm not really ready (mentally ) to spend ~1k for headphones.
I like to try the Stax one day but I don't know anybody who have them.
Darek, knowing your taste in speakers I don't think Stax are for you - but they are well worth trying. Think ESL s on your ears!

Re: I need some help with choosing the headphones

Posted: Sun May 01, 2016 9:01 pm
by panda2rom
If, you would fancy to go vintage, i can recommand the Pioneer Monitor 10 (that you could come and listen).

Also of legendary status is the AKG K-240 (and K-240 sextet). Not the new edition of course :)


Do you have an amp for headsets ?

cheers,