I need a little advice on a headphone set up for my office

Chris_B · « **on:** 16 Feb 2004, 04:40 pm »

I am looking into a headphone setup for my office and was hoping you guys could point me in the right direction. At this point, I am thinking of a good "bang for the buck" approach. I will likely use a portable cd player or combo tuner/player as the source and mate them with a good amp and headphones.

I ran across the Headroom web site and I looked at the Sennheiser HD 580 phones and the HeadRoom Little amp. Together, they will cost around $400 depending where I buy them.

Do any of you folks have experience with this gear or can you recommend another pair of phones or an amp that will give me good performance for a little less money?

After looking around a little more, I have come up with a few more amps to consider at different price points:

Music Fidelity X-Cansv2
Creek OBH-11
Earmax OTL tube

sjd · « **Reply #1 on:** 16 Feb 2004, 06:40 pm »

I use a pair of beyerdynamic 250's and a MF xcan2 at work, running them via NEC CDR-602 and stock ART DIO. The NEC looks like a part of the office equipment. You don't have to run the DAC though, as the NEC has analog outs. I got the phones at BH photo video (or something like that)--this was the best price I could find. One thing you should consider is if you want portability for travel. Then maybe you want to spend more on the headphones and get etymotics, but you probably read all the tips on headroom.

Since you are trying to save, wait for the right used deal. I think it is headfi.org that has a hopping classified section. Lots of people stepping up from the lower end to high end headphone systems. That's the great thing about this obsessive hobby...lots of movement of used gear to save money.

Oh, the Perreaux amp was the flavor of the month last time I was looking. I think that might be around your price range (if you can find one used).

Thump553 · « **Reply #2 on:** 16 Feb 2004, 08:23 pm »

I use the Senn 600 headphones which are very similar to the 580s. Both are very good headphones. I can wear the 600s for hours at a time with no discomfort, which is (unfortunately) not all that common. I love the sound quality.

I don't have any personal familarity with that headphone amp, but I know its a big name. There is a Creek headphone amp in the same price range that is supposed to be great for the 580/600. I use an AudioValve RKV, which is substantially more expsensive (and currently broken).

Go to http://www.head-fi.org and review the forums (including the For Sale one) for lots of good input on this issue.

EDIT: I strongly reccommend whatever amp you get have crossfeed. Some people don't care for this, but I love it.

Remember you will need interconnects too.

Al Garay · « **Reply #3 on:** 17 Feb 2004, 01:46 am »

A good site with reviews:
http://www.goodcans.com/

I highly recommend the Grado series. At your price range the SR325. And you don't need a head amp to make them sound really good.
My only complaint is that their foam is not as comfortable to wear as the AKG or Sennheiser HD600 (which is also very nice). But, I had no trouble using the Grado on 13 hour direct flight from Seattle to Amsterdam.

Check eBay for good prices.

Al

Jon L · « **Reply #4 on:** 17 Feb 2004, 05:01 am »

I would still recommend AKG K1000, for home or office. Try to look for used, but even new ones are reasonably priced at Meier Audio. One good thing is you don't need a dedicated headphone amp. Just drag out any receiver, amplifier you have stored away, tweak a few wires, cords, and it will likely drive the K1000 to surprising quality.

Then there's the new Sennheiser HD650.

DVV · « **Reply #5 on:** 17 Feb 2004, 07:56 am »

Quote from: Chris_B

I am looking into a headphone setup for my office and was hoping you guys could point me in the right direction. At this point, I am thinking of a good "bang for the buck" approach. I will likely use a portable cd player or combo tuner/player as the source and mate them with a good amp and headphones. ...

I don't think you'll get more bang for buck with anything than with Grado SR-60 cans. In fact, as a 33 year can freak, I daresay they will show you what headphones are all about, if you don't mind the quasi-retro styling.

For better, but also more expensive, try Grado SR-225 and Beyer Dynamic DT 990. The 990 is a magnificinet pair of cans, but really need a dedicated, high quality headphones amp to shine all the way, although they will make the best of standard headphones outputs. In Europe, they cost about 210 euros, or about $250.

Cheers,
DVV

Chris_B · « **Reply #6 on:** 18 Feb 2004, 03:27 am »

At this point, after reading the forums and weighing different options, I am now leaning toward the Grado SR-225s. I have read that they don't need an amp the same way the Senns do. I ordered an I-River PCD and am waiting on an ebay auction before ordering the phones. If I can hold off on the amp for a month or so, I may do that.

DVV · « **Reply #7 on:** 18 Feb 2004, 07:21 am »

Quote from: Chris_B

At this point, after reading the forums and weighing different options, I am now leaning toward the Grado SR-225s. I have read that they don't need an amp the same way the Senns do. I ordered an I-River PCD and am waiting on an ebay auction before ordering the phones. If I can hold off on the amp for a month or so, I may do that.

Chris, I have owned Sennheiser cans in one way or another (as themselves, or as rebadged) since 1968. They have never managed to get their bass range anywhere near the quality of their mid and high. They do have bass, it's clean and clear, but it's definitely on the lean side.

Beyer is much better in this respect, and in case of model 990, I feel they could run for the best dynamic headphone title with it.

Grado takes a little from the old Koss school by having a deep, clean and convincing bass; it's not overblown as in many a Koss headphone of old (although I loved their Pro AAA I used to have), but also takes a bit from both Sennheiser and Beyer in that they offer very good clarity across the range. Where they truly shine is in the way they integrate the entire spectrum into one whole, and they do so seamlessly. The only quibble you might have with them is their, shall we say odd design, quasi-retro but not retro.

SR-60 is a masterpiece - for the money, I can't think of anything that will even touch them. SR-225 is the same as SR-60, only more of it. Integration is about as absolute as it can be in real life, nothing pushes, nothing pulls, nothing stands out, yet they manage to bring out the spirit and emotion of music - not at all easy to do. Sure, the price is higher, but I feel it's well worth the asking price, and in fact, I am about to augment my SR-60 cans with an SR 225 pair.

Cheers,
DVV

Chris_B · « **Reply #8 on:** 18 Feb 2004, 10:43 am »

DVV - thanks for the comments. I just purchased the 225 earlier this evening. Based on your comments, I think I made the right choice. I have spent some time over in the Balkans over the last 10 years. How are things going in Belgrade this past year?

TheeeChosenOne · « **Reply #9 on:** 19 Feb 2004, 04:35 am »

DVV,
Not to go off topic, but have you heard the Senn 650's? If so, what is your opinion of them?

Apparently, from what I've read on Head-Fi.com, the bass is markedly better than in the 600 model. Despite the raves of 600, I have found them also rather bland. Not my cup of tea. I prefer my Ety's much more.

..........Now, on topic, I've read the Grado 225's are generally considered the best ROCK phones bar none. The fact that you don't need an amp is a no-brainer of a purchase. I'd just replace the pads for something more comfortable (Ebay, etc) if the stock pads bother.........