[Guy 13]

Hi all Audio Circle members.

In the future, when I am back in Canada in a small apartment, 

I won’t be able to play my music as loud as I use to.

Therefore I am starting to look for a good pair of headphones.

I almost made up my mind on the amplifier that will drive the headphones;
it’s either a Bellari HA-540 or a Schiit Valhalla.

I now own a pair of Sennheiser HD-570 that are 10 years old,
but still work fine.

As for the (Over the ears) headphone,
my choices are:

Sennheiser HD-650 - 300 Ohms @ 500 USD
Beyer Dynamics DT-990 – 250 Ohms @ 400 USD
AKG Q-701 - 62 Ohms @ 420 USD

I don’t know if this means anything, (Probably not)
but Head-fi ranked them as follow:

# 3 - Sennheiser HD-650
# 23 - AKG Q701
# 102 – Beyer Dynamics (To me, that seems impossible ? ? ?)

I listen to all type of music, except heavy metal rock.

I am looking for advice/opinion of an Audio Circle member(s) that have experienced listening to all those.

By the way, I have tried to drive my Sennheiser HD-570
with my Decware SE-84C+ SET (2wpc)
but my first impression, was that it had lots of bass, but little highs.

But, that was a short listening session; therefore,
I might be wrong.

Of course my Decware SE-84C+ SET is already paid for,
I would like to use it.

Guy 13
 


 

[dB Cooper]

Fortunately, this is one of those problems that can be solved simply by throwing money at it. Just buy every headphone you think you might like 

More seriously, I have owned the 650's older brother the 580 and liked it a lot (some think the highs are too recessed); I have heard the K701's (not the Q's) but thought they sounded too thin; and don't know which Beyers you are referring to but have heard the 770s which were the exact opposite of the AKGs.

If you decide on the 650s, might wanna move sooner rather than later... The "kid brother" 600 was just discontinued and wouldn't be surprised if Senn closes out the venerable 650 soon also.

[JohnR]

Guy, are you planning to buy these headphones before or after you move? Which city will you be in - perhaps there are (still) some stores that have some you can listen too.

[FullRangeMan]

Guy,
The AKG Q701(and other models) are on sale at Amazon, starting at $240 to around $260:
http://www.amazon.com/AKG-Signature-Reference-Class-Headphones-White/dp/B004444OFK/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1349017286&sr=1-3&keywords=akg+701

[toocool4]

I would say try the Beyerdynamic T90 and if you have the money you can not beat the T1, if you can afford T1 then the Sennheieser HD 800 must be on your list too. Also the HD 700 too but I would pick the HD800 over the HD 700 any day.

The best advice I can give is try all the headphones you can get hold of then buy the one you like the most, as we all have different taste.

Have fun trying

[Guy 13]

Fortunately, this is one of those problems that can be solved simply by throwing money at it. Just buy every headphone you think you might like 

More seriously, I have owned the 650's older brother the 580 and liked it a lot (some think the highs are too recessed); I have heard the K701's (not the Q's) but thought they sounded too thin; and don't know which Beyers you are referring to but have heard the 770s which were the exact opposite of the AKGs.

If you decide on the 650s, might wanna move sooner rather than later... The "kid brother" 600 was just discontinued and wouldn't be surprised if Senn closes out the venerable 650 soon also.

Hi Cooper and all Audio Circle members.

Of course the best way to choose the headphone that best suit our needs is to try them all.

Most hi-fi shops only offer one make of headphones,
because I think,
the manufacturer force them to do that,
they don't want you to compare,
you might like the competitor's headphones.

The more I search,
the more I think I will go for the Sennheiser HD-650,
minds you,
I might listen to the HD-600 and 598
and see if the difference in sound quality is worth the price difference.

Thanks for your advice.

Guy 13

 

[Guy 13]

Guy, are you planning to buy these headphones before or after you move? Which city will you be in - perhaps there are (still) some stores that have some you can listen too.

Hi John R
the mysterious man that don't want us to know more about him. (LOL)
You never answered or commented a previous post of mine,
but that's O.K. with me.

The way I look at it,
I might have to go back to Montreal, Quebec, Canada around or even,
after Christmas.

Therefore, I think the purchase will be done after Christmas.

I am not too worried about availability of those, after listening to them, I might even choose the Hd-600 or HD-595 ? ? ?

I have already contacted a store in Montreal (Filion Electronique)
and they say no problem, they have many in stock.

Thanks.

Guy 13

[Guy 13]

I would say try the Beyerdynamic T90 and if you have the money you can not beat the T1, if you can afford T1 then the Sennheieser HD 800 must be on your list too. Also the HD 700 too but I would pick the HD800 over the HD 700 any day.

The best advice I can give is try all the headphones you can get hold of then buy the one you like the most, as we all have different taste.

Have fun trying

Hi toocool14 and all Audio Circle members.

I have as a maximum budget for my headphones the amount of :
500 USD.
(I have to take into account,
that I have to add the 15% sales tax in Canada.)
Therefore, the hearphones you have to mentionned are all overbudget.
Thanks anyway for your advice.

Guy 13

Note: If I am happy with my 10 years old HD-570,
I think, I should be happy with the HD-650.
 

[Guy 13]

Guy,
The AKG Q701(and other models) are on sale at Amazon, starting at $240 to around $260:
http://www.amazon.com/AKG-Signature-Reference-Class-Headphones-White/dp/B004444OFK/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1349017286&sr=1-3&keywords=akg+701

Hi Gustavo and all Audio Circle members.

Thanks for the advice,
but  unfortunately I don't like the look of the AKG Q701
and in reference to many reviewers, that sound thin and
that I don't like.

Thanks anyway for your advice.

Guy 13

[ugribugri]

Right now Amazon has a deal on the Sennheisers for 440 USD:

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-650-Headphones/dp/B00018MSNI

I also had a chance to listen to the Grado Labs RS2i headphones at a local audio dealer here in Portland, Oregon (I own a pair of SR-80s).  They were quite a step above what I currently have, but I couldn't quite justify the price tag when I went in to have a look at them.  The only problem that I have had with the Grado Labs cans is that they can be uncomfortable if you use the stock ear pads (on the models below the SR-325i) for long listening periods.  I wear glasses at work, so this is exacerbated, thus, I had to get the larger over ear pads that can be purchased online.  This will add another 20 USD to your purchase price.

[eclein]

I think if people had those pads right off the bat, a lot more folks would like Grado's. I put those pads on my first pair, day one and never listen to any without them. I've worn them for hours at a time and even forgotten they were on at times with those pads!!!

[milford3]

[timind]

I have owned the AKG701s and the HD600s. The HD600s were the better set IMO. I never thought the 701s sound was thin, just not as engaging as the Senns. Also, the Senns were the most comfortable headphones I have ever owned.
Good luck whichever way you go and get ready for that temperature drop. I spent a year in Thailand and came back to Connecticut in January...what a shock to the system.

[airhead]

It's easy to choose.  Stax.

[Guy 13]

It's easy to choose.  Stax.

Hi airhead and all Audio Circle members.

Yesterday I was on a business trip to Hong Kong
and saw at a small electronic store in the airport
some Beyer Dynamics headphones.
T1, T5 and DT990 and lots of Doctor Dre or something like that.

I did not have a calculator to make the conversion from Hong Kong dollars to USD, but the price look a little high.
I did not wanted to ask for the help of a saleman,
because I believe that he would not know what he would be talking about.

I use to own (30 years ago) a pair of Stax (Don't remember the model) and they sounded very good.

Why did I sold them ? ? ? ? ?

However, I would not buy Stax again,
I will stick to the (HD-570 (Now) and/or HD-650 (Future)) Sennheiser.

It's very difficult to compare side by side different makes (Sennheiser, Beyer Dynamics, AKG, Grado...) most stores are offering only one brand and in addition,
many stores don't have the proper amplifier to drive them.

When I am ready to buy, I will have bought the Schiit Valhalla and I will bring it with me to make the comparaison.

I am becoming more and more a tube guy for everything,
even the headphone amplifier.

Guy 13
 

[toocool4]

Yesterday I was on a business trip to Hong Kong
and saw at a small electronic store in the airport
some Beyer Dynamics headphones.
T1, T5 and DT990 and lots of Doctor Dre or something like that.

I did not have a calculator to make the conversion from Hong Kong dollars to USD, but the price look a little high.
I did not wanted to ask for the help of a saleman,
because I believe that he would not know what he would be talking about.

Guy 13

It’s a pity most shops do not stock a wide range, so you can have a better comparison of the cans.

I am lucky that a shop I go to when I am in Munich (www.hificoncept.de) carries most brands AKG, Audio Technica, Bang & Olufsen, Bose, Denon, Klipsch, Monster, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Sennheiser, Shure, Stax and Ultrasone.

This way I get to try loads of brands. 

On the Hong Kong thing, I think you should have spoken to the assistant. The last time I was in Hong Kong, I found out that the guy I spoke to at the airport knew what he was talking about. Yes the price at the Hong Kong airport is high and would not buy from there, but the guy did know what he was talking about and let me listen to a few.

At the Hong Kong airport is the first time I listened to the Ultrasone Edition 10, only to find out it’s the biggest pile of Cr*p ever.

[SteveFord]

Guy 13,
Why wouldn't you buy Stax again?

[Guy 13]

Guy 13,
Why wouldn't you buy Stax again?

Hi Steve and all Audio Circle members.

I would not buy Stax again,
because today they are too expensive for my today's income (Revenue)

I bought my Stax when I was 35 years old
and making tons of money,
today, is a very different story.

I am not interested in buying used ones,
because I think it would be risky...

In addition, to drive them,
you need a good (Tube, in my case)
and expensive amplifier.

That being said,
I still think they are fantastic sounding headphones.

When I will be back to Canada,
I might try to get a pair of Stax in exchange against some audio stuff
I want to let go.

At to of my wish list is the Fisher 500C receiver.

Steve, what model of Stax would you recommend and with what (Model + make) of amplifier would you drive them.

Guy 13
 

[SteveFord]

I think that this would do nicely:

http://staxusa.com/System/STAX-SRS-3170.html

The amp from WooAudio would be my first choice but I'm not that into headphones to justify the expense:

http://www.wooaudio.com/products/wes.html

[Sparky14]

No recommendations for Hifiman yet?

I have recently gotten the HE-400s, which were an improvement over the Beyer DT990/600s, which were an improvement over HD650s.