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$500 cans on, this is how you dream right - Official Headphone Thread

M

mrboo001

Banned
Hello all, I'm looking for some new headphones. I'm not the most knowledgeable about it, right now I just have some earbuds and they sound decent to me. I'm mainly going to use it for music and gaming on my PC (as I've going noise complaints about late night sessions). I don't have a mic but I mostly play single player games anyways. I'm more worried about noise leakage than cancelling. My budget is 250 CDN max, prefer around $100. I've found some Sennheisers on sale but it doesn't have to be that brand.

HD 280 ($100)
http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000065BPB/

HD 380 ($140)
http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B001UE6I0G/

Momentum ($200, can buy instore)
http://www.futureshop.ca/en-ca/prod...spx?path=484977940a3b7d141c3896bf0315268aen02

HD 25-1 ($240)
http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000TDZOXG/

I'm mainly wondering if the other headphones would be worth the extra cost compared to the 280s. I know such things are very subjective but I'd still like some input.

EDIT: Forgot to mention, build quatily is important. Last pair I had where a decent sounding pair of Sonys (forget the model number, around $100) but didn't last 6 months. I would be willing to pair extra if the build quatily is better.
 
M

Mononoke

Banned
I honestly don't know how you can go without a DAC. I had to go an entire week without one with my HD-700s + Schiit Lyr amp, and once I got my replacement DAC set up, the difference was just night and day. Such a huge jump in quality. Got this bad boy:

Schitt-front-300x162.jpg


Going to post my set up soon (need to take a pic of the Bifrost/Lyr on top of each other + my HD-700).
 
H

HiResDes

Member
mrboo001 said:
Hello all, I'm looking for some new headphones. I'm not the most knowledgeable about it, right now I just have some earbuds and they sound decent to me. I'm mainly going to use it for music and gaming on my PC (as I've going noise complaints about late night sessions). I don't have a mic but I mostly play single player games anyways. I'm more worried about noise leakage than cancelling. My budget is 250 CDN max, prefer around $100. I've found some Sennheisers on sale but it doesn't have to be that brand.

HD 280 ($100)
http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000065BPB/

HD 380 ($140)
http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B001UE6I0G/

Momentum ($200, can buy instore)
http://www.futureshop.ca/en-ca/prod...spx?path=484977940a3b7d141c3896bf0315268aen02

HD 25-1 ($240)
http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000TDZOXG/

I'm mainly wondering if the other headphones would be worth the extra cost compared to the 280s. I know such things are very subjective but I'd still like some input.

EDIT: Forgot to mention, build quatily is important. Last pair I had where a decent sounding pair of Sonys (forget the model number, around $100) but didn't last 6 months. I would be willing to pair extra if the build quatily is better.
Click to expand...
Don't use Amazon if you're Canadian as you're gonna get ripped off. Check out the headphones on this site - http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/clas...nce=&price=101,150&photo=N&show_other_marts=N

The Ultrasone 580,Amperior, and Beyer DT1350 all would be perfect and are great deals

You could also opt for the HM5,which beat the HD280 handily at the same price http://www.mp4nation.net/brainwavz-hm5-studio-monitor-headphones
 
M

mrboo001

Banned
HiResDes said:
Don't use Amazon if you're Canadian as you're gonna get ripped off. Check out the headphones on this site - http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/clas...nce=&price=101,150&photo=N&show_other_marts=N

The Ultrasone 580,Amperior, and Beyer DT1350 all would be perfect and are great deals

You could also opt for the HM5,which beat the HD280 handily at the same price http://www.mp4nation.net/brainwavz-hm5-studio-monitor-headphones
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link! Those prices are much cheaper indeed. One thing I remembered from last time is that since I wear glasses, On Ear Headphones can be hard to wear (the phones and glasses sandwhich, giving a squeezing feeling). I think I'll have to goto a store to try again to be sure about this... anyways, would this be a good deal?

Momentum Over Ears ($210)
http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649118748-sennheiser_momentum_over_ears_brown/

A bit more than I plan to pay but if comfort is going to be a big of an issue as I'm worried about, it might be worth it.

EDIT: Didn't see the HM5... looks like it's also Over Ears and at a much cheaper price.... looking in to them
 
M

mrboo001

Banned
Alright, looks like it's down to two 'phones: the HM5 or Momentum. Turns out BestBuy.ca does have the Momentum Over Ears too, on "sale" for $300 vs the $210 from the seller. This is also compared to the HM5 for ~$100. I'll go and try the Momentum tomorrow and listen to it but I have no real way to try the HM5s...

EDIT: nm
 
H

HiResDes

Member
The HM5 isolate slightly better but don't sound quite as exciting. They are very balanced but smooth sounding sporting treble with good clarity yet tame extension. The Momentum are much warmer sounding and have greater bass impact, comparable treble, and mids that are ever so slightly recessed. They are more fun.
 
M

mrboo001

Banned
Interseting... hearing is still believe though, but I'll keep that all in mind. Thanks for the replies! I'm amazed at your knowledge.
 
B

Bumhead

Banned
For what seems like the umpteenth time in my history of iPod/iPhone ownership, my Apple buds have conked out on me today, which has given me the motivation I needed to replace them with a proper pair of headphones.

In particular, does anyone have any experience with the Bang & Olufsen Form 2's or Bowers and Wilkins P3's?

http://www.beoplay.com/products/form2i#at-a-glance

http://www.bowers-wilkins.co.uk/Headphones/Headphones/Headphones/P3.html

Failing that, I'm open to suggestions.

Not wanting to spend vast amounts. At £170 the B&W P3's are as high as I'd go. But I'm looking for great sound quality with a certain amount of style to it, which are two things I think you get by defacto with Bowers and Wilkins and B&O. Sennheiser and Bose would fall under the same bracket but think Bose might be beyond my range.
 
H

HiResDes

Member
Bumhead said:
For what seems like the umpteenth time in my history of iPod/iPhone ownership, my Apple buds have conked out on me today, which has given me the motivation I needed to replace them with a proper pair of headphones.

In particular, does anyone have any experience with the Bang & Olufsen Form 2's or Bowers and Wilkins P3's?

http://www.beoplay.com/products/form2i#at-a-glance

http://www.bowers-wilkins.co.uk/Headphones/Headphones/Headphones/P3.html

Failing that, I'm open to suggestions.

Not wanting to spend vast amounts. At £170 the B&W P3's are as high as I'd go. But I'm looking for great sound quality with a certain amount of style to it, which are two things I think you get by defacto with Bowers and Wilkins and B&O. Sennheiser and Bose would fall under the same bracket but think Bose might be beyond my range.
Click to expand...
Bose eww, are these within your range?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00FYZUQP0/

Or


http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00AEOTWNS/

If you want to save a bit of money the

Creative Aurvana Live 2 sound fantastic - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00GFLV7V4/

Or these http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00GP1AZBC/
 
A

ameratsu

Member
There's a vote going happening on massdrop for Audio Technica IM series earbuds: https://www.massdrop.com/vote/audio-technica-athim-series

Vote if you are looking to pick a set of these up (preferably the IM50) as if enough people vote, a group buy could begin so people have the chance to buy these for less than retail. I'm interested because they are import only and would rather not spend $90 for a set from Japan.

If this post isn't appropriate for the this thread/forum, let me know and I'll remove it
 
N

nekroseven

Member
Just upgraded from Xonar DG to an O2/ODAC. 1X/2.5X gain options. Using a modded HD558. First thing I noticed was that the bass has a lot of texture compared to the Xonar. Everything sounds less warm. Highs and lows sound more detailed but the midrange sounds about the same.
 
Diseased Yak

Diseased Yak

Gold Member
Can finally post my completed office setup!

VKqXNSS.jpg
Click to expand...

Schiit Bifrost DAC (fully upgraded)
Schiit Loki DSD DAC
Schiit Lyr amp
Audeze LCD-XC cans (Bubinga wood, lambskin leather, Silver Dragon V3 cables from Moon Audio)
Audioquest "Coffee" USB cable
AudioQuest "Victoria" RCA interconnects

Just to the right out of the picture is a Sony VAIO Flip ultrabook/tablet/thingie (i5,8GB,128GB SSD) that I'm using to stream the music via JRiver Music Center.

Listening to Coltrane's A Love Supreme in DSD right now and I'm in heaven. Can't wait to hear what the Audeze sound like after ~200 hours or so...
 
Dice

Dice

Pokémon Parentage Conspiracy Theorist
I like how they look, but I grew up in the 80s when all the confirmed sweet ass shit was from the 70s with that sort of look. Oh, analog memories...

Anyway, I'd have to know how much they leak sound. The padding on my Sony Triqiis is tearing off after abusing them horribly for a long time, so I'm looking into another set for on-the-go.
 
D

Dynamite Ringo Matsuri

Member
The Tenore is absolutely insane. I just got the DITA Answer in about a week and I'm absolutely loving it, but to be frank, the Tenore has gotta be delivering about 90% of that sig. The DITA beats it in note weight, imaging and staging, but otherwise, it's fuckin close. I've been doing a lot of A/B against the Tenore for some friends over at HF, and there are moments where it's so close I've gotta do mental gymnastics to justify keeping all my pricey stuff. I've got a friend who says the Tenore scales up so much on his Chord Hugo that he's selling the K3003. Madness.

I also met up with a friend whose absolute favorite phone is the SE846. I let him hear my FX850 and the DITA and he about his lost his shit cause the 846 sounded muddy after hearing both of the other phones. He placed an order for the DITA that very same night. Were it not for the fact that I'd sent my Tenore out to another friend for evaluation he'd have TRULY lost his shit to hear just how a $50 phone would have kept up with and exceeded his $1000 SE846

Moral of the story? Buy the fuckin Tenore
 
G

Got the Shakes

Member
HiResDes said:
Are you talking about the over ear version, because that link hasn't worked for me since I saw it yesterday on Slickdeals
Click to expand...

It says they're the over ears. The $200 price seems to only be good on the black ones, and right now they are sitting at a 1 to 3 week estimated shipping time.
 
S

suplex

Member
Yea, I can add it to cart, it just says ships in 1 to 3 weeks.

Not buying though, since I got the X1's when they were on sale.
 
Tokubetsu

Tokubetsu

Member
killertofu said:
let us know what you think, i'm really close to pulling the trigger
Click to expand...

Quick impression? I like them! Comfortable, and they sound good so far. I kinda needed a more general/long us which is why I said fuck it and bought. Feels like I'm gonna be using them often definitely.
 
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