50 Headphones Compared

[SteveFord 1,119]

A useful review if you're in the market for some new cans.

I've heard a few of the ones that are under discussion and he's pretty much in line with my thoughts.

 

http://www.head-fi.org/t/634201/battle-of-the-flagships-50-headphones-compared

[Gene C 1,748]

Thanks Steve, wound up getting the Beyerdynamic DT660. Have not given much thought to headphone usage since High School. Had some Sansui headphones my dad brought back from Vietnam. My ears from the age of 5 to 17 grew up on those headphones, wish i still had them.

[SteveFord 1,119]

Headphones are fun. 

I've got the Grado 60i, Beyerdynamic DT880 and Stax Sigma Pro.

The Grados are cheap, light and work great on the laptop, the DT880s work well with the WooAudio 6 and the Sigmas are hooked up to an NAD integrated that KVE777 gave me. 

I've never had Sennheisers so I think I'd like to give them a shot and see.

[Gene C 1,748]

After your PM Steve went and ordered the Grado SR-60i and the Beyer Dynamic DT 880 Premium 32 OHM headphones.  I hope i didn't screw up by going with the 32 Ohm when i could have grabbed a 250 Ohm or 600 Ohm?  The DT-660's showed up today so i should have enough ear pieces for now.

[SteveFord 1,119]

Shit, cancel the 32 Ohm and get the 600 Ohm 880s.

 

[Gene C 1,748]

You rock Steve! Thanks!

[SteveFord 1,119]

You're welcome.

Use the little Grado for a laptop or iPod or whatever, they're real easy to drive and will sound good.

 

[SteveFord 1,119]

A new contender?

 

[Gene C 1,748]

 

 

 

A new contender?

 

Funny! Just picked up another set. SONY MDR-XB1000 for $279.00 on ebay. 70mm drivers! Gawd those things are huge headphones.

 

[Gene C 1,748]

Theres a quarter on the table as a reference. These things sound wonderful out of the box new. Wonder what they will sound like after they get broken in?  

 

[soulofsound 40]

Any ever heard of Pro Sonic headphones ?

I had a pair hooked up to a head phone box from Radio Shack.

And a Kenwood KA 3500 amp.

The sound was great, but it had over 40 watts per ch, running them.

Anyone ever seen a or heard of them?

soulofsound

 

[Gene C 1,748]

Ok Steve im in the market for one more set. You know what i have already. Want to get something different than whats in the lineup.

[SteveFord 1,119]

 

Here you go:

You already have a good headphone amp which will allow you to pick out which is your favorite set of cans.

Pick your favorite pair, keep them and keep the Grados for your PC, sell the rest.

 

Then go off in a different direction and get this:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/STAX-SR-407-CLASSIC-Electrostatic-Earspeakers-/321057161907?pt=US_Headphones&hash=item4ac07f82b3

 

and this

 

http://wooaudio.com/products/wee.html

 

and you'll be done thinking about buying headphones.

This will give you two totally different presentations to the music, both of which will rival speakers in the 5-10 thousand dollar range.

Note: the Woo Wee is only the adaptor unit for the electrostatic headphones, you will need to hook it up to an integrated amp, receiver or amp/preamp.  Whatever sound quality you put into it is what you'll get out.  If your amp/preamp bites so will the sound. 

Stax earspeakers are very revealing so consider yourself forwarned!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SteveFord 1,119]

I just had a thought - if you go the Stax/Wee route, a vintage tube receiver would be the ticket to drive it. 

Maybe Kevin has some? 

 

Another thought is this guy:

 

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/amplifiers-stax-srm-t1-and-sigma-earspeakers-______tube-headphone-amp-and-electrostatic-earspeakers-2013-01-14-headphones-60302-oak-park-il

 

These are the weirdest looking things going (two boxes on your head) but I've had mine since the early 1980s and will have them until I croak.

[SteveFord 1,119]

I usually listen to the Stax Sigmas when I'm on the computer (like right now).

Lynda's home and she has a guest staying with us this weekend so I try to be considerate.

When I have the house to myself I fire up the 20.7s!

[SteveFord 1,119]

I'll wake her up and ask her if she minds if I go about my normal routine.