High end headphone recommendations ?

Ash0787

Ash0787

Ash0787

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17 Nov 2013
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looking for something sold here that is going to be quite decent,
ideally comparable in sound profile to these speakers
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SP-022-ML
( I have solo 7c they dont sell it anymore )

Looking for something around £100 that is lightweight / not uncomfortable,
it can be an open design and I am not needing microphone capability

Are any of the AKG ones good ? how much do you need to pay before you see diminishing returns ?
 
The AKG K612 is one of the cheapest entry level hi-fi headphones and produces very good quality sound.

It's not going to give you thumping bass like those speakers though, very few open headphones will.

The Beyerdynamic DT770 is going to give you more bass but it's mids are not as good and you don't get such an open and expansive sound stage.

You don't say what you will be plugging the headphones into and this will make a difference. The AKG K612 really needs an amp to get a decent sound out of them, whether it be an external DAC & Amp or even a passable headphone amp on one of the better motherboards. You can get 32 ohm or 80 ohm DT770s and these will be fine without an amp.

£100 buys you entry level mid-fi headphones, for high end you will need to be spending several times as much but it does buy you decent sounding headphones as long as you shop wisely.

You will start to see diminishing returns between £300 ~ £500
 
So closed is better for bass reproduction ? that makes sense I guess when considering how IEMs work

I have 2 different amp thingys, Xonar essence and Dacmagic XS

See I know you can get good earphones for around 100, assumed headphones would be similar in price

So OCUK doesn't sell these DT770s ?

Which ones are good in the higher price bracket of 100 to 200 ?

Also detachable cable feature would be useful so if it breaks it can be repaired
 
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If you can spring for a bit more you can hit the sweet spot of £230 ~ £240 which includes the following, all of which are classics and capable of competing with far more expensive headphones

AKG K712 pro [reviews]

Philips Fidelio X2 [reviews]

Sennheiser HD650 [reviews]


Any of these three could be all the headphone you will ever need - I know I have no intentions of ever getting rid of my HD650s.
 
Ash0787 said:
..See I know you can get good earphones for around 100, assumed headphones would be similar in price..
Click to expand...

One thing to bear in mind, is that headphones require a lot more materials than IEMs. If the headband and ear cups/pads are good quality, that will add to the cost or take away from what is spent on the drivers for any given budget. IEM housing will cost a lot less in comparison, so more is spent on the drivers inside.

£100 will still buy a great pair of headphones though, but if you are looking for something with strong bass, then DT770 or 990 is the best bet for that price range.
 
The Yamaha MT220 is a good headphone, not too difficult to drive, quite balanced. The DT770 is good, bit more U shaped with a wide soundstage and a big bass tone. The Sony MDR 1A for £140 is a good choice, warm, fun good mids.
 
I never got along with the MDR1A, wasn't enough clarity and sounded like syrup to me. Nice enough sound signature mind, just issues resolving and with clarity.
 
I'm halfway through making an enthusiast grade system so getting anything expensive is going to delay a power supply, cpu etc otherwise I would go for something better, also I dont have much experience with using headphones
so it would seem excessive, the last ones I had was this one or very similar https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BG-089-CS
didnt like it that much both in terms of sound and wearability, ended up giving it to my cousin
 
Any of the headphones mentioned above are in a whole different league to those Corsairs.

It might seem excessive but buying a good pair at the outset could actually save you money - I took the usual kind of route, Sony MDR-V6, Beyerdynamic DT990, AKG K702 and finally Sennheiser HD650. If I'd just got the HD650 in the first place I would have saved myself about £360 :D
 
I find it useful to have a rough pair of something anyway like I have 2 of the same mouse / mouse pad, 2 corsair K70s with different layouts,
2 microlab speakers one small one big, several earphones
 
Cookeh said:
I never got along with the MDR1A, wasn't enough clarity and sounded like syrup to me. Nice enough sound signature mind, just issues resolving and with clarity.
Click to expand...

Yeah it's def one for liquid enjoyment. I think the 1R before it was a better balance between warmth and clarity.
 
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