Kevin Nolan
member
Joined: 12/01/03
Posts: 609
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Recommendation for good HiFi headphones?
#1026389 - 30/12/12 05:51 PM
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Hi -
I use some excellent headphones for mixing / monitoring but don't have any
headphones for just general HiFi music listening.
Anyone got any
recommendations for good, general HiFi headphones that purposely 'flatter' the sound, in
and around the £50 - £100 range? I'm looking for good stolid bass but not excessive,
clarity in the high end, quite balanced over all - and very comfortable - but NOT
monitoring headphone. And I'm only after closed back, full sized headphone. I ask as I
haven't a clue what's currently regarded as good in that regard.
I
realise this is a production forum - admittedly I am looking to use these headphones for
pleasure - but it is also as part of my daily obsessive listening to other people's music
for all the reasons that nutty sound people like us find vital to our daily existence!!!
:-)
Cheers,
Kevin.
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IAA
Joined: 28/12/07
Posts: 23
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Re: Recommendation for good HiFi headphones?
[Re: Kevin Nolan]
#1026405 - 30/12/12 08:37 PM
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Kevin, I use these for tracking and general HiFi (iPod etc). I like them and they're dead
comfy.
http://www.production-room.com/krk-speakers/krk-kns-series-8400-headphones/
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Kevin Nolan
member
Joined: 12/01/03
Posts: 609
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Re: Recommendation for good HiFi headphones?
[Re: IAA]
#1026439 - 31/12/12 11:51 AM
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Thanks for the pointer IAA. Looking at those, they look like monitoring headphones and I
already have very good Sennheiser monitoring headphones. I'm after something less neutral
and more flattering and warmer - good, comfortable headphones that add a little bass and
are still clear and true.
the issue is I see lots of headphones from the likes
of Sennheiser in the £60 regions but they usually say for DJ'ing or with phrases like
'Power Bass'. Most of those concern me as they look to be for dance music only. I'm after
a good, all round pair of HiFi headphones but perhaps they are not available any
longer?
Thanks,
Kevin.
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SafeandSound Masteri...
Joined: 23/03/08
Posts: 853
Loc: London UK
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Re: Recommendation for good HiFi headphones?
[Re: Kevin Nolan]
#1026450 - 31/12/12 01:09 PM
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The Beyer DT-770 are hi fi and closed back, although bottom end is a tad overblown as
well. A very rich, detailed and crystal clear / wide spacious sound. A professional tool
but with the traits you wish for GAK doing for £111.79 at the mo.
In fact
they tick every box as your second post says you want a little extra bass. I think you
might like them a lot.
SafeandSound Mastering
Visit site
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Kevin Nolan
member
Joined: 12/01/03
Posts: 609
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Re: Recommendation for good HiFi headphones?
[Re: Kevin Nolan]
#1026466 - 31/12/12 03:04 PM
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Thanks SafeandSound Mastering - appreciate the pointer. Will definitely check them
out.
Cheers
Kevin.
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Kevin Nolan
member
Joined: 12/01/03
Posts: 609
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Re: Recommendation for good HiFi headphones?
[Re: Kevin Nolan]
#1026719 - 02/01/13 01:23 PM
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In this search I'm coming round to getting either the Sennheiser HD595 (open back) or
HD598's (closed back).
Might anyone have an experience with either of
these? Isolation (in or out) is not an issue so I don't mind open back. Would open back /
closed back affect the level of bass delivered by the headphone?
Thanks,
Kevin.
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chris...
active member
Joined: 12/03/03
Posts: 4152
Loc: Glasgow
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Re: Recommendation for good HiFi headphones?
[Re: Kevin Nolan]
#1026970 - 04/01/13 02:05 PM
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Open back usually sounds better, so I'm not sure why you want closed back, unless you
actually need the extra isolation.
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ezza
Joined: 19/11/04
Posts: 299
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Re: Recommendation for good HiFi headphones?
[Re: Kevin Nolan]
#1026981 - 04/01/13 04:06 PM
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If you are thinking about the HD595 then have a look at this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvQ8PzBrHXE If you are ok
with open-backs then I would definitely consider Grado SR60 or SR80. I have the SR60s and
they are very nice for <100 quid. /erol
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Tartaruga
Joined: 04/09/10
Posts: 192
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Re: Recommendation for good HiFi headphones?
[Re: Kevin Nolan]
#1027058 - 05/01/13 10:34 AM
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Tartaruga
Joined: 04/09/10
Posts: 192
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Re: Recommendation for good HiFi headphones?
[Re: Kevin Nolan]
#1027059 - 05/01/13 10:36 AM
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The Elf
active member
Joined: 14/08/01
Posts: 8164
Loc: Sheffield, UK
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Re: Recommendation for good HiFi headphones?
[Re: Tartaruga]
#1027075 - 05/01/13 12:37 PM
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Quote Tartaruga:
Or this one…a
classic.
http://www.production-room.com/beyerdynamic-microphones/beye...
And you can replace broken parts…
Cheers
But don't choose these headphones for their
'hi-fi' audio quality - they sound like baked bean tins. 
--------------------
An Eagle for an Emperor, A Kestrel for a Knave.
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BJG145
Joined: 06/08/05
Posts: 2163
Loc: Norwich UK
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Re: Recommendation for good HiFi headphones?
[Re: The Elf]
#1027077 - 05/01/13 12:50 PM
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Quote The Elf:
they sound like
baked bean tins
That's very
insulting to Heinz.
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Tartaruga
Joined: 04/09/10
Posts: 192
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Re: Recommendation for good HiFi headphones?
[Re: The Elf]
#1027213 - 06/01/13 01:59 PM
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Hi The Elf
I first tried them in a few big studios.I then manage to buy a pair
and used them for years.I even made some mixes that translate to any system perfectly.
Finally,I replaced them by the next generation,the DT 250 which again,suits me
perfectly.
I can understand that you don’t like them,but they’re still in use in
a lot places,and,in my humble opinion,in lack of something really better,they work
perfectly for several tasks.
Maybe you tried some in bad shape…?Don’t know...
Cheers
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The Elf
active member
Joined: 14/08/01
Posts: 8164
Loc: Sheffield, UK
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Re: Recommendation for good HiFi headphones?
[Re: Tartaruga]
#1027221 - 06/01/13 02:24 PM
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I've owned and used (and repaired!) loads and loads of DT100s in my time. I haven't just
tried them - I know them very well! I bought them (and so did many studios) because they
were cost-effective, and for that they have my eternal thanks, but nowadays there are
alternatives.
They are robust, good for isolation, and simple to repair, but
they don't sound good. I have several clients who simply refuse to use them on these
grounds.
If they work for you that's good, but next chance you get, try them
against some modern cans, such as the Sennheiser HD215 (which are gradually replacing all
of my DT100s), and I think you'll begin to notice their shortcomings.
--------------------
An Eagle for an Emperor, A Kestrel for a Knave.
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chris...
active member
Joined: 12/03/03
Posts: 4152
Loc: Glasgow
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Re: Recommendation for good HiFi headphones?
[Re: Tartaruga]
#1027266 - 06/01/13 06:13 PM
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Quote Tartaruga:
DT 250 which
again,suits me perfectly.
I can understand that you don’t like them,but they’re
still in use in a lot places
Being in common use for some arbitrary task (presumably providing a crude monitor mix to
musicians whilst tracking, to keep them in time / tune) does not in itself make them
appropriate for the task at hand (Hi-Fi listening).
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chris...
active member
Joined: 12/03/03
Posts: 4152
Loc: Glasgow
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Re: Recommendation for good HiFi headphones?
[Re: The Elf]
#1027268 - 06/01/13 06:16 PM
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Quote The Elf:
They are robust,
good for isolation, and simple to repair, but they don't sound good.
You forgot "make the wearer look like he/she is
recording the next "Band Aid" single!
( is that a plus or minus?)
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The Elf
active member
Joined: 14/08/01
Posts: 8164
Loc: Sheffield, UK
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Re: Recommendation for good HiFi headphones?
[Re: chris...]
#1027277 - 06/01/13 07:07 PM
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Actually they do have a certain 'Nation Health'-ish-ness about them. Makes me think back
to kids at school with sticking plaster on the nose of their spectacles! 
-------------------- An Eagle for an Emperor, A Kestrel for a Knave.
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Tartaruga
Joined: 04/09/10
Posts: 192
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Re: Recommendation for good HiFi headphones?
[Re: The Elf]
#1027365 - 07/01/13 10:08 AM
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Hi The Elf
I totally agree with you,it’s just that,back in the
80’s/beg.90’s,you didn’t had the same choices that you have today and
somehow,travelling from studio to studio,this old cans were something that I get used too
and at the end,I use to bring my own.
Sure that,as soon as i could,I bought better
ones.But the old ones sure helped me a lot,in a lot of situations,hence,’the classic’
remarque…
Maybe just because I get used to them…in the 80’s…
Cheers.
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Kevin Nolan
member
Joined: 12/01/03
Posts: 609
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Re: Recommendation for good HiFi headphones?
[Re: Kevin Nolan]
#1027557 - 08/01/13 11:59 AM
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Hi -
Just to let you know I settled on the HD598's. I've bought these
untested so it'll be interesting to see if they work out !! I'll let you know.
I have several sets of Sennheiser Studio reference headphones (HD600, 650's and 800s) so
I'm probably biased towards Sennheiser. The HD598's are for general listening (and piano
practice on a clavinova) - I want to stop using those expensive studio headphones for that
sort of thing.
As an aside, in my searches I also came across the
Sennheiser HD700's ! This was a surprise - I was not aware of these until now. Has anyone
tried or purchased them? Do SOS intend reviewing them? They look VERY exciting.
Thanks for all the insights that pointers.
Kevin.
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Hugh Robjohns
SOS Technical Editor
Joined: 25/07/03
Posts: 18403
Loc: Worcestershire
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Re: Recommendation for good HiFi headphones?
[Re: Kevin Nolan]
#1027582 - 08/01/13 02:24 PM
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I presume we will review them at some point, but I have no knowledge of when that might
be. However, the 700s are based on the technology used in the 800s that we reviewed (in
brief) here: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan10/articles/studioheadphones.htmH
-------------------- Technical Editor, Sound On Sound
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Matt Houghton
SOS Reviews Editor
Joined: 08/08/07
Posts: 512
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Re: Recommendation for good HiFi headphones?
[Re: Tartaruga]
#1027740 - 09/01/13 12:20 PM
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Quote Tartaruga:
Hi Kevin!
Have you tried this:
http://europe.beyerdynamic.com/shop/hah/headphones-and-heads...
There’s a 80ohm version…
You can use them for everything,a true
reference,no hype…
Cheers!
Pedro
I have a pair of those here as I type. They're a pleasant
enough sound. Rather darker sounding than most Sennheisers of the same sort of price, but
smooth enough and not over-hyped in any way. But I wouldn't say they were very revealing
(unlike the more expensive cans Beyer do design for critical listening, which are
excellent!). I miss loads of details in them in the mid range and high end compared with
the HD650s I normally use (which are nice but a tad poor on the bass side of things.
OP... The thing about asking for recommendations for listening pleasure, which
'flatter' the sound is that everyone's taste in this respect is different! It's like
asking someone else to recommend what my favourite fruit should be 
--------------------
SOS Reviews Editor
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Kevin Nolan
member
Joined: 12/01/03
Posts: 609
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Re: Recommendation for good HiFi headphones?
[Re: Kevin Nolan]
#1029404 - 19/01/13 10:04 PM
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Just thought I'm report back on having purchased the Sennheiser HD598's. I have to say,
they are absolutely fabulous. The are slightly more 'present' than the HD650s, ever more
slightly coloured in the bass and high end - but - they are absolutely magnificent. If I
didn't know the difference between the HD650s I'd use them as monitor headphones any day.
The quality of the sound - definition, superb stereo etc.. is essentially that of the 650s
- a variation on a theme rather than in any way inferior whatsoever.
But for
the sort of listening I bought them for they are a marvel. lLstening to my iPod (AAC
encoded pieces) and connected through a NECO SOUNDLAB portable V-2 headphone preamp, I am
totally bold over by the sound, it's stunning. Overall, I could not recommend these
headphones highly enough. Sennheiser have absolutely mastered how to manufacture
headphones these days.
Kevin.
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