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Topic: Headphones (Read 8323 times) previous topic - next topic
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Headphones

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!  The left speaker in my headphones has just died.  I can't cope without music, and I can't listen to music through my gamevoice because it just murders any quality.

So I would like to know where the best place online is for new headphones? I would like to stick with Sennheiser, as these have lasted me nearly 5 years (I suppose that aint bad really)

So if you know any good places to get them from or can recommend a pair or even a review site for headphones, it would make me a very happy bunny 

Would also help if it was from the UK.

Headphones

Reply #1 –
Which Sennheisers?

A good place to start might be www.askdirect.co.uk. I got a pair of HD600 from them for £120. They have plenty of other models as well, but not all (no HD580 as far as I can tell).

Cheers,
uosdwis

Headphones

Reply #2 –
You need to give some more information. What kind of headphones are you looking for? For portable use or for home?

Headphones

Reply #3 –
For home use only, the pair I had before were Sennheiser HD320's and I mostly listen to metal and some blues music.

Headphones

Reply #4 –
Lao looking for a decent pair right now.  I work on my computer a lot at night and don't want to disturb my neighbours anymore whilst still enjoying my music at decent volume.

Any recommmendations between 50 -120 $ or Euro.  Seems like Sennheiser is the way to go right now, as it is what most people go for on this Forum.

Actually not that fond of headphones, so I've go tno clue about them. But it seems there is no way out.  Anything specific that I should consider when choosing for a specific  model.

Headphones

Reply #5 –
Then I would suggest you try the Grado headphones. They have amazingly detailed sound and they are more energetic and lively than the Senns. The official Grado web site is:

http://www.gradolabs.com

while more information can be found at the following forum:

http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/forumdispla...hp?s=&forumid=2

UK internet shops which sell these headphones are:

http://www.hifibitz.co.uk/warehouse/search...earchtext=Grado
http://www.cheshireaudio.co.uk/grado_headphones.htm
http://www.mantra-audio.co.uk/grado_headphones.html

Headphones

Reply #6 –
Nice one 

Now I am stuck between the SR-60's and the SR-80's, do you think the 80's are worth the extra £30?

Headphones

Reply #7 –
I have the SR60, SR325 and RS1 but not the SR80 so I don't know about their differences. The SR60 is certainly superb and some people have commented that the difference in sound between the SR80 and SR60 is small compared to the price difference. Still, I cannot offer a personal opinion. You may want to take a look at:

http://www.goodcans.com/HeadphoneReviews/60vs80.htm

for a comparison between these two headphones you are considering.

Headphones

Reply #8 –
Thank you Paspro, I found the SR-80's for £89 which is only £19 more than I could find the 60's for and after reading the review I have just ordered a pair of the SR-80's 

Headphones

Reply #9 –
Thanks Guys.  Seems like I finally found what I want for my upcoming birthday.   
So far thought that Sennheiser was the only option out there.  But as I said, I haven't looked into it that much.

Headphones

Reply #10 –
Excellent! You will soon enjoy the unique sound of Grado!

Headphones

Reply #11 –
They should be here tomorrow

Headphones

Reply #12 –
Not that I don't enjoy a good spontaneous shopping spree, but it's generally a very good idea to try out potential headphones before deciding. If for nothing else then for the fact that peoples heads and ears are shaped differently, and you could end up with a pair that is uncomfortable or even painful to wear.

With that said, good luck and happy listening! Next, you'll be wanting a new DAC, a proper headphone amp and better cables. 

uosdwis

Headphones

Reply #13 –
Quote
...and better cables.

Headphones

Reply #14 –
They will only get used on my computer anyway

Headphones

Reply #15 –
BTW I tried Grado SR60 but didn't like it, it's way too bright and in my taste and seemed to "distort" classical music; Personally I like hd580's better (though you would need an amp to drive those).

Headphones

Reply #16 –
I went for the SR-80's as in the review if said they were godd for rock music, and as that it all I listen to they should be spot on

Headphones

Reply #17 –
Quote
NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!  The left speaker in my headphones has just died.

One of those reviews at goodcans.com mentioned that the cords on Senns are sometimes prone to shorting out.  You might be able to ressurect yours with a new cord.

Headphones

Reply #18 –
LPTB:

I also listen to mostly classical music and I own both the Grado SR-125 and the Sennheiser HD-580. I think I understand why you commented on the Grado being "bright," but I don't really think it is THAT "bright." With my amplifier and HDCD player (both from NAD) I feel that the Sennheisers aren't "bright" enough, and the Grados are just a bit too "bright," but only a little bit. Both are excellent headphones. Basically, if you want airy sound with more bass (a lot more!) then go for the Sennheisers. If you are looking for detailed, thinner sound go for Grados. As far as classical music is concerned, I actually prefer the Grados over the Sennheisers; with my equipment they simply provide a much more realistic sound than the Sennheisers. You mentioned some distortion. I have yet to experience this... that is, I haven't noticed any audible distortion that would bother me. I could go on and on about the sound, but I will leave it at that.
Some of the posters mentioned that they listen to metal... I would not recommend the Grados for metal, but that doesn't mean you can't get good results with it! The only thing I urge you guys to do is to listen before you buy!!! There are other aspects that you might not have thought about, for instance, the Sennheisers are outrageously comfortable and can be worm for an entire day without any pain - The Grados on the other hand become very uncomfortable after an hour or two, due to the minimalist design approach. Go listen to them and compare for yourself. This is the only way you will get a "good deal." I hope this helps someone.

Headphones

Reply #19 –
@RiskyP
Well Grados vs. Sennheiser is a matter of preference, some say Sennheiser's are too "laid back" others (and me) say Grados are to "bright"; basically as you said it's a matter of preference and you have to listen to both before you decide. (NOTICE hd580 and 600 are very high impedance phones -> they need a powerful source or an amp to sound their best, so for any comparison vs. Grados use an amp)

Headphones

Reply #20 –
I agree. It is a matter of preference. As far as measurements are concerned (if you believe that linear frequency response constitutes high quality audio) I wouldn't be surprised if the the Sennheisers were lacking in the frequencies above say 2Khz (rough estimate) and the Grados were  lacking below 150Hz or so, therby making the Grados sound "bright" due to the imbalance.
Anyway, they are both awesome headphones in my opinion. As LPTD said, get a good low-powered class A solid state amp from a respectable company and a CD player with an EXTREMELY good DAC (this has made THE most impact in my entire audio system) and you should soon be enjoying high-quality audio.

Headphones

Reply #21 –
Quote
Quote
...and better cables.


Well, yeah. Plenty of people spend up to as much money on replacing the stock cables as they do on the headphones themselves (for Sennheiser HD580/600 I've found this to be common). I do not. 

uosdwis

Headphones

Reply #22 –
So Sennheiser's have the best bass?  And Grado's are bright? What exactly does bright mean?

Also, doesn't Sony and Koss have a good line of headphones?
"Truth suffers from too much analysis."
--Frank Herbert, Dune Messiah

Headphones

Reply #23 –
Do not buy headphones according to any statement here ... you will most likely be disappointed afterwards ...

Check your local retailer for several models (sound quality and comfortable wear as well) and decide with a real listening test which ones are suited best for your needs.

I bought a pair of HD600's and I am very content with either sound and comfort ... but these aren't cheap, though ... IMO they are worth their price

Regards ...
The name was Plex The Ripper, not Jack The Ripper

Headphones

Reply #24 –
Yes, don't let popular terms like "bright" and "laid-back" be the basis of your decision. These terms are audiophile jargon. Bright usually means that there is an imbalance of bass and treble in a component. For instance if you would take a three-way speaker and disconnect the woofer completely... you would probably end up with a very bright speaker. But even with a woofer, a speaker is usually said to be bright if the higher frequencies are too "strong" for the listener (2-3KHz and up). There are a bunch of things that can alter the behavior of your system (cables are the least likely lol) so the best thing to do is to test equipment you want to buy on YOUR system. This is the right way, period.