Closed Back Headphones

[DavidW]

Scarpia, that modest isolation would be perfect for me.  I would like to not hear the pc fan and the hum of the lights but still hear people and the phone ring.

[DavidW]

You know those m50s look great as well... did you make your decision Holden?  It's hard isn't it?

[Holden]

You know those m50s look great as well... did you make your decision Holden?  It's hard isn't it?

You are damn right it's hard, especially when new factors enter the equation. I am in Wellington NZ and have auditioned 3 sets of headphones (with a fourth today).

AKG D(5)81DJ pros
Grado SR60s
Sennheiser HD380

The AKG is infinitely inferior to the other two

The Grados sound very nice but are more suited to rock than classical. Also they are not closed back but more of that later

The HD380s were not even on my list as I didn't know they existed until I got over here. They sound very good indeed and have an excellent sound stage compared to the other two. Bass is tight but not thumping (I don't want that anyway), the treble is exceptionally detailed - I've never heard a headphone like it and the mids are quite warm. It is a very unSennheiser like sound.

The majority of the reviews for the 380s are very positive with one caveat which is that they are not so good for classical music, especially strings as they colour the sound somewhat. Now I've never heard this and it appears in only two reviews. An alternative that was suggested was the AKG271s. I am going to listen to them later today. The downside is that I can get the 380s on Ebay, brand new for about $165 (AUS) and the AKGs cost considerably more. has anyone heard them who can comment.

Now the playing field may also have changed. I can take my HD280s to work and use some open back phones at home?

So, any further suggestions while I make up my mind?

Any further on the M50s which I haven't been able to audition.

[DavidW]

If you want open headphones that sound warm and detailed with spacious sound stage and correct sounding tonal signature for classical try:

Sennheiser 555, 595, 600 or 650.  The 555 is an excellent entry level can, it doesn't quite as detailed as the other ones but the difference is subtle even with the 650.  The 595 uses angled drivers and have the best sound stage out of all of 'em and sounds more forward than the 555s since the drivers sit closer to the ears, the new 650 is not as warm and dark as the old one and sounds like a refined version of the 600 (both of which provide superior detail compared to the series 5 cans).  Both FR graphs make them look bassy but honestly open headphones don't do bass well, so they have to have bass emphasis to sound neutral (compared to closed headphones).

As for the two other classic contenders for classical: akg k701 and the beyer dt880.  Have not heard either one of those, but I used to have the k501s and their bass anemic difficult to drive made them sound a little artificial, but their details in the mids remains unrivaled.  btw the same goes for the open Audio Technicas too.

In a higher price range is Sennheiser's 800 which I have not heard because they are way, way outside my price range, but I think that is what Jens has so he can provide comments if you want I'm sure on Senns new flagship.

[xuster]

I don't own the m50s but I've listened to my friend's m50s multiple times. If I had to describe them with one word...it would be SMOOOOOTH. Aside from the bass, which is impactful and quite clean, the rest of the sound signature is very 'not-in-your-face'. Kind of a small soundstage imo too. They're really not that portable and as someone with a head on the larger side, not very comfortable either. Honestly, for sub $100, they're a great deal. But if you're willing to shell out more, I'd look somewhere else.

[Scarpia]

If you want open headphones that sound warm and detailed with spacious sound stage and correct sounding tonal signature for classical try:

Sennheiser 555, 595, 600 or 650.  The 555 is an excellent entry level can, it doesn't quite as detailed as the other ones but the difference is subtle even with the 650.  The 595 uses angled drivers and have the best sound stage out of all of 'em and sounds more forward than the 555s since the drivers sit closer to the ears, the new 650 is not as warm and dark as the old one and sounds like a refined version of the 600 (both of which provide superior detail compared to the series 5 cans).  Both FR graphs make them look bassy but honestly open headphones don't do bass well, so they have to have bass emphasis to sound neutral (compared to closed headphones).

Had Sennheiser 600's, and they were defective (buzzing in left earpiece).  Sent them back for warranty repair, but they were returned to me twice with the defect uncorrected.  Finally tossed them into the trash and am now listening to Denons and Bayer Dynamics.   I have always found the quality of build of Sennheiser products dubious and refuse to buy from them again.

[DavidW]

Yes that was unfortunate that happened to you Scarpia.  I don't think that happens to many, but I would understand you not wanting to bother with Sennheiser again.  That was just like the hdmi board failing on my Denon receiver: it just turned me off of their receivers.

I forgot a good bargain buy for you to consider Holden: try these if you can: Audio Technica ad700, it is very bass anemic but does the mids very well, and has a wide soundstage.  Don't wear these in public though, they're purple!

[Holden]

OK, I finally purchased some phones and they were not on any of the lists made by posters here or myself. On a hunch I decided to visit some of the musicians stores as musos need really good phones with as natural a sound as possible. On my final list were the following that were available at Billy Hyde music.

AKG K271s

Fostex T50 RPs

Sennheiser HD 380s (at a bargain $199)

Shure SRH840s


Research before I left for the store to audition suggested the following:

The AKGs are very neutral in sound but a number of people described them as a bit 'cold' Cost $459

Fostex have a great but proprietary (though natural) sound. Cost $249

The HD 380s have an excellent sound stage, a good bass compared to the 280s  but don't work that well for classical music as they colour the sound of both strings and piano. Cost $199 - down from $299

The Shure's have a very natural sound, good sound stage and a decent (though not overly strong) bass. Cost $299.

Well the AKG's were not there but were probably out of my price range anyway.

The Fostex weren't there either.

This left the Senn's and the Shure's. The pundits were right about the 380s - they do colour strings and more importantly piano. Piano music makes up half my collection. Their reproduction of Level 42s Physical Presence was a different story - very impressive.

The Shure's gave a beautiful piano tone. On the first chord of Chopin's G minor ballade I could hear every note as a separate entity. The 380s didn't do this but they fell behind the Senn's on rock music with bass.

In the end I bought the Shure's and am listening to a piano trio (Archduke) as I write this. I can hear the position of every instrument so clearly and the piano has a warm but clear sound. The cello and violin sound beautiful.

I did listen to the Shure 440s but they were markedly inferior to the 840s.

All I need now is to let the Shure's burn in.

Thanks to everyone for their input.

[mc ukrneal]

In the end I bought the Shure's and am listening to a piano trio (Archduke) as I write this. I can hear the position of every instrument so clearly and the piano has a warm but clear sound. The cello and violin sound beautiful.

I did listen to the Shure 440s but they were markedly inferior to the 840s.

All I need now is to let the Shure's burn in.

Thanks to everyone for their input.

Hope you enjoy them!