What audio system do you have, or plan on getting?

[Mandryka]

That makes sense. I've only heard old LS3/5a at a dealer where they always have them in one of their rooms in rotation even though they don't sell any of them.

My impression of 57 vs 63 when I had them both together was the former had a touch more realism, they sounded more similar than not.

The 57s have a reputation of being hard to set up, to position- small sweet spot. But I'd love a pair - or even one for a mono system.

[Spotted Horses]

I like my open-back Beyerdynamic T1 headphones, but in my new home the HVAC system is a bit loud, and open back is not practical for much of the time. I'm looking for good closed back headphones (so I don't have to use noise-canceling Bose headphones)

Any good experience? I'm looking at:

Beyerdynamic DT770 pro (or maybe DT1770 pro)



Shure SRH940 (or maybe SRH1540)



There is also the Sennheiser HD300 (but I have an old beaten up pair of HD280's which I never found entirely satisfactory).

Anyone have experience with any of these, or other closed-back headphones that you like?

[DavidW]

I've owned the dt770 before.  They are actually pretty good.  Surprisingly decent soundstage.  I would describe them as a bit brighter than neutral, relatively easy to drive, good bass.

I also own the Shure 1540.  A bit too much bass, but it doesn't color the sound, just gives more impact than is accurate on orchestral music.  Doesn't interfere with chamber music.  The sound signature overall sounds neutral.  It is more detailed than the dt770 and easier to drive.  Not that it matters to me, I have a dedicated headphone amp.

So I like the Shure better but is it 3 and a half times better?  NOPE!  It is just slightly better.  I would recommend buying the dt770.

[drogulus]

    I have the DT 770 Pro and find them quite good and comfortable as well.

[Spotted Horses]

So I like the Shure better but is it 3 and a half times better?  NOPE!  It is just slightly better.  I would recommend buying the dt770.

There's also the Shure SRH940 at the same price point as the DT770 Pro, which seems to described as similar to the SRH1540 but with less deluxe build.

I have the DT 770 Pro and find them quite good and comfortable as well.

Thanks for the advice to all. The DT 770 Pro seems like a good option.

I didn't mention that I also have and like Beyerdynamic DT 880 headphones which almost meet the bill, but are "semi-closed" and I want a bit more isolation. But I have a fondness the Shure, having used their V15 Type 5 cartridge and various Shure Microphones over the years.

[Holden]

I'm pleased that Shure have been mentioned. I've owned a pair of their SRH840s for a long time now for use at work. They are excellent and could be called monitor headphones as they are relatively neutral. Recently, Shure issued an upgraded version, the 840a which I sampled and these are an improvement on the original.

[DavidW]

Spotted Horses, didn't you use to have some nice Denon closed headphones?  Or was that someone else I'm thinking of?

[Spotted Horses]

Spotted Horses, didn't you use to have some nice Denon closed headphones?  Or was that someone else I'm thinking of?

Yes, I do have Denon AH-D2000 headphones (now discontinued). They are good, but they showing signs of age and their sound is on the mellow side. I want to have a complementary pair with sound more on the analytic side. Besides, for something I depend on, I like to have two (neurotic, I know).

I'm leaning towards the SRH-840A. By definition they are to be used when the environment is a bit compromised by ambient noise and going full audiophile is a fools errand. In a quiet environment, I have my Beyerdynamic T1s.

[Valentino]

I have the DT 1770 Pro for hifi listening and the DT 770 M for recording monitoring. In my opinion both are great for acoustical music. They should have a good amplifier though. For hifi I use the excellent and cheap Topping L30.

[drogulus]

     I use a Fiio USB Dac Amp (KA3) with my phones.

     

[Spotted Horses]

Thanks to all those who commented. The choice between the Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro (and similar, more upscale models) and the Shure SRH840A (and similar, more upscale models) left me like the proverbial donkey between two bushels of food, not knowing which way to go.

I ended up getting the Shure SRH840 because I've admired Shure as a producer of audio transducers (the V15 Type 5 phono cartridge, Shure microphones) and have never heard their headphones, I was curious. I figured if someday I decided to go upscale with closed-back I'd have a Beyerdynamic/Shure comparison to base it on, since I have Beyerdynamic DT880 headphones ("semi-closed").

In any case, they have arrived and I am very pleased with them. Listening so far to the Takacs recording of the Beethoven string quartets, they have a very pleasant uncolored sound. (I find string quartets are my litmus test for headphones). Soon I'll listen to some orchestral and solo piano music, which will give a better impression of their bass response. Sound isolation is good.

The only downside is the construction is a little flimsy, lightweight plastic, and if I jostle the cord it I hear it reverberate in the left earpiece. Possibly it would be less of an issue with the more upscale versions with deluxe construction. Similar experience with my old Sennheiser HD280's.

[Holden]

Just confirming that you got the 840 as opposed to the 840a. When I bought mine what sold me was the tonal and timbral accuracy as compared to similar models. I remember auditioning the Senn HD380 as well and like a number of other similarly priced cans the piano sounded just fractionally 'off'. The Shure was spot on.

Enjoy your purchase

[Atriod]

I like my open-back Beyerdynamic T1 headphones, but in my new home the HVAC system is a bit loud, and open back is not practical for much of the time. I'm looking for good closed back headphones (so I don't have to use noise-canceling Bose headphones)

Any good experience? I'm looking at:

Beyerdynamic DT770 pro (or maybe DT1770 pro)



Shure SRH940 (or maybe SRH1540)



There is also the Sennheiser HD300 (but I have an old beaten up pair of HD280's which I never found entirely satisfactory).

Anyone have experience with any of these, or other closed-back headphones that you like?

Do you use an SPL meter? Headphone listening is already on the dangerous side as people want to listen louder due to Fletcher-Munson and now you have to deal with an HVAC.

I have been very impressed with what active noise cancellation can do, but it's not going to approach the levels of fidelity of the best passive headphones. When I want near complete isolation of outside sound where I can still listen at a safe volume in ear monitors are my go to.

I was wondering why the Apple AirPod Pro first gen my dad gave me sounded so good, then looking at their FR it made sense, pretty much modeled on B&K/Harman's research. But no matter what size tip I use after a while they hurt more than the UE Reference Remastered. Impressively Apple's active noise cancellation isolates outside sound about 70-80% as well even though they only have superficial fitment in the ears.

[Spotted Horses]

Do you use an SPL meter? Headphone listening is already on the dangerous side as people want to listen louder due to Fletcher-Munson and now you have to deal with an HVAC.

I have been very impressed with what active noise cancellation can do, but it's not going to approach the levels of fidelity of the best passive headphones. When I want near complete isolation of outside sound where I can still listen at a safe volume in ear monitors are my go to.

I was wondering why the Apple AirPod Pro first gen my dad gave me sounded so good, then looking at their FR it made sense, pretty much modeled on B&K/Harman's research. But no matter what size tip I use after a while they hurt more than the UE Reference Remastered. Impressively Apple's active noise cancellation isolates outside sound about 70-80% as well even though they only have superficial fitment in the ears.

I have not used a SPL meter. With the noise canceling headphones (Bose Quietcomfort, the previous model without bluetooth connectivity) the HVAC noise is utterly extinguished, I can't tell if the unit is on or off even with no music playing. With the closed back headphones I can barely hear when the HVAC is running, not enough to motivate me to change the volume when it cycles on. The drawback of the noise canceling headphones is that the low end is a bit excessive and there is a bit less transparency overall. I feel like I listen a little quieter with the passive headphones, although that is subjective. My listening is less than or equal to 30 minutes per day and I never get to a point of perceiving fatigue.

The only music where I really notice the Bose Quietcomfort headphones underperforming (in terms of fidelity) is orchestral music, so I might stick to them for chamber music and perhaps piano music, since have a totally silent background is nice.

[Valentino]

Just ordered a Topping DX1 USB powered DAC/headphone amp for my laptop. Should be nice for listening and editing.

[Holden]

Just ordered a Topping DX1 USB powered DAC/headphone amp for my laptop. Should be nice for listening and editing.

Good choice. It's a cheap but effective way of significantly improving your latops sound. If possible, enable WASAPI for your streaming media or media software player. Qobuz will let you do this but Spotify won't. Both Foobar and VLC player allow for WASAPI playback. What's happening is you are bypassing any auditory artefacts introduced via Windows in your laptop.

[Mandryka]

I'd like try active speakers sometime, Genlec or Neumann - but I'm not sure how maintainable they are.   

@Spotted Horses

[Holden]

Active outperforms passive every time.  I've thought about switching several times, but haven't yet pulled the trigger.

As many who have computer speakers can attest to. My simple active Edifier set, complete with a substantial subwoofer which also has the mains connection, sound excellent in a near field setting.

[Valentino]

In my main system the (Hypex nCore) amps drive the drivers (ha!) directly. There's not even a "safety capacitor" in series with the tweeters. But the amps are not inside the speakers though. No space in the woofer h-frames for that.

It's nice to see speaker systems like the KEF LS60 Wireless in the market. Elegant in the room, totally plug and play from the net if you want, but also possible to use with external sources and subwoofer(s) can be added too. More of that, and less of those passive contraptions, please.

[Mandryka]

Just pursuing maintenance a bit, @Valentino 's Hypex is a class D amp. And I've always been reluctant to go down that road because I've picked up that they are both a little less reliable than conventional amps and much more difficult to repair. Someone said to me that by and large if they fail the entire power amp board/module must be replaced... if it's still available...

This is why I tend to go for "classic" equipment - it's easily repairable!  I'm running speakers and amps which are pushing 50 years old, they have been restored to original condition, or can be. If (or rather when) they fail, it's not impossible or bankrupting to get them repaired. Radford, Rogers, Quad, Krell, Conrad Johnson. 

By the way, I do have a class D amp, or at least I think it is. An Amptastic - it powers my computer audio. It runs hot! Not Krell hot, it won't heat the room, but it gets as warm as toast on a warm day (like yesterday!)

https://www.amptastic.com/