The Audiophiles' Lounge

I modded my Ultrasone 900's with J$ lambskin pads and a Sennheiser HD650 headband and its super comfy, but they're heavy and can cause some neckpain after 8+ hours of wearing them.
The sound is big and warm and the s-logic reduces ear fatigue over long hours of listening which is normally a problem with closed back headphones.

The Sennheiser HD650's are amazingly comfortable and light, but are opened back so let in a bit too much noise for me.
The sound is a lot colder and lacking bass.

I'd highly recommend an amp for both, you're really not doing headphones justice without one.
The http://epiphany-acoustics.co.uk/our-products/ehp-o2d-miniature-desktop-headphone-amplifier-with-usb-dac/ is amazing value at about €235, its on my upgrade list as i feel my Fiio E7/E9 combo is lacking.

My immediate thoughts were of Beyerdynamic dt770 when you listed your requirements, Mactard. It's bass heavy and meant to be very comfortable. They do require a lot of burn-in if you believe in that. A problem when you're researching them, is there are about 6 versions of it.

There is the pro and ml versions and all are available with difference resistance 32, 80 and 250 ohms. The low impedence 32 ohm version isn't meant to be as good as it's siblings so I'd look at the 80 and 250Ω models. The 250 will definitely need a amp and the 80 will probably need a small amp if you're using an ipod or similar source.

The difference between the pro and the normal model is from here:

The difference between these two models though, is as follows:
1. The DT 770 PRO has so called "Bass-Relfex-Openings" at the side of each housing to make sure the diaphragm can "breath", causing a better reproduction of low- and high frequencies (since the diaphragm can move a lot easier). A small amount of isolation against ambient noise has to be sacrificed for the better sound. The DT 770 M doesn't have these openings, therefore sounds slightly "thinner" (slightly less low end), but offers up to 35 dB(A) of ambient noise isolation. That's why the DT 770 M is prefererd by drummers (like the German drummer Ralf Gustke) or percussionists (like the young percussionist Farouk Gomati).
2. The DT 770 PRO is equipped with silver velours ear pads for better wearing comfort and cooler ears. The DT 770 M is equipped with the so called "Soft-Skin" ear pads to provide maximum isolation of ambient noise.

Conclusion:
DT 770 PRO is for studio use where sound quality has a higher priority than the isolation of ambient noise.
DT 770 M is also for studio use, put for those to whom the isolation of ambient noise if most important.

The DT 770 M also includes the DT-Bag.

From reading other peoples opinions, the m is better isolating but it loses on comfort to it's pro sibling so look at the pro 80 or 250 versions.

Another one to read up on particularly if you want toughness is the German Maestro 8.35, they changed their name from these guys. This is them showing off their product's durability:



They're not meant to be super comfortable in their stock configuration but posters on head-fi recommend using beyerdynamic earpads to get that little bit extra comfort. Another plus is they're very easy to drive at 35 ohms.

Yeah there is no getting away from the bass in reading any review about the dt770. I read NwAvGuy's review about of them and how it is affected by the source/amp and that the bass can be tempered providing the impedance is low. He raises the point that perhaps poor synergy of all the various components causes the boomy bass.

It might be worth having a look at other similar beyerdynamic models; 880 and 990 as they'd still have the comfort and build quality of the 770 and might have a more appealing sound signature.

Are you still erring towards the Philips Fidelio? They do look very nice. Much nicer than the Sennheiser HD650s.

HiFiman HE-400s!

When they're $300 rather than $400 maybe!

Have a look at the Audio Technica ATH-M50's.
Amazing sounding headphones, top quality headphones and also pretty cheap!

K.O.Kiki wrote: »

+1 for Grado SR-80.

Been using my uncle's set for the past 2 days, and it's probably the comfiest set I've ever had on my head.

Obviously you also go even higher in the Grado chain.

I agree, have Allesandros myself and they are so stupidly comfy. Also more than welcome to try them and the M50s is you'd like

PPC wrote: »

http://www.mrspeakers.com/MrSpeakers-Mad-Dog-Fostex-T50RP-Headphones
These have been getting amazing reviews, some people have compared them to LCD2's
I'm tempted to pickup a pair at some stage to give them a try.

They look to be closed too, are they?

K.O.Kiki wrote: »

Thanks, but he's just after gifting them to me! :pac:

And yet another audiophile was born that day.

Before you dive deeper into this world here's some freindly advice from Gandalf.

Morf wrote: »

I wont feel like a true audiophile until i own $5,250 Stax cans . . .

One day!

Don't forget the other 15 grand for the amps, dacs and pure silver wire in super special covers.