Headphones

[schanpurchasing]

Hi there,

Okay, since you already have a good closed headphone, I'm only going to recommend you open backed ones to give you exposure to this other type of headphones and you can decide if you prefer open back or close back headpones. Also, I'm not going to start of with cost no object type headphones but rather 2011 mid-fi (keep in mind though 2011 mid-fi is really top of the line just 2 to 3 years back).

1) Beyerdynamics DT880 - These are very clean and accurate headphones. No mid-bass hump but when there is actual bass, you hear it, accurately and cleanly. It is also a brighter sounding headphone and also extremely resolving and detail. You hear everything with these headphones, the smacking of the singer's lips, the creaking of the pianist's chair, the ruffling of his clothes etc. So, if you have sub par recording, these headphones will show it all. Not everyone's cup of tea, but these are my favourite headphones. Does very well with vocal jazz (particularly women voices) and classical. Great headstage as well with excellent timbre and decay.
The cheapest place for a Canadian: http://www.long-mcquade.com/products...Headphones.htm
Depending on where you are, if you are able to pick up a pair from the US, the cheapest place is in amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/BEYER-DYNAMIC-...2642784&sr=8-3


2) Sennheiser HD650: These headphones are great for Jazz. It is less accurate as it has a midbass hump to make a more fun sound. The sound is a little darker (compared to the Beyers DT880) and more laid back. Still, these are very resolving headphones and you will hear a lot (although, less compared to the DT880). Also, the sound stage from these are also smaller. However, instrument timbre, separation, attack, decay, these are all there. These are the headphones I go to when I listen to certain types of jazz, e.g. Michael Buble (jazz/pop). These are also the headphones that I will go to for a rock. They do well for classical, however, personally, I tend to turn to Beyers DT880 or the AKG K701 for classical.
The cheapest place for Canadian: Unfortunately, no Canadian retailer offers it at a discount. The best place is to purchase it from Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-...2643418&sr=8-1

3) Sennheiser HD600: Was the top of the line model from Sennheiser prior to the HD650. Uses the Sennheiser house sound (darker, warmer, more lush) however, more accurate without the midbass hump.
The cheapest place for Canadians: http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD6...2643576&sr=1-1

4) Sennheiser HD595: Threw this in because it is on a close out now (being replaced by HD598) and can be had for a great deal at 55% to 60% off. These headphones also uses the Sennheiser house sound, warmer and lush, however, sounds more forward (closer to the music) when compared to the HD650 or the HD600.
The cheapest place for Canadians: http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD5.../ref=pd_cp_e_2

Not your genre, but very popular headphones:
5) Alessandro MS-1 (or a Grado): These are essentially are rock headphones with great slam and bass but congested soundstage. Alessandro is MS-1 is really a repackaged Grado SR-125. Shipped to Canada for $99: http://www.alessandro-products.com/headphones.html

6) AKG701/702: Again, not quite your genre, but they are great classical headphones. Extremely large soundstage (for a headphone), great accuracy (like the Beyers, however, unlike the Beyers, a very warm tone). Bass is a little lacking for these (hence, these are more for classical). From Amazon again: http://www.amazon.com/AKG-K-701-WHIT...2644398&sr=1-1


Cost no object
I haven't tried these as they are too expensive for me. Recently, 2010, Sennheiser and Beyerdynamic released $1000+ headphones and these became their top of the line (replacing the HD650 and DT880 as top of their lines). I cannot recommend these headphones as I have not heard them, but knowing these companies, they make great headphones.
Sennheiser HD800
Beyerdynamic Tesla T1

Headphone amp or run off headphone amp stage off your integrated/receiver:
The HD650, DT880, K701, HD800 and T1 all need to be run off headphone amp.

Hope this helps....

Let me know if you decide to get another pair and what your thoughts are whe you have heard them.

Hi,

My primary genres for musical enjoyment are vocals, acoustical, blues, jazz, and Prog Rock. My heavy metal days are behind me!