Advice on 2nd Pair of Headphones

[Jason36]

Hi Guys,

Following the excellent advice on here regarding buying my first pair of Headphones (SR80i's) I have decided I want to invest in a second pair of Headphones 🙂 (Yeah I know Eggontoast, you did say I would have a collection before long 🙂 )

This second pair of Headphones will purely be used with my laptop with more than likely a Firestone Fubar III or IV for itunes and spotify use. They will be used in both the office and at home. At home I would be sat in the lounge alongside my other half who will more than likely be watching TV at the same time.

Main criteria is that they mustn't leak noise like the SR80i's do...so probably looking at closed back designs and they must also be over the ear (rather than in ear.....I already have a pair of sennhesser CX300II's).

So far from a bit of research and my original thread I have come up with the following choices:

AKG K271 MKII

Sennheisser HD380 Pro

Audio Technica ATH-ES7

Audio Technica ATH ES55

At the moment I am probably leaning towards the AKG's.

Can anyone else suggest other alternatives, over the ear that dont leak noise up to £150.00

Cheers guys 🙂

 

[audioaffair]

From the models listed I'd suggest the Audio Technica ATH-ES7 as the leading choice. These are probably the most effective non-active closed headphones I've heard around £100 for not leaking sound. The ATH-ES55 are almost just as effective!

 

[caesar44]

Jason, which kind of music you like? coming from the sr80i's i assume you're a rock/metal lover, right?

 

[Jason36]

To be honest, my musical tastes are very very varied....Yes I do enjoy a bit of rock things such as Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit, Led Zeppellen, Nirvanna etc etc. However I also listen to a fair bit of 70's stuff and also female vocals such Fiona Apple, Carol King, Linds Rondstadt, Rumour, Duffy, Isobel Campbell etc etc.

I find that the SR80i's are very very good and revealing / detailed for the majority of what I listen too but need a pair of closed back HP's for listening in close vicinity to other people....The SR80i's are staying as well 🙂

 

[caesar44]

I have to agree. The ATH-ES7's are good for what you listen.

 

[Jason36]

Cheers guys the ES7's look interesting.......If I was to up the price range to say £250 to £300 would there be any better suggestions bearing in mind the same criteria for listening??

 

[Olli1324]

What about Senn HD650s for that money?

 

[eggontoast]

You could also consider the Denon AH-D2000's.

 

[Jason36]

You could also consider the Denon AH-D2000's.

Cheers Eggontoast, they look just the ticket, they have got some very good write ups and seem as though they fit the bill for exactly what I am after....although I must say having looked at the AH-D5000's as well I am very taken by those, but they are considerably more expensive at £399.00. However I have a feeling that the mahogany finish on the 5000's is likely to provide a slightly warmer sound that the composite finish of the 2000.

Also both of these look a lot nicer than the Audio-Technica ES7, which I must say are probably a bit of an acquired taste design wise.

So it looks like the Denon's it is...now to try and find someone that stocks thenm locally ;-)

 

[Jason36]

Cheers Olli, but they are no good as they are open back.....as stated in the original post this second pair need to be closed back to reduce / eliminate noise leakage as they will be used in close proximity to other people.

 

[eggontoast]

Rumour on the head-fi and audiokarma is that the AH-D5000 is a bit of a sham and is not worth the extra cost. You are basically paying for the look of the mahogany cups, now the AH-D7000 that's a different story.....excellent cans which you would be very happy with I'm certain.

 

[Jason36]

Rumour on the head-fi and audiokarma is that the AH-D5000 is a bit of a sham and is not worth the extra cost. You are basically paying for the look of the mahogany cups, now the AH-D7000 that's a different story.....excellent cans which you would be very happy with I'm certain.

Looks like it will be the 2000 then as I dont think I can justify spending £600 on a pair of headphones 🙂 not just yet anyway.

 

[eggontoast]

........its only money, just buy the misses a present at the same time and all will be well ;-)

 

[Jason36]

........its only money, just buy the misses a present at the same time and all will be well ;-)

Hmmm I wish it was that easy 🙂

However having said that.....The Caspian Gear is up for sale at the moment as I am downsizing and re-jigging my system. New systems will be

Marantz MCr603 or Naim UnitiQute > Golding Phono Amp > Rega Planar 3 > Castle Speakers (this is to take advantage of the streaming capabilities.

Laptop > Fubar IV DAC / HP Amp > Grado SR80i's and obviously either the Denon 2000 / 7000

If I opt for the Marantz then that will leave plenty of cash for the Fubar and potentially the Denon 7000's which can be had for approx £588.00 (not sure what the RRP of these is but must be getting on for £700)

🙂

 

[eggontoast]

Sounds like it will be a nice system especially with the Naim streamer.

The RRP for the Denon AH-D7000 headphones is a hefty £899.99

 

[Jason36]

Sounds like it will be a nice system especially with the Naim streamer.

The RRP for the Denon AH-D7000 headphones is a hefty £899.99

So £588.00 is a dam good bargain then by the sound of it 🙂 Maybe it will be the Denon AH-D7000. If they are that good then the Grado's may end up going as well (although I do love the sound of the SR80i's)

 

[eggontoast]

So £588.00 is a dam good bargain then by the sound of it 🙂 Maybe it will be the Denon AH-D7000. If they are that good then the Grado's may end up going as well (although I do love the sound of the SR80i's)

I loved my RS2i's when I got them, this lasted for a while I then purchased some Stax and the RS2i's never got used so I sold them. The Stax are as crisp if not crisper than the Grado's but have better bass response and have a much larger soundstage so they became pointless.

I am now contemplating my next headphone purchase, on the list at present is Audeze LCD-2, HiFiman HE-6 and co-incidentally the Denon AH-D7000's. The problem is that I have not heard the Audeze or HiFiman and there is little chance of demoing them prior to purchase so I will have to buy them on the fly.

 

[Jason36]

So £588.00 is a dam good bargain then by the sound of it 🙂 Maybe it will be the Denon AH-D7000. If they are that good then the Grado's may end up going as well (although I do love the sound of the SR80i's)

I loved my RS2i's when I got them, this lasted for a while I then purchased some Stax and the RS2i's never got used so I sold them. The Stax are as crisp if not crisper than the Grado's but have better bass response and have a much larger soundstage so they became pointless.

I am now contemplating my next headphone purchase, on the list at present is Audeze LCD-2, HiFiman HE-6 and co-incidentally the Denon AH-D7000's. The problem is that I have not heard the Audeze or HiFiman and there is little chance of demoing them prior to purchase so I will have to buy them on the fly.

Just out of curiosity what electronics do you use mate?

If I went for the Denon they would mainly be used with my Laptop (Itunes lossless files and Spotify) via a Fubar IV Plus or possibly a Chord Chordette Toucan.......this may also have a Digital ipod dock connected for a more stationary system.

Occasionaly they may also be used with either the Marantz or Naim depending on what I decide on.

My only concern would be that the AH-D7000 would be overkill with those systems...what do you think??

 

[eggontoast]

Rumour on the head-fi and audiokarma is that the AH-D5000 is a bit of a sham and is not worth the extra cost. You are basically paying for the look of the mahogany cups, now the AH-D7000 that's a different story.....excellent cans which you would be very happy with I'm certain.

Don't take any notice of Head-Fi or Audiokarma, I have since picked up a pair of the Denon AH-D5000's for myself. These are excellent cans and a true step up from the D2000's. If you are still in the market for a second pair of headphones Jason36 I would seriously audition a pair of D5000's.

 

[Lee H]

there is little chance of demoing them prior to purchase

Don't you find this the biggest issue when trying to buy new headphones? My "collection" is only 3 pairs, but each were bought on a wing and a prayer. I had some Goldrings but had to send them back due to the leakage. Being able to try first would have avoided that.

 

[eggontoast]

Don't you find this the biggest issue when trying to buy new headphones? My "collection" is only 3 pairs, but each were bought on a wing and a prayer. I had some Goldrings but had to send them back due to the leakage. Being able to try first would have avoided that.

Certainly is, I cant think of a single shop near me that stocks a decent selection of cans. They sell a good selection but don't hold them or a demo pair in stock ??????????? not sure that is the best practice for making sales IMO.

However if you choose carefully and take advantage of the huge second hand market you can pretty much buy and sell with little depreciation. There are hundred's of head-fiers doing this so there is a large pool of cans available, just be sure to give them a wipe over before using them you don't know how often some people wash there hair do you :O

There is also the option to buy from Amazon and take advantage of the distance selling regulations 🙂

 

[Lee H]

I've done the very same with play.com

 

[neilmistry]

I too have bought headphones on a wing and prayer. Superfi were very good and let me try several pairs of Grado's, but they didn't suit the dance/electronic music I listen to. I bought a pair of Beyerdynamic DT880's based on reviews and also based on my experience of the in-ear Beyer buds that I own (also bought without being able to listen to them).

I would really like a pair of B&W C5's - reviews seem positive, but there's no way anyone will let me audition them since they are in-ear buds. The manufacturers should supply the retailers demo modles with free tips so potential customers can try them with a fresh pair of tips.

 

[mitch65]

After my wife complaining that my Goldring NS1000s leek like mad I have decided on a pair of Denon AHD2000s. The Goldrings will be staying as I really like them (and they were a present from said wife). I sympathise with Jason that using headphones is becoming the norm in my house as I am outnumbered 3-1 so the TV or games console usually wins 🙁.

The good thing is that I can return them if they're not for me so I do not feel too nervous about buying on recommendation.

Oh, and does two headphones count as a collection or the rocky road towards one... 🙂

 

[Lee H]

After my wife complaining that my Goldring NS1000s leek like mad I have decided on a pair of Denon AHD2000s. The Goldrings will be staying as I really like them (and they were a present from said wife). I sympathise with Jason that using headphones is becoming the norm in my house as I am outnumbered 3-1 so the TV or games console usually wins 🙁.

The good thing is that I can return them if they're not for me so I do not feel too nervous about buying on recommendation.

Oh, and does two headphones count as a collection or the rocky road towards one... 🙂

I loved my Goldrings, I thought they sounded fantastic. As you've found though, they leak too much; well, for where I was going to use them anyway

You're well on the rocky road now! I had one pair of on-ears for all circumstances. Then added a set of in-ears for holiday use. These were quickly supplemented with the Bose noise cancelling ones and I replaced the in-ears with a new set a couple of months ago. Right now, I'm waiting on delivery of custom made sleeves for the in-ears!

For me, a good set of headphones can get you so close to the music and with a quality that would cost much, much more were you to try and replicate it using a Hi-Fi system.