B&O H6 How to check they are genuine.

[Paulq]

Good luck with whatever you buy. Your lug holes may indeed be more suited to those which Rich recommends. I tried the Alessandros in Singapore and didn't like them at all but I am very particular about the tone I like.

Further up the page (I think it was Rich) who mentioned the Shure SRH1540. I got these recently amidst a blaze of recommendations and have to agree with him (or whoever it was) in that I am a little disappointed with them. I also bought the Beyer T1 recently and have several aborted attempts to buy the right amp for it but have today ordered an NJC Monitor II and can't wait for it to arrive. Using it with a loan Graham Slee this week has left me in raptures about them but my ears are very in tune with Beyer cans; not everyone's are as you have discovered.

I also went mad and ordered an Audioengine D1 for use with my iMac.

I am debating whether to offload the Shures and buy something else. I am at my limit of 4 full sized cans so something has to give if I want another set

What to buy is ze question....

 

[Stuartk]

You have some great Headphones and I suppose 4 full sets are a decent amount.

I wouldn't say the Beyer's were not my taste it was more that they did not give me anything more than what I had already.

I will definitely be getting the AKG K550 that's sorted at just £80 new so looking forward to them.

Looking at an open pair now and as suggested by Rich was the Alessandro MS2 but the person I'm getting the AKG's from has a new pair of HiFiman HE400 for £250 with the same drivers as the Oppo PM3 but as usual I don't know how they will sound so I look towards the reviews and comments which are very positive.

Considering the going rate for these are £400 it seams a good deal.

Rich doesn't seam that enthusiastic about his Ultrasone Pro 900 so I have went off them a bit.

The Oppo's are hard to get with any sort of discount and rarely come up used but I'm considering buying them new which is £350

The Oppo amp has made a great impact on my UE's although at first listen my initial thought was that they were just louder but I can now here more instruments separated throughout the soundstage.

So really eager to get a pair that will work well with the Oppo Amp and open up with clarity and great separation (if there is such a thing).

As you mentioned way back in an earlier post I need to just press the button as I'm starting to round in circles, I see a pair and gather the feedback then spot something else etc etc.

Incidently what was it about the Alessandro did you not like?

Cheers Paul your input is so appreciated.

Stuart.

 

[Paulq]

I found them to be not too dissimilar to the Grado headphones (with which they share DNA with some tuning). I am not a fan of Grado headphones at all but there are literally millions who swear by them. The more I indulge my hi-fi hobby the more I learn that it's simply important to pick what is right for you - at the end of the day others opinions are based on their personal preferences and experience which may/may not be dissimilar to yours. I take input from people willingly but generally nly use that input to introduce me to things and products that I haven't seen or tried. Without any disrespect to anyone (as people on here tend to be extremely willing to help) on here I will only attribute a sound to a particular piece of kit once I have heard it for myself - human ears are all different.

I have been having the same runaround with a headphone amp in recent weeks. I read recommendations, try them and often they bear zero similarity to what I have read. It's trial and error to a certain extent.

But it's fun....even if it is expensive at times. *good*

 

[Stuartk]

Over the years I have spent many thousands on various HIFi products and even now I would say I'm still inexperienced in terms of product recommendations as like you I would only express an opinion based on actual listening/seeing experience.

I have had a few very nice Cinema systems most of which were high quality then I got made redundant and sold it all, I tried to build it up again but simply could not afford such high end surround sound equipment so sold the middle range products I had and went to a bit better quality in stereo only.

Thats why I like Headphones now as I feel you can get high quality sound without spending a few thousand on everything else.

Like most people I would think that Headphones gives me my own high end sound experience without having the cost of a high end open HIFi system.

I do miss the Surround Sound experience the involvement it gives when watching a good film or listening to DVD-Audio in DTS HD 96/24.

Such as life Lol.

Stuart.

 

[rich51080]

Paul check out the Hifiman range of headphones or indeed the Final Audio Design Pandora's.

Both are stunning.

It was me who said the Shures were disappointing. I find them to have a veil which does not suit my taste in music at all.

I love the Alessandros and I listen to them the most including my Grado ps1000's.

That's how much i rate them.

 

[Stuartk]

Rich what would you recommend between the Alessandro or the HiFiman HE400 @ £250 new.

The overall reviews have the Alessandro on 5 stars and the Hifiman on 4 but I'm interested in the HiFiman's drivers and again I haven't a clue how they sound, can you tell me please.

I had decided on the AKG K550 but that's not bought yet would you think it would be better overall with the Alessandro + the HiFiman as I would like 2 as suggest to me earlier.

Stuart.

 

[Paulq]

Rich - completely agree on the Shures. Good but not that good.

Ref the HE400 I have never really been a fan of planars though I'm told both the Oppos and the Fostex higher end offerings are worth a listen. I tried the lower end Fostex ones and ended up plumping for the T1 Teslas instead which I find absolutely sublime. They are expensive though and again very picky about their amp at 600 ohms.

Of all the fans I own I still cherish the DT990s but my keeper for life is the Denon AHD7000. Legends.

 

[Stuartk]

The Denons look really special.

So you prefer the DT990 to the T1's, in what way are they different to each other considering the price difference.

What amp do you use for the the T1 is it a dedicated Headphone amp?

I'm not that up to speed with the Ohm's thing I presume that at 600 Ohm they need driven by an amp considering 250 Ohm doesn't have to be.

After I got my amp I thought I may have been a bit hasty in sending back the Beyer's.

 

[rich51080]

Buy the Alessandro. They are sublime. With your new amp they would be stunning.

I not heard any Hifiman cans so can't comment.

For the money the ms2i is a given in my book.

I had mine for years and still I listen to them.

 

[Paulq]

The Denons look really special.

So you prefer the DT990 to the T1's, in what way are they different to each other considering the price difference.

What amp do you use for the the T1 is it a dedicated Headphone amp?

I'm not that up to speed with the Ohm's thing I presume that at 600 Ohm they need driven by an amp considering 250 Ohm doesn't have to be.

After I got my amp I thought I may have been a bit hasty in sending back the Beyer's

They are very very special indeed, probably one of the best made. This week I have been using a Graham Slee Solo Ultra Linear with the PSU1 power supply. It's very very good indeed. However I have ordered an amp today from NJC audio who are a very small UK company who build to hand. Their amp is absolutely excellent; driving both high and low impedance headphones without noise.

I love both the T1 AND the DT990 for different reasons. The former is far more detailed and when listening to 24 bit files through an amp is simply the best sound Ii have ever heard. The DT990s you have heard and I class them as more of a fun headphone that punches above its weight. However you tried those and you know how they sound.

The law of diminishing returns applies to hifi equipment more than anything else.

 

[Paulq]

Paul check out the Hifiman range of headphones or indeed the Final Audio Design Pandora's.

Both are stunning.

It was me who said the Shures were disappointing. I find them to have a veil which does not suit my taste in music at all.

I love the Alessandros and I listen to them the most including my Grado ps1000's.

That's how much i rate them.

Rich p, which of the Pandoras do you recommend? Are they closed back or open?

 

[rich51080]

If you got the spare cash then I would go for the more expensive one. I am a fan of final audio design signature as I own a pair of earphones by them.

They are closed back design.

Rich

 

[Paulq]

If you got the spare cash then I would go for the more expensive one. I am a fan of final audio design signature as I own a pair of earphones by them.

They are closed back design.

Rich

Have you heard the Pandora VI? Are they warm/detailed? I read they may be uncomfortable and pads not removable?

Cheers

Paul.

 

[Stuartk]

Cheers Rich.

Yes, a good choice me thinks.

Along with the AKG that would give me an open and closed pair.

Brilliant.

 

[Stuartk]

The Beyer's did feel good and comfortable and I think I may pick up a pair of these when I'm on holiday.

I do like the fact that most of the people in here have a range of Headphnes rather than just one pair.

Do you use your home HiFi CD/DVD player for Hi-Res Tunes via the HiFi Amp or are they downloaded I'm asking as I have never actualy downloaded SACD type files but wow they would sound amazing through good Headphones.

 

[dalethorn]

If you got the spare cash then I would go for the more expensive one. I am a fan of final audio design signature as I own a pair of earphones by them.

They are closed back design.

Rich

Have you heard the Pandora VI? Are they warm/detailed? I read they may be uncomfortable and pads not removable?

Cheers

Paul.

The Pandora VI is very comfortable if you sit absolutely still. Earpads are replaceable. It has a strong (but not overemphasized) bass and also a strong treble - very detailed.

 

[Paulq]

Dale - after 91 posts to get back on topic - which would be your preference the B&O H6 or the B&W P7? Rock music so full but not boomy bass, maybe travelling with them and comfort are the factors I need to judge them on.

Either would be used through my hifi with a dedicated amp and also out of my iMac through Audioengine D1 listening to mainly uncompressed FLAC files, some 24/96 with the occasional mp3 at 320 kbps.

Thanks.

 

[rich51080]

I only heard the Pandora briefly when i visited hifiheadphones down in sussex.

They are very detailed and warm sounding. They have terrific sub bass.

I now have the Signature pro by Ultrasone and they are awesome.

 

[rich51080]

B&W headphones are no comparisson to the speakers they make.

I wouldnt bother with either B&O or B&W as you can get better cans for similar money.

my own opinion of course.

 

[Paulq]

So for £450, with the above criteria and excluding the ones i have tried (AKG, Grado, Alessandro) what would you recommend and why?

 

[rich51080]

450 quid would get you a near high end pair of cans.

If you did not like Alessandro then you would not like the Grado line as they have the same upfront presentation. So that would rule Grado out.

Beyerdynamic - Custom one pro. Detailed and very comfortable. Great sound

PSB M4U - Many a good review and better than beats. Warm and punchy sound. My friend has them and they are awesome.

Sennheiser Momentum - I loved these but sold them as I got my Grado ps1000.

Hifiman HE400 - Not heard them but have read many a good review. Meant to be comfortable and have audiophile sound.

Ultrasone Pro 900 - Bass monsters but very detailed midrange.

Oppo PM3 - Love these but preffered the more expensive sibling

If I had £450 I would take a pop at the PSB M4U as they would offer you something different whilst giving you audiophile sound. Use the change and get some cd's.

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-400-over-ear-headphones/

But honestly If it were me the Alessandro would win every time. But seeing as you do not like them I recommend the PSB's as they would give you a warm detailed presentation with lots of rhythmical punch and timing.

 

[Stuartk]

Rich,

That was a really interesting review with the Oppo PM3 being 1st, with the PSB M4U1 in second.

The interesting part is the Oppo is £350 with the PSB on Amazon for £150.

As the review stated the PSB's were a close second.

So are the Oppo's worth £200 more?

Stuart.

 

[rich51080]

If your going to go the Oppo route I'd save your money and get their top of the line model.

PSB have some good reviews. Nothing negative about them. For £150 its surely worth a pop.

 

[Stuartk]

If your going to go the Oppo route I'd save your money and get their top of the line model.

PSB have some good reviews. Nothing negative about them. For £150 its surely worth a pop.

Hmmm, Good point.

Don't know if I could be that patient as they are just over £1,000 (PM3 @ £350).

 

[Stuartk]

Are the Ultrasone Pro 900 a DJ Headphone and the Performance 880 more of a refined HIFi Type?

Stuart.