Grado SR80e

[drummerman]

Well, here goes my credibility ....

I like the AKG K553, being fairly neutral, a little bland maybe, ehhhh.

The Harman Soho isn't easy to keep on the head when moving around, but still a decent sounding headphone for small and inexpensive, and more hi-fi than the B&W P3.

The Philips SHP9500 is quite good.

The Sennheiser PX100ii is a little dark, but with a small treble boost is very good.

Yes, you've done it now. The AKG? Meeeh

Interesting list though. I am surprised neither the Fidelio X2 or Grado 325e featured in that list?

I think I might get another PX100iii. I do wonder if lifting the pads away a tad will reduce bass and lift the treble?

 

[dalethorn]

Well, here goes my credibility ....

I like the AKG K553, being fairly neutral, a little bland maybe, ehhhh.

The Harman Soho isn't easy to keep on the head when moving around, but still a decent sounding headphone for small and inexpensive, and more hi-fi than the B&W P3.

The Philips SHP9500 is quite good.

The Sennheiser PX100ii is a little dark, but with a small treble boost is very good.

Yes, you've done it now. The AKG? Meeeh

Interesting list though. I am surprised neither the Fidelio X2 or Grado 325e featured in that list?

I think I might get another PX100iii. I do wonder if lifting the pads away a tad will reduce bass and lift the treble?

Well! I didn't mention the 325e as I thought we were looking at lower-priced models, but the 325e easily betters all of these. The X2 I haven't had, although I probably missed a good one there. The PX pads are so thin, I can't imagine how anyone would make any changes to that headphone.

 

[drummerman]

Fair enough. Still, which headphone couldn't you do without?

I am also intrigued, how do you choose the headphones you review?

 

[dalethorn]

Fair enough. Still, which headphone couldn't you do without?

I am also intrigued, how do you choose the headphones you review?

The headphone I couldn't do without. Umm, that includes equalizing it, since (oddly) most of my favorite headphones sound awful without it. Long story.... Anyway, the Audioquest Nighthawk serves me at home, with the Grado PS1000e close behind. Outdoors, I share days with the Grado GH1, B&O H6, Beyer DT1350 with T51p earpads, and Musical Fidelity MF200. If I had to choose among the last 4 for outdoors, it would be the Grado GH1, which BTW could be used without EQ since it's slightly darker than the 325e. Indoors the Nighthawk rules, and if I had to choose only one headphone for everything, it would be between the Nighthawk and the GH1, although if I didn't have the equalizer handy, the Nighthawk would be shelved in favor of the GH1.

 

[dalethorn]

Almost forgot, how to choose headphones? It's pretty much random. I decided on the Nighthawk early on, so that was just a matter of waiting for it. The GH1 - I agonized over it for awhile (being way over budget), but in the end I figured it would be a tough sell to end-users because of the price, and because it would be seen as a lesser headphone compared to the RS series, so my review (almost done) would feature very well on the usual sites. The H6 is such a good headphone, having only a couple of minor colorations, that I could also use it without EQ outdoors, but for indoor use I'd need the adjustments. The Musical Fidelity headphone is actually very comparable to the Grado 325e, but the clamp is very strong, so not as comfortable.

 

[drummerman]

Very interesting (and veeery envious).

Thanks Dale.

 

[stevebrock]

ok I am new to headphones so be gentle !

I will buy a Rega Ear amp.

Looking at spending up to £100 first, will I be able to get a decent pair considering my source & amp ?