Headphone Upgrade

[Colactix]

Hi There, i have come for some advice. What headphones would be a significant upgrade ocer the ATMH-50's, keeping within a reasonable price range.

Thanks

 

[dalethorn]

Hi There, i have come for some advice. What headphones would be a significant upgrade ocer the ATMH-50's, keeping within a reasonable price range. Thanks

Assuming you mean the ATH M50, a reasonable price (to me) would be £200 or so. The Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear would qualify, and with a strong deep bass that matches the M50 (but better quality), the highs are softer, but take a boost so well the end result is a much better sound. The Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro would be a great upgrade, and isn't expensive. If you're looking for a monitor,or something of industrial strength build, the German Maestro 8.35D is a good upgrade.

 

[JoelSim]

I think it all depends on how you are going to use them. The Beyerdynamic DT880 Premium or the Audio-Technica AD900x are very good headphones.

 

[iceman16]

+1 for the Sennheiser Momentum..a very well-balanced sound

 

[Colactix]

Hi thanks for your and the other replys. The Audio-Technica's look like a great choice as were the ATH-M50's. I primarily listen to indie/pop/rock (i.e Kinks,Smiths, Belle and Sebastian) I also would like to ask what the differnece with the open-back would be for example on sound and how much it would heard from another room.

Thanks

 

[Ben123]

Another audio technica recomendation sorry. Check out the ath-es7's which are heavily discounted at he moment £100 at richer sounds due to their £220 replacement the ath-es700's. Lots of people over at a well know head phone forum have upgraded from the m50's to the es7s and ive never heard of anyone being disappointed. Likewise from es7 to es700 but hey thats life.

I tried some well recommended (and much more expensive) open back headphones but I just preferred closed back.

You WILL hear open back in the next room probably if you have a newer house with paper thin walls. My biggest problem with open back is you will never get that solid bass kick that you get from closed back. Deal breaker for me sorrry. Closed back all the way. Plus i value speed and attack (exciting sound) over naturalness. If you like an aggressive sound i would stay away from open back as they tend to be more airy.

All the best

 

[JoelSim]

Yes, open-back are to create slightly more air around the sound, closed back will be better in your circumstances.

Audio-Technica have a number of great new models out including the ES700, A900x and AD900x. The A900x being the closed back version of the AD900x.

 

[BigH]

I prefer open back anyday, I only use closed backs when the wife is watching TV in the same room, then you need closed backs to keep the sound in and out. I have the Momentums over ear but prefer my old ATH-911, the closed backs sound closed in, boxy bass a bit boomy too. SO for your situation I would look at open backs, doubt you will hear them in the next room otherwise you will be going deaf soon.

 

[quadpatch]

I quite liked the ATH-M50, but have enjoyed a few over it since. I would ask if there is anything about the ATH-M50 that you would like to change. More or less upper bass? Because the M50's can be a bit boomy, their treble is probably the more lacking aspect though, but 'fixing' these things will fundamentally change the sound and you might not like that. Saying that, your music tastes are fairly close to mine, so here are a couple of recommendations:

SoundMAGIC HP100 (flat response, less bass heavy that the M50, but also smoother and better, much better treble)

SoundMAGIC HP200 (rather v-shaped response, treble can be high)

Denon AH-D600 (if you want more warmth and bass)

Sennheiser HD600 (super flat, very detailed, amps really well)

Senheiser HD650 (like the HD600 but warmer, not too crazy)

B&O H6 (light, comfy, flat like the HD600, but perhaps not quite as exciting)

B&W P7 (warm, lush, exciting, nice mids and treble too)