Headphones for home use

[BigH]

Hello,

I'm looking for some headphones for home use, need to be closed back as using in same room which has a TV on, so isolation is important both ways. Budget is around £140. Do not need too much bass, music is mainly 50s jazz, 70s rock and vocals with some folk/country/classical thrown in.

Looking at the Audio Technica ATH-M50 which are about £132. Should I consider any others like Audio Technica ATH-A500x?

 

[plastic penguin]

I'd be looking at these. Although not heard them, I've always been impressed with their other products - come with a hefty discount, too.

 

[BigH]

I'd be looking at these. Although not heard them, I've always been impressed with their other products - come with a hefty discount, too.

Thanks but judging by the mixed reviews I don't think they quite what I'm looking for.

 

[peza1]

I have these and find them excellent with most music. http://www.superfi.co.uk/p-10160-akg-k550-closed-back-headphones.aspx

 

[BigH]

I have these and find them excellent with most music. http://www.superfi.co.uk/p-10160-akg-k550-closed-back-headphones.aspx

Yes I heard these are good but quite a few people complain about lack of bass.

See this recent post: http://www.whathifi.com/forum/headphones-etc/headphones-for-home-listening

 

[pauln]

Have you looked at the Beyerdynamic DT770 pro? Supposed to have good bass and well regarded.

 

[BigH]

Have you looked at the Beyerdynamic DT770 pro? Supposed to have good bass and well regarded.

Yes thats seems to be the only other one, a few negative reviews, not sure of the differences between 80 Ohms and 250 Ohms versions?

 

[Anonymous]

170 ohms? :? Sorry.....

Harder to drive the 250 ohm ones and would possibly require a headphone amp. Can I pitch in these - though the price has crept up slightly:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/WeSC-Chambers-RZA-Premium-Headphone/dp/B0071HJ7BI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1377195184&sr=8-2&keywords=wesc+chambers+by+rza+premium

Also, what about the £50 akg 451s?

 

[pauln]

Have you looked at the Beyerdynamic DT770 pro? Supposed to have good bass and well regarded.

Yes thats seems to be the only other one, a few negative reviews, not sure of the differences between 80 Ohms and 250 Ohms versions?

Your questions are probably answered in this comprehensive and excellent review by NwAvGuy: http://nwavguy.blogspot.ru/2011/04/beyerdynamic-dt-770-pro-80-review.html

Also some comparisons with other closed back cans.

 

[BigH]

Thanks for those suggestions, I did see something about the WeScs that the sort of tips I'm looking for and £60 less. Just read a review on Amazon that says they are better than the AT 50Ms.

 

[eggontoast]

IMO one of the best closed back headphones which isolate well, are comfortable and sound good are the Beyerdynamic DT770's. They have a reputation for being bass heavy which isn't true, they just have good bass extension which most headphones don't.

The Audio Technica ATH-M50's are also good sounding cans although I found them a touch sibilant on occasion, they are also not as comfortable as the Beyers, the big heavy coiled lead is also a PITA.

With regards to the WeSC RZA Chambers.....well your not 12 years old are you. Probably best left for the youths who can't pull their trousers up properly and wear their hats the wrong way around, innit.

 

[BigH]

Thanks eggs some interesting opinions.

The other headphones I have come across are the Soundmagic HP100, similar to the AT 50Ms but more neutral, more revealing but in UK they are about £180.

Actually the AKG 550s maybe suitable as Im not a bass head although not a fan of lean sounding music either.

Beyers yes but maybe too much bass and the 80 Ohms and 250 Ohms may need a headphone amp? The 32 Ohms not sure if available here. A few reports of reliability problems.

AT ATH 50Ms, seem a good alrounder, neutral without being too revealing but maybe too much bass.

Soundmagic HP100, meant to be better than 50Ms but maybe to revealing, reliable? More money.

WeSC RZA Chambers, some say better than M50s, not very comfortable? Cheap.

 

[eggontoast]

BTW what is your amplification going to be ?

 

[BigH]

At the moment it will be just from my soundcard which is a Xonar DG, which is quite loud, I currently use AT ATH-911s and I have to watch the volume is not too high when switching over to headphones.

 

[eggontoast]

You would undoubtedly require an external amplifier for the 80 or 250 ohm Beyers then, it would be better to seek out a 32 ohm pair.

 

[BigH]

Just bought some nearly new Sennheiser momentums, over ear for about 1/2 RRP.