Need a dedicated home headphone set up

[AlCapwnUK]

My current home set up is simply a pair of audioengine a2s playing off a Dell Studio Laptop; and my portable set up is a pair of phonak audio 012s with a fiio e06 portable DAC playing off of my HTC Desire S. The majority of my music is stored in FLAC, with the rest at 320kbs.

Audioengine A2

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Audioengine-multimedia-speakers-Total-high-gloss/dp/B000VKEFMS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1367138023&sr=8-2&keywords=audioengine+a2

Fiio E06

http://www.amazon.co.uk/FiiO-E06-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B005HJWWW8/ref=pd_cp_rec-ht_0

Phonak 012s

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Phonak-Aud%C3%A9o-Perfect-Earphones-Colour/dp/B003V9QDXK/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1367138087&sr=1-1&keywords=phonak+audeo+pfe+012

Next year I am going to be in a smaller flat share, and so for home listening I won’t always be able to use my a2s. I am looking for some decent headphones mainly for home listening, as I am fine with my current portable set up (although I might get a sansa clip). Also, I am after a decent USB DAC/amp for the headphones. Would a DAC also improve the sound of my A2s? They are active speakers, so they don’t need amplification, but at the moment they are plugged jack to jack into my laptop.

With regards to headphones, I had been looking at these (from cheapest on Amazon)

Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro – 80 ohms

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyerdynamic-DT770-PRO-Headset-OHM/dp/B0016MNAAI/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3I2T6GEGVSOGR&coliid=I2HZV2V9SXE9ZQ

Audio-Technica ATH M50

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50-Headphones-ear-cup/dp/B000ULAP4U/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3I2T6GEGVSOGR&coliid=IAR0LVTCTEANP

AKG K550

http://www.amazon.co.uk/AKG-Closed-Back-Reference-Class-Headphones/dp/B005CNR7B0/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3I2T6GEGVSOGR&coliid=I3ASHBL6RCZEVB

Philips Fidelio X1/00

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Fidelio-X1-00-Headphones/dp/B008ZW2T7M/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3I2T6GEGVSOGR&coliid=I393OB1W3HU7TY

The AKG K550s look a bit ugly to me, but they have quite a large price reduction, and I’ll only be wearing them at home. The Philips look great, but I’m not sure if they warrant another £100.

I was also wondering what impedance would be suitable. The advantage of low impedance headphones is that I can use them straight away and then get the DAC further down the line to cushion the blow to my wallet. Is there a significant improvement from a higher impedance driven set?

I would be interested if there are any in this price range that are superior. The amazon reviews for the audiotechnica’s are very good, but I had read somewhere that they had good bass and average mids and highs. I’m leaning towards either the DT770s or the AKGs…or waiting on a price drop on the Philips. There are cheaper models of the Philips available as well. Decisions, decisions.

With regards to DACs my knowledge base is very low. The fiio e06 significantly improved the sound coming off my htc, and gave me more volume; but their main selling point was that it was cheap and small.

I have a bit of brand loyalty to audioengine and had looked at the D1. I was also quite impressed with the value of my e06 and have been looking at the e17. But now there is a spanner in the works as I have also seen the meridian explorer, although this is twice the price, and the HRT microStreamer.

FiiO E17

http://www.amazon.co.uk/FiiO-E17-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B0070UFMOW/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3I2T6GEGVSOGR&coliid=I3MHOMU8OLM15D

Audioengine D1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Audioengine-D1-Premium-24-bit-DAC/dp/B0079KWSF4/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1367138987&sr=1-1&keywords=d1+audioengine

HRT MicroStreamer

http://www.amazon.co.uk/HRT-MicroStreamer-USB-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00APG6DX2/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3I2T6GEGVSOGR&coliid=I5A6N1IG9CJZU

Meridian Explorer

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Meridian-Audio-Explorer-USB-DAC/dp/B00BCJWTAM/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3I2T6GEGVSOGR&coliid=I2KUXPAF1XDP8U

Being realistic at the current prices the Philips headphones are too expensive as is the meridian explorer, but if one of the two significantly merited the price I might break the bank. Or is it worth getting a much cheaper DAC and more expensive headphones?

 

[dalethorn]

The Beyer DT770 Limited Edition (I have one) is the best bet for serious listening, and you can get the same sound quality they say with the regular edition by replacing the earpads. The FiiO E17 DAC is significantly inferior to the D1, Microstreamer etc. And from all I've heard, the Microstreamer (I have one) is better than the Meridian - not by a lot, very marginal, but at much less price a better deal.

 

[AlCapwnUK]

thanks. i think i will try and get a set of the beyerdynamic. Not sure whether to go for the d1 or stretch a little more to get the microstreamer

 

[AlCapwnUK]

also, as they are for home use would the 250ohms version be a better bet? Using a D1 or Microstreamer as an amp.

 

[mitch65]

Also worth trying these at £150

http://homeavdirect.co.uk/akg-k551-around-ear-headphones

I've just bought these and I think they're great :cheers:

 

[AlCapwnUK]

I might have to find somewhere good to listen to a few pairs in london. Sadly i can't make it to hifi-headphones, which is the only place i am familiar with.
Is there anything in particular that the AKG 551s have over the 550s. Anyone with experience of both this and the DT770s?

 

[mitch65]

I might have to find somewhere good to listen to a few pairs in london. Sadly i can't make it to hifi-headphones, which is the only place i am familiar with.
Is there anything in particular that the AKG 551s have over the 550s. Anyone with experience of both this and the DT770s?

I think the 551s have superceded the 550s, so at that price they have to be considered a bargain

 

[pauln]

This is well regarded: http://epiphany-acoustics.co.uk/products-page/dacs/ehp-o2d-miniature-desktop-headphone-amplifier-with-usb-dac/

 

[dalethorn]

This is well regarded: http://epiphany-acoustics.co.uk/products-page/dacs/ehp-o2d-miniature-desktop-headphone-amplifier-with-usb-dac/

I had the O2 amp but not the DAC, and it's a great amp, so I'd go along with this amp plus DAC being a good choice.

 

[Jason36]

Ive heard the Epiphany Acoustics DAC and Amp combo and can also agree that's its very good combo for the price. I'm not sure how much you want to spend and whether you want a one box solution for DAC and Amp.....but I can also highly recommend the Schitt Audio Magni (HP Amp) and Modi (DAC).

I paid $200 for mine from the states, including import tax and postage they cost me £200 total and I'm blown away by them......bags of power from the HP Amp and the Modi does up to 24/96 via USB.