Suitable wired headphones for Denon PMA-50

[elraaxho]

Hi!

I own a Denon PMA-50 amplifier with an integrated DAC. I'm currently using it connected to my laptop via USB to use the amplifier's DAC instead of the one from my laptop.

As I'm mostly using this setup with headphones on, I'm thinking about investing in a nicer pair of wired headphones. I already have a pair of Beats By Dre Studio 3 and a pair of Sennheiser HD 215. I cannot help but feel that there´s a lot more sound quality that I could get out of this amp with better headphones. What would be a reasonable headphone pair for this setup, considering the sound quality the amp can deliver and the impedance of the headphones?

When it comes to sound, it seems like the Beats are throwing a party in a pool of mud, while the Sennheisers forgot to invite the bass altogether. How about we find a pair that gets the whole band together for a proper jam session?

 

[Gray]

What would be a reasonable headphone pair for this setup, considering the sound quality the amp can deliver and the impedance of the headphones?

Only you can decide on the best sound for you, but I would strongly advise against any "more expensive must be better" mentality.

I can only tell you that I've tried AKG, Beyer, Grado and mostly Sennheiser models at very different prices - with some detailed comparisons using Topping A50S and A90D amps.
I reckon that the A90D in particular is as good a tester as any headphone would need to show what it can do......my conclusion being that the Sennheiser HD-560S is the biggest headphone bargain available, even at it's full price - let alone the recent sale price of £99.

I haven't heard the lack of bass on your 215 model and, when compared with Beats, you may also conclude that there's 'no' bass from the 560S.
There's certainly no overemphasised bass, but it's all there with good quality.
Midrange and treble (to me) are just natural too.

They need a few overnight stretch-outs before reaching a less clampy comfort level and there's a bit of creakiness due to the plastic construction - but the SOUND and lightweight comfort....I was honestly surprised to have preferred them to more expensive models.

I would say give them a try - especially if you can pay £99 with an easy return policy in case the neutrality is not for you (it's everything to me) and not least because they've made some slight changes to the model - which some say have slightly changed the SQ since my original version....and because only your opinion counts in any case.