Headphone suggestions for a newcomer

[doggiehowser]

I had the Sennheiser HD650 which was progressively modified wooden cups replacing the plastic ones and then with AudioNote silver cables.

Sounded great. But it developed the Sennheiser jiggle

I ended up getting the HD800 and it was a major step up in one area - soundstage. It is (to date) still the only that casts a soundstage that feels slightly in front of your head as opposed to having the singer inside your head.

Bass was very lean though.. and despite me swapping to a set of ALO cables it never quite got the bass to the level I wanted.

Then a friend clued me in to HiFiMan - I got the HE6. A real pain in the @ss to power - that thing was power hungry! But the bass was phenomenal.

I also ended up getting the LCD2 (then the LCD3) because I wanted a set that was easier to drive. The LCDs have a darker signature vs the HE6 but they still sound beautiful. In some respects, it reminds me of how the KEF LS50 sounds vs say the Epicon 2s.

For my money, I'd look at the Oppo PM1/2 as well. I feel they are more consistent than the Audezes (where it feels like no two are alike). The Oppos were not even around when I bought my LCDs so if I had to do it all over again, I think I would choose the Oppo over the LCD.

[vegaracer1]

I believe there is a great set of Grado phones listed for sale here as well.
Livestrong has them listed.

[Rod#S]

Thanks for all of the feedback and recommendations. A lot to consider.

[radio times]

My choice would be the Audeze EL-8. It made notes sound delicious. It would be my next buy.

[Randy Myers]

I had a pair of EL-8. Not a bad headphone. For me they were not as comfortable for long listening sessions as I wanted. I also was not terribly happy with the cord connector. If you move your head just right it would disconnect.

I absolutely love my Sennheiser HD 800 S. They sound spectacular; very full with great definition on individual instruments. And most important I can wear them for very long periods of time with no discomfort!

[robfine]

And then there is the Audeze LCD-XC. Unlike most or all of what have been mentioned so far, it is a closed headphone. While you hear all the time that open headphones are better, when you get to the level of Audeze, closed are not lesser, just ever so slightly different. And they may be better for your guitar playing application. They keep other sound out, they sound fabulous, image like a b****, are easy to drive, and I'm sure are subject to a fabulous deal from Masterlu.

If you are going to be auditioning, get yourself some good binaural recordings fro HDTracks or comparable. Try Melissa Menago, Macy Gray and/or Amber Rubarth. Those recordings will get headphones imaging like you've never heard. Really! For bass, and a very different voicing/vocal, go with Jen Chaplin: Innervisions. Listen to those recordings in good headphones you may be tempted to give up speakers (Hey, I said tempted).

Hey Randy, you should try out these recordings on your Senns. Forget that they are. It DSD. When you hear them, you'll be buying up all the binaural recordings you can find (Jen Chaplin is not binaural but she's just in another class). Go for it. And a lot cheaper than a new component!

[Randy Myers]

Hey Rob,

I love Melissa Menago and Amber Rubarth!

[robfine]

Do you listen to them on your Senns?

[Randy Myers]

I have, definitely! I think I have 4 or 5 binaural recordings in my collection.


I just checked, I have 6 albums. Melissa Menago, both Amber Rubarth, Covers and Covers II, and Alexis Cole.

[robfine]

How about Macy Gray: Stripped? Also binaural for the 'phones from HDT