Headphone choice

Our of your list Nr 2 seems to be the best choice in my experience...

I have just bought HD 600 headphones, and am very pleased. I did not do any auditions, but have been using various Sennheisers for more than twenty years. These are the best Sennheisers I have heard. Of course the HD 600 is far from the most expensive Sennheiser model these days, but if the price is right for you, I doubt that you are likely to be disappointed.

ATB from George

Not sure if I'm stating the obvious.  If you want headphones to keep your listening silent to other members of the house, you should get closed-back ones - not sure if any of your suggestions are, but I think the Sennheister 600s are open backed, so there would be some sound leakage. 

I would recommend Nr 2, or perhaps it's newer cousin the 650.. The 600 and 650 have slightly different balances to suit tastes, the  650 is.slightly warmer. These are high impedance headphones so make sure your headphone amp is happy with such headphones.

Yes there is some sound leakage from the 600 and 650s

Simon

Perhaps I should slightly adjust the question. Using the 272 itself as a headphone amp, which would be the best headphone at that price range, or are you saying that I will need separate headphone amp? In which case which one?

the issue of noise leakage is not important, the wife only complains when I go past 55 on the 272's volume setting

I have the Sennheiser momentum over ear closed back headphones and I'd certainly recommend them. I think they are a little bit more expensive but not much, try them out. 

Belfast Taxman posted:

the issue of noise leakage is not important, the wife only complains when I go past 55 on the 272's volume setting

You are lucky of that is the case, I have the 650’s which I like very much, but my wife finds the tinny sound leaking from them extremely annoying, so I generally only use them late at night when she is in bed.

Give Hd598 a try, wonderful headphones, I preferred them over the HD650!

In terms of the choice, you might want to think about the impedance of each one. Two of them, the Beyers and Senns, have relatively high impedance and so may require more driving, compared with the KEFs. So it depends on your taste for volume and what kind of flexibility you need. 

The Senns have many fans around these parts - 600 and 650 - so I would definitely have them on my short-list. Others who've used them with and without a headphone amp might be able to comment.

I auditioned the KEFs and found them nicely balanced and very pleasant but, if I'm honest, rather dull. 

I haven't heard the Beyers.

I would add the Grado SR325e to the list. At the risk of going on a bit (!), I love mine. Open backed, full of musical detail, slightly retro design, beautifully made and low impedance.

Belfast Taxman posted:

Perhaps I should slightly adjust the question. Using the 272 itself as a headphone amp, which would be the best headphone at that price range, or are you saying that I will need separate headphone amp? In which case which one?

the issue of noise leakage is not important, the wife only complains when I go past 55 on the 272's volume setting

55 ! Good Grief I have never got above 40 on mine (LP12 input is at max though) If I had it that loud I think the neighbours would have something to say, let alone my wife

I agree with the earlier post who recommended Grado 325e they are superb for detail and musicality but they are open backed.

All closed cans I tried are not as good as open back but if you need a pair, I found Audio Technica AT-W5000 to be a great match with a NAHA.

I echo the warning that the Senn 600 are a bit hard to drive (not a problem with the 272 but if you want to ever use them with a portable player) and a bit dry and analytical.  The KEFs are much easier to drive with a warmer, fuller sound; I don't find them dull but not the ultimate in definition, perhaps.  Another entry, similar to the KEFs but maybe a little more engaging, are NAD Viso - I think they are in the same price range.  The mid-range Grado cans are excellent as well, but on ear and on my noggin not as comfortable.  Good luck, in today's market you have much - one could say an amplitude of sufficiency - to choose from!

I will agree from experience over the last fortnight that certainly the HD 600 really comes to life with a strong headphone amp. 

This not a question of going louder, but the quality of replay at normal levels. 

If you want to drive off a portable device, then definitely look for an easier to drive headphone set, but for the OP, no doubt that the 272 will drive difficult headphones properly!

In terms of difficult to drive, this is relative. The Little Dot 3 consumes between 25 and 28 Watts of mains electricity on the HD 600s, so not exactly a power house, but certainly more output than an iPod ...

ATB from George

Thanks to everybody that has replied so far. All great stuff. I am hopeful that the impedance issue is not n issue for meals I am only wanting to use them with the  272.

any fans of the Beyerdynamics. I have had the DT 120's for many years and have enjoyed them but perhaps new pastures would be good.

I have had B&W P7's for the last 8 months. I use them mostly plugged into my iPad and listen to Tidal, for this they are really very good. When plugged into my 172 XS they are stunning. They are closed back so my be worth looking them up?

Yes, higher impedance phones are not harder to drive but they do need more volts......, but you should use a headphone amp that is optimised for a particular phone impedance. I find my 8 ohm Grado IEM phones a little struggle with my Dragonfly DAC/amp and my Little Dot 3, but the 300 ohm Sennheiser 650s are a delight to run  on my Little Dot 3, but a little lacking on my Dragonfly. My iPad and iPhone love my 8 ohm Grado phones.

Simon

Belfast Taxman posted:

Thanks to everybody that has replied so far. All great stuff. I am hopeful that the impedance issue is not n issue for meals I am only wanting to use them with the  272.

any fans of the Beyerdynamics. I have had the DT 120's for many years and have enjoyed them but perhaps new pastures would be good.

I have the  Beyerdynamic T1s and one of their 900 series (can't remember the exact model) and thoroughly enjoy them both; the brand is still highly regarded and reviewed for their accuracy and well-controlled bass.  I'm not sure if it's still the case but some models used to be offered in two or even three different impedances, which would make matching to your amp far easier.  I find them comfortable, as well, while not quite something I'd want to wear all day. 

Another thumbs up for Beyer - I use T90s with Musical Fidelity head amp (plus Nac-52, LP-12, NDX). Preferred them over Senns 650, 700 and 800. Liked the smooth, detailed and punchy sound that didn't fatigue over longer listening periods.

In my limited experience the Beyer Tesla line is far more "accurate" with flat response and controlled bass than their DT line which I found to be more for bass mongers. As stated above pay heed to impedance as Beyer offers "p" or personal (low impedance) models of their HPs that may work better with the HP-out on your 272.

Well folks, the wife has been very generous ( or perhaps she is very keen on a quieter life) and the birthday budget has been raised a little and whilst I will try and audition as best as I can, the primary target is the Beyerdynamic T90's.

unless someone seriously suggests that the 272 headphone amp will not adequately drive them

No problem driving almost any cans with the 272.  Not to confuse the issue further but the most recent issue of THE ABSOLUTE SOUND has a very positive review of the HiFiMan HE400S Planar Magnetic headphones which as an owner I fully second.  If possible give them a listen - $299US, I don't know what that is in pounds.

Wow - $299 for planar magnetics - about £210. I had no idea they'd gotten that inexpensive or efficient - 22 ohms - amazing! Need to demo a pair as many new affordable pm models seem to be hitting the market.

If you are interested in planars, also add the Oppo PM-3 to the audition list.  I recently bought a pair to use in the office with Mojo (they are closed back so good for this purpose).  I have a range of different headphones - Audeze LCD-XC, Grado GS1000i, Denon D5000s, Noble Kaiser 10 custom in ears - and I'll be darned, the Oppos are easily in the same league performance wise but are much much cheaper than all but the now discontinued Denons.  Ridiculously easy to drive as well - they sound great straight out of an iPhone.  I paid just under 300 quid in HK, not sure what they will run you in the UK.  They are seriously good - in my view they give the much more expensive PM-1s which I have also spent some time with a run for their money.  

Hi. I also have Oppo PM3 and love them. Best headphones I have had so far, with also includes Momentums and Grade 325's....