headphone listening

Hi Ian,

That is a very specific question, I have a CD5XS and NAC 172XS, I use B&W P7's and I personally think they are stunning. I also use them regularly with my Ipad Air 2 with a Dragonfly Red DAC/Headphone amp and this works beautifully.

I would suggest getting a price point then a short-list and trying them. My wonderful Wife prefers Sennheisser headphones, personal preference is the biggest deciding factor.

Good luck.

Simon.

Simon, sounds a cracking system .. I like the XS series, and the 172XS is quite a star performer.

Simon

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

Simon, sounds a cracking system .. I like the XS series, and the 172XS is quite a star performer.

Simon

 

Thank you Simon. I love it, CD or Streaming (Over Wi-Fi, Yikes, please don't send the Wolves round) It works XSessively well

Ian,

I had a Nait XS/CD5X/FCXS/Headline system and found HP listening superb with Beyer T70's. The T70 sound could be described as analytical, but I found it honest to the source recording with a clear sub-bass yet having no overt bass emphasis. Nice shine to the top end and never, ever a hint of fatigue. A very clean and engaging sound.

I guess it would help if we knew your budget.  I don't use headphones much so when I recently bought a set I didn't want to spend more than £300.  After a fair bit of research I bought a set of Meze 99 Classics which are beautifully made and sound fantastic for the money.

For private listening the one key limitation of headphones is that the sound information is limited to our ears as receptors: yes the obvious and main sound receptors, but not the only ones (one obvious lack is the seat and clothing borne vibrations particularly with drumbeats). And they are not social things, so not ideal for other than private listening.

Against those limitations, headphones have the potential for far more accurate sound reproduction than speakers in a typical home, as the always significant room interactions are removed. And with prices typically an order of magnitude and more lower, and also being less demanding of amplifier power, it is perhaps surprising that headphones seem less popular than speakers.

I admit I don't own a decent pair, just Bose noise cancelling ones for incidental travel use - but maybe that's due to a combination of liking the non-aural feel of music, and simply never having listened to really good ones.

i look forward to the suggestions on this thread: my own interest would be more in closed back headphones as open-back partially misses alternative point of being able to listen without disturbing someone next to you, or their TV watching not interfering with yor music. Of course, if they are to replace speakers but with no other changes to domestics that need not be a factor. From what I've read, it seems that, for closed back headphones at least, cost is likely to be approaching or exceeding £1000 per pair for decent quality, while open back ones can achieve similar quality for a little less.

I always recommend the same - AKG K812 Reference Headphones - use them with my SuperNait2.

One challenge is that they are available only via AKG Professional dealers.