Help with headphones choice

Posted by: Bruce Woodhouse on 07 August 2018

Due partly to the extended absence of my NDS on repair I've been doing fair bit of listening on headphones via my Astell + Kern Kann and also my Qute plus rHead headphone amp. This has really got me interested in the experience of good headphones, a new pleasure.

I have Grado SR325e at the moment and I find them comfortable and very enjoyable but would like to try some options around £1k - £1.5k. I think this price will bring me a decent step up in performance.

I am trying to arrange a demo with a dealer who has a decent choice when I have a day free, but this is proving a bit of a struggle. I think I'm looking at models such as the Sennheiser 800 (boy do they look horrible), Focal Clear and since I enjoy my current Grado model perhaps their GS1000e/2000e models. I did wonder about the Beyerdynamic T1 which seems to be available at quite a reduced price in some places.

In the end my ears will decide when I can sort a demo but I just wanted some views and opinions on the models above, and maybe some other options I have not considered from other owners. Any views on how well the Kann will drive them too.

I don't specifically need a close back design by the way as noise leakage/intrusion not an issue at home, I also tend to like a fast, clean and dynamic sound with good bass quality not quantity. Heck, I'm a Naim SBL/SL2 owner!

Bruce

Posted on: 08 August 2018 by Perol

After trying the expensive stuff I'd recommend you to try either AKG 701/702 or Beyer DT 150/250, they will need a dedicated amp to shine.

Posted on: 08 August 2018 by NickSeattle

Another vote for AKG701. I traded my Senn 650s for them. Listened to impressive Grado PS1000Es the day I bought the AKGs. Have not tried HD800s.

Headphones are very personal, though. I do agree that listening to the 701s amid more expensive alternatives made it an easy decision, for me.

Good luck.

Nick

Posted on: 08 August 2018 by Dozey

I preferred the HD800 to the Grados, but headphones are a very personal choice, as Nick says.

Posted on: 08 August 2018 by SteveJansen

I think top end headphones really need a quality amp to be heard anywhere near their best. I had been using Q701s, HD650s and Hifiman HE400s via the Supernait2 headphone out. I then got a S/H 1980s era Stax Lambda SR and SRM-1 mk2 Solid State amp. To my ears and all my friends, the jump in performance (honestly without exaggerating) felt like going from driving a Lada to a Lotus.

The highest level with headphones I had reached in the past was Grado GS1000 with a lovely handmade, point to point wired Canadian Mapletree valve amp. The valves helped to balance out the tipped up forward sounding design out the Grados (plenty of PRaT comes through with Grados for me). I would take the older Stax combo over anything I've heard in the past, as they reveal textures of instruments which were often a bit of a blurry mush in my previous headphone set-ups (Grados excluded). The space around the instruments makes them all sound like they are featuring, without making the music remotely clinical sounding. I found them just as toe tapping as the Grados for me too

Just my first experience with Stax. I'm as much of a convert to Stax as I am with Naim now.

Posted on: 08 August 2018 by Bruce Woodhouse

Thanks folks

I don't think I'm quite committed enough to this route of listening to go for a high value headphone amp, the AK Kann will be the source for the majority of the time. I will need to makes sure I don't end up with headphone mullet system, although it is quite impressive as a source I must admit.

The AKG is one I've never heard of. I have now arranged a demo with a dealer who has a fairly wide choice so will try to get them included.

Bruce

Posted on: 08 August 2018 by Hkmac

I have the AK kann as well for traveling and bedroom. For quite time / plane in-ear I use Shure 846. I tried a lot of of open back headphones and for my taste settled on Sennheiser 800S as they work well with Kann and Mojo or directly into my 272. I’m sure they will be a lot better with a dedicated head amp so maybe next step for me but still pretty good with the other kit.. well worth a listen. Mac

Posted on: 08 August 2018 by Richieroo

Hkmac posted:
I have the AK kann as well for traveling and bedroom. For quite time / plane in-ear I use Shure 846. I tried a lot of of open back headphones and for my taste settled on Sennheiser 800S as they work well with Kann and Mojo or directly into my 272. I’m sure they will be a lot better with a dedicated head amp so maybe next step for me but still pretty good with the other kit.. well worth a listen. Mac

You are right I used HD800s with 272 and it was ok.........I then tried various headphone amps and ended up with the Graham Slee UL Diamond Edition with a set of his dedicated interconnects.... the HD800s then became epic ......... huge difference - they must be quite demanding to drive. I suggest you save your pennies and try Grahams great little amp. (I tried Headline and Lehmann - but they are not as good in my opinion)

Posted on: 08 August 2018 by Hkmac

Thanks for the info I’ll see if I can find them in my area and set up a listen.

Posted on: 08 August 2018 by NickSeattle

NickSeattle posted:
Another vote for AKG701. I traded my Senn 650s for them. Listened to impressive Grado PS1000Es the day I bought the AKGs. Have not tried HD800s.
Headphones are very personal, though. I do agree that listening to the 701s amid more expensive alternatives made it an easy decision, for me.
Good luck.
Nick

My tests were at a Naim dealer using 552DR/Headline/HCDR. At home I use 552DR/Headline/FC2X.

On a different day, at a different dealer I heard some Audeze, Oppo, HiFi Man, and McIntosh cans on a variety of high-end headphone amps. They were all pretty good, but a lot of money, and none put the AKGs to shame, IMHO.

Again, I would not challenge anybody who disagrees. I am picky; but the AKG’s clear the bar for me.

Nick

Posted on: 08 August 2018 by vintageaxeman

I've got AKG K702, Senny HD650, Grado Ref1 and Beyer T1.

The best sounding, to me, is the T1.

The best vfm is the AKG.

The best built is the Beyer, closely followed by the AKG.