Reddit mentions of Sennheiser HD 600 Open Back Professional Headphone

Last update 11/27 1:36am pacific || Removed bold from some items, pruning of dead deals coming.

If the first field is bold it is a new deal

Note, I've hit the text limit so I'm limiting extra text.


 


Headphone | Price | Store | Notes
------------------ |-------|--------|-----------
BeyerDynamic DT 1770 Pro | $416 | Amazon | Available for $405 shipped via 3rd party
BeyerDynamic 990 250 ohm pro | $109 | Amazon | Lowest price ever on Amazon. Thanks /u/Jedi_Pacman!
BeyerDynamic T1 Second Gen | $1099 | BuyDig via ebay |
Sennheiser HD600 | $260 | Amazon | Thanks /u/aasteveo!
BeyerDynamic DT 880 600 ohm | $169 | Amazon | Lowest price on record for both Amazon and 3rd party.
BeyerDynamic DT 770 80 ohm | $118 | Amazon | Thanks /u/ASpaceman :)
Chord Mojo Amp / DAC + NVX XPT100 Studio Headphones | $549 | Sonic Electronix |
MrSpeakers ETHER C Flow | $1620 | MrSpeakers | Thanks /u/MrSpeakers !
MrSpeakers ETHER Flow | $1619 | MrSpeakers | Thanks /u/MrSpeakers !
Samson SR950 | $24 | Adorama
Sennheiser IE80 | $179 | Amazon | Thanks /u/LOMOcatVasilii Also available at Sonic Electronix
Stax SR-L500 + SRM252S | $1009| Shenzhen Audio |
DUNU DN-2000J | $269 | Shenzhen Audio |
TFZ Series 5S | $69 | Shenzhen Audio via Amazon |
Fanmusic E6 | $39 | Shenzhen Audio
Simgot EN700 | $69 | Shenzhen Audio
FORREST FLC8S | $269 | Shenzhen Audio
Audioquest NightHawk | $349 | Crutchfield | Also available from Needledoctor
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x | $27 | BuyDig | Add to cart for final price
Beyerdynamic DT 880 32 ohm includes $50 newegg gift card | $159.99 | Newegg | Also available at BuyDig for $139 add to cart to see discount
Beyerdynamic T90 Chrome Limited Edition 250 OHM| $279 | BuyDig| Also available at Newegg for $299 w/$40 gift card
Sennheiser PC360 headset | $99 | Amazon
Monoprice USB DAC Headphone Amp | $49.99 | Monoprice |
BeyerDynamic DT 770 16ohm | $100 | ebay | Also available at BuyDig for $109
BeyerDynamic A20 Amp | $294 | BuyDig | Use code "DIGTURKEY5"
Westone UM Pro 10 | $99 | Amazon
HiFiMan Edition X | $1299 | Music Direct | Thanks to /u/boombap33 for pointing this out
V-Moda Crossfade M-100 Black | $176.54 | Musician's Friend | Includes free Boompro mic. Use code "blackfriday"
Sennheiser PC350 Headset | $78 | Newegg |
Sennheiser Momentum In Ear | $70 | Amazon | Android or iOS versions
BeyerDynamic DT 1350 | $119 | Adorama
BeyerDyanmic DT 880 250 ohm Chrome version | $149 | BuyDig via ebay
Superlux HD668B | $25 | Gearbest |
Audeze LCD-4 | $2999 | Adorama
Audeze LCD-3 | $1349 | Adorama
Audeze LCD-XC Limited Leather | $1299 | Adorama
Audeze Sine | $299 | Adorama
Audeze Sine w/Lightning Cable | $359 | Adorama
Audeze LCD-2 Rosewood w/Lambskin | $749 | Adorama
Audeze LCD-2 Bamboo w/Lambskin | $699 | Adorama
Audeze LCD-2 Aluminum w/Lambskin | $699 | Adorama |
Hifiman HE-400i | $249 | Headamp | Use code "HEADFI10" thanks to /u/Chillindude82Nein for the better deal!
Hifiman SuperMini DAP + iFi nano iDSD + Fiio Cable| $394 | BuyDig | use code "DIGTURKEY10"|
Audeze 2015 EL8 Open | $404.10 | HeadAmp | Use code "BF2016"
Audeze 2015 EL8 Close| $404.10 | HeadAmp | Use code "BF2016"
Audio-Technica ATH-R70x includes $25 newegg gift card| $224 | Newegg |
Fostex TH-900mk2| $999 | Adorama |
Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7 Black| $189 | Amazon
Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7 Gun Metal | $189 | Amazon
Philips SHP9500S | $50 | Newegg |


 


General Discounts | Discount | Notes
------|---|---
Earphone Solutions | 25% off | Store Wide use code "CYBER" -- they offer discounts for trade-ins as well.
Master & Dynamic | 20% off | use code "MD20"
Meze | 25% off select headphones
NeedleDoctor | Various |
Monoprice | 20% off | Use code "BF2016"
Audeze | B-Stock| Dedicated thread here. Thanks /u/kangaroo_steak!
V-Moda| 10% | Free Boompro Mic with order of on-ear/over-ear headphones.
Brainwavz | Various | Thanks /u/robotlabs!
Addicted to Audio | Various | "For the aussies" thanks /u/KingJie!
Shenzhen Audio | Various |
Decware | Various | thanks /u/Elnrik!
HeadAmp | Various | Use code "HEADFI10" for 10% off (most?) products
Brainwavz Canada | Various | Thanks /u/custardbun!
Violectric Audio USA | 25% | Code "BLACK-25" thanks /u/novicez!

I'd suggest a pair of open-backed headphones since I've found that those headphones tend to have better soundstaging to help me pinpoint where people are.

I found closed headphones tend to have more "immersive" sound with more bass, but if you're looking for something for purely competitive performance I think an open-backed pair would do you well. There's some generalizing going on here, but in general I personally feel open-backed headphones are better for gaming.

Here's a couple suggestions around your price-point - disclaimer that I haven't actually owned any of these (except for the original AD700 which I can vouch for being great for gaming), and it's merely meant to serve as a starting point for cans to check out. Filter the reviews and find the ones where people mention the words "gaming" or "soundstage".

• Audio Technica ATH-AD700X
  
  
• Sennheiser HD 558
  
  
• Philips SHP9500
  
  
• Grado SR80e
  
  
  I personally use the Sennheiser HD 600 which are open-backed but these are out of your $100 budget.
  

Visitor from /r/headphones here.

You better believe I still use mine. Even if Dongles and external solutions are better than most integrated solutions, LG's Quad DAC designs are still decent, and some of the best integrated solutions available.

That being said, when I bring out more demanding headphones, or more sensitive in ears, I'll generally hook them to a portable dac/amp or a very low output impedance Dongle (for the IEMs).

That being said, I still use my headphone jack when I get into most cars, as there's the simplicity of one wire and you're good to go. Sure, it's not wireless, but there's never any drop outs, or weird latency, and/or compatibility issues. Arguably those issues depend on implementation, but still. Less moving parts so to speak.

Also, it's good to have for times when you want to plug into a friend's speaker or system and not blow out their BT settings.

Edit: added links.

Sennheiser HD 600

Monitors > Headphones.

Headphone > quiet monitors.

Anything > Dell Monitors.

$400 + apartment = Sennheiser HD 600

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Dynamic-Professional-Stereo-Headphones/dp/B00004SY4H/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375475018&sr=8-1&keywords=sennheiser+hd600

http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00004SY4H/ref=gb1h_tit_m-3_0622_6e5f971a?smid=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB

For my fellow Canadians. HD600 at $299.

Kind of a terrible deal, sorry.

Amazon UK, with the pounds to dollar converter I can pick up the HD600 for $298 USD and I'm not forced go spend $150 on an Amazon gift card. It's at 219#s right now and has gone lower.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00004SY4H/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

As a side note, I bought the HD650s for $322 USD from Amazon UK and they shipped from the within the USA. So I got 2 day shipping.

How about this?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00004SY4H/ref=s9_simh_gw_g267_i1_r?ie=UTF8&fpl=fresh&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=&pf_rd_r=JZ307ZD65ZA6VEE2K0GH&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=026d359a-cb34-4790-9249-ec9f152ee8e2&pf_rd_i=desktop

Where?

Edit: nvm, here's the link.

Btw, the Fiio E10 is suffiecient to drive these? Is the one that i currently have.

You might do a deep dive into /r/headphones and you could ask in /r/headphoneadvice — I think what they’ll tell you is that if you were to buy a “gaming headset” with your $300 budget, you end up sacrificing some of your potential sound quality in order to get that microphone attached.

Whereas you can buy a really nice pair of headphones and then spend $30 or less on a V-Moda BoomPro Mic (or something like it) which basically acts as the cord between your headphones and headphone jack and has a flexible boom mic, a volume dial, and a mute switch. There’s another one that you can stick to the side of one of the headphones either with a magnet or sticky too, depending on the type of headphones you buy and what you prefer.

I bought a pair of Fidelio X2/HR headphones that cost $325 just over a year ago, but you can get them for $150 now. Really comfortable band that operates sort of like ski goggles so it doesn’t squish your head, and will fit a fucking watermelon if it needs to. I bought them because I was looking for a “unicorn” that I could wear for movies, games, TV, and music. They sound fantastic, though they’re even better when you plug them into an amp/DAC (I plug them into my home theater receiver’s headphone out jack and crank it up).



Another really highly recommended one are these Sennheiser HD600 Open Back Headphones for $300 from Amazon Prime right now.

Or there’s these BeyerDynamic DT 770 Pro Studio Monitor Headphones that come with an Antlion ModMic so you don’t have to buy the microphone separately, and they’re $189 from Amazon right now, and you could spend the remainder of the $300 on a dedicated headphone amp/DAC that will boost the volume/bass/output and help you get the most from them.

Another popular recommendation is a more traditional gaming headset — the Arctis Steel Series Pro + Game DAC for only $175 — the DAC boosts the headphones and provides DTS:X Headphone (for virtual surround sound). It’s the wired edition, but you could pay more for a wireless if you want.



Anyhow, maybe this will be helpful and give you a couple ideas, but they should help you more in /r/headphone advice if you tell them your budget and what you’re trying to do and what you’re looking for. Read the sidebar so you know the posting format so more people will respond. Hope you enjoy whatever you get! A home theater system is worth saving up for, and eventually you can turn a 5.1 system into a Dolby Atmos system by adding two height channels (so long as you invest in a receiver that is Atmos capable from the start). Come the PS5, I’m hopeful they’ll support it and DTS:X as the XBOX One does now, but they’re also working on their own 3D sound format. Go to a home theater store and have them demo DolbyAtmos for you (especially on a game if possible) and you’ll see how much it adds. You can get a decent home theater system for far cheaper than you used to be able to, but it’s worth it to save up the money and buy something you’re really gonna be proud to own for at least 5-10 years if not longer.

A used or refurb set of HD 600 (~$250)and an O2 amp (build or buy, <$150). Can't do much better for $400 IMO.

By the way, if you are looking to play drums along with your music, these are not the headphones for you. You'll need something that isolates a lot more, like possibly a DT770M, though I've never used these.

Might wanna lower the price, they're on amazon for $260 bnib
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004SY4H/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

The 880s are sold, but the 600 is still available. The HD 600 is normally $300 new on amazon. These are essentially brand new, except the replacement pads and headband are not Sennheiser.

http://www.headnhifi.com/o2-odac-combo

https://www.amazon.de/Sennheiser-4465-HD-600-Stereo-Kopfh%C3%B6rer/dp/B00004SY4H (vorallem weil die so billig sind atm, sehs grad, wtf)

/r/MechanicalKeyboards

wenn du in jeglichen bereichen irgendwelche fragen hast, pm. :--)

Philips X2 are probably the best choice. They have a slightly "V" shaped sound signature, which puts the drums slightly forward in most mixes, and really are known for complimenting electronic music because of their sound signature. They are a great balance between "forgiving" and "revealing" meaning they can still make poorly mastered recordings sound good, and can still show quite a bit of detail that most headphones will not be able to show. Before their release Sennheiser's HD600, were the main champ of the "mid-fi" range, but after the X2's were released plenty of people say they prefer them. They're really known for their very good bass and mids, what I really like about them is their soundstage is 3-D meaning sounds can be perceived as not only appearing around you, but above and below you and I've heard this very frequently in Aphex Twin songs, specifically the drums in IZ-US and the slow monophonic synth at around 2:30 in Mt. Saint Michel's Mix.

Here's a good review, and a more entertaining, but far less objective review.

Other options to consider are Hifiman's HE-400s, I have heard mixed stuff about them from "meh" to "absolute game changer for $300". But they are certainly worth looking into.

If you're looking to spend less and get the headphones Richard says are his favorite for studio, the Sony MDR-7510 would be good to look into.

If you find you can't get your headphones to good listening levels, notice a lot of floor noise, or just want to spend more money to get a little better sound you should maybe look into getting a dedicated headphone amp. I personally use the Schiit Fulla for my Philips X2's, and I think they make a difference well worth the price. The next step up would be NwAvGuy's Objective2 Amp which is well known for competing against much higher priced amps and being very neutral.

If you want to do more of your own research I highly recommend using head-fi's popular headphone guide or posting a purchase advice thread in /r/headphones. Spending $300 is a big decision and there's a HUGE difference in the best headphones $300 can buy and the worst. I would definitely avoid noise-cancelling and blutooth unless it's an absolute necessity since it just redirects the price tag to additional technology instead of focusing on the driver. Also in pretty much any price bracket, open-back headphones will trump closed-back. Open back allow for a much larger soundstage and typically do everything better than closed. Before I made the move to open back I hated the idea, but after hearing how open back headphones almost feel like sitting perfectly in between two very nice speakers, I never can imagine going back to closed.

I will any questions you (or anyone else) have.

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Dynamic-Professional-Stereo-Headphones/dp/B00004SY4H/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345763307&sr=8-1&keywords=hd600

You will also probably want a decent amp and dac to run those headphones as well

$400 is the lowest you'll see for a long time I'd bet

If you can, I'd put up with the in-ears for a while, save up and then get yourself this: Sennheiser HD600.

You might be able to find them second-hand for a better price, they're fairly popular.

There is arguably no better bang-for-buck reference quality headphone on the market, plus they've got a decent amount of room for your husband's decent amount of ear.

Don't worry about buying second-hand if that's more economical for you, almost all the parts are end-user replaceable. The pads on the ears can be removed and replaced, as can the padding on the headband. Same goes for the cable.

I am of course unable to estimate of you're husband's largeness of lug, so do try before you buy .

$400


$250

$200



Or if your budget is more, check these out...just know the $250 and $400 ones would benefit greatly from/requires an amp and/or DAC, respectively.

Sennheiser HD 600 are generally nice headphones and seem to fit your requirements (except the roommate thing).

Hum perso dans cette gamme de prix je préfère le HD 600 (il est souvent en promo autour de 200-250€).

Mais après je suis totalement subjectif : j'adore le son de la gamme audiophile de sennheiser et je n'aime pas trop le son des AKG x)

Plus objectivement sinon, le HD600 est considéré comme étant le casque le plus détaillé à ce prix x) mais vu que y'a pas que les détails qui jouent dans l'appréciation d'un casque, du coup l'autre est cool aussi x)

(Et comme tu le dis, c'est pas un Beats !)

Sei que está longe do seu orçamento, mas tenho um Sennheiser HD 600 e ele é simplesmente incrível.

Caso estejas entrando nesse mundo, esse meu headphone é considerado de entrada para os audiófilos. E carece de um bom amp e um bom DAC.

Eu tenho um bom amp, só falta um bom DAC.

Boa sorte!

You can land a HD600 for $245 on Amazon if you don't mind used.

But you'll need an amp if you got a HD600...

I got this one here. All that was included was the physical amp itself. No cords, no AC-AC adapter.

There seems to be confusion in the Amazon comments over whether they offer the adapter as well. I did not receive it. Feels bad man

edit: also my HD600s didn't come with a female to male cord. This says it should include "1 adapter to 1/4 inch" in the box. All that was in the box were the physical HD600s.

Am I being abnormally stupid, or am I getting punked here?

Right now the HD 600s are $250 on amazon.... just picked up a pair.

The only competition for this was the $200 6xx drop which was pretty limited. If massdrop does end up doing it again it's hard to know if you will even land a pair, so I just took the 600s.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00004SY4H/ref=sr_1_1_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1479515515&sr=8-1&keywords=hd+600&condition=new

So im a huge noob when it comes to anything audio pretty much. I bought astros originally for gaming on my xbox and migrated them over to pc with me. I wanted to get into higher quality headphones as I enjoy listening to music and while these work they aren't the best. My question is What Amp should i pair with these Sennheiser HD 600 headphones as when i just ordered them I didn't even know I needed one. Any help will be much appreciated, and im looking at 200 and below. Thanks
Link to Headphones: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004SY4H/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Nothing was Prime Day sale or anything, but I got these beautiful bastards and I'll be driving them with this. I could do a lot better with amps and DACs but I was already $500 deep so I'll settle with this for now and upgrade that stuff later. The wait until Tuesday night is going to be painful. Haven't upgraded in like 4 years.

If you are okay with the wait for your headphones the HD 6xx is a good option.

If you want everything in as little time as possible then get the following -

1. HD 600 ( currently $300 on Amazon.com) (Replace with other similarly awesome headphones as you wish)
   
2. JDS Labs Atom Amp ($99)
   
3. Modi 3($99) or Topping D30 ($130) as your DAC
   
   You should be set for sometime with this setup. Also you should probably wait for some other audio enthusiasts to chip in. :)

I'm an audio engineer and for years swore by my ATH-M50s and M70s which are high-end closed headphones. After buying a pair of Sennheiser HD 600s, I'll never go back to closed headphones to mix or simply listen to music (except when I need to record with a mic to avoid sound leakage).

The soundstage is more expansive; there isn't artificial bass buildup; and the audio is more detailed overall.

EDIT: spelling

Is $260 a good deal for the HD600s? I've been drooling over them for a while, but the 598's are tempting for only a hundo.

At this price point I think you could create a great setup for ~$500 by choosing one each from the following options, perhaps omitting the DAC:

1. Headphones

Sennheiser HD 600

Sennheiser HD 650 (more expensive)

Mr Speakers Mad Dog

HiFiMan HE-400 (with reservations)

Beyerdynamic DT880 (less expensive)

2. Amplifier

Schiit Magni

Objective2

3. DAC

Schiit Modi

ODAC

(or you can get the Objective2 with ODAC in same chassis)

I definitely wouldn't recommend spending huge amounts on amplification and DACs at this price point; the noticeable difference is going to be in getting the best headphones you can.

This is a ripoff for shit quality headphones.

Try these instead for better quality AND slightly cheaper.

Don't be an idiot and ever buy Beats crap - buy professional gear instead.

If you want to buy headphones for mixing music, buy open back headphones instead. FYI, other people will be able to hear you when you use open-back headphones and is only suitable for mixing music in a quiet room. People buy them if they can't afford thousands of dollars to treat their room and use expensive monitor speakers.

Sennheiser HD 600s. I love them.

Link to HD600 $260 I personally prefer HD600 over HE400i, but sound is very subjective... and HD600 is made in Ireland :)

[](/rdsad "I used to have a nice car stereo")

Klipsch is good stuff I must say. And as for your ear buds, there's some good cheap stuff floating around, Monoprice springs to mind. As for me I recently got these and a decent amp for my main audio setup, they're wonderful.

You could get the 598 for 240 USD.

Or the 600 for only 400 USD

Or...you know...the 800 for just a little bit more.

You have to make your own call. I'm of the opinion that the difference between a $100 and $200 headphone can be very much worth the money. It might sound silly, but go with the most expensive model you can stomach. Sorry about your wallet.

Get a used pair of Sennheiser HD 600's.
You can find them for 200-250 on ebay and such. I have a brand new pair to sell for 300. But that's a little out of your price range.
The best part about these headphones is that their are modular. Meaning if the headband foam is old and compressed just buy new headband foam! People are pretty good with audiophile equipment. I just make sure they don't smoke or have animals, can't stand stale cigarette smoke!
Best Headphones in my opinion. If you really need surround sound use a virtual surround sound program. They have come a long way in the past few years.
Cool virtual surround sound example

It really depends on your budget, if you want to get something that'll last a while I'd suggest the following:

http://schiit.com/products/modi

This is the Schiit Modi DAC. A DAC is a Digital to Analog converter, it pretty much does what a soundcard does, but it's better than your average soundcard

http://schiit.com/products/magni

This is the Schiit Magni amp, often paired with the Schiit Modi DAC. You probably know what an amp does,

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Dynamic-Professional-Stereo-Headphones/dp/B00004SY4H

This is the Sennheiser hd600. It's a headphone that's been around for over a decade, and it still is one of the best price/performance headphones around. It will scale nicely with your equipment. It is considered to be very neutral, and has a marvelous soundstage.

The total price of this set will be $598. Expensive? Yes. Worth it? In my opinion, definitely. This will easily last you 5 years or longer. Although it would be wise to search for an used hd600, as they are often found for half the price.


I hope this helps you.. It better does, as I made this post on my phone, which is very laggy and I deleted everything by accident and had to start typing it all over again..


Feel free to ask any questions!

At the end of it all this would be my list.

More expensive.

• HD600
  
  
• Modi Uber 2
  
  
• Vali 2
  
  If you decide to go with the Vali 2 understand that it is indeed a tube amp and will have more floor noise then the Magni 2. The Vali will also create a warmer and more dynamic sound.
  
  Less expensive.
  
  
• HD6xx
  
  
• Modi 2
  
  
• Magni 2
  
  

Someone chime in because I might be misunderstanding something.

What is the benefit of getting the HD6XX for $250 when HD600 can be bought for ~$285?

Don't get me wrong. It was pretty amazing at $200. I don't know that it's quite so 'competitive' now with the price raise.

Amazon

Hey Black_Halcyon

Normally I avoid the trap of telling someone to just spend more money, but you left the door wide open

• Your $100 budget is flexible
  
• You're considering buying an amp (easily another $100)
  
• You've used the "A" word ;-)
  
  The golden rule in audio is that you should spend the majority of your budget on the best possible transducer you can afford and worry about the rest later. With this in mind, my advice is to pool your money and splurge on the most affordable headphones to be universally recognised as "audiophile-grade", i.e. the Sennheiser HD 600 series.
  
  For example:
  
  
• HD 600 (from $300 on Amazon)
  
• HD 650 (from $320 on Amazon)
  
• HD 6XX ($200 from Massdrop).
  
  Going by your criteria any of the above might be a good fit.
  
  

1. The Godfather(s) of all modern open-backed headphones
   
2. New from $200, but 2003 introduction (HD 600) means that buying secondhand is an option
   
3. Works OK from PC (debatable) but scales very well with dedicated amp
   
4. Smooth and natural-sounding (i.e. less bassy than PortaPro)
   
5. Makes any good recording sound good, reasonably tolerant of poor quality tracks
   
6. Detachable cables
   
   Some notes
   
   

• HD 600 is the most neutral of the trio
  
• HD 650 and HD 6XX are more bass orientated. This is relatively speaking. Coming from a PortaPro: prepare to have your mind blown (after the initial acclimatization period) with audiophile goodness.
  
  Good luck with the decision!
  
  PS - If you are too fiscally responsive to be tempted into spending the big bucks, you could always consider the HD 58X ($150 from Massdrop). While it is more bass-heavy than the 600s, it is perhaps the biggest bargain in audiophile headphones today. And it gives its best without any need for an additional amp.
  
  ​

I'm a bit of a geek myself when it comes to headphones and iem's.

There are a few pairs out there that many consider the greatest bang for the buck:

• I got a pair of Sennheiser HD25-1 II myself. They work great, sound nice and will probably outlast me in quality. They've been recommended by most parts of the audiophile community for ages.
  
• V-MODA Crossfade M-80 was very recommended when I was looking for a nice pair myself. The build quality is superb and so is the audio.
  
• Sennheiser HD 600 is one of the most well knows and well recommended pair of open ear headphones out there and they are for a reason.
  
  A tip is to check out a few big reviews on Head-Fi
  (full size) to find a pair you'll probably like (but remeber to take peoples personal opinions with a grain of salt). I find that finding a personal pair is half the fun.
  
  
  The horrible (and wonderful) thing though, is that there is not "one size fits all" when it comes to headphones. The best you can do is get out there and try them out. You should also realize that a nice pair of headphones is only half of the equation. If you're only using them with your iphone, you're missing out.
  
  
  Happy hunting!

if u're extremely flexible, there's a deal in amazon u.s.a right now, for 361$, u get a pair of hd600 and fiio e10k amp.it's neutral sounding with great mids and highs without any sharpness and u can amplify the bass with the fiio e10k amp and u can flip the gain switch if ur hd600 dont have enough power from e10k amp.
https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Open-Back-Professional-Headphone/dp/B00004SY4H/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1518237910&sr=8-1&keywords=hd600
enter the link, scroll down till u see "frequently bought together", then u uncheck microphone and press add to cart then buy it.do it quick, this is a great deal.

I splurged recently and got a pair of Sennheiser HD600s with this Amp/DAC and damn, do they sound nice together. Maybe if I use Monster cables though...

Closed headphones are well, closed, behind the drivers. So the back of each headphone cup is solid. They let very little sound in or out and the soundstage is generally very close to your head. With open headphones the backs of the "cups" is generally full of holes allowing for air to travel (and therefore sound to come in and go out) which results in a wider soundstage. Linus will explain very quickly. (two minutes)

Honestly though, you don't mix with only headphones anyways, you use monitors (and headphones too), and open headphones don't automatically make for better mixing headphones.

The reality is, you should buy a pair of Sony MDR7506s. These are the fucking standard world wide, in the sense that they're in basically every studio on earth. They're not mindblowing, they probably won't rock your world, but they're good and they're reasonably priced. There are no open back headphones I would recommend over these for production purposes below $100.

Would I personally probably prefer working with HD 600s (good open headphones)? Sure, but that's more because I know their sound well. Would I work with the 7506s (good closed headphones)? Any day of the week, just like professionals all over the world.

You have a $100 budget in the first place so just buy the 7506s and don't worry about it until you learn more about audio. Even if you sprung for the HD600s you would need to buy a proper external amp/DAC to power them so the cost is even higher. The 7506s are $80 on Amazon and they're what you need. If you had $400+ to spend and were only interested in headphones for the purpose of mixing then maybe I'd recommend the 600s to you, but you should really learn more about this stuff before diving in that deep.

saved $80 for no warranty, worn pads and old drivers

Ok, sort of being an audiophile myself here. I'll try and help you out.

According to Sennheiser's director of marketing, he essentially made the statement that this headphone was released specifically to compete in the Beat's headphone market: aka, it looks pretty with a sound ready to please a general market. In other words,

"it's all about that bass, 'bout that bass, no treble"

-Meghan Trainor.

It also explains the look and price point of these headphones. At $200 and a physique quite similar to the Beats themselves, it's obvious Sennheiser is hoping to put out some direct competition. And while I have no doubt that they sound better than the Beats simply because Sennheiser puts a greater amount of recourses into audio research rather than advertisements, they're still going to have that broad consumer sound signature which typically emphasizes high's and lows to make the sound more exciting. (which is fine if that's what you're looking for). They're also brand new which means there'll be some time before a final verdict is drawn to the opinion of these cans.

As far as value goes, with headphones, it's really what YOU value and not what the general consensus believes. Some people, me included, will die for a super accurate sound and full bodied performance which is why I own a pair of HD 600's. My babies.

Until you reach around the $500 mark, it's generally you get what you pay for. If you're a die hard music lover. Get something nice. If the ultimate sound isn't what you're looking, don't bother wasting it on something you'll under appreciate or in some cases with higher priced headphones, you might not even notice.

Also check out Head-fi, fucking love that place.

Here are links to the core components of my audiophile sound setup:

AudioQuest Dragonfly DAC v1.5 - ~$100

Sennheiser HD 600 open back headphones - ~$330

USB 2.0 active repeater extension cable - ~$10 -- will test shorter cable when it arrives

I would have a look at the Philips Fidelio L2 which is a fairly fun sounding headphone without becoming overly bloated in bass or too sharp in the treble. It also provides a reasonable amount of isolation for a semi-closed headphone.

Alternatives to look at would be:

Sennheiser HD 600: Fully open so minimal isolation, very balanced sounding, requires an amp to get the best from it. Probably the best buy under 300 quid at the moment but it really does benefit from good upstream components.

MrSpeakers Mad Dogs: Closed (good isolation) planar dynamic, very popular, good fairly balanced sound. Amp not required but it does benefit. Quite large and heavy.

Thanks feast appreciate it like always :) I'll update with what I end up with!

Annnnnnnnnnd it's done I hear amazing thing's about this pair, it'll be between these and the 650s, I'm still unsure. Either way I'm really excited to revisit my favorite works.

Go to Spanish Amazon. Cheapest seller have them for 240€ although he doesnt send to my country (Czech Republic). Maybe you will be lucky. But Amazon price is only little more anyway 251€. Postage to my country is 9,22€, total 260,22€. Thats not bad. It will depends how much postage you will have to pay.

Note: Its black color model although they have blue model photo...

You can already get a "Very Good" condition HD600 from amazon warehouse for $218., I doubt these will be dropped as often as the K7XX, what incentive does sennhiser have to undercut themselves?

As a youngster, I was always a fan of bass heavy music and installed subs into my shitty car many years ago. Fast forward many years, I'm looking for something to match that silly rattling again.

I've searched and searched and searched and have found the following choices, in order: Beyerdynamic DT 990 Premium 250 Ohm Headphones, Sennheiser HD 600 Open Back Professional Headphones and HIFIMAN HE400S Over Ear Full-Size Planar Magnetic Headphone

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00193FT26/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004SY4H/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Y2EOI94/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2763VQ7SN6URD

Problem is I don't think these are meant for gym use.

I do have a pair of the Shure SE215s but not a fan of the IEMs at the gym, it's too good at blocking outside noise. I also have a pair of Portapros but they broke and am looking for something with better build quality.

I wouldn't use these for running, just for lifting

Open to any and all suggestions!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00004SY4H/ref=dp_olp_refurbished?ie=UTF8&condition=refurbished

price history

So Amazon has the 600s at a good price right now (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004SY4H/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and I snagged a pair. I have now tried them with the JOT and they sound fantastic. Better than the 650s.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004SY4H/ref=gb1h_img_c-2_7042_07ed8bc9?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=09SB8WFZ7B68V8R1PH75&pf_rd_i=5550342011&pf_rd_p=1990147042
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00018MSNI/ref=gb1h_img_c-2_7042_55a0ade0?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=09SB8WFZ7B68V8R1PH75&pf_rd_i=5550342011&pf_rd_p=1990147042

the deal starts at 1 AM!

Just picked up a pair of these for only $275 new (super excited). I plan on getting an amp as well. What do you guys use to listen to music?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00004SY4H/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1412548000&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40


BONUS: For those of you who use hi-fi grade headphones, how does it impact how you listen, what you listen to, and how often you listen to hip hop? When you upgraded did your perceptions on music change at all? Did you like different artists? Do you prefer certain headphones for different genres, and so forth?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004SY4H/ref=gb1h_img_c-2_9402_b7a78523?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1MQVN2JHP9HQ8ZQ52X40&pf_rd_i=384082011&pf_rd_p=1977199402

If your budget is flexible you can get the Sennheiser HD600 for $300 bucks right now. When I bought mine they were closer to $500 IIRC..

HD600 - $259.99 & HD228 - $38.16

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00004SY4H/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

how are these? Sennheiser HD600 - are they a good fit for my needs?

the difference between them and the HD598 are noticeable?

This ships to Israel btw

>I just really don't know how much to allot you.

There're good options at every budget, really, but as a committed audio addict, I tend to prefer as much as is possible. Of course, asking somebody with $2000 in audio equipment what's reasonable is kind of asking for trouble...

Anyhow, onward to the options!

Now, the first option that comes to mind for me would be a [Sennheiser] (http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/very-important-sennheiser-hd-580-hd-600-and-hd-650) [HD] (http://www.head-fi.org/products/sennheiser-hd-600/reviews/5925)[600] (http://www.head-fi.org/t/634201/battle-of-the-flagships-58-headphones-compared-update-audeze-lcd-2-revision-2-6-4-13#user_HD600) ([$293 via Amazon] (http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Dynamic-Professional-Stereo-Headphones/dp/B00004SY4H)) paired with an [Objective2] (http://nwavguy.blogspot.com/2011/08/o2-summary.html) and [ODAC] (http://nwavguy.blogspot.com/2012/04/odac-released.html) ([$279-329 from JDSLabs] (http://www.jdslabs.com/products/48/o2-odac-combo/), depending on configuration). This is one of the classic combinations as far as neutral headphones go. The O2+ODAC is an objectively neutral chain, and the HD600 is one of the most famous (hell, probably the most famous) neutral headphones, period. It was once Sennheiser's dynamic driver flagship, though the more recent (and much more expensive) HD800 has replaced it in that capacity, and it's an absolutely excellent headphone. While it isn't the single best headphone out there, it's an amazing value proposition at its current price, and one of the most universally well-liked headphones out there.

From there, the next combo that you might consider would be [Hifiman's] (http://www.head-fi.org/products/hifiman-he-400i/reviews/11408) [HE-400i] (http://www.head-fi.org/products/hifiman-he-400i/reviews/11407) ([$425] (http://www.razordogaudio.com/collections/hifiman/products/hifiman-he-400i-full-size-planar-magnetic-headphone-open-box)-[$500] (http://www.razordogaudio.com/collections/hifiman/products/hifiman-he-400i-full-size-planar-driver-headphone) from Razordogaudio, depending on where you stand on open box) paired with either the aforementioned O2+ODAC ($704 for the basic model plus the open-box HE-400i) or Schiit's competing "Schiitstack" of the Magni 2 ([$99] (http://schiit.com/products/magni-2)) and Modi 2 ([$99] (http://schiit.com/products/modi-2)). Now, there's a lot of debate regarding the Objective stack vs. the Magni and Modi, and, frankly, I don't feel that my grasp of electrical engineering is sufficient to make a concrete judgement on the matter, but both objective testing and subjective analysis has placed the Schiitstack close to the O2+ODAC (if not outright indistinguishable), and the Magni actually beats the O2 in some regards on paper, so you definitely wouldn't need to worry about "trading down" in terms of chain.

Now, on to the HE-400i itself. Though it is technically the successor to Hifiman's HE-400, the 400i is often compared to the higher-end HE-500. While its sound isn't quite neutral, having a [fair increase on the lower end] (http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/HiFiMANHE4002014.pdf), it's quite well respected for all genres, particularly EDM. Not having had the chance to demo one myself, I recommend that you check out the linked reviews, and consider asking /u/BrambleXD, who has a pair of them himself, to listen to some specific songs and report back.

Another headphone worth considering, whether paired with the Schiitstack or the O2+ODAC, is [AKG's] (http://www.head-fi.org/products/akg-k712-pro/reviews/10344) [K712 Pro] (http://www.head-fi.org/products/akg-k712-pro/reviews/9734). Indeed, for classical, it is, to date, my absolute favourite headphone out there. Few can top the K712 in terms of soundstage, and its neutral-with-a-slight-emphasis towards-bass sound signature really, really agrees with an orchestra. Sadly, their street price has spiked from $350 to $440-500 recently, which utterly destroys their price/performance. If you can find one, either online or in a local shop, for a more reasonable price, it would be well worth considering. I'm honestly baffled (and deeply saddened) by their price hike.

There're a few additional options in your rough price range which I omit either because of quirks of the market (the HE-500s are discontinued, and, thus, hard to find new), straying a bit too far from your sound signature target (the AD2000/x is quite mids-focused, the HD700 rather bright, so on), or being closed, which has its own bag of drawbacks, even though it can quite flatter EDM (which knocked out MrSpeakers' lineup, as well as Fostex's). If you like, I can produce some writeups on these as well, I was just trying to cut down on bloat, as I know that my audio recommendations can get a bit...well...long.

If you need situational awareness, then the PM-3s are definitely a no-go. They are the most noise-isolating headphones I've ever heard that don't have active-noise-cancelling/

I'd recommend against spending too much on an amp if you are intending to match it to something in the <200USD range. Maybe a Nano BL and something in the 300USD range? I haven't heard it myself, but the subs gurus have been praising it to the high heavens.

In the 300USD range (for headphones), there's a ton of options: M1060, a newly discontinued HE 560, Senn HD 600, B&O H6 Gen 2. The options are endless.

A little overbudget, but I think you'll like the Sennheiser HD 600

It meets almost all of your requirements. It has an emphasis on the bass and mids, with darker/smoother treble. It has a big soundstage too because it is fully open. Overall a warm, musical sound.

The only requirement they don't meet is size, they are quite bulky.

Beats Studio for $300

Alternatives:

AKG-K550

~$200

Sennheiser HD 600

~$280

Beyerdynamic DT-990

~$180

Audio-Technica AD700

~$200

All of these, and more (these are just 4 of the many) offer supreme audio quality and you can find a variety of styles, open ear, closed ear, all suited to whatever kind of music you want to listen to.

"Competitive in their price range?" I disagree with you, you can look at frequency curves and see plainly that the Beats Studios can't really compete with these headphones. Beats got style, but these have functionality. Beats are typically above the average consumer grade headphones, but they can't really compete with Audiophile grade headphones.

no, I have a higher end model, the HD600. I've heard good things about the 598 though.

Industry standard, very flat. I recommend these especially if you’re just getting started:
https://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR7506-Professional-Diaphragm-Headphone/dp/B000AJIF4E/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=sony+monitor+7506+headphones&qid=1556547026&s=gateway&sr=8-3

These are bright and clear. They reveal a lot. The top end can be a bit harsh without Sonarworks so if you go this route you’d want to get sonar works (linked below):
https://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-880-PRO-Semi-Open-Headphones/dp/B079P9H1SH/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=FG0M37DL8V5A&keywords=880+beyerdynamic&qid=1556547157&s=gateway&sprefix=880+beyer&sr=8-3

Software that works great with any headphones, especially the 880s. It makes the sound more flat and balanced:
https://www.sonarworks.com/truefi

If you buy 250ohm headphones you’ll also want a small amp so it’s powered properly. This one is affordable and works great. You hook it into your Audio interface:
https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-HA400-Ultra-Compact-4-Channel-Headphone/dp/B000KIPT30/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=4+channel+headphone+amp&qid=1556547301&s=gateway&sr=8-3

Also research and consider these (read good things but never tried them):

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Open-Back-Professional-Headphone/dp/B00004SY4H/ref=mp_s_a_1_29?keywords=sennheiser+studio&qid=1556547204&s=gateway&sr=8-29

All that being said if your budget is higher than those I’d research Beyerdynamics and Sennheiser top tier products.

You can get higher-quality headphones than the Beats Pro ($399) for less money, by half. No joke. Beats is an unethical racket - they are selling Dr. Dre's name, not a good product.

In terms of overall audio quality, the HD600 by Sennheiser will knock the ass off Beats Pro and they cost the same. And these HD558s will sound CONSIDERABLY better while costing MUCH less.

The only thing Beats has going for them is amped up bass built-in... and that's not really something that's "going for them", if you know the first thing about audio. Amping up anything should not be done inside the headphones themselves. Retarded headphone bass freaks can still get high bass out of any other pair of actually-good headphones by using bass amp plugins in their playback software or a headphone amp with the necessary "feature".

It's kind of hard to find a headphone that's just breaking into the threshold of amp worthy, but this and this are examples of headphones that definitely needs an amp to reach their full potential.

A bit late to the party but I thought I'd throw in a comment. I haven't personally used it, but I've heard very good things about the ModMic. You can attach it to any pair of headphones you have, so instead of investing in a gaming headset that is purely a gaming headset, you can use any pair. It will also work when upgrading.

Not sure what your budget is, but I think a popular choice is the Sennheiser HD600s. Like I said, I haven't personally used the ModMic but I think it would be worth looking into especially if you'd consider upgrading in the future.

It really depends. If I have been having a particular grindy week, my jaw and ear can be really sensitive. I also go through periods where I have no issues at all. I find that I'm usually ready to switch to my monitors around the 3 or 4 hour mark, depending. The ATs aren't known for comfort, so you have to keep that in mind. They also get sticky/sweaty which I don't like. I personally think the velvet coned seinnheiser HD600s are the most comfortable cans I've ever put on. They also sound great - mayble a little less bass then the ATs, or just different. That's not a bad thing though as sometimes I get fatigue from the heavy bass in the ATs and have to eq it out while I'm working on a mix. I'm considering selling and getting those at some point.

EDIT: https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Open-Back-Professional-Headphone/dp/B00004SY4H

HD650 £283.99 nope, currently not a good deal, sorry

AKG K712 £204

FiiO E17K £99

FiiO K5 £96

> £399 BOOOOYA mic drop

___

and Mic

FUCK

Price History

• Sennheiser HD 600 Open Back Professional Headphone   ^PureLink
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http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Open-Back-Professional-Headphone/dp/B00004SY4H

Its a funny set up I have. The Xbox optical out goes to a amp which goes to the above. For chat I use the default plugged into the controller and it just sits in front of me. I want to buy just a mic that plugs directly into the controller.

I suppose the question I have is, if you could only take one, which would it be as they run the same price? Also do you think the whole planar thing is all its cracked up to be. Finally...
This deal with HD 600 a Beryn 990 and M30 for $400 or $300 hE-400i's

http://www.amazon.ca/Sennheiser-Dynamic-Professional-Stereo-Headphones/dp/B00004SY4H/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1448612665&sr=8-1&keywords=hd+600

new with prime free shipping is 305 bucks you know
http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Open-Back-Professional-Headphone/dp/B00004SY4H/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453948148&sr=8-1&keywords=hd+600

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Open-Back-Professional-Headphone/dp/B00004SY4H/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

Go with the dt880s

I have the M50X I would never use it for mixing. I use it to reference my mixs along other mediums, but not for the actual process of mixing.

If you have $90 dollars more then DEFINETLY go with the HD600

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Open-Back-Professional-Headphone/dp/B00004SY4H/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1481559278&sr=1-1&keywords=hd600

Sennheiser HD 600 Open Back Professional Headphone https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004SY4H/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_yPtvybN37P7A8

Little Dot MK III Headphone Tube Amplifier https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CHIKIDM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_2PtvybZPN07K7

I've got a the schitt modi u on the way too. -_-

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Open-Back-Professional-Headphone/dp/B00004SY4H

What will you be using for a headphone amp? Just curious in case we need to leave room in the budget for that.

It might be down to personal preference so if you can get your ears on any of these headphones in person then that'll go a long way in making a decision. If I'm looking at this as my own $300 and I were looking to buy, I'd be interested in checking out the following pairs:

• Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO (always wanted a 770 or 990 for myself)
  
• HIFIMAN HE-400I or HE-400S (the S model seems to be lower impedance so would need a good amp to drive them)
  
• Sennheiser HD 600
  
• Shure SRH1440
  
• Bose QuietComfort 35 (wireless and noise-cancelling)
  
  See if you can check any out at your local electronics store. Might consider buying used or setting up a deal alert at slickdeals.net to get a good price.
  
  Also, I already own a pair of M50's and they're very popular. Sits at about $150.

Hi, so I'm looking to upgrade after over a decade of using the Audio Technica ATH-A900s. These things were my first real upgrade in the headphone department way back when and I think it's time to get with the times in this category. They have really served their purchase very well and anything that is an improvement will be amazing. The only problem I have had is the head foam pads have worn down after years of use and now start to hurt the top of my head after long use and are actually broken at this point.

I've done research using the above tools and I'm still a little bit on the edge of what to go with. Here's what I'm looking at and some of my parameters.

Budget - Really it's more about quality than price so if there is something a little bit above budget but is really that big of a step up I'm willing to take it. Looking in the $200-400 price range right now.


Source - Gonna be mostly plugging these into my computer for gaming and movie watching/music listening. They get plugged into my bose speakers (really low-tier 2.0 desktop speakers) and the thing I do most on my computer is gaming.


Isolation - not super important to me cause mostly gaming in my house and bleed-over and background noise is not a big problem at the moment.


Public use - probably not much but would occasionally take them with me for LAN parties and maybe the sporadic wear during long train/bus rides where I'd rather get a better experience than just my earbuds.


Type: Over-the-ear for sure. On ear usually bothers me after an hour or so comfort is super important for me. I think open-back is probably what I'm looking for but not sure?


Tonal Balance: Not super important for me so I think a balanced pair of headphones with high-clarity for ease of picking out positional audio and I don't need it to shake my head with bass. Since movie/show watching is a primary use I imagine vocal ranges being stressed would be good? But I don't want to lose out on that sweet competitive positional audio.


Past Headphones: ATH900s for the past 10 years. Super satisfied with them but time for an upgrade and they're starting to hurt the top of my head. Comfort wise, these were amazing around my ears.


Music: I listen to lots of pop/rap/ballad style and a lot of other things, nothing specific here to stress.


Improvements: Comfort, 10 years worth of tech upgrades, more detailed sound? I'm not a super audiophile, so I'm not sure what the weaknesses of my headphones were so any improvement would be amazing.

Current short list of things I'm looking at: AKG K712 Pro, Sennheiser HD600, Audio Technica ATH-R70x,

Any suggestions? Are these 3 headphones going to satisfy what I'm looking for? Am I on the right track? Is there something I haven't looked at yet that I should be? Any help is greatly appreciated!

HD600, they are on sale right now

https://www.amazon.ca/Sennheiser-Dynamic-Professional-Stereo-Headphones/dp/B00004SY4H/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=hd600&qid=1574567952&s=electronics&sr=1-1

Having an pci-e sound card might introduce some sound artifacts like cpu noise bleeding into the signal flow but it's a great start and gives you some great entry level sound. Especially with heavier headphones.

So what I'd upgrade if I were you would be the X1's. Form my experience gaming headsets usually are very boomy in the low mids and bass and you usually get fatigued by them. Especially by headphones with closed caps.
Open headphones will get you a more open, airy sound and won't hurt your ears as much during prolonged listening sessions. I'd recommend something like the AKG K240 studio or the HD 600's. These are however Reference/Studio class headphones and won't get you the hyped super bass heavy sound that is popular with gaming gear.


About the microphone. If you want something that's "audiophile worthy" it would probably be in your best interest to get a Blue Yeti and a separate pair of headphones or something like that.

Check out the Sennheiser HD600 and HifiMan HE-400
Both are excellent cans at that price point and will easily be driven with your existing amp/DAC.

Are you looking for a headset with or without a mic?

If without a mic, I'd recommend a HD598. Though if you can make a $40ish dollar stretch, consider a HD600.

www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-598-Over-Ear-Headphones/dp/B0042A8CW2

www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Dynamic-Professional-Stereo-Headphones/dp/B00004SY4H

I don't imagine there being much difference in overall quality between the two models. The HD598 is literally the immediate step down from the HD600, which one of their highest quality headsets.

Though I'm afraid I won't be much help with headsets with a mic for that price range. A little while ago, I replaced my Sennheiser HD650s with a CM Storm Sirus 5.1, which is fantastic for gaming (though not quite as good for music or movies), but the CM Storm Sirus is no longer being manufactured and the mic is just ok. The Razer Tiamat seems like a popular choice among gamers though.

www.amazon.com/Razer-Tiamat-Surround-Gaming-Headset/dp/B007CS9WYI

Wanting to get some good headphones, first time buyer, budget of ~£200.

Currently I'm trying to decide between Sennheiser HD598s and HD600s. From doing a bit of research it seems that a lot of people are saying that the HD598s have better mids and are 'more fun', but that the HD600s are 'more neutral' and also have a better build quality.

I can't really tell without trying both of them, but that isn't possible for me at the moment for a variety of reasons. Any input would be much appreciated.

PS: When it comes to amps, preamps, DAC and the like, I have literally no idea where to start or if I should bother with getting one right away.

Also, they'll be plugged into my 2013 rMBP most of the time by the way if that happens to make any sort of difference.

Alright, Also do you consider yourself a big fan of sub-bass? I'm thinking about recommending the classic Schiit Magni 2 amplifier and Modi 2 DAC combo with the Sennheiser HD-600s. These are for home use only as they require a USB connection via your computer for the DAC, and the amp is definitely not portable haha. Those are a fantastic pairing, but the Sennheisers are a little bit lacking in the low end. Absolute magic in the mids and treble though. This is an endgame combo for many people.

Those Senns are open back, so they leak sound but provide a better soundstage compared to an closed-back pair. When it comes to closed back headphones, (Isolated - doesn't leak sound) I really, really recommend ZMF Vibros They are quite a bit more expensive, but an absolute endgame pair of planar dynamic closed back cans. The bass response is unreal on these pairs and work very, very well with hip-hop, electronic music, and pop. The Schiit amp and dac above would drive these just fine.

For the gym, I'd just get a pair of these MEE Audio M6 Pro In-ear monitors, or a good old pair of Koss Porta Pros if you don't like the IEM style. Both of those would be fine options, as they aren't super expensive but still sound great, and are durable. Just plug into your phone and you're set.

For any case though, do try to audition headphones before you buy anything! This will give you a solid idea of what kind of pair you're looking for.

As someone that has been collecting headphones for over 10 years, I can tell you that there is diminishing returns once you get into the $500 + territory. You are pretty much trying to find the sound signature that you love.

Point being, some of the best headphones in the hobby are easily $200-300 range. I would actually highly recommend the HD-600 or HD-650. They are fantastic headphones, and a lot of audiophiles even use them as end game (since they scale incredibly well with Amps/DACS) - and are overall a good balance.

HD-600

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Open-Back-Professional-Headphone/dp/B00004SY4H/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1501292664&sr=8-1&keywords=Hd600

(They are on sale now too. $285 compared to $400)

HD-650

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-650-Professional-Headphone/dp/B00018MSNI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1501292664&sr=8-2&keywords=Hd600

(Also on sale. $315 normally $500)

They are both very similar. The 650 has a little more bass/veil, the 600 are slightly more neutral (without a colored bass). But both are very close (I personally find the 600 are more comfortable to wear. But the 650 looks more aesthetically pleasing and audiophiles seem to prefer it over the 600 but they are damn close in sound).

The 600/650 have really nice soundstage, clear separation of instruments - and decent bass (won't be boom). They are just great all around cans. The 650 rank really high on Head-Fi (the largest audiophile forum) and are actually rated the second best headphones on there.

https://www.head-fi.org/f/showcase/category/over-ear.263/?order=popular


If you don't mind me asking Tim, what sound sig do you like? Are you a treble man? Do you like that crunch/speed? Or are you a bass man? Do you like a thicker sound?

/r/Headphones will be instrumental to your search.

That being said, I would recommend any of the following:

• AT-M50X ($129) – I have these and they're excellent. They whip cans two or three times their price. They're so good they make me want to upgrade to
  
  
• AT-M70X ($229) – AT's new flagship monitors, or
  
  
• ATH-MSR7 ($249), or
  
  
• anything by AT. They have killer offerings at any price.
  
  But outside AT, take a look at:
  
  
• Oppo PM3 ($399)
  
  
• Sony MDR1A ($299)
  
  
• HiFiMan HE400i ($449)
  
  
• Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 ($299)
  
  
• Sennheiser HD600 ($399) (if open back is your thing)
  
  
• NAD Viso HP50 ($249)

[here] (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-HD-600-Monitoring-Headphones/dp/B00004SY4H/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486233529&sr=8-1&keywords=hd+600). Where you are planing to plug them in? They are 280 euros approximately and you'll need an amp.. also check hifishark.com for used cans

[here] (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-HD-598-Over-Ear-Headphones/dp/B0126HISOO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486233860&sr=8-1&keywords=hd+598) the 598s for 150 euros and they don't need an amp (they improve a bit but they are fine without it). So they are basically the same as the 599s and way cheaper...

AKG Q701

I got them recently. My first audiophile-grade headphones. The soundstage is to die for. They almost give the HD800 a run for their money when it comes to soundstage. They are really neutral, with a detailed bass (but in low quantity), decent midrange and great treble extension (both in quantity and quality). They are comfortable (at least for me) and built well. They can run off of computers or phones (you'll have to max out the volumes though) but they really shine when amped.

https://www.amazon.com/AKG-Signature-Reference-Class-Premium-Headphones/dp/B004444O3W/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3GC14BIS90AA9&keywords=akg+q701&qid=1558760370&s=gateway&sprefix=akg+q7%2Caps%2C341&sr=8-3

​

An alternative you could consider:

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Open-Back-Professional-Headphone/dp/B00004SY4H/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3GC14BIS90AA9&keywords=akg+q701&qid=1558760370&s=gateway&sprefix=akg+q7%2Caps%2C341&sr=8-4

Some upgrades you could consider:

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-650-Professional-Headphone/dp/B00018MSNI/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3GC14BIS90AA9&keywords=akg+q701&qid=1558760370&s=gateway&sprefix=akg+q7%2Caps%2C341&sr=8-5

https://www.amazon.com/AKG-Pro-Audio-Reference-Headphones/dp/B00DCXWXEI/ref=sr_1_16?crid=3GC14BIS90AA9&keywords=akg+q701&qid=1558760370&s=gateway&sprefix=akg+q7%2Caps%2C341&sr=8-16

​

Phillips SHP9500

I've had them for quite some time now. While the AKG is great for critical and Hi-Fi listening, it is not that great for using for long periods of time like 3+ hours at a stretch. That's where these come in. These are the most comfortable pair of headphones I have ever put on my head (and I have put quite a few pairs on). They feel basically weightless on my head, and I can keep these on my head for hours (I think 14 hours is my record). Really cheap for what they offer, really great for Lo-Fi, but not great for Hi-Fi (not bad though). They have a good soundstage. They also have a mid-focused sound, which means that the vocals will be separated from the rest of the track and will take center stage, which is essential for movies. I would really recommend these. They went out of the market for a while but are back now.

https://www.newegg.com/p/pl?d=phillips+shp9500&N=-1&isNodeId=1&Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH

Good luck with your purchase!

I like my HD 600's, they are definitely comfy and the sound is amazing. Need a fairly beefy amp though.

I had a Boston Acoustic 2.1 system for my first PC, a Logitech 4.1 THX system for my second.

Studio monitors for 2018 list.

I got into headphones due to living in an apartment. Here is where I got into it.

Edit: Speaking of headphones I am currently looking at a Schiit Asgard Amp and Sennheiser HD600 combo connected to my SoundBlaster . Still looking though. I have been learning how to tune equalizer software to make the best sound.

You can get those HD600s for $288 right now on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Open-Back-Professional-Headphone/dp/B00004SY4H

I'd go with this: http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Open-Back-Professional-Headphone/dp/B00004SY4H

Use the gift card towards a Schiit Magni 2 or something. Your interface functions as a DAC and you can plug the amp into it.

Hey guys, not a huge audiophile here, but I do like me some decent sound quality over the average stuff. I have a few questions and hopefully people here have some answers.

I have a pair of Sennheiser HD600s and a Xonar Essence STX.

I have been using my Line 6 UX2 since I haven't bought a headphone amp, and using my sound card, it is too quiet. But I'm tired of playing games in stereo and want to make the switch.

So what are some beginning level, cheap headphone amps you'd recommend me buy until I have a bit more money (girlfriend is in nursing school and I'm a single income for another year).

Thanks in advanced.

I have a couple of suggestions for you based on the Sennheiser line with different categories for you to pick from.

First off, if you would want a gaming headset with a great sound capability and a powerful boom mic, I would recommend the PC 373D, Sennheiser's latest product in their gaming line. Albeit much more expensive than other gaming headset in the market, that is to be noted.

Secondly, if you would want an audiophile grade headset yet not overly over the top expensive, go with the HD 598 CS. This is the closed back version of the original 598 with improve head paddings and overall build quality, great for long gaming sessions.

Lastly, if you prefer the full Sennheiser experience, the HD 600/650 is your pick. Although still in the $300-$400 price range it is worth it if you don't want to pay $500+ for better ones yet still get the similar good sound quality.

Amazon links:
373D: https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PC-373D-Surround-Headset/dp/B01IBORI2O
598: https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-598-Cs-Headphone/dp/B01JP436TS
600: https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Open-Back-Professional-Headphone/dp/B00004SY4H

First off for a comparison between your G933, it's a massive difference. I've heard a fair amount of headphones as well as the G933. The G933 is in no way bad for what it is, it actually surprised me with the audio quality. With that said, though, I still wouldn't take it over a similarly priced pair of headphones. When you get down to the technical aspects of headphones like imaging, soundstage, clarity, detail, general tonal balance and sound presentation then any gaming headset just can't compare. $400 is easily enough for incredible sound as well. A lot of people stick with headphones in that price range over TOTL (top of the line) headphones in the $1k range, it's definitely enough especially coming from the two pairs you listed. That doesn't mean there's not room for improvement, though.

As for recommendations, these are my go to recommendations for headphones in your price range. It can be kind of hard to tell what exactly you want in a headphone since 3 different $400 headphones can sound vastly different from one another but the ones listed below are pretty highly regarded for the most part. I gave some extra detail about each headphone that will hopefully help you narrow it down. Another thing worth thinking about is an amp/dac. It won't be necessary for any of the listed headphones but that doesn't mean it won't help. Usually the difference is insignificant or inaudible in this price range but there are exceptions.

Sorry for the wall of text, there's just a lot to consider here if you want an accurate recommendation. My personal recommendation based on the playlist you posted would be the M1060. They're planar magnetics so the bass goes reaaal damn low and they also have a decent boost to the bass and mid range as well so you'd get that nice rumble and forward vocals with the mids.

If you have any more questions feel free to hit me up.

---

The Sennheiser HD 600 -~$300- is basically the crown jewel of /r/headphones. I personally haven't heard it but it's considered one of the best headphones of all times for the past ~20 years. It's mostly neutral so it may not be as exciting but has excellent detail retrieval. The only potential negative other than that I can think of is the soundstage, how wide the sound is. Some headphones sound like music comes from outside the headphone, some sound like earbuds where the sound is right against your head. These have a pretty narrow soundstage so they're more towards the latter.

The Sennheiser HD 6XX(Massdrop exclusive, needs account, long ship times) -$199- These are similar to the HD 600 but are less neutral. They have a little bit more bass but they have recessed highs which gives them a dark signature so things like cymbals, some guitar tones, orchestral instruments etc will sound less detailed and forward. Still a very solid headphones, especially for the price. They're normally ~$350.

Monoprice M1060 -~$300- is a bit of a polarizing headphone, people either love or hate it. Some people claim it sounds as good as a $1k pair of headphones, others find it underwhelming and/or hear a high pitch ringing. I've used them and demo'd them to ~5 people, none of which heard the ringing. I love them but don't agree with the "= to $1k headphones" sentiment. Some like them more than my $600 headphones though, so, yeah. These headphones have a lot of bass, boosted mids so vocals are very present and the highs are mostly neutral. The soundstage on these is pretty damn wide.

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 -~$220- is a very highly regarded headphone here. The only downside really is the high frequencies are boosted significantly and a decent amount of people find them unlistenable. If you have sensitive ears then skip these. They're quite V shaped (meaning bass and treble/highs are boosted). They have a decent sound stage, nothing too extreme either way.

AKG K7XX(Massdrop exclusive) -$199- These are great. I own them and are probably some of the best ~$200 headphones you can buy. They can also be pretty love/hate, though, but most people who don't like them seem to have a lot of experience with a wide variety of headphones. Out of all my headphones most people I demo mine to prefer the K7XX, even over my $600 pair. They're mostly neutral with slightly boosted mids and slightly lowered highs and a massive soundstage.

Background!

What I own so far:

• Logitech Z 906 5.1 Surround. Used for LCD TV, computer and gaming consoles for now.
  
• Audioengine A2 Powered Desktop Speakers (2) - Not in use. Bring stored for future.
  
• Fiio E09K Desktop Headphone Amp - Not being used. May connect to desktop rig eventually.
  
• Onkyo HT-S8409 7.1-Channel 3D Ready Network Home Theater System. Bought this with the intention of it being my home theater system. Probably outdated by now.
  
• Onkyo HT-RC430 5.1-Channel 3D Ready A/V Receiver - Not used prob going to sell.
  
• Sennheiser HD 595 headphones Main PC Desktop drivers.
  
• Sennheiser HD 600 Barely used! Want a good amp to use them with.
  
  What I'm looking to get/upgrade to:
  
  
• Better 7.1 system or at least receiver. I'm looking to prep with a decent 7.1 system for the future. Onkyo used to be really great but everyone keeps saying Denon is better.
  
• A really good tube amp that won't break the bank. The whole DAC/Amp thing confuses me. Would use it for audio out on my Desktop to Sennheiser headphones. Had my eyes on some stuff from Schiit such as the Lyr 3, Valhalla 2, but open to suggestions!
  
  Some extra info:
  
  
• Don't really care about internet streaming because I use Google Chromecast, Sonos etc that will hook into a receiver. Sonos does most everything but I have two Play:5's (old and new) with the 3.5 jack if needed.
  

• Budget: $140-260 Max.

• Source: Kemper Profiling Amp (Electric Guitar Amp) or Laptop

• Requirements for Isolation: I’d prefer isolation, incase I take these into a more public setting or have family around at home.

• Will you be using these Headphones in Public? On occasion (maybe once a week).

• Preferred Type of Headphone: Over ear.

• Preferred tonal balance: A balanced response would be preferred, to dial in specific guitar tones, but still be satisfied while enjoying music.

• Past headphones: Beyerdynamic DT 880 32 Ohm. They felt very rigid, the sound profile was just okay.


I’m currently contemplating the Sennheiser HD 598 Closed Back or the Sennheiser HD 600. Any other solid cans I’m missing?

Conversely Sennheiser HD600 is going for $267 on Amazon U.S. and $340 +25% VAT ($425 total) on Amazon UK. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-Audiophile-Quality-stereo-Headphones-Black/dp/B00004SY4H/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=sennheiser+hd600&qid=1564222871&s=gateway&sprefix=sennheiser+hd&sr=8-1


https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Open-Back-Professional-Headphone/dp/B00004SY4H/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=sennheiser+hd600&qid=1564223685&s=gateway&sprefix=sennheiser+hd&sr=8-3

Go figure.

Sennheiser HD 598's are supposedly the same drivers with an open backed design that focuses a lot more on the sound w/o a mic, they're 150 USD. There's also the HD 600's at the 300 USD price point if you want that.

I'm in Ireland. The best I've found so far is $330 US.

interesting ones I found:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SRH1540-Professional-Closed-back-Headphones-construction/dp/B00FR8DMR8/ref=sr_1_11_sspa?crid=I53YZJRLD0CU&keywords=audiophile+headphones&qid=1564674748&s=gateway&sprefix=audiophile+headphgo%2Caps%2C222&sr=8-11-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyTkY1TFVESjVZUjdYJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODg2MDIwMlU5Mzc2RUhYSzdCWCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUExMDAwMzA4MjhHWUlBOElOVkNYVyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX210ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SRH1540-Professional-Closed-back-Headphones-construction/dp/B00FR8DMR8/ref=sr_1_20?crid=I53YZJRLD0CU&keywords=audiophile+headphones&qid=1564674774&s=gateway&sprefix=audiophile+headphgo%2Caps%2C222&sr=8-20

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Master-Dynamic-Signature-Over-Ear-Headphones-Brown-Silver/dp/B00MWDGW28/ref=sr_1_36?crid=I53YZJRLD0CU&keywords=audiophile+headphones&qid=1564674821&s=gateway&sprefix=audiophile+headphgo%2Caps%2C222&sr=8-36

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-Audiophile-Quality-stereo-Headphones-Black/dp/B00004SY4H/ref=sr_1_5?crid=I53YZJRLD0CU&keywords=audiophile+headphones&qid=1564674748&s=gateway&sprefix=audiophile+headphgo%2Caps%2C222&sr=8-5

I agree! You can get the HD600 for alot less....they're very similar and very high-end headphones. I think you can get more for your buck by investing in the HD600's. They're $314.95 at Amazon right now...lowest they've ever been for new phones!
http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD600-Dynamic-Professional-Headphones/dp/B00004SY4H/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1311957588&sr=1-2

Sennheiser HD600 are very close to your price range. I'd say look no further.

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Open-Back-Professional-Headphone/dp/B00004SY4H#bundle_feature_div
HD600 $250
Fiio K5 ~$100
UCA202 ~$30

Sennheiser HD580. They don't make 'em anymore, but the HD600 are almost perfectly similar. Just a little more expensive. Mine are now 10 years old, the cables and replacement parts (ear foam and headband foam) are still available!

These headphones are rated by many as the best possible sound you can have for a decent price. Very neutral but a little warm with the proper amplifier (on MP3 players it won't sound as impressive) and pretty much the most comfortable headphones you'll ever wear. Actually, these are a steal.

The Sennheiser HD600 might suit your tastes. Don't live in the UK though, so I'm not sure if you can find better.

you could get receiver, cd player and headphones for $1000 - depending on how serious you wanna get on headphones........ maybe even bokshelf speakers.........

you want a 2 channel receiver or 5.1/7.1 av receiver?

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/marcd5005/marantz-cd5005-compact-disc-player/1.html

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamrn303bl/yamaha-r-n303-2-ch-x-100-watts-networking-stereo-receiver/1.html

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RFNZYJZ/ref=twister_B07SZ6PFJ3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Fluance-SX6-BK-Definition-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers-Black/dp/B00IEDL8EM

.

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Open-Back-Professional-Headphone/dp/B00004SY4H

.

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/marmcr611/marantz-m-cr611-networking-cd-receiver/1.html

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denrcdn10/denon-ceol-rcd-n10-compact-stereo-receiver-w/cd-player-bluetooth-airplay-2-and-heos/1.html

I see these 2 recommended:

https://www.amazon.com/CD-P650-B-Compact-Player-Digital-Interface/dp/B0045EJY90

https://www.amazon.com/Tascam-CD-200BT-Rackmount-Professional-Bluetooth/dp/B008224WPM

Budget Option - many guys use Sony Bluray players as CD players.

you could go with a desktop dac and headphone amp and hook cd player to it.......Schiit or JDS Labs.......

I'm running an Topping MX3 desktop Dac/Amp/headphone amp with a 1990's Sony 5 cd player thu it - but with your budget you could get Nicer Stuff..........

Think you just need to have the amazon link in your post to trigger it. Guess we'll see if it works...

The HD600 and HD650 fit pretty well, but considering your current headphones it may not be as much of an upgrade as you're hoping for and I'm guessing you've already considered them. If you go for the HD650 I'd wait for a sale, and the HD600 are currently on sale for a good price at ~288$

I don't think all of these are technically part of the "Amazon Prime Day Deals" but:

• Topping D30 for $95.99 $90.99 (from $119.99)
  
  
• Topping D10 for $71.99 (from $89.99)
  
  
• Audio-Technica ATH-M50x (Blue) for $99.99
  
  
• Audio-Technica ATH-M40x for $74.25
  
  
• Sennheiser HD 600 for $269.44 (from $299.99)
  
  Not headphone gear, but the Audio-Technica AT2020 microphone is $74.25 (from $99.99).

Rule 1.

With that budget you can do better than either of those two you mentioned.

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-598-Over-Ear-Headphones/dp/B0042A8CW2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427486252&sr=8-1&keywords=hd598

http://www.amazon.com/AKG-Reference-Quality-Open-Back-Circumaural-Headphones/dp/B001RCD2DW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427486245&sr=8-1&keywords=k702

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Dynamic-Professional-Stereo-Headphones/dp/B00004SY4H/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427486315&sr=8-1&keywords=hd600

http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-DT-990-Pro-250-Professional-Acoustically-Applications/dp/B0011UB9CQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427486445&sr=8-1&keywords=dt990

Yes, a 44.1 file will give you a representation of an analog 20.05 kHz frequency, but it will only sample it twice. It will be very rough. Meanwhile 10.025 kHz will have 4 samples, and and 5.0125 will have 8 samples, being 4 times more precise than the the Nyquist frequency. The more samples you have of a waveform, the more accurate it is. The human ear is remarkable, and a CD just isn't close to maximizing its potential.

A/Bing sampling frequencies is not going to show most people anything without awesome playback systems. Once quality headphones and home systems become common, then the we can start to hear the difference. I have these. They changed my world.