Headphone recommendations?

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Paganisterr
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I'm thinking about replacing the headphones I use which are these, mostly due to one of the hinges being completely broken and held on with tape:

pnrsem280.jpg


I have posted on a large electrical forum about this but have had no response whatsoever yet.

The problem is, I don't know how much I have to pay to keep the same sound quality or even better it, since the headphones were given to us for free with an expensive purchase so I've got no background information on it whatsoever.

I'm currently interested in the Sony MDR-V6, or the Sennheiser HD555s, but I'm more drawn towards the Sony pair since they're the closed type (want less noise intrusion), and apparently have significantly better bass impact than the Sennheisers (lacking due to the open design).

Will these be better than my current pair (I presume so)? If so, is there any more recommendations for a similar price? I would rather they'd stay the same type as the Pioneers - they sit around my ears instead of inside/on top of them since they're A LOT more comfortable. I also prefer as good bass delivery/impact as possible since I listen to a fair amount of bassy music.

Thanks!
 
What source will you be using?

I personally have not heard the mdrv6, but from what i've read, its mediocre at best. If outside noise is one of your concersn, go with a closed back design. But i have not heard a closed phone which can have the airy-ness and deliver natural, organic vocals like an open phone. Open phones also tend to deliver a wider soundstage. Ive spent many hours with the HD555's and they are pretty decent for the price. As for bass, the 555's are quite boomy and does not have the controlled, tight bass response which i prefer. But im just being picky and audiophilic. The general public will be quite satisfied with boomy thumpin bass. (Thats why kids nowadays like skullcandy).

So between the two, i would strongly recomend the HD555's over the V6.

I would recomend you Grado's but since comfort and isolation are things you look for, they wont suit your needs.

You mgiht also want to take a look at AKG K240S'. They are known for their comfort, somewhat controlled and adequate bass impact.

http://www.amazon.com/AKG-K240-Semi-Studio-Headphones/dp/B0001ARCFA/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1209259572&sr=8-1

As for sound quality, pretty much anything you choose as a replacement will be far superior to the pioneers you already have. I have listened to top of the line pioneers (se-a1000) extensively. While the 555's are not exactly the best thing around, they are still much better than the pioneer sea1000
 
I'll be using these mainly from a computer headphone socket, and probably sometimes from a headphone socket on a TV to play some games.

Thanks for the advice so far.
 
Sennheiser always make a good product in terms of headphones. I can say though that I don't think those AKG's would be up your ally. They're more studio/musical production oriented, meaning they're made to be as neutral as possible.
 
tait
Sennheiser always make a good product in terms of headphones. I can say though that I don't think those AKG's would be up your ally. They're more studio/musical production oriented, meaning they're made to be as neutral as possible.
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Coloration exists all throughout the frequency range of the K240. Most think they are neutral because of the "Studio" designation but they are far from it. I wouldnt considering anything below the K601 and K701 to be neutral or analytical.

Even if it very revealing and analytical, a lot of audio enthusiasts love it.
 
From what I've read and the opinions I've gotten from people that I can trust to have some level of expertise, say the k240's are some of the best you can get for studio work in it's price range. Of course there will be some coloration with such small speakers vs. real monitors, you can't escape that but apparently they're flatter than most. Maybe I'll have to check into things again.

Get yourself some Sennheisers.
 
opendriver19a
What kind of sound card are you going to be using?

I love my HD202's
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Dunno what's in my laptop - probably some motherboard intergated thing, with Realtec HD Audio drivers.

The AKGs are a little harder to get hold of here, whereas the Sennheisers are sold pretty much everywhere which is ideal.

I'll probably go for the HD555s then when I get the money. How much better are the HD595s anyway? They're only £20 more so they maybe worth it.
 
If you're just going to be using these at home, you'll probably want an open headphone. Open is so much more comfortable and sounds a lot better.

MDR-V6s are good. My aunt's film company has a pair for the boom mics. Basically, choosing between the two is going to come down to open vs. closed. If you want a closed can, you might also want to take a look at Denon's offering: http://www.headphone.com/products/headphones/all-headphones/denon-ah-d1001k.php
I have no idea how these are, though... probably brighter than average.

Anyway, yeah, the MDRs have pretty strong mids, but are otherwise flat/neutral sounding, whereas, judging by its freq curve, I would say the 555s have a little bit looser bass and warmer highs.

edit: Oh, I would definitely get the 595s if you can afford it.
 
Okay, I went for the HD555s in the end. The Sony probably won't sound as good as you say, since it's closed.

I did consider the 595s, but after some investigation the only difference between those and the 555s are the frequencies. I doubt I'll be using them hard enough to notice a difference to match the price increase.

I'm sure I'll be happy anyway. :)
 
...and yes, I'm happy!

The headphones are great quality physically and mentally. The Pioneers must have been budget-basement compared to these, since everything sounds much clearer... They're a tad tight on my head but I suppose they'll loosen up as I wear them more. 👍
 
G.T
...and yes, I'm happy!

The headphones are great quality physically and mentally. The Pioneers must have been budget-basement compared to these, since everything sounds much clearer... They're a tad tight on my head but I suppose they'll loosen up as I wear them more. 👍
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Congrats 👍 Give them around 50-100 hours burn in and they will be even better :sly:
 

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