Need help picking headphones

[yäh]

Hello gentlemen. Have been lurking here from time to time now and i gotta say i really like this site!

Im looking for a pair of heaphones in the 150-200 euro price range, but there seem to be ALOT of them in that price class, hence my problem.

So far my research has led me to three alternatives: sennheiser hd598, sennheiser hd 25-1 II, and Audio Technica ath-m50
They are all pretty much the same price here. What do you think of them, and is there any other alternatives?

I will use them mostly at home, either with the computer or with my j3, so no real need for portability. I listen to pretty much all kinds of mainstream music so i prob want them fairly balanced. And i have big ears, so that might be a problem i dunno hehe

All help appreciated!

Edit: sry ath-m50 not 25

[CrowdAds]

[aimran]

You mean Audio-Technica ATH-M50, not ATH-25, right?


According to Head-Fi headphones shootout, the ATH-M50 and HD25-1 II are at the top of the the portable headphones (at least for the ones tested) with both having the same sound quality.


The HD25-1 II has better isolation, but is less comfortable than the ATH-M50.

Between the two, the ATH-M50 is more bass heavy while the HD25-1 II is a very balanced headphones.


It's also worth noting the ATH-M50 needs an amp to get the most out of it.

[aparthia]

What is most important to you comfort, SQ or something else(form)?

[sideways]

Headphones: Small speakers or speaker suspended in a housing with pads for ear comfort/protection, connected via a strap over the users head covering both ears. Keep in mind that there are single sided headphones on the market as well, but not for our purpose here. Headphones are connected to a source like a digital audio player (DAP), CD player, radio or amp which allows the user to listen privately. There are two styles: open & closed housing, “Open Style” - leaks sound out of the grills, typically have a wide soundstage, do not isolate the user from ambient sound and can be heard by others. “Closed Style” - have a sealed housing, tighter soundstage, isolate ambient sound, stronger bass and possible negative effect of distorting sound in certain frequencies due to resonances within the housing. Circumaural Circular or ellipsoid housing with earpads that completely surround around the ears. Supra-aural have pads that sit on top of the ears, rather than around them. Headphones are also referred to as - cans, sterophones, headsets, earphones, phones etc.

- Walkgood's Glossary for Newbies

I wasn't able to pull up the stats on the m25's but the hd25's and hd 598's are designed with a completely different purpose in mind.

HD598 is a circumaural open-back style headphone designed for comfortable listening in a quiet environment
HD25 is supraaural closed-back headphone designed for listening in a noisy environment at the expense of comfort (the supraaural pads sit on your ears)

[Satellite_6]

Open headphones for home.

[Marvin the Martian]

Originally Posted by Satellite_6

Open headphones for home.

For the most part, yes....but I use my PortaPros when I am out on the streets, because I like to hear if there is a car coming. But in this setting, you have to resist the temptation to crank the volume and try to drown out the surrounding noise.

[aimran]

It also seems that the Sennheiser HD558 and HD598 use the same driver, but the HD558 costs about $60 less.

[sideways]

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...9155751AAdj9SX

As far as I know the 598 and 558 are just a(n ugly) cosmetic update to the 595 and 555 and the 9 indicates a boost in the quality of materials used (cushions and the like). For my money without a side by side test I'd probably go for whatever is the cheapest out of the 555,558,595,598 series. I do enjoy my HD 555's.

On the other hand they are fairly common headphones so you should be able to track down a pair in a bricks and mortar store. I suggest you go and try them out for yourself!

[The DarkSide]

Originally Posted by aimran

Between the two, the ATH-M50 is more bass heavy while the HD25-1 II is a very balanced headphones.


It's also worth noting the ATH-M50 needs an amp to get the most out of it.

Yes, the M50's do have better bass, while the HD25-1 II's do have the more balanced SQ - that's why I love my HD25-1 II's so much.

BUT:

The ATH-M50's do NOT need an amp, as they're quite easy to drive & work well with most portable players.

Even tho I love bass I sold my M50's, the HD25-1 II's I'm not selling tho - I use 'em every day. I love the HD25-1 II's WAYYYYY too much!!!

[Satellite_6]

Originally Posted by sideways

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...9155751AAdj9SX

As far as I know the 598 and 558 are just a(n ugly) cosmetic update to the 595 and 555 and the 9 indicates a boost in the quality of materials used (cushions and the like). For my money without a side by side test I'd probably go for whatever is the cheapest out of the 555,558,595,598 series. I do enjoy my HD 555's.

On the other hand they are fairly common headphones so you should be able to track down a pair in a bricks and mortar store. I suggest you go and try them out for yourself!

No, the new models are supposed to have different drivers and sound different than the old ones. The two new versions are also supposed to use the same driver but I got chocked off on Head-Fi for saying they should be the same while some claim that the different housings make them sound different. I haven't tried them so I wouldn't know.

The HD 598's do seem very popular on Head-Fi and they are supposed to be different than most Sennhesiers. Personally I wouldn't see either of those things as a good thing though. . .

[TimYoung]

Originally Posted by sideways

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...9155751AAdj9SX

As far as I know the 598 and 558 are just a(n ugly) cosmetic update to the 595 and 555 and the 9 indicates a boost in the quality of materials used (cushions and the like). For my money without a side by side test I'd probably go for whatever is the cheapest out of the 555,558,595,598 series. I do enjoy my HD 555's.

On the other hand they are fairly common headphones so you should be able to track down a pair in a bricks and mortar store. I suggest you go and try them out for yourself!

Actually 598/558 are suppose to be quite different as they don't have the usual Sennheiser sound to them. The 598 is suppose to be better than 558 whereas the 595 and 555 only difference is the foam in it.

598 has quite a good review. I actually bought one but had to sell it almost immediate to fund something else.

[TimYoung]

oh yeah back to the OPs question, I second getting the Senn 598 if you are using at home and HD 25 for portable use.

[sideways]

I suppose you could be right but without a side by side test I would not fork over the extra money. Not based on the word of some head-fi shills. I mean they even have cable porn and hello kitty underpants over there. Plus I'm a stingy bastard.

[yäh]

puh, many responses. this almost makes my choice harder, audio equipment is so hard to buy. atleast i wont be widening my search. i need to read and think some more.


Comfort is def more important for me then isolation - I use iem's when im on the go, so will just about only use them at home. So I guess it's between the m50's and the hd598's then. They're both circumaural right?

The other hd5xx seems to be around the same price here, and i cant really go try shit out because the selection is very limited in my country/city

I'll let you know what i end up with. Anyway good respnses,
Much obliged

[yäh]

Got a query: Is the lack of an amp a big hindrance to he hd598's?
Because im not planning on getting one. I will use it with cowon j3 (at home) or at my computer (intergrated soundcard.)

Have tried searching but i don't put very much trust in the shithole that is the internets.

[Satellite_6]

link

Impedance 50 ohms
Total SPL 112 dB

They shouldn't require an amp at all.

EDIT: Those are by far the ugliest headphones I have ever seen IMO. xD

[steinburger1109]

50 ohms isn't a terribly large number, but it isn't small, either.

Just to say, I am a new proud owner of ATH-M50s, and I absolutely love them. I accidentally fell asleep with them on, and they're absolutely comfortable. Not only did I fall asleep with them on, but I also didn't have any sort of discomfort when I woke up and took them off. They also are 32 ohm impedance, which means it's easier for your J3 to drive. They also do isolate well, but I don't have any reference points besides a couple pairs of IEMs, which both isolate better than the ATH-M50.

BTW, ABi happens to be part of the internets...

Also, have you checked availability in your country? Because if it's difficult to find them to try them out, it could also be difficult to find someone to ship.

[TimYoung]

Originally Posted by sideways

I suppose you could be right but without a side by side test I would not fork over the extra money. Not based on the word of some head-fi shills. I mean they even have cable porn and hello kitty underpants over there. Plus I'm a stingy bastard.

The HD598 is getting some rave reviews all over the net and not just from those into their cable porn. :P

I am sad to say that I actually bought my HD598 when it first came out mainly 'cos of the way it looked. I thought it is one of the best looking headphone I have seen and it looked even better in person. v v luxurious. Once the reviews came out that it wasn't crap, I pulled the trigger.

[sideways]

I'll have to give the 598 a try at some point and see for myself. I'm glad you are enjoying them at any rate since that is really all that matters at the end of the day.

[yäh]

Originally Posted by steinburger1109

50 ohms isn't a terribly large number, but it isn't small, either.

Just to say, I am a new proud owner of ATH-M50s, and I absolutely love them. I accidentally fell asleep with them on, and they're absolutely comfortable. Not only did I fall asleep with them on, but I also didn't have any sort of discomfort when I woke up and took them off. They also are 32 ohm impedance, which means it's easier for your J3 to drive. They also do isolate well, but I don't have any reference points besides a couple pairs of IEMs, which both isolate better than the ATH-M50.

BTW, ABi happens to be part of the internets...

Also, have you checked availability in your country? Because if it's difficult to find them to try them out, it could also be difficult to find someone to ship.

yeh abi is part of the internets, but i try and find some "safe havens" that are more or less free from idiots if i need real discussion/advice about something.

They have most stuff in my country, it's just that it's almost all online. Even physical stores have lots of products only avaliable online. SO it's hard to try it out, and some stuff is just way overpriced.

Don't know what im gonna go with but i don't think it matters that much, this is gonna be my first higher end heaphones i own myself so i will probably enjoy either of them. I prob have headphones in my ears 10 hours a day and have some money to spend atm. Leaning towards the hd598's right now.
Aprecciate the help everyone!