need tips for new headphones, comming from HD650's

[tony tony chopper]

Hi,

Currently using HD650's but the cable died, & I need new ones anyway as they're getting old.

I've liked Sennheisers so far, but they don't do headphones like I liked anymore. I loved the HD570's, they were light plastic & had removable cushions & headband. With the 650 they tried something looking more expensive & failed, they crush your head like a vice when they're new, the cushions are too hard to replace without breaking the metallic grids, the headband isn't replacable, the cable doesn't detach easily enough when you bump on it (bringing the headset down along with it).

..but my ears got used to the HD650's sound, so I'd like tips on something not too far (that won't require a too long adaptation time), in another brand, with these requirements:
-removable (& washable) pads/headband
-light & confortable (similar to HD570)
-velvet-like, not sweaty leather-like pads
-cables preferably removable

(whatever the price, although I probably won't put more than the already expensive 650's, & wouldn't buy crazy $1500 ones like their HD800)

any idea?
Thanks

[lfm]

From a book I was choosing between BeyerDynamic DT880 Pro and Sennheiser HD650.

For some reason Thomann did not have the HD650 so I went DT880 and I returned them the same day. Total crap in my ears or something was wrong with them - I'm not sure what. Uneven quality maybe now that everything is made in China.

But I saw Thomann have cables for HD650, so fix the cable unless you really unhappy with them.

http://www.thomann.de/se/sennheiser_hd_ ... zkabel.htm

They have earpads to if they are worn down.

I will check the HD650 out, since I find the HD280 Pro quite OK. But thinking going really high end this time.

Anyway, no DT880 Pro for me.

If I may put a question for you:

Can 250 ohm headphones be used anywhere on all equipment with headphones output - or does it need preamp under some circumstances?

Will they sound right?

I use a Focusrite Twintrak Pro - and strange enough Focusrite support could not answer me on that one.

I had to raise volume quite a bit to run DT880, but there is more than enough from Twintrakj out it seems. If I had it on 3 for HD280 Pro(60 ohm or whatever) it was on 8 maybe with 250 ohm DT880.

[dalor]

HD700, they're gonna be my new cans if they ever will be released this year.

[tony tony chopper]

except they're $1000
http://www.sennheiserusa.com/audiophile ... ity_504963

problem is, headphones aren't durable (for hygienic reasons), I wouldn't pay that amount for any, and I'd prefer another brand now. And those look as heavy as the HD650, which looked "expensive" but in practice inferior to the cheaper all-plastic HD570.

[Hink]

I thought Sennheisers had replaceable cables, I'm sorry...I forget model numbers from back when I was in retail.

However TTC, you know as well as anyone would that if you change headphones you're going to have to get use to whatever you get even if they are the same model (I bought a second pair of Beyer DT770s when my first pair was getting old and they took getting use to).

Forgive the lame redundant reply but the truth is you should find a place to try out headphones first. I can recommend Beyers based on my needs and how well they last, the same with Sennheisers, the Sony MDR7506 are studio standards (as are the more expensive 09s), the Audio Technica headphones are good for the price and of course AKGs are great (my only problem with them is they do not clamp my skull tight enough and when I look down the fall of or if I'm playing my guitar and fling my head in one direction suddenly they are nose/back of the headphones).

You really cannot go wrong with any of those as far as quality goes and the sound is subjective

[tony tony chopper]

But I saw Thomann have cables for HD650, so fix the cable unless you really unhappy with them.

I'm surprise they're (well, relatively) cheap, as Sennheiser parts are insanely expensive.
Yes I can still replace the cable but they're all worn. I'd like to know one manages to wash the pads & stick them back without crushing the grid (it's really all crushed here), those pads are too hard to clip & there's no room to grip.

Can 250 ohm headphones be used anywhere on all equipment with headphones output - or does it need preamp under some circumstances?

I know nothing about that personally. But the HD650 requires no such thing.

[tony tony chopper]

Forgive the lame redundant reply but the truth is you should find a place to try out headphones first.

yes I wish there was such a place here around

Same deal with typing keyboards. It takes so much time to get used to a mouse, keyboard or headphones, it's a pity that manufacturers can't keep making the same model (even if sometimes they just pretend they did - do NOT buy a Logitech G400, it's NOT "the new MX518" as the box says)

I'd be glad if I could buy HD570's again. Or HD650's inside the 570's body.

you're going to have to get use to whatever you get even if they are the same model

it's obviously gonna sound different but I don't want something too far

DT770

the DT770 pro look confortable (leather-like headband, though), I might go for that

[ChestRockwell]

I switched from HD's to DT's and I was instantly happy. There is no disputing the sound is different. I just took to the sound and the feel of the Beyer's right away. They are so comfortable as well.

I would recommend them to anybody!

[tony tony chopper]

I switched from HD's to DT's

but HDwhat to DTwhat? The sound is very different between HD's as well (judging from 4 models)

[MickGael]

...the Audio Technica headphones are good for the price...

I own a pair of HD650s. I also own a pair of AT-M50s.

As Hink notes, they are quite nice for a reasonable cost. However, if you step down (or move over to) the ATs, I think you'll find the differences stark.

Your experience may differ, but I find the HD650s to be even, balanced, accurate (though a tad strong in the low-mids), wonderfully euphonic with a lovely soundstage. They match my Dynaudios very well. Better than the 4 sets of phones I use to sit mixes.

By comparison, the ATs are all top and bottom. The rich and even upper-mids are missing, as is the muscle the rich lower-mids the HD650s provide. After listening to the Sennheisers for a while, then listening to the ATs, I find the sound hollow and hyped. Distractingly so. I can adjust after a while, but when I switch back, I ash myself why I would ever use the ATs are my primary phones. One thing you may appreciate about the M50s is the fact that they need FAR less juice that do the HD650s. I need to run the headphone amp on my D-Box maxed out. I get the same volume at about 9 o'clock with the ATs.

[dalor]

except they're $1000
http://www.sennheiserusa.com/audiophile ... ity_504963

problem is, headphones aren't durable (for hygienic reasons), I wouldn't pay that amount for any, and I'd prefer another brand now. And those look as heavy as the HD650, which looked "expensive" but in practice inferior to the cheaper all-plastic HD570.

I have my HD650 for 15 Years and love em to death, replaced the detachable cable 2 times in the past. I'm not sharing the headphones with anyone, so hygenic reasons are not an issue for me. The padding is almost worn off, yet they're still comfortable and I can use them for hours. If the HD700 are as good as the HD650 I'll gonna have no regrets paying that money for another 15+ years of use.

[Shy]

Get Denon AH-D2000. No need to thank me later.

[musikmachine]

But I saw Thomann have cables for HD650, so fix the cable unless you really unhappy with them.

I'm surprise they're (well, relatively) cheap, as Sennheiser parts are insanely expensive.
Yes I can still replace the cable but they're all worn. I'd like to know one manages to wash the pads & stick them back without crushing the grid (it's really all crushed here), those pads are too hard to clip & there's no room to grip.

Can 250 ohm headphones be used anywhere on all equipment with headphones output - or does it need preamp under some circumstances?

I know nothing about that personally. But the HD650 requires no such thing.

What are you driving them with? The HD650/600 (more so the 650) scale well with good amplification from what i've been reading. I've got the 600s and i'm about to buy an inexpensive amp to try it out as they can run up to about £2,000 for a benchmark dac. They'll sound ok from a normal output but will really sing when driven with a decent amp.

[tony tony chopper]

I have my HD650 for 15 Years and love em to death

they only exist since 2005 so you must be talking about something else

[tony tony chopper]

What are you driving them with? The HD650/600 (more so the 650) scale well with good amplification from what i've been reading.

my computer's soundcard.. & at max volume they would break my ears