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Just picked up some ATH A900s. Pretty excited! They arrive tomorrow. I am in the market for a new USB DAC/Amp so if anyone has any suggestions of something that pairs well with these headphones, I'm all ears.
Glad to see this thread. I am not a huge audiophile (don't know a lot about what stuff means or whatever) but I naturally have sensitive ears so it makes me a fan. I bought my first pair of good headphones 9 years ago (Grado SR60, duh) and was blown away. I've had a bunch of headphones over the years (Sennheiser HD580, Beyerdynamic 250, Beyerdynamic DT880, Audio Technica AD700, M50, and A700) and it's definitely one of my mild obsessions.
I see the M50 recommended a lot in this thread. I have to agree, it's a very good pair of cans and sounds great even out of my laptop or MP3 player. One caveat is it has small earcups & a tight headband, so if you have a giant head or giant ears or both, it can get uncomfortable in a hurry. I gave mine to my lady who shied away from that style (big circumaural) because they were often loose and weird feeling but quite likes the M50. The M50 also has earcups that fold up into a tight package for traveling -- honestly, they are really really great headphones and I wish my head was smaller so I could wear them.
The BD 250s (don't know if they still make them) I had before also were a tight style -- I generally suggest to girls or smaller-sized people who ask me about headphones to look into those studio/dj style headphones as they tend to be tighter and fit more comfortably on a smaller head. Me, my head is giant, so I absolutely fell in love with the A700s, hence buying the A900s. I believe there's even an A500 which is an even cheaper price point -- I'd encourage anyone with a big head to look into this line. Only problem is they are big and bulky and a little weird looking but if you wear your headphones all day, comfort is a huge deal.
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On March 23 2011 04:14 mockturtle wrote:
Just picked up some ATH A900s. Pretty excited! They arrive tomorrow. I am in the market for a new USB DAC/Amp so if anyone has any suggestions of something that pairs well with these headphones, I'm all ears.
Make sure you burn them in. They're pretty bright at the outset.
Audio-GD has the lower-priced market for USB Dacs solidifed. Check the guys stuff out.
http://www.audio-gd.com/En audio-gd.htm
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I actually decided to pick up some AKG K271 MKII as well. Will test them against the A900s and keep whichever I like more.
edit: checked the link you gave. The Sparrow looks pretty sick -- my one complaint is I hadn't seen many sub $200 usb DACs that look like they are made to sit on a desk... this definitely does not seem that way (it and the Audinst). Should I be looking at the Sparrow Version B USB? Is this just a generally good amp or is it something that might be particularly good with the A900s (or the AKG K271 MKII)?
edit again: i'm quickly falling in love with these audio gds. the only thing stopping me from pulling the trigger is basically picking which one
edit again: really thanks for the reccomendation, audio GD has the looks/design specs of EXACTLY what i wanted (it's basically built to be a low cost usb dac that lives on desk and can be moved but isn't meant to be, like, velcrod to anything). i've posted here and a elsewhere and been googling around trying to find anyone who has personal experience with either the A900s or AKG K271 MKII's and that amp since in my limited experience I've noticed some amps don't pair well with some headphones.
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Hey guys, i was just wondering if you could help me out. Im looking to buy some nice headphones but really cant choose because i simply do not know enough about them. Here are my demands/preferences:
-max 200 euros (250 dollar more or less?)
-i want to be able to use them with mp3 players/ipods etc.
-overear (so they drain out background noise)
-im a sucker for heavy base
If anyone could help me out with choosing i would be really grateful. Thx in advance
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On March 23 2011 05:55 B.I.G. wrote:
Hey guys, i was just wondering if you could help me out. Im looking to buy some nice headphones but really cant choose because i simply do not know enough about them. Here are my demands/preferences:
-max 200 euros (250 dollar more or less?)
-i want to be able to use them with mp3 players/ipods etc.
-overear (so they drain out background noise)
-im a sucker for heavy base
If anyone could help me out with choosing i would be really grateful. Thx in advance
Beyerdynamic DT770 32Ohm Version, sounds like the exact thing you're looking for. They should be around 200-250 dollars, the 32Ohm version can be driven out of an mp3 player easily, they are closed (block out some noise), they have LOTS of bass, and they are extremely comfortable and durable too. Steel frame with soft velour earpads.
BTW, you mean to say "closed" instead of "overear" when you want it block out background noise/not leak, because there are tons of headphones that are still overear, but open design where sound can go out and in.
edit: Here's a link : http://www.headphone.com/headphones/beyerdynamic-dt-770---32-ohm.php
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I haaaaaaaaave HD595's. I wuv them.
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On March 16 2011 12:34 Fyodor wrote:Show nested quote +On March 16 2011 03:18 Gatsbi wrote:On March 12 2011 09:21 Alexson wrote:
What are the best headphones that I can get for $1,500? At that price point there is no "best". It really depends what kind of sound you like. Sennheiser HD800, Beyer T1, Audeze LCD-2, HiFiMan HE-6 are all top contenders among others. Obviously you'll need proper amplification to go with these however. Personally, I'm on the wait list for Audeze LCD-2's. Driving them through a Schiit Lyr hybrid SS/Tube amp. I should have them by the end of the month, so excited! good shit. write up a review for us? 
Yeah, maybe I will. Just placed my order for both. Bye $1467. >_<
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On March 23 2011 06:29 Gatsbi wrote:Show nested quote +On March 23 2011 05:55 B.I.G. wrote:
Hey guys, i was just wondering if you could help me out. Im looking to buy some nice headphones but really cant choose because i simply do not know enough about them. Here are my demands/preferences:
-max 200 euros (250 dollar more or less?)
-i want to be able to use them with mp3 players/ipods etc.
-overear (so they drain out background noise)
-im a sucker for heavy base
If anyone could help me out with choosing i would be really grateful. Thx in advance Beyerdynamic DT770 32Ohm Version, sounds like the exact thing you're looking for. They should be around 200-250 dollars, the 32Ohm version can be driven out of an mp3 player easily, they are closed (block out some noise), they have LOTS of bass, and they are extremely comfortable and durable too. Steel frame with soft velour earpads. BTW, you mean to say "closed" instead of "overear" when you want it block out background noise/not leak, because there are tons of headphones that are still overear, but open design where sound can go out and in. edit: Here's a link : http://www.headphone.com/headphones/beyerdynamic-dt-770---32-ohm.php
+1 this, but for the 990 version - http://www.amazon.com/product/dp/B0024NK344 - they should be about the same price.
Just offered those to a friend as a present (thanks for the tip Fyodor! ) : they sound really great (had the chance to test them a little bit at his place and almost got jealous). Bass (and overall sound quality) is excellent, they're Rrrreally comfortable (soft all around the ear) and loud enough plugged to a pc/amp to make you go deaf if that's where you're headed. Oh and at volume 5/10, he was using the vacuum cleaner next to me and I would barely notice it.
3 minor negative points in my opinion :
a) no built in volume control (but that's common so I shouldn't even complain about it)
b) leaks a bit too much to be used in public transports for my taste (unless you don't care about people surrounding you hearing/being disturbed by your music, which I do)
c)max sound level out of an iphone was rather weak/not loud enough for my taste (big difference as to when plugged to the pc/amp). Even on the 32ohm version. Don't know if the issue is the same on the 770....
Still, I'd buy them anyday.
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The 990 phones are open.
I've had open headphones. In fact, the best sounding headphones I've had so far were open (though most expensive as well -- I've got nicer ones on the way). However, open is just unacceptable for so many situations I'm surprised they are commonly recommended. Want to game at a lan or tournament, listen to music anywhere in public (plane, bus, outside)? Get closed. Work where you share a room with other people? Need closed (they'll make sound you can hear, plus the music will leak out and annoy them). Live in an apartment where you can hear the neighbors? Get closed.
Live in a house in the suburbs where it's silent in your house and you have a special room with a comfortable chair you can kick back and listen while no one disturbs you? Get open.
The last time I bought headphones I picked up the ATH A700 and ATH AD700 (same price point, very similar specs, same brand, one open, one closed). I lived on the sixth floor of an apartment building, and there was just too much random noise that I could hear no problem and made having headphones no fun
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Since I'm already on TL and don't feel like heading over to head-fi, I'll just ask here 
In the market for some gym headphones. Currently using cheap $5 sonys with ipod, which I have no problems with but they seem to die in a couple months with my sweat so I'm on my third pair. I'd also just like to upgrade the sound quality a bit, but I understand you can only do so much with an ipod as the source 
Don't know anything about earbuds/IEMs because I personally don't like them outside of walking places, going to the gym, etc. Use a pair of ATH A700s at home. Gym music is pretty much all rock, metal, and electronic and I like my bass as well- so any recommendations appreciated!
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On March 24 2011 03:01 vicariouscheese wrote:Since I'm already on TL and don't feel like heading over to head-fi, I'll just ask here In the market for some gym headphones. Currently using cheap $5 sonys with ipod, which I have no problems with but they seem to die in a couple months with my sweat so I'm on my third pair. I'd also just like to upgrade the sound quality a bit, but I understand you can only do so much with an ipod as the source Don't know anything about earbuds/IEMs because I personally don't like them outside of walking places, going to the gym, etc. Use a pair of ATH A700s at home. Gym music is pretty much all rock, metal, and electronic and I like my bass as well- so any recommendations appreciated!
Try Meelec M6 if you like a slightly V-shaped signature (bass and highs prominent, mids slightly recessed). One of the best in terms of value, like a lot of other Meelec products
They're a gigantic improvement over stockbuds for a really small investment. They're also only supposed to be worn over-the-ear so they won't fall out easily (stays in better than regular IEMs worn over-the-ear.).
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On March 23 2011 05:05 mockturtle wrote:
edit: checked the link you gave. The Sparrow looks pretty sick -- my one complaint is I hadn't seen many sub $200 usb DACs that look like they are made to sit on a desk... this definitely does not seem that way (it and the Audinst). Should I be looking at the Sparrow Version B USB? Is this just a generally good amp or is it something that might be particularly good with the A900s (or the AKG K271 MKII)?
Check out the head-fi thread:
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/483188/official-audio-gd-sparrow-thread
The FUN would be a better choice. A little beefier in terms of hardware and a lot more features.
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Where do you guys normally go to try out these headphones?
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On March 24 2011 01:38 mockturtle wrote:
The 990 phones are open.
I've had open headphones. In fact, the best sounding headphones I've had so far were open (though most expensive as well -- I've got nicer ones on the way). However, open is just unacceptable for so many situations I'm surprised they are commonly recommended. Want to game at a lan or tournament, listen to music anywhere in public (plane, bus, outside)? Get closed. Work where you share a room with other people? Need closed (they'll make sound you can hear, plus the music will leak out and annoy them). Live in an apartment where you can hear the neighbors? Get closed.
Live in a house in the suburbs where it's silent in your house and you have a special room with a comfortable chair you can kick back and listen while no one disturbs you? Get open.
The last time I bought headphones I picked up the ATH A700 and ATH AD700 (same price point, very similar specs, same brand, one open, one closed). I lived on the sixth floor of an apartment building, and there was just too much random noise that I could hear no problem and made having headphones no fun
No he wants heavy bass so closed is the way to go
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Hi guys, I have a budget of like 100 dollars. What headphones do you guys suggest? I was thinking of the HD555, but that is the only one I know.
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Need more info. Music taste? Isolation? Portability? Gaming?
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On March 24 2011 06:57 ThumperSD wrote:
Need more info. Music taste? Isolation? Portability? Gaming?
Well, I like bass and preferably with decent-good isolation. I plan to use it with an iPod so, yeah portable too.
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On March 24 2011 05:53 slytown wrote:Show nested quote +On March 23 2011 05:05 mockturtle wrote:
edit: checked the link you gave. The Sparrow looks pretty sick -- my one complaint is I hadn't seen many sub $200 usb DACs that look like they are made to sit on a desk... this definitely does not seem that way (it and the Audinst). Should I be looking at the Sparrow Version B USB? Is this just a generally good amp or is it something that might be particularly good with the A900s (or the AKG K271 MKII)?
Check out the head-fi thread: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/483188/official-audio-gd-sparrow-threadThe FUN would be a better choice. A little beefier in terms of hardware and a lot more features.
It seems that the new Audio GD NFB-12 is a good DAC/AMP for the price as well, look into it over on Head-fi they have a really big thread about them. Downside is that they are apparently way too popular (expected to ship mid april if you order now if i saw that right on head-fi.)
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/524263/audio-gd-nfb-12
I am currently saving up for a Sennheiser HD650 + DAC/AMP combo. I am thinking of buying this one myself, and i think it's a good deal for the price. Only downside is that it is apparently a pretty dark amp, which does not pair too well with the HD650. I am awaiting more reviews by users after more burn in (people in thread with more experience with the audio GD products say they benefit a lot from burn in.) My other option is the Yulong U100 DAC/AMP combo right now, after reading these good reviews. Again waiting for more reviews though.
http://www.headfonia.com/the-new-recommendation-the-yulong-u100-usb-dac/
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/540631/review-yulong-u100-compact-usb-dac-amp
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On March 24 2011 07:08 eZmode wrote:Show nested quote +On March 24 2011 06:57 ThumperSD wrote:
Need more info. Music taste? Isolation? Portability? Gaming? Well, I like bass and preferably with decent-good isolation. I plan to use it with an iPod so, yeah portable too.
Then I recommend the M50 or RX900. M50 the better choice.
Also forgot the XB500 and XB700 if you want even more bass output with lower quality midrange. If you're willing to spend $150, the HFI 580 is a great option too.
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EPT
