Headphone Audiophiles

[kpxgq]

I have a set of Sony MDR-7502's.... and they are great but i kinda want to get a full cover the ear design... i have the opportunity to pick up a set of Sennheiser HD 490's for $50.... should i go for it? should i pay $20 more for the 495's???
is the sound quality that much better out of these senns?

also where can i get a good sub $50 headphone amp?


thanks

 

[kpxgq]

^

 

[sohcrates]

search off topic here for "headphones" and you'll come up with TONS of threads about the best headphone, and i even remember seeing one , yesterday i believe, that talked about the HD 490's specifically.

 

[Viperoni]

On the amp topic, I might build my own amp.
This Class A Mosfet headphone amp looks pretty simple, plus I can drive it off my old PS that does 8amps @ 12v, more than enough current.

 

[virtuamike]

Grado's kick ass, if you don't mind the open-air design

 

[kpxgq]

what does "open air" mean and how is it a disadvantage?

 

[habib89]

the sennheiser 495's are supposed to be really good.. a lot better than the 490's... i'm not audiophile or anything, but that's what i've read... also this deal, is it just for you? or is it an online thing?

 

[kpxgq]

an acquantance of mine who is an audiophile is just getting rid of some of his "supply".


but the real question i wanted answered was....


are the senn 490/495 or grado 60 that much better than my current sony mdr 7502?

 

[worth]

<< Grado's kick ass, if you don't mind the open-air design >>



The Sennheiser HD 490 and 495 are open-air design as well.

 

[CocaCola5]

<< an acquantance of mine who is an audiophile is just getting rid of some of his "supply".


but the real question i wanted answered was....


are the senn 490/495 or grado 60 that much better than my current sony mdr 7502? >>



I have a grado 200 and also familiar with senn products, you won't notice it like its a big deal at first but over prolong listening you will see that the sony sounds really harsh, while the grado, senn is smoother, natural sounding. The senn and grado are totally different, you have to audiition with your style of music.

 

[Viperoni]

<< that the sony sounds really harsh >>


I find that my sony mdr-cd180's need way more power than my rhythmic edge can throw at them....hence the reason for the amp.
Basically when I push it even a bit too far, the sound gets really harsh (clipping like theres no tommorrow)
I hope the amp will clear this up