Need a final headphone recommendation before buying

[archcommus]

I've asked this before but I just want some final input before making a purchase.

I currrently own a set of Klipsch ProMedia 5.1 with an Audigy 2. I want some good headphones. I want something that can be very close to the satisfaction level my Klipsch brings. That means it HAS TO HAVE VERY GOOD BASS.

Your suggestions? The conclusion from my last thread was the Sennheiser HD280 Pros.

 

[PurdueRy]

The PX100's were great for the cost for me.

On a different note...why do people always only concentrate on bass? Does no one car about the quality of the midrange or the clarity of the highs?

 

[archcommus]

I do, but bass is very important to me, it must be emphasized.

My Klipsch packs a lot of punch, I want as close as I can get to that with my headphones.

 

[nipplefish]

i use sony mdr-v700 dj headphones and am quite pleased with them. they sound great and are designed so you can hear your mix over the noise of eg. a loud club. very good bass. they are also quite flexible and fold up into a little ball. i've never used sennheisers so i don't know how they compare, but the sony's can be found for around 80 bucks.

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: nipplefish
i use sony mdr-v700 dj headphones and am quite pleased with them. they sound great and are designed so you can hear your mix over the noise of eg. a loud club. very good bass. they are also quite flexible and fold up into a little ball. i've never used sennheisers so i don't know how they compare, but the sony's can be found for around 80 bucks.

How's the warranty on those? Sennhesier gives you two years. However, I'm not sure if that applies in the U.S.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I have the HD280s and I really like them, but I've actually read "weak bass" as a complaint on several occations for them.

They take quite a long time to break in though.

Any chance of you going to a local audio shop and trying them out? I know several in my area carry Sennheisers, Grados, etc.

 

[archcommus]

I was hoping to buy them at Best Buy since I have my discount there. I doubt they have them on display to listen to, though. An audio shop with many there to try? Not too sure if I have one around here.

I've heard that if anything, the HD 280 Pros have very accentuated bass, maybe too much for some people's tastes. What do you think of them, YYYHDJ? (like my abbreviation for your name?)

Plus, I know you know sound better than anyone else. IYHO, what kind of headphones are going to give me the kind of bass I'm looking for? I'm sure you're familiar with the sound of 5.1 ProMedias.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: archcommus
I was hoping to buy them at Best Buy since I have my discount there. I doubt they have them on display to listen to, though. An audio shop with many there to try? Not too sure if I have one around here.

I've heard that if anything, the HD 280 Pros have very accentuated bass, maybe too much for some people's tastes. What do you think of them, YYYHDJ? (like my abbreviation for your name?)

Plus, I know you know sound better than anyone else. IYHO, what kind of headphones are going to give me the kind of bass I'm looking for? I'm sure you're familiar with the sound of 5.1 ProMedias.

@ YYYHDJ

Check out the Dealer Locator to see if there's anything in your area. There were 32 dealers in my area.

I like my 280s very much and have been using them for about a year and a half I think.

I think I know more than the average Anandtech-er about sound equipment, but I'm sure I come off as knowing more than I actually do. I wasn't into audio stuff until just over a year ago. I'm quite lacking in "real world" audio knowledge... which actually leads me to not being able to make a suggestion about what would sound similar to Promedias. You should definately be able to find a set of headphones that sounds as good as your Promedias in this pricerange though.
I admit to knowing not very much about headphones. I know there are several members on AT that know tons more than me about the subject. I also know that if I was looking to buy a new pair of headphones, I wouldn't come to AT for advice (or at least not use it as my primary source of advice)

 

[nipplefish]

Originally posted by: archcommus
How's the warranty on those? Sennhesier gives you two years. However, I'm not sure if that applies in the U.S.

1 year service/support. I got mine about 3 years ago and they still work great. Only problem was I managed to bend the 1/8" plug but I mostly use it with the 1/4" adapter anyway.

 

[SonicIce]

HD-497's can be had for half the price of the 280's and sound almost as good. If you got the money go for the 280's though.

 

[archcommus]

Well CC is listed as a dealer, perhaps they'll have some available to listen to.

So how about these 280s compared to the Sonys mentioned above? Bass-wise, clarity...

 

[masteraleph]

The HD-280s do not in any way have overaccentuated bass. In fact, compared to most headphones (which have a bit of a tendency to boost the bass), they're anemic. What they do have is an inverted bass curve. Basically, most headphones have a hump at around 60hz (midbass), and then trail off as you get lower. The HD280s have a dip at 60hz, and then a rise around 25hz. The result is that you'll listen to music and be like "where's the bass?", but if it's well recorded, it'll also feel like a truck is idling next to you (low bass is something you feel rather than hear). There's "good bass" if you mean accurate bass", but not powerful.

If you want strong bass, what you want is the Sony MDR-V6/7506 (same thing). AVOID the Sony MDR-V*00 line- they're terrible in terms of sound quality compared to the V6. The V6 are the best sub $100 basshead headphones (the best overall are definitely the Beyer DT-770-80s, but they require an amp and are in the $150-200 range themselves).

 

[archcommus]

I hear a lot about the HD 280 Pro's overall sound quality being much richer and clearer, though.

So either the Senns or the Sony MDR-V6s. Any other input?

 

[archcommus]

Do the MDR-V6s definitely not require an amp? Would they benefit from an amp?

 

[archcommus]

Bump as I want to purchase soon and am definitely thinking those Sonys.

 

[yezhou]

If you like bass then I wouldn't recommend the Sennheiser HD280 Pros. You will be disappointed.

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: yezhou
If you like bass then I wouldn't recommend the Sennheiser HD280 Pros. You will be disappointed.

Yes, I'm glad so many people have told me that. That would've sucked if I would've went with them.

 

[Kalessian]

I hear the Grado SR80's have good bass.

http://www.headphonereviews.org/headphone.php?action=view&headphoneId=48

 

[archcommus]

Some say yes, some say no...

Too bad Sony discontinued this line of headphones. Their normal one-year warranty would still apply, though, correct?