GRcade

I'm looking to replace a pair of Sennheiser HD485 headphones I use at home with something better.

I've been looking at AKG702 and Philips Fidelio X1/00 sets, but can't quite make up my mind as to which to go for, just wondering if anyone has any insight into which might be the better pair, they are both available for around £170-£180 on Amazon at the moment.

Of course if someone suggests a different set they might think are better I'll look into those too.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008 ... d_i=468294


Another one to consider

http://www.amazon.co.uk/AKG-K550-High-Performance-Closed-Back-Headphones/dp/B005CNR7B0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1401056411&sr=8-1&keywords=akg+k550

Best pair I've ever owned, sound quality is incredible. There is someone on the forum though who recommended them to me, I'm sure he'll pop up in here and get you a good pair.

I'm not a massive fan of the design on the K550s and seeing as I don't need them to be closed backs I presume the K702s are better.

http://www.gear4music.com/Recording-and-Computers/Shure-SRH1440-Professional-Open-Back-Headphones/NGD?origin=product-ads&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_campaign=PLA+Shure&utm_content=v58UHi0t|dc_pcrid_48427894399_plid__kword__match__&gclid=COLq1t6Myb4CFa3LtAod2jMAtg

These are £250 but worth that little extra.

AKG K701 *
AKG K550 *
AKG K450 or K451 *
Sennheiser HD595 or HD598
Audio Technica ATH-AD700
Grado SR80i *

* indicates highly recommended

The 702s are reference headphones, if you're looking for a balanced sound (a flat frequency response. they're designed for recording and mastering engineers who require an uncoloured output) they'll do you well - especially if you do any sound work. They're still cracking headphones though. Otherwise I'd suggest the 701s, which are a classic. The Grados are the low-mid range headphones - outclasses nearly everything in the £50-£150 range. AKG are a solid bet, the ATs are a mainstay of gaming audiophiles and the Sennheisers are good all rounders.

The above list gives you the rundown of the best headphones in that price range. The only good set in the Phillips Fidello range are the M1BTs, but they're wireless so expect to pay a premium for very little reward.

Avoid:
Soundmagic (outside of their portable range)
Low to mid range Sennheisers
Any company that also makes tellys.
Buying from resellers on Amazon
Buying headphones based upon how "bassy" (read: crap high frequency response, boosted bass frequencies to compensate) they sound

Do:
Buy from Amazon themselves. Try the headphones for a week, if you don't like 'em, send 'em back.
Listen back to music that you know well, to get an idea of what the headphones sound like

Anyway, if you need any more help, let me know!

Reviews would seem to suggest that the Fidelio X1 are a really good set of headphones, the issue with them being they don't have replaceable ear pads.

Is there something wrong with them other than that, that I'm missing?

The other thing is that I'm probably going to be plugging them in at least some of the time direct to a device without any kind of external amp, would the K702's be up to that or do they definitely need an amp? I'm definitely not doing any sound work, but the idea of a balanced sound appeals and they seem to be a great price at £166 (the 701's are more).

Oh apparently they are now built in China as opposed to Austria, something to be worried about?

Stugene » Today, 5:30 am wrote:Grado SR80i *

I own these, they are outstanding. In fact I have them on now.

HSH28 » Tue May 27, 2014 7:56 am wrote:Reviews would seem to suggest that the Fidelio X1 are a really good set of headphones, the issue with them being they don't have replaceable ear pads.

Is there something wrong with them other than that, that I'm missing?

The other thing is that I'm probably going to be plugging them in at least some of the time direct to a device without any kind of external amp, would the K702's be up to that or do they definitely need an amp? I'm definitely not doing any sound work, but the idea of a balanced sound appeals and they seem to be a great price at £166 (the 701's are more).

Oh apparently they are now built in China as opposed to Austria, something to be worried about?

The X1s are fine, but I'd rather go with a more trusted brand, or more established pair of headphones. The ones I recommended will be far easier to get help with, or replacement parts, should something go wrong.

The K702s should be able to run without an amp, but would probably benefit from having one.

If I did want to buy some kind of portable headphone amp then is there anything standout that doesn't cost an awful lot that's actually worth buying?

HSH28 » Wed May 28, 2014 6:54 pm wrote:If I did want to buy some kind of portable headphone amp then is there anything standout that doesn't cost an awful lot that's actually worth buying?

Fiio E07K

Stugene » Wed May 28, 2014 8:27 pm wrote:

HSH28 » Wed May 28, 2014 6:54 pm wrote:If I did want to buy some kind of portable headphone amp then is there anything standout that doesn't cost an awful lot that's actually worth buying?

Fiio E07K

The E17 worth an extra £30?

HSH28 » Wed May 28, 2014 9:53 pm wrote:

Stugene » Wed May 28, 2014 8:27 pm wrote:

HSH28 » Wed May 28, 2014 6:54 pm wrote:If I did want to buy some kind of portable headphone amp then is there anything standout that doesn't cost an awful lot that's actually worth buying?

Fiio E07K

The E17 worth an extra £30?

Unless you're playing back 192kHz/24-bit stuff, no.

Am I right in thinking these are for indoor use only at a computer desk or stereo?

Winckle » Wed Jun 04, 2014 9:48 pm wrote:Am I right in thinking these are for indoor use only at a computer desk or stereo?

My understanding that open backed headphones (like most of the ones discussed here) are indeed only good for indoor use.

Stugene » Wed May 28, 2014 8:27 pm wrote:

HSH28 » Wed May 28, 2014 6:54 pm wrote:If I did want to buy some kind of portable headphone amp then is there anything standout that doesn't cost an awful lot that's actually worth buying?

Fiio E07K

Bought. Thanks for the advice and good timing as have been looking for a week and didn't have a clue what to buy.

Arriving Thursday, better be good or may god have mercy on your soul.

This will actually increase the volume of my music from my Iphone right? (prob should have checked first)

Stugene » Wed May 28, 2014 11:46 pm wrote:

HSH28 » Wed May 28, 2014 9:53 pm wrote:

Stugene » Wed May 28, 2014 8:27 pm wrote:

HSH28 » Wed May 28, 2014 6:54 pm wrote:If I did want to buy some kind of portable headphone amp then is there anything standout that doesn't cost an awful lot that's actually worth buying?

Fiio E07K

The E17 worth an extra £30?

Unless you're playing back 192kHz/24-bit stuff, no.

Might end up using it on more than just my PC so I went for the E17 anyway.

E17 and K702s should be coming today, in fact they are on the delivery truck where I live as I type this.

Pretty strawberry floating awesome so far, not quite sure what the E17's are doing at the moment, but the headphones are amazing.

Question for anyone more used to having high quality headphones, what's the advice on volume? My normal inclination is to turn the volume up as high as I possibly can without hearing any distortion. With this combination that appears to be as high as it will let me, any problem with that as far as the equipment is concerned? Don't want to break anything.

Albear » Tue Jun 10, 2014 9:36 pm wrote:

Stugene » Wed May 28, 2014 8:27 pm wrote:

HSH28 » Wed May 28, 2014 6:54 pm wrote:If I did want to buy some kind of portable headphone amp then is there anything standout that doesn't cost an awful lot that's actually worth buying?

Fiio E07K

Bought. Thanks for the advice and good timing as have been looking for a week and didn't have a clue what to buy.

Arriving Thursday, better be good or may god have mercy on your soul.

This will actually increase the volume of my music from my Iphone right? (prob should have checked first)

Yes it will. It comes with a jack-to-jack connector. They also sell a specific iPhone adapter called an L3, which gives you line out from the iPhone. The cool thing about this is that it means your iPhone does none of the amplification, just the E07K. http://www.amazon.co.uk/FiiO-Line-Dock- ... ds=fiio+l7

I should ask Fiio for a job.