Showing 1 of 411 conversations about:
Makkusu
5
Dec 10, 2015
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marts_sum
312
Dec 11, 2015
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If you want bang for buck metal headphones don't look past the SR60e which was on here recently. Amazing for the price. Fidelio X2, SHP9500 are very good value too.
AceDuff
20
Dec 12, 2015
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If you want to spend some more, you're final choice should be Sennheiser HD600. The ultimate headphones for metal (and many other genres). They should be about 400$ (or 300€) and they're terrific headphones. You can't go wrong with them, especially for metal music.
marts_sum
312
Dec 12, 2015
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Hmm what? I've barely seen the HD600 recommended for metal at all, it's not a very exciting headphone. Good for referencing though. Fidelio X2 is much better for metal, as I've seen a lot of people concur with.
AceDuff
20
Dec 12, 2015
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Well, I have to disagree. If you look on the internet, you'll see several threads on audiophile forums about Senns HD600 as an option for metal listening. The problem is they must be coupled with a good amplifier, otherwise you'll get exactly that impression that you described as "not exciting". The O2 is a great amplifier, so it should power them adequately without spending a huge amount of money. The suggestion you gave on Fidelio X2 finds me completely agreeing with you though. They certainly are a great option. However, I still stand for my suggestion: for an use not limited to metal, HD600 should serve him very well.
But then of course, this is a generic advice, he should clarify what budget he has, if he prefers open or closed back, etc.
Makkusu
5
Dec 14, 2015
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Budget is not an issue on anything under the $1K range. And I have never owned a pair of open headphones. So I am totally down for owning a pair. I left my question opened because I did not want to limit myself to a smaller range of suggestions and because I am not an audiophile and I don't know where to look. I didn't want to seem like I knew what I wanted, because in all reality, I don't. The only thing I know I want is that it will be good for metal + others and gaming.
If I left the question open and generic, I apologize. But that is why it was open and generic. To get the most suggestions I could, that way I can get some literature and read about them before I make a decision.
I appreciate the time both of you have put down here. I might just buy a pair of each headphone and start building a small collection.
AceDuff
20
Dec 14, 2015
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No problem mate, I wasn't criticizing you for not providing more details, I was just saying that giving more details would help in order to focus on those products that might best fulfill your needs but I understand. ;-) Speaking about the metal music genre, my suggestions goes for Shure SRH840 as for closed back headphones. You can get them for about 150$/€ and they sound great, plus they have very good isolation, in case you ever wanted to use them in noisy environments. Their direct competitor is Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro (mind that I'm referring to the 250 Ohm version). Pretty much same price and same sound quality. They differ in sound signature though: the Shure's are neutral headphones, very well balanced. Bass is thight, mids are very present and highs are crystal clear. The Beyers stand on the other side: they're more dark, bass is punchier and highs are a bit subdued. Overall they're both great headphones, it's just a matter of deciding which type of sound suits best your taste. I personally went with Shure's because I like clear, airy sounds but if you take into accounts other uses like movie watching and gaming, you might appreciate a little more bass response.
If you want to go open back, you can go up with prices (and quality as well of course). Generally speaking, open back headphones are better than closed back, because, simply put, air can circulate better and sounds are not restricted. This said, always considering metal music, in my opinion the best options are Philips Fidelio X2 (299$/€ but you can get them for less, even 199$ in the U.S. if you're lucky), AKG K712 Pro (you can get the special edition here on Massdrop for 199$) and the Sennheiser HD600 (which are the pricier ones, around 300+$). Philips are a little bit like Beyers, with a sound signature going toward dark sounds, whereas AKG and Senns are more balanced. Mind that while the Fidelios (as well as the Shures) can be easily driven by portable devices like smartphones and iPods, Beyers, AKG and especially the Senns require a good amplifier to express themselves at their best. You can still plug them into your smartphone if you want, but you're probably not going to be satisfied. My final suggestion therefore goes to Shure SRH840 if you want closed back headphones and Philips Fidelio X2 if you want open back headphones, with the bonus of going up to Sennheiser HD600 if you want to spend some more. Anyway, the Fidelios are already great headphones and from what I've heard they pair really well with O2+ODAC.
Hope this helps! ;-)
klnglim
10
Dec 17, 2015
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Every person has different idea of hearing, I have tested with some headphone like Fidelio X2, AKG 7XX, Beyer DT880 250ohm, Sony Z7, AUdio Technica THM50X and B&W P7 at this moment so far (actually still some more headphone left behind haven't tested yet, more result will tell later).
I prefer B&W P7 is the best sound I have heard drive with this O2, very clear , dynamic clear vocal , beautiful natural bass, neutral treble.
I didn't assume everyone must agree with me, just like to share among other opinion
AceDuff
20
Dec 17, 2015
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You're absolutely right, listening to music is a very subjective experience. The OP asked for a pair of headphones suitable for metal music though and in such case there are just a few big names you can look at, as they're widely recognized to suit the genre better. Among the ones you quoted, only Fidelios and AKGs are suitable. Beyers as well actually, but not the DT880s. If he'd been looking for a true all-rounder, than it would have been a whole different story (yet I would still recommend Fidelios X2 or Senns HD600).
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