First Pair of hi-end Headphones

[ed21x]

both in the same price range, and both seem to get pretty decent reviews. Has anyone ever personally tried both of them and can attest to one being better than the other?

I really want the cans to have an expansive soundstage and decent clarity. Not really too heavy on pure bass.

 

[Pix3lDezigner]

I'm sorry that I haven't tried both, but I own the Grado SR60's and have extensively listened through the Grado SR80's. I haven't listened through the Sennheiser's, but I can tell you what I know about the Grado's. In one word....Amazing. I mean the clarity, sound reproduction and clean bass from the SR80's is unbelievable for the price. Once again though, I haven't listened through the Sennheiser's so I can't attest to how much better or worse the SR80's are. Hopefully somebody can clarify this more for you, but I can say that the SR80's are simply amazing.

 

[gsellis]

I have listened to my 280's for about 5 minutes and they rock. Of course, I have had them for about an hour now... We had a minor thread going in hot deals. Search that thread for author gsellis to find it.

 

[kravmaga]

Sennhiesers are a bit better IMO. They're closed ear though so a bit different, they block out external sounds. This might effect the full dynamic range of sound but I don't really notice it as they're the best headphones I've owned. Sounds still are rich and varied, when I first got them I could have sworn music was coming from my speakers directly in front of me and not two cans on the side of my head. Also in games you can tell which direction people are approching you from etc. I would say both probably offer great sound quality for the price but I have to side with the Sennhiesers because they're more comfortable than Grados and are closed ear. Grados were my first choice until I discovered the HD280's BTW. A friend of mine owns the SR-80's though and he seems to like them ok though.

 

[kleinwl]

You will get more input from hi-fi websites. But, in general, the grados are much better for bass (rock) music, with the Sennhieser better for mid-range (classical) music.

 

[JEDIYoda]

I prefer my Zalman headphones!!

 

[jdogg707]

I love my HD280 Pro's! Great headphones, especially with my X-Fi!

 

[orangat]

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
I prefer my Zalman headphones!!

Have you tried the SR80 or the Senn 280 before?

 

[Maluno]

Not to be OT, but has it ever been suggested that there be a separate audio forum?

 

[prochobo]

I love my HD280s!!! Had them for about 3 months and they are great! They block out almost all external noise (good for me) and have excellent mids/highs. I blu tak modded them and they sounded even smoother. The bass response with these cans is phenomenal, nothing but smoothness (although it lacks on the impact a little). I would highly recommend these!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Maluno
Not to be OT, but has it ever been suggested that there be a separate audio forum?

all the time

 

[lpphreakx06]

i have Hp-259

 

[svi]

Neither is actually "better" than the other. Some people prefer one, some people prefer the other. Try 'em both out in person if you can, or at least try out the HD280 (it's easy to find).

Both have rather piercing highs and good midranges. The SR-80's midrange is a little more fun, and it has more bass, but it's less of a neutral headphone. The HD280 blocks out noise and leaks very little, the SR-80 blocks out very little and leaks a lot.

 

[ed21x]

thanks for all the replies another factor to consider is, I'd prefer not to use an amp cuz I don't have one and don't really want to get one (unless I have to)... are both these headphones capable of being drive without one?

 

[Excelsior]

Yes, they can.

Also, do you need/require a closed pair of cans or would some open headphones work for you also?

 

[alcoholbob]

Senns have a flatter response curve with slightly bloated bass.

Grado's have a more forward sound, they sound bright due to their upper midrange being boosted a bit.

 

[calyco]

FWIW I had the SR-120 for a little while before I returned them, about a month. I was using them with a Parasound pre+amp. The midrange is pretty good but if clarity is what you are looking for I wouldnt recommend them. Also they are not very comfortable. I replaced the Grados with the A900, the A500 is only $105. These are the most comfortable headphones I have ever used and the best sounding ones too. They dont require a amp to sound good either. Very nice balance between high, mids and bass - a laid back but very detailed sound. Thought Id just give you another option to look at

http://www.audiocubes.com/category/Head...-Technica_ATH-A500_Art_Headphones.html

 

[eflat]

Originally posted by: ed21x
both in the same price range, and both seem to get pretty decent reviews. Has anyone ever personally tried both of them and can attest to one being better than the other?

I really want the cans to have an expansive soundstage and decent clarity. Not really too heavy on pure bass.

Sennheiser HD600. Accept no substitute

Seriously though this is the best $300 I have ever spent.

 

[0roo0roo]

you could save a few bucks and get the hd497's. equiv of sr60
but 30ish bucks at amazon!