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Which headphones??

Okay, so I'm now leaning towards getting a nice headphone set-up. I am thinking that I'll probably get a couple pairs of headphones when It's all said and done because there just seems to be benefits and negatives about different designs.

Initially, I'd just like to use the headphone amp in my z dac. I am looking at a pair of sennheiser hd 598 new in box for $200 on c-list. These cans seem to get good reviews but I figure I'll want something with a closed design later on so that I can block out exterior sounds also.

I really want something with a great soundstage and imaging, I want it to sound as good as my stereo system, or close to it!

Thanks for your help with this one!!
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geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
I should probably mention at this point on this thread that Sennheiser 600 headphones sound significantly better, I.e., more open, dynamic and natural, when the metal grills are removed and the foam pads located inside the earphones are removed. I can't speak for other headphones but I have a sneaking suspicion this probably also holds true for other headphones.
b_limo's avatar
b_limo OP
2,277 posts
 
I've read that about the foam pads Geoff, but haven't heard that about the metal grills. Interesting.

Soooo, since I'm not shelling out $2,000 for headphones anytime soon, are the 600's better than 650's? And what headphone amp pairs well with the 650's?
roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
B_limo,

Have you contacted The Cable Company to see if the 600s or 650s (or similarly priced models from HiFiMan, Grado, Beyerdynamic, Denon etc.) are available from their lending library?

Find a way to listen to at least a few different cans before pulling the trigger. And hear for yourself the difference between open and closed cans.
b_limo's avatar
b_limo OP
2,277 posts
 
Rosco, that's def. good advice but the problem is my only headphone amp right now is my parasound z dac. I'd like to pair the cans up with an amp that is going to have good synergy with the headphones I choose.

What advice to have regarding this?
roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
Well, if you are going with the ZDDac, then I'd avoid the harder to drive HiFiMan cans.

But I am not sure where the problem is.

If the Cable Company carries headphones in the price range you are looking at in their Lending Library, I'd take advantage of that. Headphones are light and cheap to ship, so I'd find a way to try some out if you can find a way.

Audition, Audition, Audition. You can use HeadFi etc to narrow down the choices. A'gon forums are great for a lot of things, but HeadFi is the king of headphone forums. Some Looong threads tho.
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