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Looking for headphones, any suggestions?

As i will soon be going to college i think a good headphone system might be in order. My budget is in the $700 range for a headphones/amp combo. I listen to any type of music,from classical to jazz to rock and heavy metal. I've looked at antique sound lab's HB1 or MG DT OTL MKII for the amp (i like the idea of getting some tubes, and a headphone amp is the cheap way to do it), and senheiser 650/600's or AKG K701's for the headphones themselves. I'm open to any and all suggestions however, I could even go for a solid state amp if there's just an amazing one out there, but tubes jsut seem cooler (talk about a subjective term...) Thanks in advance for the help,
-Dan-
dk89
pmotz
412 posts
 
There are lots of resources on the internet, but you should absolutely listen to them before you buy. Comfort is a big determinant as well as the expected sound quality. Headphones can also be more revealing so I would give a long listen if possible to make sure the amp has a sound you can live with. Here are a couple of good resources http://www.headphone.com/ and http://head-fi.org/
matt8268
92 posts
 
More info than you could possibly want at www.head-fi.org
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,781 posts
 
Be sure to have your hearing tested before habitual headphone use.
I don't use headphones 'cuz I always get carried away and turn them up too loud.
I always (real or imagined) seem to have diminished hearing after using 'phones.
As I'm going to need my ears when I get old (e.g. next month), I'm very cautious.
sufentanil's avatar
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sufentanil
782 posts
 
The AKG K1000 fits the bill nicely. It's one of the more interesting sounds I've ever heard. Extremely detailed, with great soundstaging. This unit hooks to the speaker jacks of your amp (powered by a regular amp, not headphone amp). I'd encourage you to audition it.

Michael
dk89 OP
6 posts
 
In response to Pmotz ("There are lots of resources on the internet, but you should absolutely listen to them before you buy"). I realize the best way to buy is by auditioning, but i have a hard time going into stores and being taken seriously, because everybody knows i'm in high-school and therefore not about to buy at full price at an audio-salon (of which there are few of in houston for whatever reason). If anybody has suggestions for getting around this problem (i.e. websites that let you trial at home) that would be extreemly helpful.
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