Hi head-fi, long time lurker here.
I'm looking for non-fatiguing over-ear closed-back headphones for up to 300$ for daily listening at work - I pretty much work while constantly listening to music, so like 6-8 hours per day. Previously had the option to use speakers, which I prefer, but the office situation changed and I am in a shared space now, hence the need for this thread.
Priorities lie in comfort and sound quality. Don't care about the looks or materials they are made of. I will drive them with a proper table-top amp, so impedance is no prob either. Sound isolation is not that important - the office is noisy enough for any closed-back to suffice. Open backs would be too much leakage and will disturb those around me of course. I own a pair of DT-880s, which are technically semi-open but in reality leak as much as any open pair.
As far as sound signature goes, I usually listen to music with either my JBL LSR-305 monitors, so very neutral sound, or DT-880, so a bit V-shaped but not too far from neutral. Also own the Focal Spirit Classic (which are not comfortable for my head, so if anyone wants them I'm selling haha), so I don't mind a bit of warmth.
I'm OK with any nice sound as long as the signature doesn't have overbearing spikes that are obviously unpleasant. Anything is alright if all the frequencies are there to a good enough level.
Unfortunately no demo possibilities where I live, so gotta base decisions off of descriptions and reviews. So far my research resulted these options:
If someone has personal experience with any of those, especially if you owned different ones and can compare, I'd love some feedback.
Thanks in advance!!
P.S. Yes, used the search. Yes, there have been some threads like this, but most are old and not very comprehensive. Plus my needs are somehow super specific.
I'm looking for non-fatiguing over-ear closed-back headphones for up to 300$ for daily listening at work - I pretty much work while constantly listening to music, so like 6-8 hours per day. Previously had the option to use speakers, which I prefer, but the office situation changed and I am in a shared space now, hence the need for this thread.
Priorities lie in comfort and sound quality. Don't care about the looks or materials they are made of. I will drive them with a proper table-top amp, so impedance is no prob either. Sound isolation is not that important - the office is noisy enough for any closed-back to suffice. Open backs would be too much leakage and will disturb those around me of course. I own a pair of DT-880s, which are technically semi-open but in reality leak as much as any open pair.
As far as sound signature goes, I usually listen to music with either my JBL LSR-305 monitors, so very neutral sound, or DT-880, so a bit V-shaped but not too far from neutral. Also own the Focal Spirit Classic (which are not comfortable for my head, so if anyone wants them I'm selling haha), so I don't mind a bit of warmth.
I'm OK with any nice sound as long as the signature doesn't have overbearing spikes that are obviously unpleasant. Anything is alright if all the frequencies are there to a good enough level.
Unfortunately no demo possibilities where I live, so gotta base decisions off of descriptions and reviews. So far my research resulted these options:
- Sony MDR 1-A. Comfort is said to be great, sound as well. They look hella fine too.
- Sennheiser HD598 Cs. All good, although they look bulky af haha, and not too many reviews around.
- AKG K550. Don't mind the big size since my head and ears are not of the small variety.
- AKG K271. Second pair of AKGs, not sure how they compare with 550.
- Fostex T50RP MK3 with a pair of third party pads. Not a fan of modding tbh, but who knows.
If someone has personal experience with any of those, especially if you owned different ones and can compare, I'd love some feedback.
Thanks in advance!!
P.S. Yes, used the search. Yes, there have been some threads like this, but most are old and not very comprehensive. Plus my needs are somehow super specific.
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