[SuperSam]

Hey guys, 
So I recently had an inspiration to buy a nice pair of over-ear headphones, because I've never owned anything more than apple earbuds and some 25$ headphones that have started to wear... I've been researching for about an hour or two, and it's all just become a jumbled mess of information inside my brain that I can't sort out so I figured I'd hop on here and ask for some help. 
I have a price range of 100-200$... I realize that might be a bit picky, but hey, I'm not that serious about this to where I'd wanna spend near 200$ on headphones, sorry if that offends some of you. 
 
So, my music taste is really diverse. I listen to a lot of everything, but gravitate towards pop and acoustic. I do, however, listen to rap and hip hop, quite a bit, and I love to hear some bass, but i fear, as all I've ever been exposed to is apple earbuds and some cheap headphones, i have yet to witness true bass, or bass 'extension' (whatever that is lol), and I don't really know what real bass is.I don't wanna be that stereotypical newbie that says "I want headphones that are great sound quality but also have BOOMING bass."
 
Essentially, I need some good quality headphones... and in an effort to stay away from preference over a certain type of sound quality (treble,bass,mids), I'm just an average guy that wants to get pumped when he puts on his headphones to listen to music.
 
Also, I only really listen to music out of my iPod Touch, my iPhone 5s, and my Macbook pro... if that means anything
 
As I said, I've been researching and I've come across these:
 
grado sr80e (open, which I hear focuses on the highs)
sony MRD7506 
AKG K240 (open headphones)
Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO
Logitech UE6000 (these seem the most suited, from my research, to my tastes, and are relatively cheap)
Audiotech ATH M50s (this was my first choice but the more research I do, the more reviews I find saying they're overrated)
 
Any feedback would be appreciated, and like I said, I know next to nothing and I'd like to learn more so if you explained your suggestions that would awesome. Thanks a lot.

 

[bikerboy94]

If you want open Senn HD558 or 598. Closed Senn Monentums they come over and on ear. I tried AT50X just could not like them uncomfortable and so so sound quality. Just my opinion. Another option in $200 range closed Senn HD438 or 449 and open HD558s. Would give you one of each type.Now if you don't mind used like new which will be brand new just no retail box. Authorized Senn dealer full warrant. Get this set up also easy to return if you don't like.
 
http://smile.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B004FEEY9A/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used&m=A134C7TMP2R0RJ
http://smile.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00AZZNXOK/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used&m=A134C7TMP2R0RJ
Both and under $200

 

[SuperSam]

Thank you for the time it took for you to respond! I was actually looking at the momentum's... now that you mention buying used for the same price as the bare momentums, I'm actually considering the 598's and the momentums... Do you have an experience with buying used headphones? I buy basically everything new cause I'm so worried they'll go to crap after a month or two from poor care... Do you have any encouraging words towards buying used?

 

[bikerboy94]

  Thank you for the time it took for you to respond! I was actually looking at the momentum's... now that you mention buying used for the same price as the bare momentums, I'm actually considering the 598's and the momentums... Do you have an experience with buying used headphones? I buy basically everything new cause I'm so worried they'll go to crap after a month or two from poor care... Do you have any encouraging words towards buying used?

The links I gave you will give you brand new just no retail box. I bought my Momentums there. They were untouched plastic still around earpads cables still sealed. I also bought my 558s there new. They are factoey authorized and come with full warrant. I contacted Senn be sure.
 
Good morning Richard,

Thank you for contacting technical support, yes, they are an authorized dealer, you can buy with confidence form them, thank you for checking

Please let me know if you have any more questions, have a great day!

Carlos Zambrano
Carlos Zambrano Sennheiser Electronic Corporation Sennheiser Technical Support Specialist www.sennheiserusa.com Phone: (860) 434-9190 option 3 Fax860) 434-5349 Si necesitas ayuda Yo hablo Español

#TS100031952
Sennheiser USA Tech Support
Thank you,
Sennheiser Support Team
 

 

[SuperSam]

Sweet thanks for doing that for me! What's the difference between the 558's and the 598's?

 

[bikerboy94]

I haven't heard them but from what I have read there pretty close maybe a little more detailed. Now if you want to go for some of the best ever made and can live with just having open. The Senn HD600s are on sale at Newegg for $245.00. A whole different class. Will change the way you hear music. Just not very portable. you would need to amp them at some point. But would be ok until you could get one. Even A fiio E6 works really good with them under $30. Just some food for thought. Anyway I think you would be better off getting 558 and Momentums than just the 598. I think the Momentums will sound better than the 598. Better but different. Thats if you can't get the 600. But if you can do it. Ive had them for 3days now and can't take them off. All my music is new again.

 

[milk]

If you were going into HD600 territory, give the HE400 a look. They're a steal like the hd600 at both of their current prices but has more recessed mids, much more exciting bass and a well extended treble though on one of the revisions is known to have an unnatural treble. I liked them for the price though. Hard to wrong in higher mid-fi

Hd600, he400, HD558 (can mod to a 598 sound quite closely), dt990/880, Grado 225

Or closed: momentums, V-moda m100, WS99, dt770, Q40, ultrasone pro 780, etc. I own the UE6000 and though I think they're great for the price, I personally just don't like their sound for me but I understand why it gets the attention it gets.

Hope this helps, bud. Just tell me if you have anymore questions!

 

[SuperSam]

Thanks both of yall for your suggestions. I think 245 is a little too pricey for me for my first pair or two of headphones... I think I'm gonna just go with the momentum's and the 558's probably. Thanks for your opinions and your knowledge... I might think about going for the hd600's eventually when I start working again. I'll let you guys know how I like the headphones after I get them! Thanks again!

 

[milk]

Great to hear buddy! I think climbing up slowly in this hobby is the best thing you can do for yourself. It's the only sure fire way (imo) to get a true appreciation for good gear as you move up as you notice all the new differences in sound rather than just jumping to the best thing. I've owned both of your choices and am sure you'll love them. Consider modding the 598s. It's worth it. The momentums are amazing for their current price.

Enjoy buddy!

 

[bikerboy94]

  Thanks both of yall for your suggestions. I think 245 is a little too pricey for me for my first pair or two of headphones... I think I'm gonna just go with the momentum's and the 558's probably. Thanks for your opinions and your knowledge... I might think about going for the hd600's eventually when I start working again. I'll let you guys know how I like the headphones after I get them! Thanks again!

I think you will be more than happy with that choice.

 

[SuperSam]

 I think you will be more than happy with that choice.

 Enjoy buddy!

Hey guys so I've just received my headphones in the mail. I love the hd 558's. The experience is like no other kinda like the airy music feeling it feels just like im sitting in concert. The Momentum's, however, just seem like average ol' headphones to me. I'm wondering if I should listen to them for a day or two to kinda "break them in" and give them a chance, but the bass seems about the same as the 558's, and tbh I don't really notice a difference between the Momentum's and my Panasonic RP HTX7... maybe it's just cause i'm an average consumer and don't have that audiophile ear for preciseness. Also, the Momentums are quite small on my ears... My whole ear won't fit inside the cup, however, they do form a seal i believe for the most part around the ear, so I don't know if that's an issue. I definitely don't have big ears so this could be an issue everyone is having? I also rarely wear headphones so IDK if they just feel uncomfortable because I never wear any because tbh the 558's are uncomfortable on the top of my head and everyone says theyre the most comfortable headphones out there so maybe i just need a little wearing in. Let me know your thoughts on whether or not I should send back the Momentum's or give them a bit more of a chance. Thanks for your suggestions, and also bikerboy thanks for the seller on Amazon the shipping and everything was amazing. 
 
Anyone else feel free to comment also. Thanks!

 

[BobMonkhouse]

The short answer is you don't have to keep the Momentums, if you don't like the sound, no matter if everybody else likes them. It's your perception that matters. Given that you like the sound of your 558, use it as a starting base point. I'd suggest give them some time, try to get used to wearing them, get your brains' burn-in. With the time you'll figure it out what you like and what you dislike about them. You don't need to rush it. So when you're ready, you'll be better prepared to decide what your next headphones should be. I'm one of those that find the 558 the most comfortable headphones ever tried.

 

[SuperSam]

The short answer is you don't have to keep the Momentums, if you don't like the sound, no matter if everybody else likes them. It's your perception that matters. Given that you like the sound of your 558, use it as a starting base point. I'd suggest give them some time, try to get used to wearing them, get your brains' burn-in. With the time you'll figure it out what you like and what you dislike about them. You don't need to rush it. So when you're ready, you'll be better prepared to decide what your next headphones should be. I'm one of those that find the 558 the most comfortable headphones ever tried

Yeah I suppose you're right! I'll probably end up returning the Momentums. After listening to them for about an hour and putting on the 558's, I realized how infinitely more comfortable the 558's are haha... they're a thing of beauty and I freaking love the sound. Thanks for your words of encouragement... I'm going to slow things down and enjoy the 558's for a while!

 

[LNuneek]

I wish I could have came across this thread earlier. I could have saved you some hassle with Momentums. See, the Momentums are the Anti-Beats By Dre. They have opposite sound characteristics to Beats. Instead of a styling that appeals to "urban" youth they have a style that appeals to hipsters and non-"urban" youth. Instead of being overly recommended by a crowd that isn't respected here they are overly recommended by the ignorant of the audiophile community. We can call them Trebles By Fritz for this discussion. Haha

There is just something about that headphone that makes some people who purchase it overly ecstatic to the point where they feel like everyone should have it despite their listening preferences, budget, genres of music they listen to etc.

Maybe it has to do with Sennheiser being an official sponsor of the site, or just excitement that Sennheiser actually made a somewhat nice looking stylish headphone for once instead of the weirdo looking contraptions they tend to make. It could also be the Trebles By Fritz are made with materials that get audiophiles happy in the pants. Who knows. The point is Trebles By Fritz are a horrible recommendation to people who listen to genres with hard hitting drums and bass. Trebles By Fritz tend to distort these aspects of certain genres and hold back their punch. It's like Trebles By Fritz are just too sophisticated to expose the listener to the vulgarities of the lower registers of music.

So basically it's just another average fashion and class oriented product that is over priced, over valued, and over recommended thats suitable mostly for just a certain range of genres.

There are Sennheisers that will give you the bass and impact that is actually recorded, mixed, and mastered in the genres you listen to. Trebles By Fritz just isn't one of the very few in the Sennheiser line that actually have the capability to do so.

I'm not exactly sure if the Sennheisers you picked are necessarily going to give you the full experience of the genres you listen to, but compared to your old phones they are obviously an improvement. It's just a shame that you locked into getting recommends from a source that obviously has a brand bias to project and promote and wasn't really concerned with what would be suitable for you.

I could give you a Sennheiser recommend that will compliment the genres you listen to, give you bass and a good amount of clarity and save you some money. The hd 202 II. The only issue is that it has a super long cord. It comes with a wind up spool to wrap your cord around. That aspect of it could be annoying, but the sound of it is way more suited to your genres than the Trebles By Fritz. Gives those a listen before you buy if you can. Heck I have seen them as demos at Wal Mart. They shouldn't be hard to track down. IMO they represent a lot of bang for your buck! Very underrated and over looked headphones.

 

[bikerboy94]

I wish I could have came across this thread earlier. I could have saved you some hassle with Momentums. See, the Momentums are the Anti-Beats By Dre. They have opposite sound characteristics to Beats. Instead of a styling that appeals to "urban" youth they have a style that appeals to hipsters and non-"urban" youth. Instead of being overly recommended by a crowd that isn't respected here they are overly recommended by the ignorant of the audiophile community. We can call them Trebles By Fritz for this discussion. Haha

There is just something about that headphone that makes some people who purchase it overly ecstatic to the point where they feel like everyone should have it despite their listening preferences, budget, genres of music they listen to etc.

Maybe it has to do with Sennheiser being an official sponsor of the site, or just excitement that Sennheiser actually made a somewhat nice looking stylish headphone for once instead of the weirdo looking contraptions they tend to make. It could also be the Trebles By Fritz are made with materials that get audiophiles happy in the pants. Who knows. The point is Trebles By Fritz are a horrible recommendation to people who listen to genres with hard hitting drums and bass. Trebles By Fritz tend to distort these aspects of certain genres and hold back their punch. It's like Trebles By Fritz are just too sophisticated to expose the listener to the vulgarities of the lower registers of music.

So basically it's just another average fashion and class oriented product that is over priced, over valued, and over recommended thats suitable mostly for just a certain range of genres.

There are Sennheisers that will give you the bass and impact that is actually recorded, mixed, and mastered in the genres you listen to. Trebles By Fritz just isn't one of the very few in the Sennheiser line that actually have the capability to do so.

I'm not exactly sure if the Sennheisers you picked are necessarily going to give you the full experience of the genres you listen to, but compared to your old phones they are obviously an improvement. It's just a shame that you locked into getting recommends from a source that obviously has a brand bias to project and promote and wasn't really concerned with what would be suitable for you.

I could give you a Sennheiser recommend that will compliment the genres you listen to, give you bass and a good amount of clarity and save you some money. The hd 202 II. The only issue is that it has a super long cord. It comes with a wind up spool to wrap your cord around. That aspect of it could be annoying, but the sound of it is way more suited to your genres than the Trebles By Fritz. Gives those a listen before you buy if you can. Heck I have seen them as demos at Wal Mart. They shouldn't be hard to track down. IMO they represent a lot of bang for your buck! Very underrated and over looked headphones.

Speaks for itself. Maybe not for everyone no headphone is but the Momentums are very good cans.
http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/very-adult-sennheiser-momentum