[LeonWho]

Well, hello!

I'm looking for an upgrade again. I'm looking for something that blends the characteristics of an Audio-Technica portable and a full-size Grado.

Specifically, I'm looking for:

1. deep, punchy, tight bass
2. forward, "Audio Technica-like", colored mids
3. smooth, non-sibilant highs
4. decent, wide soundstage while still being forward
5. full, "leaning towards bright" sound

Any suggestions? My budget is capped around $400 (new or used).

Thanks,
Leon

 

[Lex2]

That's a tall order, but how about a DT880?

 

[LeonWho]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lex2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif That's a tall order, but how about a DT880?

Interesting. Nobody has ever recommended a Beyerdynamic to me before.

How does it fulfill the "mids" requirement though?

Thanks,
Leon

 

[MomijiTMO]

The only thing that I've heard which sounds like what you have described in blue text is the AD2000. The only maybe is the width of the sound stage. It really depends on the recording.

 

[LeonWho]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MomijiTMO /img/forum/go_quote.gif The only thing that I've heard which sounds like what you have described in blue text is the AD2000. The only maybe is the width of the sound stage. It really depends on the recording.

Thanks! I've always wondered about the AD2000. Does anyone have both the ES7/ESW9 and the AD2000 and would like to compare the two?

 

[Lex2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeonWho /img/forum/go_quote.gif Interesting. Nobody has ever recommended a Beyerdynamic to me before. How does it fulfill the "mids" requirement though? Thanks, Leon

They have nicely detailed mids, compared to say the K901 or 650. I would say they are somewhat Grado-ish, if there is such a word, probably closer to something like the 225 rather than the 325 (excluding the bass). But it would still be a tad recessed compared to the Grados.

 

[LeonWho]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lex2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif They have nicely detailed mids, compared to say the K901 or 650. I would say they are somewhat Grado-ish, if there is such a word, probably closer to something like the 225 rather than the 325 (excluding the bass). But it would still be a tad recessed compared to the Grados.

Thanks! Which version of the DT880 are you talking about?

 

[kunalraiker]

I would say the 600 ohm

 

[MomijiTMO]

I've got the ES7.

They are quite different. The ES7 has a bit more bass overall but I find it quite fatiguing. The AD2000's bass has much more impact and is also much faster and tighter. Consequently it doesn't get anywhere near as sloppy. The sound stage is much wider on the AD2000 [as expected] but to me isn't as wide as say the K701. The sound stage of the AD2000 is smaller than the K701 but around the same size as the HD650. All of these are bigger than the little closed ES7. The AD2000 has more body to the music and has pretty accurate imaging. Highs and bass aren't recessed but the mids are more forward on the AD2000.

For most genres of music, I'll take the AD2000 over the K701/HD650/HD580/AD1000/D2000... basically every headphone I've owned. I don't like it for metal at all.

 

[Acix]

For around $500 you can get the RS-1 used.

 

[glac1er]

A used SR-Lambda (the original one) + SRD-7 usually sell for close to $300 if you can find one and gives what you want in spades, except probably deep bass. The DT880 is a little bid laid-back, though still a very good heapdhone. I haven't tried the AD2000 but it sounds very interesting.

 

[LeonWho]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acix /img/forum/go_quote.gif For around $500 you can get the RS-1 used.

Quote:

Originally Posted by glac1er /img/forum/go_quote.gif A used SR-Lambda (the original one) + SRD-7 usually sell for close to $300 if you can find one and gives what you want in spades, except probably deep bass. The DT880 is a little bid laid-back, though still a very good heapdhone. I haven't tried the AD2000 but it sounds very interesting.

Thanks for the recommendations!

I'm probably not going to move towards the Stax headphones since I'd still need an amp (upwards of $300-$500), but that is really interesting.

I'm not too sure about the RS-1 though. How would they compare to an ES7/ESW9?

 

[dcpoor]

just a heads up, guitarcenter and some other online vendors have the ad2000 for $499 in case you can't find a good deal on a used pair.

 

[LeonWho]

I decided to go with a "side/upgrade" in the Yamaha HP-1s. Let's see if these have the magical sound signature I'm looking for.

 

[dcpoor]

most ortho's i've tried need pretty good amping. good luck.