TJIann Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 So, I have recently set up a new lounge (man-cave) in my basement with my audio and guitar equipment. Right now I have a McIntosh MC2105 amp, Outlaw Audio 975 preamp, Oppo BDP103 BR/CD player, and Pro-Ject turntable with a pair of Heresy II speakers and a Polk subwoofer. I'm seeking out a pair of Cornwalls to replace the Heresys as the main speakers and ditch the subwoofer. To the point of this post. I want to get a decent pair of headphones to plug into the McIntosh amp. When I started looking around at headphones, it seems everything is geared towards portable players. What I want is a nice pair that are just for my stereo and don't have cheap thin wires and require an adaptor plug. Who makes good "old school" headphones for home stereo set-ups these days? Or are their vintage ones I should seek out instead? Thanks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twistedcrankcammer Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 If you want the best, check into Stax electo static ear speakers. If those are to pricey, look into Grado the RS-2 have a very Klipsch like sound Roger 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerwoodKhorns Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 And down the rabbit hole you go. Spend 6 months researching headphones here (headfi.org), buy and sell 20 pairs of different headphones, and then finally just get a pair of Sennheisser HD600s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twistedcrankcammer Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 And down the rabbit hole you go. Spend 6 months researching headphones here (headfi.org), buy and sell 20 pairs of different headphones, and then finally just get a pair of Sennheisser HD600s. The HD600s do not sound that great! Roger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 Oppo's new HP's are getting good reviews...or you could just get audeze. Do you want over ear, in ear or on ear? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJIann Posted October 18, 2014 Author Share Posted October 18, 2014 Oppo's new HP's are getting good reviews...or you could just get audeze. Do you want over ear, in ear or on ear? Over ear. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJIann Posted October 19, 2014 Author Share Posted October 19, 2014 I looked at the Grado RS-2 and the new Oppo. Even those seem to be made for portable players with thin wires and 1/8 plug, needing a 1/4 inch adaptor plug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerwoodKhorns Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 And down the rabbit hole you go. Spend 6 months researching headphones here (headfi.org), buy and sell 20 pairs of different headphones, and then finally just get a pair of Sennheisser HD600s. The HD600s do not sound that great! Roger Sure they do. For $300 or less, and easy to drive, they are great headphones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joessportster Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 (edited) I have the HiFiMan He500 and I can tell you I frankly dont see how a pair of headphones could get any better, deep tight articulate Bass, nice warm mids and great extension, they play very well on modest amps and absolutely sing on better amps underwood HIFi had a great deal on them at 550 delivered setting here rocking them right now, dont want to go to bed they sound so good Edited October 20, 2014 by joessportster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joessportster Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 I might add the way I was (at least I feel like I was) able to zero in on headphones that I like, I sat back a thought about what it is I like to hear in my system, forward mids, bright extended highs, deep bass, a little more on the warm side etc... I took that information and researched comments reviews of headphones on Head-Fi and bought my first pair I prefer my music balanced with good extension and a tad warm (like tubes SET amps) based on that I bought Sennheiser HD-650, They were very good but I found myself wanting more extension on both ends with tighter Bass, more research led me to Planers The 2 main affordable big hitters were Audeze LCD2, and HiFiMan He500, as the he500 had superb reviews and cost nearly 1/2 the audeze I sprang for them and have been very impressed...........I will always keep good phones now as they are way more revealing and allow you to hear much deeper into the music good luck with the hunt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muel Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 Beyerdynamic I like the TP5 because while it is perfectly capable of sounding incredible through an iPhone it will do the same on your home system. It will leave you wondering how to make your speaker setup sound like these headphones. Of course, they are still headphones but if you do get your system sounding this good then I'd want to hear it! I've had AKG 240df headphones for around 30 years that I liked as well. They have a very even response but it takes a lot to drive them at 600 ohms though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vlad Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 Honestly, why not give the Klipsch Status a try? We do free 30 day returns, so it shouldn't be a hassle. I've compared them to a lot of stuff, including Grado and Sennheiser, but always end up back at Klipsch. They're passive, use a 40mm driver which I've always been a huge fan of, and are nicely balanced. Part of that is the consistent front volume we have in that design. Bass comes off VERY punchy but never muddy. The highs are great because of the seal, so we can get a lot out of a 40mm just with the right ear cushions. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerwoodKhorns Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 They seem to like the Status at Head Fi: http://www.head-fi.org/t/713020/thoughts-on-klipsch-status-headphones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJIann Posted October 31, 2014 Author Share Posted October 31, 2014 So, after trying some out, I changed my mind and decided on a pair of on ear phones. I grabbed a pair of Grado R2Se. Great feel and love the sound. Really well built too, and I like the light mahogany wood exteriors. Thanks again for all the feedback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joessportster Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 did you mean Rs2e, Congrats on your choice and enjoy Can you relay your impressions, Grado was one of my first thoughts when I looked at headphones, but I have a big head and big ears and I worried about comfort Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJIann Posted October 31, 2014 Author Share Posted October 31, 2014 did you mean Rs2e, Congrats on your choice and enj Can you relay your impressions, Grado was one of my first thoughts when I looked at headphones, but I have a big head and big ears and I worried about comfort Yes, sorry. Got the model jumbled. I'm going to listen to some different genres this weekend and will give impressions. The on ear definitely seem like they will only be comfortable on small to medium ears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.