Anybody know anything about headphones?

I'm looking at two different headphones right now:

Sennheiser HD 598:

or

Grado SR 225i:

I like a variety of music, but mainly listen to either all different kinds of rock music, rap music, or some pop music. When I listen to rap, I'm not trying to hear everything as clearly as possible, so rap isn't even an issue. Mostly I'm looking for a good pair of headphones that will make rock music sound great.

From what I understand, the Grado's are perfect for rock music, whereas the Sennheiser's are very versatile and sound good no matter what is playing... however, they are more "reserved" compared to the Grado's.

Has anybody heard either of these two? If not, what headphones do you have and do you like them?

I like Sennheisers.......never heard of the Grados TBH.

I like Snnheisers.......never heard of the Grado's TBH.LJS9502_basic

You don't know your headphones then sorry.... I love my Grado's, can't go wrong with them. I believe there is a nice thread about headphones in the audio/video forum if you want more insight.

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]I like Snnheisers.......never heard of the Grado's TBH.Meat_Wad_Fan

You don't know your headphones then sorry.... I love my Grado's, can't go wrong with them. I believe there is a nice thread about headphones in the audio/video forum if you want more insight.

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]I like Sennheisers.......never heard of the Grado's TBH.Meat_Wad_Fan

You don't know your headphones then sorry.... I love my Grado's, can't go wrong with them. I believe there is a nice thread about headphones in the audio/video forum if you want more insight.

What's your budget?kamikaze_pigmy

I have the hd595, they sound great(identical sound quality to the hd598 I believe), I also bought a pair of dt-770s, they too are great. The dt-770s are more bass heavy than the sennheisers and sound just as good overall.

Headphones? You mean those things that go on your head and make noise? :P

The Grado will be a little more detailed for rock and I think the sacrifice of less bass on rap music is worth it.

Also have you set a budget? Or considered alternatives?

Go with the Grado SR225is. If you listen to rock you will NOT be disappointed. They sound majestic and very lively.

Although to be perfectly unbiased if you have the cash, order both on Amazon and just keep the one you prefer. Amazon has a really good return policy

I like earbuds personally

Headphones? You mean those things that go on your head and make noise? :P

The Grado will be a little more detailed for rock and I think the sacrifice of less bass on rap music is worth it.

Also have you set a budget? Or considered alternatives?

NVIDIATI

I have the hd595, they sound great(identical sound quality to the hd598 I believe), I also bought a pair of dt-770s, they too are great. The dt-770s are more bass heavy than the sennheisers and sound just as good overall.

JigglyWiggly_

[QUOTE="NVIDIATI"]

Headphones? You mean those things that go on your head and make noise? :P

The Grado will be a little more detailed for rock and I think the sacrifice of less bass on rap music is worth it.

Also have you set a budget? Or considered alternatives?

[QUOTE="BMD004"]

[QUOTE="NVIDIATI"]

Headphones? You mean those things that go on your head and make noise? :P

The Grado will be a little more detailed for rock and I think the sacrifice of less bass on rap music is worth it.

Also have you set a budget? Or considered alternatives?

NVIDIATI

I'd say bump it up a notch to the Grado SR325is. They don't need an amp( although a DAC is pretty worth it imo), unlike the Sennheiser 6x0, or the AKG... although if you're on that budget you'll be very happy with the 225is

[QUOTE="Meat_Wad_Fan"]

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]I like Sennheisers.......never heard of the Grado's TBH.LJS9502_basic

You don't know your headphones then sorry.... I love my Grado's, can't go wrong with them. I believe there is a nice thread about headphones in the audio/video forum if you want more insight.

[QUOTE="kamikaze_pigmy"]What's your budget?BMD004

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"][QUOTE="Meat_Wad_Fan"]

You don't know your headphones then sorry.... I love my Grado's, can't go wrong with them. I believe there is a nice thread about headphones in the audio/video forum if you want more insight.

Meat_Wad_Fan

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"][QUOTE="Meat_Wad_Fan"]

You don't know your headphones then sorry.... I love my Grado's, can't go wrong with them. I believe there is a nice thread about headphones in the audio/video forum if you want more insight.

Meat_Wad_Fan

[QUOTE="BMD004"]

[QUOTE="NVIDIATI"]

Headphones? You mean those things that go on your head and make noise? :P

The Grado will be a little more detailed for rock and I think the sacrifice of less bass on rap music is worth it.

Also have you set a budget? Or considered alternatives?

NVIDIATI

[QUOTE="NVIDIATI"][QUOTE="BMD004"]$300 budget and I'm open to alternatives.

DivergeUnify

I'd say bump it up a notch to the Grado SR325is. They don't need an amp( although a DAC is pretty worth it imo), unlike the Sennheiser 6x0, or the AKG

[QUOTE="DivergeUnify"]

[QUOTE="NVIDIATI"] AKG K702.NVIDIATI

I'd say bump it up a notch to the Grado SR325is. They don't need an amp( although a DAC is pretty worth it imo), unlike the Sennheiser 6x0, or the AKG

[QUOTE="Meat_Wad_Fan"]

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"] I know Sennheisers are good.....I don't believe I said I was an expert in all areas of head phones.LJS9502_basic

[QUOTE="NVIDIATI"]

[QUOTE="DivergeUnify"] ^ They need an amp :P

I'd say bump it up a notch to the Grado SR325is. They don't need an amp( although a DAC is pretty worth it imo), unlike the Sennheiser 6x0, or the AKG

DivergeUnify

[QUOTE="NVIDIATI"][QUOTE="BMD004"]$300 budget and I'm open to alternatives.

BMD004

Also another close alternative in price and sound are the Beyerdynamic DT880s.

[QUOTE="DivergeUnify"][QUOTE="NVIDIATI"] They don't need anything special.... but if you do amp them well, they become much better.

NVIDIATI

I have the HD 595 and the Grado SR-225i. I've had the Grados for about a year longer so I have more to say about them. In my non-audiophile, noob opinion:

I think the Grados have a very forward style of presentation. Electric guitars and overdrive/distortion sound great through them. I find the bass to be tight, not too much of a punch though so don't buy these if you're a basshead. Layered tracks sound nice since I find that I'm able to discern between multiple instruments fairly easily. Something to keep in mind is that they have immense sound leakage and almost no noise isolation. I know they aren't closed headphones, so that is to be expected, but the Grados have an excessive amount of leakage due to their design. Just keep that in mind. Cords are ridiculously thick, which is nice.

I like the comfort of the HD 595 more than the Grados, which is not to say that the Grados are uncomfortable, just takes awhile to get used to. The pads on the HD 595 are quite comfortable and I don't really notice any discomfort after wearing them for several hours at a time. Classical instruments sound great to me on these. Not as forward of a sound presentation as the Grados, but still forward I think. Not as much sound leakage and slightly better noise isolation than the Grados.

Both run fine unamped in my opinion.

I'd say that if you're going to listen to primarily rock then I'd go with the Grados.

[QUOTE="NVIDIATI"]

[QUOTE="DivergeUnify"] Aren't the K702s supposed to be quite boring for rock?BMD004

[QUOTE="NVIDIATI"]

[QUOTE="DivergeUnify"] Aren't the K702s supposed to be quite boring for rock?BMD004

Also if you're wondering, I listen to Rock, Metal, Jazz, and bits of other genres.

I have the HD 595 and the Grado SR-225i. I've had the Grados for about a year longer so I have more to say about them. In my non-audiophile, noob opinion:

I think the Grados have a very forward style of presentation. Electric guitars and distortion sound great through them. I find the bass to be tight, not too much of a punch though so don't buy these if you're a basshead. Layered tracks sound nice since I find that I'm able to discern between multiple instruments fairly easily. Something to keep in mind is that they have immense sound leakage and almost no noise isolation. I know they aren't closed headphones, so that is to be expected, but the Grados have an excessive amount of leakage due to their design. Just keep that in mind. Cords are ridiculously thick, which is nice.

I like the comfort of the HD 595 more than the Grados, which is not to say that the Grados are uncomfortable, just takes awhile to get used to. The pads on the HD 595 are quite comfortable and I don't really notice any discomfort after wearing them for several hours at a time. Classical instruments sound great to me on these. Not as forward of a sound presentation as the Grados, but still forward I think. Not as much sound leakage and slightly better noise isolation than the Grados.

Both run fine unamped in my opinion.

I'd say that if you're going to listen to primarily rock then I'd go with the Grados.

uhoh_hotdogs

Skullcandies have the best quality and they're not as expensive as other ones that do the same thing like bose and seinhiezersFrostyPhantasm

GET OUT!:evil:

The one thing I will note about the K702s is that they aren't very forgiving, if listening to lower quality audio sources the distortion will become apparent right away.

[QUOTE="BMD004"]

[QUOTE="NVIDIATI"] Yes and no, they come off as extremely detailed, but are overall neutral. TBH I find the Grados are a little more 'fun' sounding, but the K702s sound stage can help make the music a little more exciting.

NVIDIATI

Also if you're wondering, I listen to Rock, Metal, Jazz, and bits of other genres.

[QUOTE="FrostyPhantasm"]Skullcandies have the best quality and they're not as expensive as other ones that do the same thing like bose and seinhiezersMeat_Wad_Fan

GET OUT!:evil:

Skullcandies have the best quality and they're not as expensive as other ones that do the same thing like bose and seinhiezersFrostyPhantasm

I can't tell if this post is serious so I'll assume it's not. :?

[QUOTE="Meat_Wad_Fan"]

[QUOTE="FrostyPhantasm"]Skullcandies have the best quality and they're not as expensive as other ones that do the same thing like bose and seinhiezersDivergeUnify

GET OUT!:evil:

skull candies and bose are nothing near the quality of either of the headphones mentioned, sorry guys. Also bose are like a joke when talking about high end cans.

[QUOTE="NVIDIATI"]

[QUOTE="BMD004"]How is the soundstage on the Grado's? And how necessary is a wide soundstage for rock music?

BMD004

Also if you're wondering, I listen to Rock, Metal, Jazz, and bits of other genres.

I love my Sennheiser HD 515, got it for 50 bucks and they sound absolutely fantastic, BUT I am super tempted to pick up a nice pair of Grados. Reason being, Sennheiser are great for really high quality listening such as over my stereo, but at the cost of lots of sound bleed due to their open nature. Grados would be nice for just everyday listening.

So...both? :P

EDIT: I also prefer the look of Grados :P

I like Sennheissers, so that one.

[QUOTE="DivergeUnify"][QUOTE="Meat_Wad_Fan"]

GET OUT!:evil:

Meat_Wad_Fan

skull candies and bose are nothing near the quality of either of the headphones mentioned, sorry guys. Also bose are like a joke when talking about high end cans.

This thread at neogaf will help you immensely as people there have way better knowledge than the people recommending skull candies over here.

this is how you dream right - Official Headphone Thread

[QUOTE="DivergeUnify"][QUOTE="Meat_Wad_Fan"]

GET OUT!:evil:

Meat_Wad_Fan

skull candies and bose are nothing near the quality of either of the headphones mentioned, sorry guys. Also bose are like a joke when talking about high end cans.

I agree.

Bose are okay but way way overpriced for their quality. People who buy Bose are suckered into buying them by their marketing team trying to convince you that they have top-notch sound.
Skullcandies on the other hand are just garbage. People who buy Skullcandies buy them for the look of them because they definitely don't buy them for the sound.

[QUOTE="Meat_Wad_Fan"]

[QUOTE="DivergeUnify"] He's rightDivergeUnify

skull candies and bose are nothing near the quality of either of the headphones mentioned, sorry guys. Also bose are like a joke when talking about high end cans.

Also, their bass is almost as terrible as those garbarge Dr Dre phones.

[QUOTE="DivergeUnify"][QUOTE="Meat_Wad_Fan"]

skull candies and bose are nothing near the quality of either of the headphones mentioned, sorry guys. Also bose are like a joke when talking about high end cans.

majoras_wrath

Pretty sure he was being sarcastic since earlier in the thread it looked like he knew what he was talking about.

[QUOTE="DivergeUnify"][QUOTE="Meat_Wad_Fan"]

skull candies and bose are nothing near the quality of either of the headphones mentioned, sorry guys. Also bose are like a joke when talking about high end cans.

majoras_wrath

[QUOTE="majoras_wrath"][QUOTE="DivergeUnify"] Uh, no? Skullcandies tend to take designs of bargain priced headphones, add some crappy looking decals and stuff, and jack up the price. I've seen comparisons of their specs to other brands and they are literally identical. I'll find it if I can.JML897

Pretty sure he was being sarcastic since earlier in the thread it looked like he knew what he was talking about.

Graphs don't mean anything. Skull candies just have a scientifically unexplainable design

DivergeUnify

Lol ok. You funny guy. You got me! :P