Best Headphones for ~$500

Amps are not a problem; automatically going to be bought so they can be excluded from the price.

Preference wise, im fine either way. It can be closed or open, i dont care too much.

So, what are the best headphones out there now for that price?

Amps are not a problem; automatically going to be bought so they can be excluded from the price.

Preference wise, im fine either way. It can be closed or open, i dont care too much.

So, what are the best headphones out there now for that price?

kris9031998

[QUOTE="kris9031998"]

Amps are not a problem; automatically going to be bought so they can be excluded from the price.

Preference wise, im fine either way. It can be closed or open, i dont care too much.

So, what are the best headphones out there now for that price?

NVIDIATI

And the amp shouldn't be too bad, because i plan on getting 2 amps - 1 portable Fiio E9 and 1 desktop Fiio E7kris9031998

[QUOTE="kris9031998"]And the amp shouldn't be too bad, because i plan on getting 2 amps - 1 portable Fiio E9 and 1 desktop Fiio E7NVIDIATI

Well, what kind of amp should i get then?kris9031998

[QUOTE="kris9031998"]Well, what kind of amp should i get then?NamelessPlayer

[QUOTE="NamelessPlayer"][QUOTE="kris9031998"]Well, what kind of amp should i get then?kris9031998

I normally use them out of a nuforce udac2 and they still sound pretty great, although much more lethargic and boring.

I'm sure there are better amps out there and I've been talking to NVIDIA about them, such as the Audio GD NFB 12

[QUOTE="kris9031998"]Well, what kind of amp should i get then?NamelessPlayer

[QUOTE="kris9031998"][QUOTE="NamelessPlayer"] That depends on your headphones. Dynamic/moving-coil and orthodynamic/isodynamic/planar-magnetic headphones have plenty of amps out there to choose from. When it comes to Stax and other electrostatics, on the other hand, they require their own specialized amplifiers, which are often just as expensive or moreso than the headphones themselves. $500 can buy you a new SR-207 or SR-307, but unless you have another $500 to spend on an SRM-252S (which is quite ludicrous for such an amp; you can easily buy an SRM-1/Mk2 Pro used for that much), they're dead weight. This is why you have to budget for both headphone and amp.DivergeUnify

I normally use them out of a nuforce udac2 and they still sound pretty great, although much more lethargic and boring.

I'm sure there are better amps out there and I've been talking to NVIDIA about them, such as the Audio GD NFB 12

[QUOTE="DivergeUnify"]

[QUOTE="kris9031998"] And how about a Sennheiser HD 650? Its the one ive been looking at the most, and some people have used the two amps with it just fine.kris9031998

I normally use them out of a nuforce udac2 and they still sound pretty great, although much more lethargic and boring.

I'm sure there are better amps out there and I've been talking to NVIDIA about them, such as the Audio GD NFB 12

[QUOTE="kris9031998"][QUOTE="DivergeUnify"] I've had a few hours of time with the HD650 while amped by the E7/E9. You WILL NOT be disappointed. They sound absolutely fantastic. I can't say they produce some of the best mids known to man, as I haven't heard all headphones, but they're some of the best mids known to man :P Bass response also goes quite low, although it doesn't have a ton of slam if thats what you're looking for( I doubt you would care though- the whole presentation is great)

I normally use them out of a nuforce udac2 and they still sound pretty great, although much more lethargic and boring.

I'm sure there are better amps out there and I've been talking to NVIDIA about them, such as the Audio GD NFB 12

DivergeUnify

A bit of everything, alt rock, (rarely) rap, some techno/electronica, (again, rarely) pop, etc.

[QUOTE="DivergeUnify"][QUOTE="kris9031998"] Anyways, so how is the 650 is general? Its my top pick right now, but i want to know, how good is the bass? I mean i dont want an overwhelming bass (beats, which suck) but i want a pretty good bass at minimum.kris9031998

A bit of everything, alt rock, (rarely) rap, some techno/electronica, (again, rarely) pop, etc.

[QUOTE="kris9031998"]

[QUOTE="DivergeUnify"] Bass is very good, goes low, and gives a dark tone overall to the headphones, but definitely is not overpowering at all. Like I said it doesn't have too much slam and I wouldn't consider it a bassy headphones. The mids are excellent, so beautiful and full. The highs are a little rolled off, but there is definitely detail there( some songs they have better treble extension than my Grados which have a lot more treble overall) What kind of music do you llisten to? DivergeUnify

A bit of everything, alt rock, (rarely) rap, some techno/electronica, (again, rarely) pop, etc.

[QUOTE="DivergeUnify"][QUOTE="kris9031998"]

A bit of everything, alt rock, (rarely) rap, some techno/electronica, (again, rarely) pop, etc.

kris9031998

[QUOTE="kris9031998"][QUOTE="DivergeUnify"] Its a great all around headphone, probably the most versatile I've personally heard( although its also the most expensive headphone I've heard). Do you have any pair of headphones now? DivergeUnify

[QUOTE="kris9031998"]And the amp shouldn't be too bad, because i plan on getting 2 amps - 1 portable Fiio E9 and 1 desktop Fiio E7NVIDIATI

There is no "best" headphone at $500; headphones are very, very much a personal preference thing. You also did not mention what you would be using these for; are you using them at work? While traveling? Do they need to be compact? At home only? On your PC? With a portable device (if so, which one)? The more information you provide the better we'll be able to give you guidance!

That said, based on what you've said thus far I'd look very closely at the Denon AH-D2000 and, if you can swing it, the Denon AH-D5000. Those will give you the clarity of the Sennheiser HD650, but with a little more emphasis on low-frequency response (i.e. bass). There are always tradeoffs: The HD650 is going to have a wider soundstage, but the Denons will have deeper, more defined bass. You cannot have both by the nature of their design. Also: I find most Sennheisers to have too much clamping pressure; your mileage may vary. I haven't used the HD650's personally, only the 555, 595, and 598s.

I would also encourage you to consider Grado RS2i. I was priveleged to get an audition recently, and was impressed by both their open soundstage and solid bass. These are love/hate headphones, no question, but take a look at them.

Be very, very careful buying headphones that you do so from a reputable retailer. Sennheiser and Audio Technica are particularly prone to knock-offs, so if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Lastly, if you're dropping this much on a pair of headphones, I urge you to create an account over at Head-Fi and pose your question there. Those folks are hardcore headphone enthusiasts, and will give you comprehensive feedback.

Good luck,

Boz

And how about a Sennheiser HD 650? Its the one ive been looking at the most, and some people have used the two amps with it just fine.kris9031998

You and your Stax :P DivergeUnify

[QUOTE="kris9031998"]

Amps are not a problem; automatically going to be bought so they can be excluded from the price.

Preference wise, im fine either way. It can be closed or open, i dont care too much.

So, what are the best headphones out there now for that price?

NVIDIATI

Can you even get STAX headphones for $500 used? I saw a used pair for $1000, that came with an amp. Damn what a deal.Mozelleple112

[QUOTE="Mozelleple112"]Can you even get STAX headphones for $500 used? I saw a used pair for $1000, that came with an amp. Damn what a deal.NamelessPlayer