Super Comfortable sub 200$ open headphones

Communities Audio Hardware & Music
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I was looking to get some new headphones, I have the Sennheiser HD-280's and really like them, I just want something new; they are closed and I just want something open now.  Sometimes the clamping force is a bit too much, but only if I wear them for a couple of hours, so i'm looking for some headphones that will sounds quite different and be super comfortable, and of course probably the easiest way to make them sounds different is to have open headphones.

Recently I tried out the Sennheiser momentum's and the Bose over ear headphones ( don't remember the exact model number,  but the 150$ ones). I gave both of them several hours of listening to music games, videos, and I even pulled out my gameboy because I suddenly had the urge to play pokemon emerald again.

My conclusion in short was I like the accuracy of the 280's the most and felt like something was missing definitely with the bose's and the momentum's didn't always, but most of the time sounded great to me.

So, anyway, I just wanted some suggestions of what pair of headphones I should get, i want it to me accurate, but a different sound than the 280's would be nice. Comfort is probably the most important thing to me, but that's assuming the sound good.  I was looking at the akg k612 or q701, or the massdrop ones if they come back.  I know logan loves his beyerdynamic's so im considering them. The audio technica ad900x I have considered, but i'm not sure if I like the wing headband. The Sennheiser 558's also look good, but I already have sennheiser, so I would like something else.

I would like to keep my budget for an amp and headphones under 200, and amp suggestions would be appreciated to, i know very little about what amp would be good

Edit: oh by the way, music is really the only thing I care to have good headphones for, I play games, but I'm very tolerant to how the game sounds, and I listen to a fair bit of 70-80s rock, some cello instrumentals, and some game soundstracks such as the ftl one and bastion

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K7xx

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You think those are the best for me?

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I would suggest the HD 598s.  They are open, super comfortable (the headband could use a little work, but the ear pads are glorious...).  But, they do have that "Sennheiser sound", so they probably wont sound drastically different than the 280s (though, I've never listened to the 280s, so I can't personally compare).  They will have a better sound stage, more accuracy and will over all be more full sounding, but that Sennheiser sound will still be there, so they may not be what you are looking for, but may be worth trying out if you get a chance.

The AKGs posted above are likely a good choice from what I've heard (I haven't had the chance to try them yet though).  The should have a different sound to that of your 280s, and are said to be quite comfortable.  They also should fit quite well with your music tastes, however, they are at the top of your budget ($199 on massdrop), so an amp would certainly push you well over.  You'll also have to wait for them, as it seems they are out of stock until February.

As far as amps go, do you need it to be portable, or will you only be listening at your desk?  Do you want an amp only, or would you prefer an amp/dac combo?

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Sorry for the slow response. I could swing for a little over 200$ and get the akg's if they really are what im looking for, but I think the k612 looked a bit better to me, just based on the frequency response and those are usually a bit cheaper.  I don't think I need a dac, the sound card thew in my system sounds nice, it's the xonar dgx i think, i paid I think 30$ for it and my motherboard sounds alright, it's the asus 990fx pro r2, so it's a very good motherboard.  

A portable amp would be nice, mostly for using my tablet in bed or something, but I don't like not being able to use it and charged it at the same time, so i'm good with either a desktop amp or a portable one.

I do like sennheiser, so I wouldn't mind picking up the 598's. Im sure they're wonderful, i just am a little set on akg at the moment.

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If you're set on the AKGs then go with the AKGs.  This stuff is all about what you prefer.  There's plenty in this price range to choose from.  DT-990 pro, ATH-AD900x, MDR-MA900 etc.  So if the AKG sticks out to you, then you have your answer.

Well, if you want a portable amp (which can be charged while using it) then something like the Fiio e11k would likely work fine for 60 bucks.  If you want a dac for use with your tablet or phone (assuming your phone supports usb audio), then the e07k would be a good choice for 20 bucks more and also can be charged while in use.  

If you decide you would rather just have a desktop amp, then the Schiit Magni is a nice little amp, as is the O2.  Both can be had for around $100 (assembled for the Schiit, DIY for the O2), and have similar sound qualities.

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How different do the desktop amps sounds vs the portable ones

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They're a bit different.  The desktop amps I mentioned will have a better sound stage, be more neutral, and will have more power to drive higher impedance cans when compared to the portable amps.  For example, the Schiit Magni can put out 1.2w/channel @ 32ohms, while the Fiio e11k can put out 270mW @ 32ohms (220 mW for the e07k).  However, the desktop amps are around the $100 range, while the e11k is $60.  The e07k is an amp/dac, which would run you around $200 for the Schiit stack (modi/magni) or the O2/ODAC combo, and costs only $90.  So basically, you sacrifice a bit of sound quality and power to both save money, and have the option to use them on portable devices.

That's not to say the Fiio amps (or, say, something like the CMOYBB) sound BAD, they just aren't quite as "good" as the Schiit and O2 amps.  Of course, sound is subjective...  so I'm sure you can find someone who prefers the sound of the Fiios.

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Thanks for your feedback, Right now i'm leaning on the e11k, mostly because it's the cheapest and does everything I want it to, and it looks great, i'm not terribly picky (yet) about sounds quality, so i'm sure any of the amps would be fine for me.

I'm still thinking akg, but I could change my mind, the 598 are a close second, and the beyerdynamic dt990's are still in my mind; I'm sure they would all be great for me

If there's anything else i should know before I make my purchase, please let me know, I'll probably decide within a week or so, or if I decide the massdrop ones, more like a few months

I let you guys know what I got and what I think, thanks