Trying to find headphones with specific requirements

Communities Audio Hardware & Music
1

To start things off, I have some hearing loss. So, I'm trying to find some great headphones that can help me out. I have loss generally in the 3000-5000khz range and it tapers back to normal around the 8000khz area. This doesn't mean I can't hear. It just makes things tougher to make out... especially voices. (This will make a great excuse if I ever get married, "sorry dear, I didn't hear you."). Voices sound mumbled, it's the consonant sounds that I miss a lot. I guess that's what you get for having your head next to the barrel of a machine gun for hours on end with no hearing protection.

I have a bit of coin I can spend. I'm willing to spend in the $200-$400 range. So what do you guys think would be a good, precise headphone that that will be very clear. Would like over the ear, will be using them for music and gaming (will use external mic or modmic).

I listen to the whole spectrum of music. From light EDM to Rockabilly, and R&B to Country... not so much into metal or hardcore rap.

Maybe Logan and/or Pistol have something to say on this since they have had just about everything under the sun on their ears at one time.

Thanks in advance!

2

Try getting a hold of the guys a Mayflower Electronics  (these guys do custom modding) and tell them your situation and I am sure they will try and help you out.

https://www.mayflowerelectronics.com/

or I could list all the cans that I like (clear - accurate - large stage - not too much bass but good tight bass) and you could check them out.

3

If you have some suggestions on specific models, I'm all for it. I'm looking for a place to start researching, not really a "buy these" type answer.

4

I was just saying they may be able to optimize a set just for your needs ... but I can recommend some that I like... give me a minute.

 

5

Beyer Dynamic DT 990 Premium $370 

  • Analytical and high-resolution audio reproduction

http://www.amazon.com/Beyer-Dynamic-Premium-32-Headphones/dp/B0024NK344/ref=sr_1_88?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1409536632&sr=1-88&keywords=headphones

Beyer Dynamic DT 880 Premium  $240  I think i have seen Logan wear these

http://www.amazon.com/Beyer-Dynamic-Premium-32-Headphones/dp/B0024NK358/ref=sr_1_93?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1409536632&sr=1-93&keywords=headphones

Audio Technica Audiophile ATH-AD1000X   $387  these are awesome

http://www.amazon.com/Technica-Audiophile-ATH-AD1000X-Open-Air-Headphones/dp/B009S330O8/ref=sr_1_27?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1409537079&sr=1-27&keywords=headphones

AKG K551SLV Closed-Back Reference-Class  $330  sound incredible after 100 hour burn in

http://www.amazon.com/AKG-K551SLV-Closed-Back-Reference-Class-Microphone/dp/B009KOTNA0/ref=sr_1_117?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1409537328&sr=1-117&keywords=headphones

SHURE Reference Studio Headphones SRH940 (Japan Import) $300 awesome uncolored and clear with tight bass

http://www.amazon.com/SHURE-Reference-Studio-Headphones-SRH940/dp/B005EBAUOG/ref=sr_1_204?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1409537527&sr=1-204&keywords=headphones

Audio Technica ATH-AD900 Audiophile Open-air Dynamic Headphones  $300

http://www.amazon.com/Technica-ATH-AD900-Audiophile-Open-air-Headphones/dp/B0006OQY2S/ref=sr_1_221?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1409537675&sr=1-221&keywords=headphones

Bowers & Wilkins P7 Headphones  $400  definitely audiophile grade full rich clear detailed sound

http://www.amazon.com/Bowers-Wilkins-P7-Headphones-Black/dp/B00F6PRSMW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=undefined&sr=1-1&keywords=bowers+%26+wilkins+headphones

AKG Q 701 Quincy Jones Signature Reference-Class Premium Headphones   $200 awesome after burn in

http://www.amazon.com/AKG-Signature-Reference-Class-Premium-Headphones/dp/B004444O3W/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1409537943&sr=1-3&keywords=akg+headphones

AKG 702 are good also ... after burn in

as you can see there are a lot of stuff out there ... my tastes run towards highly detailed clarity , large sound stage , good stereo separation , uncolored accurate with tight bass rich mids and precision highs ... studio & reference / audiophile sound ... but everybody hears differently.

  I would recommend trying as many as possible to find the ones you like.

 

6

That is just killer! Your last comment is exactly what I plan on doing. I hate to buy things sight unseen (or sound unheard). I'm not sure where I'm going to get my hands on these to try them out, but at least I have a starting point.

And I plan on giving the guys at Mayflower a buzz anyway to see what they can do/say. Even though I'm willing to pony up the coin, doesn't mean I want to just toss money to the wind and buy them all.

Thanks again!!

7

Yeah ... the guys at Mayflower are always helping people here on the Tek website  ... great guys


oh yeah I remembered more killer cans ..

hifiman HE500s or better are awesome

stax are the most incredible i have ever heard  ... very expensive!

grado s are killer  .. but are on ear instead of over ear

8

Thanks again for the additional suggestions. As much as I have read good things about the HE500s, I think they are outside of what I can justify as a price range. I'll keep you posted.

9

If you are wondering, I pulled the trigger on a set of AKG Q701s. Ordered up a O2 amp/dac combo from Mayflower as well.

10

Great choice ... I am thinking the same ... saving for CPU & GPU uprgades at the moment.

Remember the AKGs will be a bit bright and 'stiff'' sounding until they burn in ... but then they are awesome.

11

I want to do the same. I really want to go X99 hex-core with a GTX 980, but use more of the "value" x99 boards that haven't hit the market yet. So I hope they are out around black friday/cyber monday time frame. It's overkill but I want to start getting into production a bit and my x77 stuff is better used as a nas.

12

check out this thread if you want to know the cost to get into x99 platform.

https://teksyndicate.com/forum/build-pc/x99-worth-investment-me/184998

there is about $500 worth in monitors on the build and you could spend $200 less on GPU ... so that takes you to around $2000 for entry level (no frills) x99 PC.

13

That's a good list. Right now I would reuse my case, storage, cooler, PSU, and BD drive. So, I really don't need much else. Just CPU, mobo, ram, and vid card. Granted, those really are the big cost drivers, but it does save a lot in the long run. I'll be using my leftover parts as the start to a nas and just fill in the blanks with parts specifically for that build.

So I'm really just using my current rig as a starting point for two different rigs. I will be finding myself a nice big 4k/UHD monitor to game with (hence the need for the 900 series cards). I know, I know... The 900 series doesn't exist yet, and it's probably going to be really hard pressed to push that kind of monitor. But, I can start with one and just and another when my pocket book stops crying about what I did to it already.

FYI, Got my AKGs in today. They are exactly what I was hoping for!

14

I t is recommended that you upgrade your PSU with the x99 build. (even it is high efficiency and of sufficient power handling capability ... if it is more than 4 yrs old) 

 

RE: the AKGs ... awesome ... the easy way to burn them in is plug them into a stereo and let them play for 100 hours ... then the sound is even better.   Or just listen to them ... lol       \m/