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Joined: Dec 2011
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I'm just looking at getting a Yamaha P155 (and will probably use it to play sound libraries that I have on my desktop) and want to know what headphones would be worth getting around the $500.
So, for those of you who have headphones, can I ask which brand/model you use? or what you might recommend?
Thanks!
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Joined: Apr 2007
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I use Sennheiser HD595. They are transcendent.
Also recommended (and cheaper): AKG K240.
Last edited by gvfarns; 01/25/12 09:15 PM.
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I say get Beats by Dr.Dre if you're really willing to spend up to $500... A lot of people complain that you're paying extra for the name behind them, but I have personally tried these and they have rivaled similar headphones for the same price. Check out http://beatsbydre.com/They even look cool to boot. I forgot to mention, the samples I have seen used some special connectors. I however have no idea what those connectors were to make them compatible. Also, keep in mind I haven't tried on many nice headphones, so my opinion may be biased.
Last edited by Lynsey; 01/25/12 09:24 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2012
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I use a pair of AudioTechnica ATH-M30s. Extremely crisp sound, especially for the price.
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I have a pair of Grado SR325s which I love, but I'm no expert. If i can do better under 500 bucks I'm open to suggestion!
JG
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Do you really need to spend $500 on headphones?
Given the quality level of most digital pianos, you can get decent sound from $50 phones. I can't see spending much over $100 or $150. Any more than that is a waste, I think.
Perhaps you intend to also use the phones for other purposes?
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Nice headphones...very cheap compared to nice speakers. I think they are a good investment.
I wouldn't spend more than $200, though, personally. Mainly because for that price you can get really nice cans and improvements over that are marginal. I'd have to terribly rich before I would buy more expensive ones.
Heaven help us all if I'm ever that rich. I'd own every digital piano there is.
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Joined: Dec 2011
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Do you really need to spend $500 on headphones?
Perhaps you intend to also use the phones for other purposes? Yeah, I'd be listening to lossless music too from my desktop. So I think a good pair of headphones that can last for years and years would be a good investment. The Grado SR325s look nice. Cheers!
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Joined: Jul 2005
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I use AKG K240 (600 ohms). I don't like using headphones as a rule, but lately have been using them exclusively in the studio, since I'm between monitors. Hopefully, this situation will end soon!
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AKG-701. Open, refined, detailed, non-fatiguing, comfortable. Not cheap, but worth every penny.
They need driving though - they are relatively high impedance so some DPs will need to be at maximum volume to get them loud enough. To be honest a headphone amp would be a better option with AKG-701s and many other "hi-fi" 'phones.
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Sennheiser HD598
AKG 240 MKII
As with anything, try before you buy.
Yamaha AvantGrand N1X | Roland RD 2000 | Sennheiser HD 598 headphones
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AKG k701s would be my recommendation, I have owned, Grado's, Senn HD595, Beyers and some higher end Audio Technica and the AKGs blow them out of the water IMO. Need breaking in (I know, I know, it's a myth, I thought so too but it worked for men :)).
Sorry to disagree with Lynsey but I would definitely stay away from the Beats By Dre, the have a very hyped sound and IMO you are paying for the style/branding, they don't hold up against most of the competition
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I have dr dre beats and found them very disappointing. I have some cheap £30 urbanz which by far out perform them.
Ferry & Foster upright
Alfred's self teaching - Book 1
Started Mid September 2012
End Sept - Page 39
End Oct - Page ??
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A lot of people recommend the AKG 240 series, and they are good phones, but they are largely living on the reputation of older models, the newer ones are less neutral. The most neutral ones they ever made were probably the 240DF, though the 88 dB SPL/mW sensitivity (and 600 ohm impedance) meant that could be on the quiet side. I still use mine sometimes, but generally, my favorite phones today are my Denon AH-D2000.
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They need driving though - they are relatively high impedance so some DPs will need to be at maximum volume to get them loud enough. To be honest a headphone amp would be a better option with AKG-701s and many other "hi-fi" 'phones. This is a good point, actually, for the original poster to bear in mind. When you get headphones, if they are higher impedance than, say, 55 ohms, you will probably need to have a headphone amp. The very best headphones do tend to be high impedance, so it's something to be aware of. Some audiophiles will say practically all headphones need a headphone amp, but most of us make do with the headphone jack on our DP or audio interface just fine with lowish impedance cans.
Last edited by gvfarns; 01/26/12 10:38 AM.
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Seems as the amp's have been mentioned, are there any recommended ones (for the noobs amongst us).
Ferry & Foster upright
Alfred's self teaching - Book 1
Started Mid September 2012
End Sept - Page 39
End Oct - Page ??
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If you don't own any headphones, choosing a pair that sounds good with your DP is going to be a lot more convenient than having to keep a separate box wired in between the DP and headphone every time you play. Pick something with <50 ohms impedance (16-40 ohms is a good range) and good sensitivity (ideally 100dB/mW or more, even 96-98dB/mW is fine) and you won't need a headphone amp for good sound.
Current Life+Music Philosophy: Less Thinking, More Foot Tapping
Ars Longa, Vita Brevis
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Joined: Apr 2007
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I'll be interested in hearing any replies to this query about headphone amps. However, I kind of don't expect many. It's kind of like when you ask in this forum which are the best HiFi speakers to get for your digital piano, you don't get much input. Unfortunately the participants in the forum are digital piano people, not usually HiFi people.
Though I almost wonder about believing the people on a HiFi forum. Is there really an audible difference between a $100 headphone amp and a $1,500 one if you use the same headphones and sound source with both? I tend to doubt it.
Last edited by gvfarns; 01/26/12 11:25 AM.
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I'll be interested in hearing any replies to this query about headphone amps. However, I kind of don't expect many. It's kind of like when you ask in this forum which are the best HiFi speakers to get for your digital piano, you don't get much input. Unfortunately the participants in the forum are digital piano people, not usually HiFi people.
Though I almost wonder about believing the people on a HiFi forum. Is there really an audible difference between a $100 headphone amp and a $1,500 one if you use the same headphones and sound source with both? I tend to doubt it. I'm a HiFi person but I couldn't tell you, buddy. My years of buying $1,500 pieces of listening gear are far behind me! With my HD650's high-ish impedance and moderate-ish sensitivity, I do get a benefit from a sturdy headamp but mine was way closer to $100 than $1,500 for sure. It's also A/C powered and bulky enough I wouldn't think of rigging it up to a digital piano, what a mess of cables and clutter. ![[Linked Image]](http://schiit.com/cart/images/asgard_main.jpg) It's a model called Asgard which retails for $249 but I paid about 2/3 of that for a like-new condition used one a couple years ago.
Current Life+Music Philosophy: Less Thinking, More Foot Tapping
Ars Longa, Vita Brevis
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Me too. I expect the hucksters to justify their mega-prices using false claims of quantum-tunneled magneto-coupled phase inducers. But consumers do even worse. They seem to convince themselves that items with the high prices and the phase inducers really sound better. Though I almost wonder about believing the people on a HiFi forum. Is there really an audible difference between a $100 headphone amp and a $1,500 one if you use the same headphones and sound source with both? I tend to doubt it.
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