[net.audio] Headphones recommendations wanted

manheimer@nbs-amrf.UUCP (Ken Manheimer) (02/17/85)

I've finally come around to auditioning some headphones to replace my
(long defunct) pro4AAA's, what with the George W. Bday sales.  I did not
narrow my search particularly at the onset, and quickly came to discover
substantial differences in the medium and high priced phones (I've
probably been spoiled by the Magnepan speakers sequestered in my room).
So far, after two stores and ~ 10 different models, a pair of AKG K340
(electrostatic) headphones, going for ~ $175 are the only ones I've
really gotten enthusiastic about, and I'd like to spend less money than,
that say around $60 to $120.  I also felt okay about a pair of Sennheiser
HD 425 headphones, selling (on sale) for ~ $88.  Unfortunately these two
choices were available in seperate stores so I couldn't compare them,
and the Sennheisers (open air design) were auditioned in a noisy (G.W.
Bday, remember) store, so it's hard to be certain of what I heard.
While the sale is ending soon I'm not too anxious about catching it,
and thought take my time and tap the wisdom of the net (cripes):

So, I have a range of questions for you knowledgeable knetters -

- specifically, do you have any comments on these choices
  (AKG K 340 and Sennheiser HD 425)

- is the Sennheiser price ($86) particularly noteworthy; should I rush
out (before tuesday; since I'm posting this Sunday early morn the
tuesday issue is probably academic) and buy 'em

- more generally, would mail order outlets be likely to provide better
options, and can you suggest good outlets and ways to contact them

- even more generally, is there some headphone you feel deserves raves;
I'm hoping to find something genuinely good in my price range (~ $60 -
$120, though I may consider higher if that's what it's going to take)
and would appreciate any suggestions.

(by the way, while the AKG's are electrostatic, they apparently demand
no special power supply for polarization, ?)

Thanks, 

Ken Manheimer		      UUCP: seismo!nbs-amrf!manheimer
Machine Intelligence Group, Factory Automation Systems Division

National Bureau of Standards		BELL: (301)921-2461
Metrology A127
Gaithersburg, MD  20899

(P.S. I just heard John Abercrombie & Ralph Towner perform tonight (@ Wolf
Trap Farm Park in MD), such a pleasure...)

herbie@watdcsu.UUCP (Herb Chong [DCS]) (02/20/85)

>(by the way, while the AKG's are electrostatic, they apparently demand
>no special power supply for polarization, ?)
>
>Thanks, 
>
>Ken Manheimer		      UUCP: seismo!nbs-amrf!manheimer
>Machine Intelligence Group, Factory Automation Systems Division

unless the diaphrams of the headphones are polarized by the audio
signal alone, which i doubt very much, the AKG's are not electrostatic
but electret headphones.  if you are serious about headphone listening
and don't mind spending as much as most people spend on a amp, look at
stax pro's. the stax srx mk3's are very good too although they don't cost
quite as much.  i have a pair of audio technica ath-7's and have yet to
hear a dynamic headphone that sounds better.  i know the srx mk3's are
better but there's no-one around these parts that sell them.  i would
stop at nothing less than a pair of electrets and would get the stax
pro's if i could afford them and find a place that sells them.

Herb Chong...

I'm user-friendly -- I don't byte, I nybble....

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nz@wucs.UUCP (Neal Ziring) (02/27/85)

> really gotten enthusiastic about, and I'd like to spend less money than,
> that say around $60 to $120.  I also felt okay about a pair of Sennheiser
> HD 425 headphones, selling (on sale) for ~ $88.  Unfortunately these two
> choices were available in seperate stores so I couldn't compare them,
> 
> So, I have a range of questions for you knowledgeable knetters -
> 
> - specifically, do you have any comments on these choices
>   (AKG K 340 and Sennheiser HD 425)
> 
> - is the Sennheiser price ($86) particularly noteworthy; should I rush
> 
> Ken Manheimer		      UUCP: seismo!nbs-amrf!manheimer
> Machine Intelligence Group, Factory Automation Systems Division

        I have a recommendation:  Buy the Sennheisers!  I listened to the
        HD425 and HD420's when I was buying new 'phones last year.  They
        are both excellent.  I ended up buying the 420 because it is cheaper,
        and it turned out to be one of the best stereo purchases I ever 
        made.  The 425 sounds (to my tin ear) exactly as excellent, and
        is (?) more comfortable.

        Also, the HD420 won Stereo Review's mid-priced headphone 
        contest 2 or 3 years ago BY SUBSTANTIAL MARGINS IN BOTH SOUND
        AND COMFORT.  I don't know if you saw that issue, it had some
        famous lady singer, Linda R, I think, on the cover wearing a
        pair of Sennheiser 420s.
-- 
========
...nz (ECL - we're here to provide superior computing)
	Washington University Engineering Computer Laboratory
	[ Remember: You can't spell `eCStacy' without `CS' ]

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