Mobile Headphones

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Geektastic

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Topic # 157435 1-Dec-2014 14:19

Not specific to iOS except in so far as I will be using them on an iPhone 6 (and Macbook Pro and iMac).

Looking for quality ($300-$500) headphones for use with the machines above (playing Apple lossless and high res audio files).

Need to be easy to drive, preferably with case etc for travel. They do not need to be noise cancelling as I have some Sennheiser 550's for that. More about audio quality.

So far my shortlist is

1) B&W P5 Series 2
2) KEF M500
3) Sennheiser Momentum

I like the look of the B&W P7 (and they review very well) but the NZ price is pretty high ($750) compared to the US - best option for those is to buy them in the US on a visit, where you'd save nearly $300 compared to here.

Anyone have any of these? Or other suggestions?

I mostly listen to Jazz and stuff like Fleetwood Mac, Steely Dan, Dire Straits, Santana etc. and prefer a 'warm accurate' delivery rather than 'cold analytical' or 'heaps of stupid bass'.

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Reply # 1186412 1-Dec-2014 14:43

I'm a headphone nutter who listens to hi-res (24-bit) music on various Sennheiser headphones (I have 4 sets, up to the HD800, which is definitely NOT portable!)

I would vote for the Sennheiser Momentum (having listened to them), closely followed by the B&W P5S2. Did NOT enjoy the KEFs.
Naturally you would need to test wear a pair before buying (if you've got Big Ears the Momentum may not fit

)

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afe66

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Reply # 1186443 1-Dec-2014 15:33

One person supports this post

Audio Technica ATH-M50x

$199 at Noel Lemmings.

Google, got very good reviews.

Yabanize

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Reply # 1186466 1-Dec-2014 16:28

afe66: Audio Technica ATH-M50x $199 at Noel Lemmings. Google, got very good reviews. A.

$249? https://www.noelleeming.co.nz/shop/audio-mp3/headphones/audio-technica-ath-m50x-studio-headphones-black/prod137107.html?ref=pricespy

NZtechfreak

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Reply # 1186473 1-Dec-2014 16:34

NAD HP50, easily over the Momentums, ATH-M50 and B&W headphones.

This is probably the most complete comparison of headphones in this segment on the internet, very experienced listener (amongst the most trusted at Head-Fi). I've not heard the Beyers that he rates better than the NADs, but I have liked the top of the line Beyer stuff I have owned.

I have gone ahead and marked my post as the answer to this thread.

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afe66

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Reply # 1186482 1-Dec-2014 17:02

Yabanize:
afe66: Audio Technica ATH-M50x $199 at Noel Lemmings. Google, got very good reviews. A.

$249? https://www.noelleeming.co.nz/shop/audio-mp3/headphones/audio-technica-ath-m50x-studio-headphones-black/prod137107.html?ref=pricespy

oops,

That was after discount price..

A.

Geektastic

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Reply # 1186531 1-Dec-2014 18:16

Yes I did think of the Nads. Not sure I like the design much though.

I'm trying to get a good deal on some P7 B&W s. It's likely they'd appeal as I have had several pairs of their speakers in my time and when I moved to just a single unit for music I picked a Zeppelin Air, so the house sound clearly agrees with me.

Batman

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Reply # 1186567 1-Dec-2014 18:51

Each has its strengths and weaknesses.

alasta

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Reply # 1186629 1-Dec-2014 20:38

I have the M500s and they match the sound profile that you describe as well as being easy to drive. I would still recommend a decent amp to get the best out of them though.

Unfortunately the ear pad stitching is starting to come apart and I'm buggered if I can figure out how to replace them.

Batman

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Reply # 1186644 1-Dec-2014 21:24

this is my experience:

Senn Momentum - is a bass-ish headphone with mid-fi clarity
ATH M50x - bassy headphone (a little U shaped - just a little) with mid-fi clarity - suitable for pop and rock

From what you describe you want a sound signature of Senn HD600/650 but with closed design. Hmm ... lemme think ... Senn Momentum

timmmay

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Reply # 1186649 1-Dec-2014 21:31

I like the Sony's, I forget the model but it comes in noise reduction and regular versions. I haven't compared all of those headphones, but I wasn't a fan of the momentum.

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Batman

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Reply # 1186650 1-Dec-2014 21:33

and no you don't need a DAC/amp. not for travel. if you are in a noiseless room in full soliloquy ok maybe, but travelling in a noisy environment common

Batman

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Reply # 1186654 1-Dec-2014 21:40

NZtechfreak: NAD HP50, easily over the Momentums, ATH-M50 and B&W headphones.

This is probably the most complete comparison of headphones in this segment on the internet, very experienced listener (amongst the most trusted at Head-Fi). I've not heard the Beyers that he rates better than the NADs, but I have liked the top of the line Beyer stuff I have owned.

I have gone ahead and marked my post as the answer to this thread.

I have tried cans based on charts before, and one can give a number to a lifeless quantity called "bass" or "midrange" but unless you listen to the thing in its fullness it is very hard for some OCD fella like me to get a picture.

for example, i find the middle of range Senns have a very lush midrange, where vocals and strings and wind is portrayed in its full glory, like a live performance.

but alas I am a basshead and it was "boring" to me. so i got something that was rated different, but the treble was too sibilant and I kept getting distracted by hissing and the frequency response was missing a chunk of treble that was missing.

from what geektastic described he needs a HD600 ... but ... it's open. hrmph. or better still LCD-2 .. but that thing is definitely not portable

never tried the NAD but it sounds like that might suit, but again i caution people's description but sounds like his nearest bet

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Reply # 1186656 1-Dec-2014 21:47

btw the senn momentum is on special on amazon, i've never seen it so cheap before, after 24 months of watching

Geektastic

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Reply # 1186658 1-Dec-2014 21:54

joker97: btw the senn momentum is on special on amazon, i've never seen it so cheap before, after 24 months of watching

One thing about that I have read several times is that the ear cups are a bit small and that if you have 'larger' ears (I have no idea what that means, unfortunately - no data was provided) then the pads can sit on the ear rather than around it, causing comfort issues.

As an aside, Bose just released the new QC25 noise cancelling 'phones for anyone who flies (or works in a noisy office) and whilst not 'head fi' they are better than the last iteration and nicer looking IMV too. The 2.0 version of the, um, eccentric Parrot Zik is just out too. I kind of like them but they won't work properly without using an iPhone app (and a personal info grab!) which on $600 headphones is a bit much.

Batman

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Reply # 1186720 2-Dec-2014 07:21

Geektastic:
joker97: btw the senn momentum is on special on amazon, i've never seen it so cheap before, after 24 months of watching

One thing about that I have read several times is that the ear cups are a bit small and that if you have 'larger' ears (I have no idea what that means, unfortunately - no data was provided) then the pads can sit on the ear rather than around it, causing comfort issues.
.

it'll be fine. unless you're built like a front rower. audiophiles complain about things like too much clamping force in N, too little clamping force, length of cable too long too short, cable making noise when rubbing against their hair, so if they wear it for 4 hours and their ears are a bit red, well ... I expect that

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