Headphones and Amps and DACs... Oh My!

[simonn]

So, I'm looking at replacing my Sennheiser HD 477's - had for more years than I care to remember and have served me well. I already have a pair of Sony Noise cancelling's WH1000XM2's - which are great , but would like a decent wired set of over ears for my pc-time - listening via a very old Technics system which still sounds good! Budget of up to £200 (UK-based). Happy to go with Sennheisers, but would consider Sony/Beyer/Audiotechnica and other premium brands too. When looking on Amazon - there is a class of headphones labelled 'studio' - presuming these are generally good for general music consumption too?

[klyrish]

So, I'm looking at replacing my Sennheiser HD 477's - had for more years than I care to remember and have served me well. I already have a pair of Sony Noise cancelling's WH1000XM2's - which are great , but would like a decent wired set of over ears for my pc-time - listening via a very old Technics system which still sounds good! Budget of up to £200 (UK-based). Happy to go with Sennheisers, but would consider Sony/Beyer/Audiotechnica and other premium brands too. When looking on Amazon - there is a class of headphones labelled 'studio' - presuming these are generally good for general music consumption too?

Yes, but be aware they'll likely be tuned to be as neutral as can be. No bass cannons, no treble knives to your ears (looking at you, Beyer).

The ATH-M50x are great lower-end closed back headphones. They're not entirely neutral--kind of got a v-shaped signature--but they're decent in terms of detail and clarity. They sound great for music until you hear something better and then likely won't want to use them anymore. They take EQ quite well, too.

[simonn]

Yes, but be aware they'll likely be tuned to be as neutral as can be. No bass cannons, no treble knives to your ears (looking at you, Beyer).

The ATH-M50x are great lower-end closed back headphones. They're not entirely neutral--kind of got a v-shaped signature--but they're decent in terms of detail and clarity. They sound great for music until you hear something better and then likely won't want to use them anymore. They take EQ quite well, too.

Thanks for your recommendation. Have seen very varying review re these. How were they comfort-wise, as one review I saw labelled them the second most uncomfortable pair of headphones of all time!?

[klyrish]

Thanks for your recommendation. Have seen very varying review re these. How were they comfort-wise, as one review I saw labelled them the second most uncomfortable pair of headphones of all time!?

Hahaha I find them reasonably comfortable but I also bought some velour replacement pads that were a bit thicker than the stock pads.

Honestly, I don't use them outside of work calls/meetings anymore, though. I just do not enjoy their sound/capabilities compared to the rest of my stable (Stax SR-404, Koss ESP/95X, Dan Clark Audio Ether 2, RAAL/Requisite SR1a) and I generally prefer open-back headphones.

[eversonpoe]

Thanks for your recommendation. Have seen very varying review re these. How were they comfort-wise, as one review I saw labelled them the second most uncomfortable pair of headphones of all time!?

i am currently wearing a pair of M-40x headphones, and i love them. i replaced the pads earlier this year because i wear them a lot and i've had them for a few years (replacement pads i got are comfier than the originals). i actually use them to do a lot of mixing (i find them fairly neutral) as well as listening to records. when i still took public transportation, they were how i'd listen to music on the go. i don't get much ear fatigue from them. i've actually seen people say they prefer the 40s to the 50s, but i can't speak to the difference since i've never used the 50s.