What Headphones for a Quad ESL lover?
-- Sun, 10/04/2009 - 05:52
Hi Folks
I had to sacrifice my Quad ESL's (989's) due to space constraints a year or so back... I now have a set of Gallo ref 3 speakers that do a very good job but not as good as the Quads used to.
However I recently listened to a pair of Noise Reducing headphones (Sennheiser PCX250) in my office (with the noise of computer fans and other devices all around) - and rediscovered the joys of headphone audio. (I used to listen to headphones a lot in my teens...)
So I am asking those out there with substantial and current headphones experience... what headphones should I consider/have a listen to?
ie: what headphones would provide an experience most like a set of Quad ESL's in terms of sound balance/ timbre etc...
Years ago (86/87) I remember listening to and enjoying the Revox 3000 (rebadged Beyer 880 ?) more than the then top of the line Koss. This was at the stage when ESL's were just starting to seduce me - and once my first ESL's entered my home - I stopped listening to headphones.
Your help and advice appreciated - thanks
David
Hi folks
forgot to login before posting ....
comments welcome!
David,
A quick question: when you alluded to the "top of the line Koss" model, above, were you referring to the Koss electrostatic headphones?
Two of my personal favorites are the Sennheiser HD800s and Ultrasone Edition 8s, both of which were favorably reviewed by Tom Martin in Playback.
Another product line to check out would be the family of electrostatic headphone models from Stax.
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
Hi Chris,
thanks for the response...
No the Koss phones were the top of the line dynamics...
I would prefer to avoid the complications of ESL headphones... not to mention hoping to remain a couple of price brackets lower!
(I actually havn't set a budget yet - just tyre kicking at this stage)
If you are really missing Electrostatic speakers, electrostatic headphones are the way to go.
Complicated? All you have to do is run a line-level (rec out on most pre's and integrated maps) into the Stax energizer box (which is really just a high quality low power amplifier). That' s no more complicated than using an outboard headphone amplifier with a conventional driver earphone system. All the participants at CANJAM would say that using a high-quality headphone amplifier with any set of headphones is the only way to get the most out of them, so if you're willing to do that using a Stax isn't any different.
IMHO there are some excellent conventional driver headphones, but Stax are still in a class by themselves.
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
David,
I think Steven Stone and I both were thinking along similar lines: namely, that if you love the see-through clarity of electrostatic speakers you would likewise enjoy that same quality in electrostatic 'phones, fine examples of which would be the Stax models.
But I also posed my question about the Koss electrostatic 'phones because Koss still builds and sells them (for some reason, many audiophiles think Koss ceased manufacture of its electrostatic 'phones, but this isn't the case). I haven't done extended listening with the Koss electrostats, but a brief listen made me think they would be worth checking out. However, as a general rule electrostatic headphones do command premium prices.
As for getting electrostatic-like results at "a couple of price brackets lower," one option to consider might be the excellent Grado RS2. I reviewed it in Playback about a year ago (you can read the review on AVguide or get a copy via downloading the Playback headphone buyer's guide), and I recall thinking to myself as I was jotting down review notes that the RS2's sound reminded me of electrostatic speakers I've heard or owned in the past--and at a "pennies-on-the-dollar" price.
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
Thanks guys...
I find myself browsing ebay scanning the STAX adds...
I didn't know that Koss still made their stats - it certainly isn't obvious on the website... in fact I am having trouble finding any mention of it! - I can't find a way of getting to it via the Website but a google search provides me with a direct link (go figure) http://www.koss.com/koss/kossweb.nsf/p?openform&pc^es - obviously they are marketing these heavily !!!
The Koss headphones that I remember liking many years ago was the Pro 4x
Certainly you guys have nudged me into checking out stats again.... although I was hoping for a budget of around 1/2 what the basic Stat setup costs...
bye for now
David
Here is the Koss page for the ESP950:
http://www.koss.com/koss/kossweb.nsf/p?openform&pc^es^ESP950
I guess you just have to know the model number you want to find it. Like a dictionary.
David,
If this would interest you, watch for a Playback issue 24 review on the Grado SR325is headphone--Grado's roughly $300 model. This model could be interpreted as an RS2 "junior," but at a more accessible price. I expect the review to be published late today or early tomorrow morning, and it will be highlighted in our weekly AVguide/Playback email newsletter.
Not to give away the findings of the review in advance, but our reviewer Tom Martin found the 325's offered exceptional (that is to say, very nearly 'stat-like) midrange transparency for the money. Stay tuned for the review.
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
Here's the Grado review Chris mentions:
http://www.avguide.com/review/playback-24-grado-sr325is-headphones
Thanks guys - just read the review...
How would you characterise the differences between the SR325i and the Alessandro MS-Pro, RS-1 or Beyer DT880 (250/600Ohm) ?
A lot of listeners tend to say that the Alessandro versions are a little less "strident" than the equivalent Grado's
Where I am, Australia, the SR325/MS-2/DT-880 tend to sell for around the same price - the RS-1/MS-Pro I can import from the US at a reasonable price (substantially cheaper than local pricing and close enough to the price of the SR225/DT880 to make it worth considering) - and Stax tend start at around double the local price for a SR325/DT880... and that is taking advantage of the Aus$ strength and importing direct... local pricing is around double that again!
At the local price of a set of Stax 'phones I could get myself a nice used pair of ESL63's (which I don't have room for...)
I have been wary of the Grado's due to reports of a forward nature to the sound - I have always liked the laid back nature of the Quads.... never very much liked "agressive" speakers. (experience with silk dome tweeters has been far more positive than metal dome units, etc...)
Also I can more easily put up with a lack of bass and treble than with flaws in the midrange or rising/strident treble
thanks
David
... and the Ergo
http://www.stoneaudio.co.uk/browse.asp?product=35#
hmm and while talking about the Stax phones - the price didn't include the "energiser" - which is about the same price as the phones over again...
Although I do see quite a few SRD series energisers out on ebay - they are the ones designed to connect to the Amp speaker terminals, rather than taking an RCA or XLR input...
Any comments out there on differences between the various types of "energisers"
thanks
David
I can't comment on Stax as I've never heard them, but I have had Quad 988s on long term loan and own three sets of 'phones- Beyer DT880 (250ohm/'03 version) Beyer DT990 ('08 version) and AKG 701.
For me the Beyer dt880 '03 version is the closest to Quad 988s (and Harbeth c7 speakers I use). Good luck.
David: what headphone amp and CD player or D/A converter are you planning to use? I ask because the more revealing headphones may not meet your criteria for tonal balance when presented with a less than pristine signal. OTOH, the headphones that will hide these things may not meet your criteria for transparency. I realize you have a budget.
Hi Tom,
my main system currently has no headphone jack... I am shopping for a new receiver/prepro (currently running Lexicon DC1)
I am tempted by the new Harman AVR7550HD (I can't do without Logic7) unfortunately I just heard from the importer that at present they are still deciding whether to bring the 240V version (AVR760) into Australia...
My main HP listening is on the PC at this stage (where it is non critical as I am doing other stuff at the same time).
I am not too concerned with not getting the absolute best out of the HP's initially - I have always taken the approach of getting the best speakers I can, and then working back upgrading as I go.... that way each improvement is revealed...
I am also aware that reports on results with receivers are very very variable.... so it is one step at a time... phones & receiver... then if needed HP amp
Well in the context of starting with the best output devices and upgrading the supply chain later, FWIW, I don't find the Grados to be strident (i.e. w/Esoteric DSD D/A, Luxman headphone amp).
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