Sennheiser HD555 vs Ultrasone Hfi450 vs Sennheiser HD485...which one?

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bhupatib

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i'm looking to buy a new a headphone within 6K and these are the options i've shortlisted.
most reviews i've looked up doesn't provide a clear picture, infact the ultrasone headphones doesn't even have a proper review.
what i need to make clear is that my headphones experience includes EP630 and PL11, i've tried the Ultrasone Hfi450 and found the difference to be dramatic enough to invest in these cans for full time home listening and use the in-ears for travel only.
still i don't consider myself a pro and it wont do me much good if i've to invest in a separate amp to enjoy these (as seems to the case with the HD555), but if guys suggest on grounds of significant improvement i'll consider.
so please help me make up my mind!

PS. i own an itouch and mostly listen to metal and alternatives and have a high encoded library (at least 192k).
 
Consider JVC RX900 as well. Those are closed cans and offer over-the-board performance for the price it comes for. I'm not sure if the iTouch would be able to drive these and the ones you are considering to the fullest.

You will have to source it from abroad though. We have a dealer who just does that - katmandude. Contact him through PMs.
 
ultrasone's r awesome! i use them and vouch for them! but since ur music is alternative id suggest a grado sr80i / u can look @ the shure models (which r also solid all rounders) even then jvc that dese suggestion r awesome value for money... my gf uses the 700's and loves them. very easy to drive.. u dont need a amp at all. ur not going wrong with any of these models.. just ditch the 485's ... happy listening
 
i wasnt aware of JVC so thnx alot for the info.

i loved the ultrasone but they didnt fit me properly, itouch will have trouble driving the hd555 (the fact that 6.3mm jack is the standard and 3.5mm is via adapter confirms its targeted use) and more research suggest that hd485 has somewhat boomy bass-a sure discomfort for long hour metal listening and they're not full size like the hfi450 so i'll run into the same problem.

looks like its a close call between jvc rx700 and rx900. opinions being split around other forums but think i'll take the cheaper rx700 and replace pl11(now sounding like cheap radio) with a v moda vibe.

btw katmandude is out of business for while...
 
JVC is a good choice and the others you mentioned won't do justice without amps. So forget about them. The amps are more expi than the headphones. Do try out sen HD pro 280. Studio quality neutral sound. Great phones. Lets you listen to sound as it was meant to be by the producer. No interference from the drivers.
 
The JVC 700 and 900 IMO need an amp as well. They are not very easy to drive.

The AD700 on the other hand (from what I have read) are easy to drive.

Also KMD is back in business :D
 
incase you haven't spent your moolah yet, i would recommend the grado sr80i's IMHO since they're perfect for listening to alternative & metal. They're instrument separation and sound stage are really gr8.

Also they are meant for indoor listening since they're open back hps.

You can order for the grado's from ebay(pristinenote, gr8 guy).

Considering the fact that you won't be able to drive the JVC rx900 from the itouch makes them an inappropriate suggestion and don't understand why people are recommending those.
 
@bennysachdev

Grado has got some great reviews but my primary concern with them is the comfort. I prefer cups over flat foam cushion of Grado. They also look quite old too and don't think will fit my budget. As for driving the JVC900s, i'm ordering the fiio E5 too, and since this HP is semi-open with leather padding (unlike RX700s) it solves the issues of soundstage and comfort.

Have placed an order with KMD and here's where my moolah's going -

JVC HARX900 - 4500/- (Shipped)

Soundmagic PL30 + fiio E5 - 1850/-
 
I owned the HD485 for the longest time and I loved the pair. The sound is nicely warm, but a tad lacking in bass. The overall fit is comfortable too. Buy it if you listen to lots of folk, acoustic, or for that matter any music that doesn't emphasise on beats and deep bass.
 
For a portable device like iPod, you would be better off with a pair of ear buds rather than headphones. JVC HARX 900 barely works on the non-amplified line out on my X-Fi card. I use them with an an amplifier. I own a pair of HD485 as well, they might work fine directly off the iPod, but personally I didn't like the HD485's much. They are uncomfortable (my ears got sore after using them for a while) and audio quality is nothing great. I was hard pressed to find any differences in quality from my Phillips HP805's except for the fact that HD485's did not seem to output bass at all.
 
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