AKG K371s. Excellent sounding, relatively inexpensive, sensitive enough to be driven by a phone, titanium coated conventional drivers.
Simple, Inexpensive, but Decent Headphone System
I would never consider going headphone full time for a variety of reasons, but just wondering what the majority of people do here. I use them when traveling, but lately I've been using them in the middle of the night as I have developed some irritating insomnia and have been using them for an hour or so in the middle of the night (I used to troop downstairs or into the basement and use one of my HT systems-my main 2 channel system is in a room next to our bedroom and so if I use that I wake up my wife, and now I've discovered that the effort of climbing up and down a few levels of stairs is even more likely to keep me awake). I also need to use them for work occasionally as I am a Physician and still do some telemedicine that started with the Pandemic. My requirements:
1) I prefer closed back phones, so again as not to disturb others. I have a decent pair of open back HiFi
Man phones but basically can't use them for that reason.
2) I prefer not to use a headphone amp. I have used an amp from a manufacturer that will go nameless--it crapped out after about 2 months of light use --and frankly I find it cumbersome to be lugging a separate amp around while traveling
3) My sources are my LG Velvet Cellphone-a descendent of the model that was featured on the cover of Stereophile a few years ago (it has an ESS Sabre DAC and has been able to drive the phones that I have tried so far)--and the more problematic iPad. So I would prefer something to pair with those and not require a driver.
4) no buds please--I dislike the sensation of someone sticking fingers in my ears
5). Budget-under $500. I realize this is chump change for many here but I prefer to put my money into my conventional gear and into buying music.
6) I prefer conventional drivers. Both the HiFi Man that I previously mentioned, and the Oppo PM3 that was recently stolen from me, left me dissatisfied by Planar Magnetic technology. Both phones seem to
accentuate the hole in the head phenomenon compared to conventional driver phones.
7) I already have a decent Bluetooth noise canceling phone-Sony WX 1004- but the limitations of BT with respect to quality and pairing get cumbersome.
My dealer has leant me a pair of Meze Audio phones for $199 and they seem to tick all the boxes. They may not be the most refined listen but at this price point I wasn't expecting miracles. I have to return them this weekend or else decide to purchase (at a discount since these were open box to begin with). Just thought I'd see if there were any others that might do a bit better.
1) I prefer closed back phones, so again as not to disturb others. I have a decent pair of open back HiFi
Man phones but basically can't use them for that reason.
2) I prefer not to use a headphone amp. I have used an amp from a manufacturer that will go nameless--it crapped out after about 2 months of light use --and frankly I find it cumbersome to be lugging a separate amp around while traveling
3) My sources are my LG Velvet Cellphone-a descendent of the model that was featured on the cover of Stereophile a few years ago (it has an ESS Sabre DAC and has been able to drive the phones that I have tried so far)--and the more problematic iPad. So I would prefer something to pair with those and not require a driver.
4) no buds please--I dislike the sensation of someone sticking fingers in my ears
5). Budget-under $500. I realize this is chump change for many here but I prefer to put my money into my conventional gear and into buying music.
6) I prefer conventional drivers. Both the HiFi Man that I previously mentioned, and the Oppo PM3 that was recently stolen from me, left me dissatisfied by Planar Magnetic technology. Both phones seem to
accentuate the hole in the head phenomenon compared to conventional driver phones.
7) I already have a decent Bluetooth noise canceling phone-Sony WX 1004- but the limitations of BT with respect to quality and pairing get cumbersome.
My dealer has leant me a pair of Meze Audio phones for $199 and they seem to tick all the boxes. They may not be the most refined listen but at this price point I wasn't expecting miracles. I have to return them this weekend or else decide to purchase (at a discount since these were open box to begin with). Just thought I'd see if there were any others that might do a bit better.