Headphones for Ambient Electronic Music - HiFi Headphones Forum - online headphone & earphone community forums

albroun · 10-14-2011, 10:57 AM

I am looking for (over-ear, not in-ear) headphones (less than £200). I listen to electronic ambient music and therefore need:

1. A big open spacious sound
2. The ability to handle ultra-deep bass with depth, precision and clarity and without boominess.

At present I have Sennheiser HD555 which give a nice natural sound, reasonably open and spacious but certainly could be a lot better, and dont handle the ultra deep bass. Also, Sennheiser HD380 Pro which handle ultra-deep bass quite well (and have very sharp treble), but have a poor mid-range and sound rather nasal and compressed.

Any advice appreciated.

M Vortex · 10-15-2011, 01:48 PM

I'm no expert but have been frequenting these forums so hope to help.

To me it seems you want a rich and open sounding soundstage in closed back headphones.

So I'll quote from what I've read:

Ultrasone HFI-580 Closed-Back Foldable Headphones (HFI 580)
£119.95

"Closed backs - As a rule, Ultrasone headphones have a very 3D sound with great soundstage, they sound quite open." -RobinHiFi

Or for more public use;

"Audio-Technica ATH-M50 Closed Monitor Headphones Coiled Cable
£134.95

The M50 are very accurate and sturdy and probably suit wanting to use them anywhere a bit more than the excellent HFI 780." -RobinHiFi

For a very accurate bass, and overall studio quality:

"This headphone fulfils all the criteria and it is also one of the toughest we sell. It has a really wide frequency response with an accurate studio feel and is also much smaller and lighter than a Beyer DT770 (standard issue at the BBC, radio stations and in the film industry. it performs better than a HD25, it is lower impedance than a K701 (which needs a serious amp to get it going). It is closed back so better for travelling than a SR60i (which leak a lot of noise and are really not that detailed and are less bass heavy and a bit less cluttered than the SRH840.

GermanMAESTRO GMP 8.35 D Monitor Closed Headphones
£159.00"-RobinHifi

Links to where I've copied these from:
Best open back or closed back headphones for £120
So much choice... I need help

~M Vortex

albroun · 10-15-2011, 07:14 PM

many thanks for the advice. I will look into your suggestions.

Infact open or closed back is fine - main thing is that they are not in-ear.

Closed back do tend to produce better bass, but often at the expense of openness so will be interesting to follow up your ideas. Many thanks.

albroun · 11-06-2011, 09:02 PM

I followed up the issue on the thread quoted below and I was recommended to go for the BeyerDynamic DT880 PRO by RobinHiFi.

Best open back or closed back headphones for £120

I was interested to compare these with the DT990 PRO as I had been recommended elsewhere. Although I have not had a chance to compare personally it seems that the 880s have a more accurate and detailed sound and a flatter frequency response than the 990s which have a more accentuated bass and treble and a more vigorous punchy sound. The soundstage of both models appears to be similar. I am still investigating as I have a few other headphones on my shortlist. However I thought I would mention this about the Beyers as it might be of interest to others.

10-14-2011, 10:57 AM	#1 (permalink)
albroun Headphone Newbie Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Headphones for Ambient Electronic Music I am looking for (over-ear, not in-ear) headphones (less than £200). I listen to electronic ambient music and therefore need: 1. A big open spacious sound 2. The ability to handle ultra-deep bass with depth, precision and clarity and without boominess. At present I have Sennheiser HD555 which give a nice natural sound, reasonably open and spacious but certainly could be a lot better, and dont handle the ultra deep bass. Also, Sennheiser HD380 Pro which handle ultra-deep bass quite well (and have very sharp treble), but have a poor mid-range and sound rather nasal and compressed. Any advice appreciated.

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10-15-2011, 01:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
M Vortex Headphone Newbie Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 5 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I'm no expert but have been frequenting these forums so hope to help. To me it seems you want a rich and open sounding soundstage in closed back headphones. So I'll quote from what I've read: Ultrasone HFI-580 Closed-Back Foldable Headphones (HFI 580) £119.95 "Closed backs - As a rule, Ultrasone headphones have a very 3D sound with great soundstage, they sound quite open." -RobinHiFi Or for more public use; "Audio-Technica ATH-M50 Closed Monitor Headphones Coiled Cable £134.95 The M50 are very accurate and sturdy and probably suit wanting to use them anywhere a bit more than the excellent HFI 780." -RobinHiFi For a very accurate bass, and overall studio quality: "This headphone fulfils all the criteria and it is also one of the toughest we sell. It has a really wide frequency response with an accurate studio feel and is also much smaller and lighter than a Beyer DT770 (standard issue at the BBC, radio stations and in the film industry. it performs better than a HD25, it is lower impedance than a K701 (which needs a serious amp to get it going). It is closed back so better for travelling than a SR60i (which leak a lot of noise and are really not that detailed and are less bass heavy and a bit less cluttered than the SRH840. GermanMAESTRO GMP 8.35 D Monitor Closed Headphones £159.00"-RobinHifi Links to where I've copied these from: Best open back or closed back headphones for £120 So much choice... I need help ~M Vortex

10-15-2011, 07:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
albroun Headphone Newbie Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	many thanks for the advice. I will look into your suggestions. Infact open or closed back is fine - main thing is that they are not in-ear. Closed back do tend to produce better bass, but often at the expense of openness so will be interesting to follow up your ideas. Many thanks.

11-06-2011, 09:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
albroun Headphone Newbie Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I followed up the issue on the thread quoted below and I was recommended to go for the BeyerDynamic DT880 PRO by RobinHiFi. Best open back or closed back headphones for £120 I was interested to compare these with the DT990 PRO as I had been recommended elsewhere. Although I have not had a chance to compare personally it seems that the 880s have a more accurate and detailed sound and a flatter frequency response than the 990s which have a more accentuated bass and treble and a more vigorous punchy sound. The soundstage of both models appears to be similar. I am still investigating as I have a few other headphones on my shortlist. However I thought I would mention this about the Beyers as it might be of interest to others.