Audiophile Headset

[bovine.baron]

I've been surfing around Head-Fi as of late and I get the impression that headsets are a big compromise on sound for audiophiles. If you can get a clip on mic like you said in OP, it'd probably be better to go on Head-Fi or another audiophile board and asking for a pir of headphones with good soundstage, assuming you'll want it for gaming.

[Scart]

Originally Posted by bigword

I just picked up the M-Audio Q40, and I got to say that they are great.

Came to about $200 at CC.

One thing to know about the Q40, is that they are like clamps out of the box. I had to stretch mine out before I could wear
them for more than a couple of hours. You can also pick you some DT770 pads, which apparently make it far more comfortable

Take a look at this thread, for more info on them
M-Audio Q40 Impressions (long w/pics) - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

I may go for these, just cause you can get them on NCIX and pricematch express canada for $154.

Do you know where I can get DT770 pads?

[Moneyless]

Originally Posted by Scart

If you wanna get into a grammar war its "headphones"

I was told Audio Technica 700's were very good, as well as M-Audio.

Does anyone know where you'd be able to test these out?
I live in Edmonton.

I've got both Senn HD-555s and Audio-Technica ATH-A700s, and they're both great. The HD-555s deliver slightly better sound, but since they are ''open'' cans more sound leaks out, and IMO they aren't as comfortable for wearing for a while like the ATH-A700s are...

Those M-Audio Q40s look like they'd be great too, as I'm sure they are. :) TBH anything from Sennheiser/Grado/Audio-Technica/Beyerdynamic/M-Audio/etc should fit your needs, although Bose are really overrated and overpriced IMO (and TBH any knowlegable ''audiophile'' would say the same when asked... just like Monster Cables...).

[Toronto122]

Originally Posted by Scart

If you wanna get into a grammar war its "headphones"

I was told Audio Technica 700's were very good, as well as M-Audio.

Does anyone know where you'd be able to test these out?
I live in Edmonton.

You could fly to Toronto, and come to my house...I have them both here.

They're very different headphones, although both are very good. The M-Audio Q40's have great sound quality, and they're a closed ear design...so no sound gets in at all. They also clamp down on your head pretty tight. This can become uncomfortable after a while. For sound quality, at the price they're at, they're simply amazing...BUT...

Yesterday I finally got my 700's. These are an open design. They're extremely light, and they let sound in, but the sound quality is stunning. They so comfortable as you wouldn't even know you're wearing them.

Both are good, it just depends on what you're looking for in a headphone.

Good luck!

[Dogger1]

I haven't tried the Q40's but I've owned the AD700's and as Toronto observed, their sound quality is oustanding and you don't even know you're wearing them.
FYI, I liked the AD700s so much that I upgraded to the AD900s, then I tried the AD2000 but that's another story.

[Scart]

Two problems with the AD700's:
-Leak sound
-Hard to buy

[Cptn Vortex]

Woot AKG! I have some K171's that are amazing. About $200. They have a larger model but the price is also higher...

[BrokenHalo83]

I'm actually surprised no one has reccomended taking a trip down to a music store to try out some headphones. I know axe music at least used to have some rellay nice gear. Plus the guys there are really knowledgeable

[Wall86]

Try checking out Axemusic, they have a website with some serious audio gear, they are mostly based in Alberta and I am pretty sure they have an Edmonton location.

I am happy with my Senn HD-555's for the amount that I use them, whenever I get the chance I use my boss's AKG WHT-5000's at work, but that is rare. The HD-555's are recommended by me if you do not want to get into some serious audiophile headphones ($$$$$).

[bigword]

Originally Posted by Scart

I may go for these, just cause you can get them on NCIX and pricematch express canada for $154.

Do you know where I can get DT770 pads?

The only place that I know of is in the states.
beyerdynamic DT770 Cushions @ HeadRoom: The World's Best Headphone Audio Store

Would be about $50 CAD.