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Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!umcp-cs!nbs-amrf!manheimer
From: manheimer@nbs-amrf.UUCP (Ken Manheimer)
Newsgroups: net.audio
Subject: Headphones recommendations wanted (Mail order?)
Message-ID: <429@nbs-amrf.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 17-Feb-85 01:39:31 EST
Article-I.D.: nbs-amrf.429
Posted: Sun Feb 17 01:39:31 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 20-Feb-85 09:20:20 EST
Organization: National Bureau of Standards
Lines: 47

I've finally come around to auditioning some headphones to replace my
(long defunct) pro4AAA's, what with the George W. Bday sales.  I did not
narrow my search particularly at the onset, and quickly came to discover
substantial differences in the medium and high priced phones (I've
probably been spoiled by the Magnepan speakers sequestered in my room).
So far, after two stores and ~ 10 different models, a pair of AKG K340
(electrostatic) headphones, going for ~ $175 are the only ones I've
really gotten enthusiastic about, and I'd like to spend less money than,
that say around $60 to $120.  I also felt okay about a pair of Sennheiser
HD 425 headphones, selling (on sale) for ~ $88.  Unfortunately these two
choices were available in seperate stores so I couldn't compare them,
and the Sennheisers (open air design) were auditioned in a noisy (G.W.
Bday, remember) store, so it's hard to be certain of what I heard.
While the sale is ending soon I'm not too anxious about catching it,
and thought take my time and tap the wisdom of the net (cripes):

So, I have a range of questions for you knowledgeable knetters -

- specifically, do you have any comments on these choices
  (AKG K 340 and Sennheiser HD 425)

- is the Sennheiser price ($86) particularly noteworthy; should I rush
out (before tuesday; since I'm posting this Sunday early morn the
tuesday issue is probably academic) and buy 'em

- more generally, would mail order outlets be likely to provide better
options, and can you suggest good outlets and ways to contact them

- even more generally, is there some headphone you feel deserves raves;
I'm hoping to find something genuinely good in my price range (~ $60 -
$120, though I may consider higher if that's what it's going to take)
and would appreciate any suggestions.

(by the way, while the AKG's are electrostatic, they apparently demand
no special power supply for polarization, ?)

Thanks, 

Ken Manheimer		      UUCP: seismo!nbs-amrf!manheimer
Machine Intelligence Group, Factory Automation Systems Division

National Bureau of Standards		BELL: (301)921-2461
Metrology A127
Gaithersburg, MD  20899

(P.S. I just heard John Abercrombie & Ralph Towner perform tonight (@ Wolf
Trap Farm Park in MD), such a pleasure...)