New phones for office use?

[djeddy]

My tired old Senn HD212Pros are dying, and even though I drive them through a Fiio E10 the sound is only "OK". It's time to replace them (well past time, actually)... and take a step up in quality of course.

I listen to all kinds of music (Baroque/Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, light Metal, Vocal of all kinds) and I like an open, transparent sound with warmish mids but most definitely not boomy bass, it needs to be tight. Detail in the highs of course but not too analytic or Tishy. Because of the office environment I need CLOSED cans (so much for an airy presentation! oh well) and decent isolation would be good. I have a BIG head and prefer circumaural pads. I was thinking of about a $200-ish budget but could go higher if someone talks fast enough.

Any thoughts?

[Marcus]

The AKG K540 would be worth considering - they have a semi open design so they don't leak a great deal and isolate somewhat from outside noise, great sound quality, plus comfy too (and they just dropped in price ).

In fully closed : SRH840, ATH-M50, HM5, TBSE1 are all good options - comfort would go to the Koss first, followed by the other three, isolation levels are similar across the board, sound quality is comparable although with your listed tastes I'd lean toward the TBSE1 or SRH840.

[GougMan]

Shure SRH840

[djeddy]

Wow, such a fast reply! I think I'll take a chance on the K540s. Now, to place an order...

Thanks!

[Marcus]

Just as long as you're aware they aren't a fully-closed model, so there is some leakage from outside noise and if you have them cranked up there will be a little leakage outwards, but they aren't like fully open models (eg: MS1/AD700) which essentially offer NO isolation from outside noise and lots of leakage.

If that sounds good, I think you'll love 'em

[djeddy]

OK, got the new K540s and ripped open the packaging to give them a listen - such a difference from my (really old and tired and never really all that good) HD212Pros! Just what I wanted - the lower isolation lets me hear when someone wants me so that's good. They also passed the more critical shared office test - my office mates, one of whom claims that 2nd-hand earbud tish drives her crazy (and sits less than 2m from me), told me she couldn't hear anything from my direction even when I was running about as loud as I would want to.

Thanks, guys. Chalk up a satisfied customer.

[Marcus]

Awesome! I'm glad they're a hit
Thanks for your support and feedback.