Amp/DAC for laptop use.

[matt_d_19]

It looks like you are REALLY set on the MS2. If so, then just buy it and stop wasting everyone else's time.

If I were set, I'd stop 'wasting everyone else's time'.

My problem is that none of them really stand out as the one I want.

So hard to choose!

[Marcus]

What I think he means to say is it feels that you want us to tell you to buy the MS2 - you've shot down the alternatives offered for various reasons - you've narrowed it down, all you have to do now is commit to the decision

[matt_d_19]

What I think he means to say is it feels that you want us to tell you to buy the MS2 - you've shot down the alternatives offered for various reasons - you've narrowed it down, all you have to do now is commit to the decision

It just doesn't seem like the one. They all have some flaws, maybe the MS2 has the least to me. And I can't know for sure which one I prefer without trying them.

[Drubbing]

There is no perfect headphone. That's why -eventually - you need two. At least.

[Marcus]

Every headphone is flawed. You just need to decide which flaws will have too great a negative effect and which ones you can either live with or enjoy.

If your expectations are too high, you'll likely be disappointed in whatever you get and head off in the never ending search for the Magical Headphone Unicorn that just doesn't exist.

Find a horse you like, glue a horn onto it's head and paint a rainbow on the side.

[matt_d_19]

There's no perfect headphone, but that doesn't make my decision any easier. And these flaws are mainly in sound (e.g. MS2 too fatiguing, AD900 too bass light) so I don't know which ones I can live with...

MS2 is engaging and upfront with good all round sound and good bass impact. It also looks great. But can be very fatiguing to some people which could make this a bad choice.
DT250 is more enjoyable than the MS2 for some people, with a more neutral and laid back sound. Sounds very good overall and is one of the most loved headphones on this forum. It is quite ugly and plastic-y to me and quite overpriced when buying from anywhere in Aus, but it is still good value.

This is what I've gathered so far. Now the thinking begins...

Also, thanks to everyone who posted in this thread for their time and information that has been shared. 80 replies! WOW!

[Marcus]

There's no perfect headphone, but that doesn't make my decision any easier. And these flaws are mainly in sound (e.g. MS2 too fatiguing, AD900 too bass light) so I don't know which ones I can live with...

MS2 is engaging and upfront with good all round sound and good bass impact. It also looks great. But can be very fatiguing to some people which could make this a bad choice.

People tend to either love it or hate it.
The AD900 bass isn't "too light", it's just not what some people expect from their first high end headphone.

DT250 is more enjoyable than the MS2 for some people, with a more neutral and laid back sound. Sounds very good overall and is one of the most loved headphones on this forum. It is quite ugly and plastic-y to me and quite overpriced when buying from anywhere in Aus, but it is still good value.

It's a studio headphone, looks aren't what they're built for. Overpriced? Hardly - they've remained stable in price for years, plus you get a full 2 year local warranty that can be serviced in any state. At $400 they'd still be good value for money.

[matt_d_19]

Yes, looks aren't important and it isn't overpriced, but if I could pick it up for under $200 in the US or somewhere, they don't look as good value as they were before, if you know what I mean.

[Marcus]

ok, so that leaves you with the AD900 or MS2 ... we've been here before

[matt_d_19]

ok, so that leaves you with the AD900 or MS2 ... we've been here before

Yes. We might just be going around in circles.

Anyway, I'm not ruling out the DT250, in fact, I still like it more than the AD900, the price thing is just one of its flaws. And I saw pictures of a band I like recording with them

A question I have is do you think the DT250 is better value than the MS2 to someone who doesn't find it fatiguing? Because the DT250 is closed.

[Marcus]

The DT250 is good value even if you aren't considering closed models. I'd normally recommend the AD900 as an open alternative but the DT250 sounds less like the MS2 than the AD900 does.

[matt_d_19]

There is no perfect headphone. That's why -eventually - you need two. At least.

I've done some thinking, and I think that this situation calls for two headphones.

DT250 + MS1 =

The pleasant sound of the DT250 with the energetic open sound of the MS1 for under $500.

Your thoughts?

[Drubbing]

Do it. I did. That's a good enough reason IMO.

[dingostolemyipod]

There is no perfect headphone. That's why -eventually - you need two. At least.

I've done some thinking, and I think that this situation calls for two headphones.

DT250 + MS1 =

The pleasant sound of the DT250 with the energetic open sound of the MS1 for under $500.

Your thoughts?

Just get the MS1, and use that for a few months.
Then you'll have a decent point of reference for knowing what you may want different for future purchases or you might really like the MS1 and feel no need to upgrade.

[matt_d_19]

There is no perfect headphone. That's why -eventually - you need two. At least.

I've done some thinking, and I think that this situation calls for two headphones.

DT250 + MS1 =

The pleasant sound of the DT250 with the energetic open sound of the MS1 for under $500.

Your thoughts?

Just get the MS1, and use that for a few months.
Then you'll have a decent point of reference for knowing what you may want different for future purchases or you might really like the MS1 and feel no need to upgrade.

I'd rather get the DT250 now and buy the MS1 in a few months if I want and it could double as my portable headphone.