Hello everyone.

I've been waiting to assemble my home theater system, as the pieces slowly roll in. In the mean time, I've been using an old, inexpensive and abused pair of Sony headphones, MDR CD550’s, to manipulate the 990’s settings, so that I can listen to my TV and FM radio. I've been enjoying the experience so much that I'm toying with the idea of buying a nice new pair. I've researched and there's quite a selection now.

My reason for writing is to ask if any of you are using headphones with your 990 and if so, how would you describe the experience and what recommendations might you all have?

Thank you!

John

I have Sennheiser HD555 phones and use them quite regularly for movies and music. This is my first pair of decent phones and am very happy. I paid $125 and feel they are a very good value. I understand Shure makes competitive units that some like very well also.

i also use Sennheiser (HD580's). i've had them for nearly 10 years now, so maybe its time to upgrade, but they sound awesome. can be easily had for under $200 and they are very comfortable.

Yes, I see the new top Sennheiser models are the 595, 600 and 650, ranging from below $200 to nearly $500. E-bay has them for reasonable money, but is this the kind of thing you'd buy without auditioning, first (based solely on reviews and feedback)?

John

Like zod, I have the Senn HD555 (comfortable) as well and really prefer the cans for late night movies rather than using night mode, etc.

The fact that a headphone output was added to the feature list for the 990 was one of the major reasons for me upgrading from the previous 950.

As far as auditioning headphones, I read up as best I could and then blindly pulled the trigger based on rep and reviews. FWIW, the Grado 60's also sound very nice and are an easy push for the 990, more emphasis on the mid-bass though.

Headphones & 990:
(1) I have several AKG Dynamic phones. But I don't want to tie-up the 990 from its use with TV for Mrs. and little ones. So...

(2) I use zone 2 and send it to an external preamp and a Crown D40 amp....this powers my STAX electrostatic phones, which sound great, and are as close as I can come to the recordings made with our AKG mics over the years. Furthermore I can not only listen but if the material has video it is output to a secondary (old, cheap CRT TV). So with this setup I get "two-for-the-price-of-one???"

Great planning on the part of the outlaws

Wow, that's an amazingly versatile, practical setup!

I'm thinking about purchasing a pair of Senn HD650's. Do any of you have any experience with these and/or thoughts about them? They seem highly recommended.

thanks,

John

Sorry I don't. Others in the forum probably can advise you on this. STAX are transparent, and I've seen them on ebay. Enjoy your versatile 990.

Dr_JB: Please let the forum know how you like your purchase. We have a new kitten who found she had a real affinity for headphone cords so I'm using this an an excuse to upgrade. I had (have) the HD-555's and enjoyed them but I'm looking at the 650's too and would really like to hear from a fellow Outlaw how they stack up for the money.
Many Thanks,
Craig, the Dog_Lover

DR_JB I have the 600's and they have a nice sound to them,so I assume the 650's will be better as they seem to be almst double the price at music direct.