Best looking headphones and/or headphone gear?

My vote is for the Sennheiser HD 598, which is the most beautiful headphone I have ever seen. Some, including my wife, think it looks retro, but I like it, and so do a lot of others. And it sounds really good,too.
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"A fool and his money are soon parted." --- Thomas Tusser

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-598-Over-Ear-Headphones/

RE: The original Sennheiser Orpheus, posted on April 8, 2016 at 07:03:44
genungo	Well sure, but it's hard to compete with a $1,000,000 headphone rig...

RE: The original Sennheiser Orpheus, posted on April 8, 2016 at 10:45:02
PAR	:-). Don't think that they cost quite that much. However I still think that they look better than their recent replacement from Sennheiser (which ain't cheap either @ 55,000 euro). They sound wonderful too judging from the few minutes I spent with them once.

RE: Senneiser's new $63,000 headphones, posted on April 8, 2016 at 14:07:22

genungo

Here's a review for anyone interested in buying (or simply looking at) a pair...

Sennheiser Orpheus II

RE: Senneiser's new $63,000 headphones, posted on April 9, 2016 at 10:50:14
Coner Audiophile Posts: 3703 Location: S.W. Washington state, USA Joined: November 17, 2001	Didn't the reviewer of that screw up when he said that a normal dynamic headphone has a coil ATTACHED to a magnet?. Should have said coil is in a magnetic field, and coil attached to diaphragm. Maybe splitting hairs here, lol.

RE: Senneiser's new $63,000 headphones, posted on April 10, 2016 at 12:36:34
genungo	I dunno, could be a typo or an error in translation... In any case, I'd be willing to bet that a Stax SR-009/Headamp Blue Hawaii combo (for over $50,000 less) probably sounds just about as good, if not better, than the new Orpheus does. Limited production, marble casework, etc.., means that it is NOT all about the sound. Exclusivity is a big selling point, I'm sure.

These are nice..., posted on April 12, 2016 at 21:48:03
musetap Audiophile Posts: 31879 Location: San Francisco Joined: July 8, 2003 Contributor Since: January 28, 2004	Just happened to be passing by, did a search and these caught my eye. Nicely balanced, a vintage sensibility I like, some nice wood and graceful design. Mic like. Have NO idea if they sound good but they are beautiful IMO. "Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination"-Michael McClure

RE: These are nice..., posted on April 13, 2016 at 05:08:02
genungo	Ultrasone has always made some of the best looking 'phones. Sonically, they might be considered to be something of an "acquired taste", so definitely try to audition before buying.

Sonus faber Pryma, posted on April 16, 2016 at 09:53:27

janis
Audiophile

Posts: 298
Joined: February 21, 2002

how about the new Sonus faber Pryma?

http://www.pryma.com

Unusual..., posted on April 16, 2016 at 10:44:21
genungo	.., but nicely done! I wonder how they sound?

RE: The Meze 99 Classics are nice looking, posted on April 16, 2016 at 12:48:09
genungo	Yes!

RE: Sennheiser HD 598, posted on April 16, 2016 at 12:50:51
genungo	I've never seen a pair in real life, only in photos. I usually shy away from white or light-colored headphones but maybe I should reconsider these.

Almost seems a secondary aspect of them..., posted on April 17, 2016 at 09:02:22
musetap Audiophile Posts: 31879 Location: San Francisco Joined: July 8, 2003 Contributor Since: January 28, 2004	The prymastyle page shows what seems to be the primary aspect of them. Headphones; the latest fashion/lifestyle statement. "Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination"-Michael McClure

Ether C headphone by MrSpeakers. Incredible sound too, posted on April 17, 2016 at 11:37:33
Ned Audiophile Posts: 633 Location: Manhattan (NYC) Joined: July 23, 2001	Check out the pics and rave reviews. Been out about 6 months. http://mrspeakers.com/

RE: Sennheiser HD 598, posted on April 17, 2016 at 11:44:12

Pat D
Audiophile

Posts: 12506
Location: Fredericton NB
Joined: June 20, 2000

A lot of people seem to like them, what with 2279 reviews on Amazon.com. Not having had experience with very many headphones, I researched them quite a lot. They liked them at HeadRoom, and they measured quite well. I also asked here, and I got the opinions that they were comfortable and very easy to listen to. I have been quite happy with them for 4 years.

My phones are a light tan, though the current picture on Amazon looks ivory. The new HD 598 SE is black. It comes with two cords, long and short. I don't think it looks as good, personally. People say it sounds the same.

-----
"A fool and his money are soon parted." --- Thomas Tusser

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-598-Over-Ear-Headphones/

RE: Ether C headphone by MrSpeakers. , posted on April 17, 2016 at 12:36:04
genungo	"Drool worthy", says one reviewer.

RE: Ether C headphone by MrSpeakers. , posted on May 7, 2016 at 02:58:21

triamp
Audiophile

Posts: 780
Location: USA
Joined: August 6, 2008

My little "zen" amp (N. Pass type circuit)

Science doesn't care what you believe.

MORE PICTURES

RE: Ether C headphone by MrSpeakers. , posted on May 7, 2016 at 03:09:19

triamp
Audiophile

Posts: 780
Location: USA
Joined: August 6, 2008

....or my Beta 22 amp

Science doesn't care what you believe.

MORE PICTURES

Drool worthy..., posted on May 7, 2016 at 06:47:32
genungo	Did you assemble and finish these amps yourself?

Nicely done! nt, posted on May 7, 2016 at 12:29:33
Travis Audiophile Posts: 6170 Location: La Grange, Texas Joined: November 25, 2001	. "If people don't want to come, nothing will stop them" - Sol Hurok

RE: Drool worthy..., posted on May 7, 2016 at 14:59:34
triamp Audiophile Posts: 780 Location: USA Joined: August 6, 2008	Yes. Science doesn't care what you believe.

RE: Ether C headphone by MrSpeakers. , posted on May 11, 2016 at 12:38:41
janis Audiophile Posts: 298 Joined: February 21, 2002	Wow, looks amazing!

RE: Ether C headphone by MrSpeakers. , posted on May 11, 2016 at 14:19:02

triamp
Audiophile

Posts: 780
Location: USA
Joined: August 6, 2008

Thanks

The Zen amp has dual power supplies (two generously-sized transformers,two IXYS FBE22-06N1
fast / soft recovery rectifier bridges, etc) uses Silmic II electrolytics, Wima film caps, Alps "blue velvet" pot and is very heavily biased into Class A. This circuit has only ONE active device in the direct audio path, a Mosfet. It is a single-ended design, based on Nelson Pass ideas. (Although there is only one active device directly in the signal path, there are constant current sources etc that "feed" the device, and they certainly affect the sound. Still, this is a SINGLE STAGE SINGLE ENDED AMPLIFIER, and for that reason it can be thought of as being special.)

Since it's single-ended, there's DC at the output that needs to be blocked. The output capacitors in my version are 1,000 uF film caps, and I've also put in a switch allowing you to select a 1,000 Silimic II electrolytic instead- so you can A/B a film coupling cap vs an electrolytic.

The amp is fairly powerful, and can drive HiFiMan HE-6 headphones. The sound is tube-ish.

The Beta 22 has a few "special" touches. The power supply is completely (and safely) electrically isolated from the main chassis by Delrin plastic and rubber. This inner subchassis is connected to "third prong" AC safety ground, but the overall main chassis is not, and is connected only to audio ground. The power transformer is magnetically shielded. This arrangement provides all the advantages of a two-chassis design in a single chassis. Also, to maintain very low impedance in supply and return rails, all power rail wiring is 14 ga wire, soldered directly to the amp boards; the 0V return power rail is 12 ga. All wiring is teflon-insulated silver plated. (I don't know if using that kind of wire makes it sound any better- some would say so; what I like is the silver-plated wire provides a more reliable solder connection, and the Teflon insulation doesn't melt or pull back when you solder the wire, making for tidy wiring.)

The Beta 22 has a Goldpoint attenuator, mounted right next to the input jacks. The volume knob is on a long shaft, but I took care to mount it all very solidly and the volume knob was a very positive, smooth feel to it.

Both amplifiers have custom AC cords that I made, which are a little heavier (14 ga) than most, and have good quality IEC and power plug hardware on them to help them stay reliable for a long time. The cord is kind of nice, too- cloth covered which I think dresses it up a little.

Science doesn't care what you believe.

RE: Best looking headphones and/or headphone gear?, posted on July 2, 2016 at 03:09:07
soundfan Audiophile Posts: 132 Location: Brisbane,Australia Joined: June 9, 2004	I have the "cherry" version of the ZMF Omni semi closed cans on order. Look pretty good I think.

RE: Best looking headphones and/or headphone gear?, posted on July 2, 2016 at 03:43:07
genungo	Yes.

RE: Best looking headphones and/or headphone gear?, posted on November 21, 2016 at 14:50:48
pmaneri@samsontech.com Manufacturer Posts: 152 Location: Long Island,NY Joined: May 22, 2015	Master and Dynamic MH40, in natural leather. Just bought a pair at the NY Audio Show. Construction is excellent-forged aluminum, stainless steel, natural lambskin ear pads, cowhide headband. Plus, they sound as good as they look.

Headphone Heights

Best looking headphones and/or headphone gear?

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