Claritas, I'm actually taking my Tenore up for a short holiday this weekend, will be watching a bunch movies on the coach via my iPad. I can post impressions when I'm back.

Hey Claritas, managed to get WiFi.
I watched 2 animated movies (Dark Knight Returns parts 1&2), the Tenores were good. There's one part in the first movie, where there were racing cars and dialogue, and it was hard to hear the dialogue. Other than that it was ok for audibility and everything sounded nice enough. Can't say much for isolation because there were no screening kids aboard the coach; the Tenores drowned out engine noise well enough.
For the price I can't see why you wouldn't want a pair.

Hello! After a few weeks of reading and searching I decided to go ahead and just directly ask for an advice. I'm trying to set up a rig of no more than about $500 consisting of an amp and a headphones (at least for now, I think I'd consider adding a DAC later). My source will be my laptop I guess, the only other thing I have is a Clip Zip. I'm on a student budget, and at this point in my life it doesn't seem responsible to spend more. I'm not looking for a hi-fi miracle, just something respectably nice to listen to. I really wanted something open for soundstage purposes but I'll consider closed cans too. Theoretically with my very limited experience I shouldn't be too hard to please, but I'm sort of discouraged at the moment. I have this sinking feeling that it might not be possible to get what I want with such a limited budget.

Listening background: Not much, just a lot of portableish budget-fi. I liked the V-Moda M80s, but the comfort wasn't too great. They really made me dislike my M50s because before them I hadn't realized how recessed the mids were before. I adored the way the M80s presented vocals. I've sold everything but my Etymotic HF2s. The HF5s were my first audio purchased above $100, and I loved them so much that when they broke I just rebought the micced version without trying any other IEMs. They're just so clean and easy to listen to.

What I've tried so far: K702s. They made my music sound boring and lifeless and something about them tired out my ears quickly. Granted I didn't have a real amp to try them with, just my Creative Soundblaster Omni. My thinking was that I could at least form a general opinion with that and get a real amp if I liked them. I wonder if that was a mistake now and if I really gave them a fair chance.

Music Preferences: Acoustic genres like musicals, orchestrated game soundtracks, jazz, etc are closest to my heart but I really listen to a lot of different music. Preferably I'll find something that isn't too bad with anything, even if it's at the expense of technical profiency.

I've thought a lot about trying the HD600 but replacing the pads periodically at a cost of $60 sounds expensive.

I owned hd600s for 5+ years without a pad change and was just fine.


Used newer revision HD600 and geek out 450. Not kidding, one of my favorite combos of all time.