Incoming: Headphone shootout

GavRichList

My wife had some new boots, my firstborn some new playmobil, so I thought I'd finally treat myself to some new headphones. 

I was torn between two models after extensive reading, so I ordered them both, with the intention of keeping the victor. Pretty expensive testing for cans! 

Ordered the Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 and the Bowers & Wilkins P5 series 2. Both arrive tomorrow. 

Anyone any experience of either? 

duotone

I own the original B&W P5 & briefly tried on the Sennheisers in a shop for only 5mins & I found them to be more comfortable than the B&W P5, but haven't tried the P5  series 2, which are supposed to be better sounding than the original P5.

The P5 excelled for me in the midrange, for vocals I still love 'em.

stickyfiddle

I've had the Momentum 2.0s for a year and adore them. Sound is absolutely fantastic, and very comfortable. 

I find they l get a little warm on your ears after a couple of hours but that's a very minor complaint!

GavRichList

This sounds like it won't be the easiest of decisions then 

Gassage

Gav

Do yourself a favour- get a Fostek Headphone amp. Game changer.

lasermonkey

The headphone amp in the Nakamichi LX-5 cassette deck is incredible, it's the main reason I still have it. I keep thinking I ought to clone it, so I have one in the studio too.

GavRichList

Aren't headphone amps about a billion pounds?

GavRichList

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff193/guitarsforminnaars/0465EAB6-9ECE-4CD3-82C3-3AF133D6A120.jpg

Well that's a LOT of very very soft leather. Got to say, the B&W's in particular look fantastic. 

GavRichList

Right, spent all afternoon A/B-ing them. This was tough. The Sennheisers are incredibly detailed, and perhaps have a wider stereo field; they really are spectacular. The B&W however have edged it for me. They've just got a certain something that's hard to put your finger on. Hugely enjoyable to listen to, and beautifully built. I found the Sennheisers a little fatiguing by comparison; they're almost too clear. Either would be welcomed, but the Bowers & Wilkins just feel a little more special, and at £200 each, that's not an unimportant factor. 

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff193/guitarsforminnaars/336c53cd8c2171ec8d52bea078b2420f.jpg

Sporky

GavRichList said:

Aren't headphone amps about a billion pounds?

Some are, but the Schiit Audio stuff starts cheap and goes into midrange with good reviews throughout.

GavRichList said:

Right, spent all afternoon A/B-ing them. This was tough.

Oh, you poor dear. It must have been harrowing.

GavRichList

Hahaha! To clarify; it was a wonderful afternoon, just a very tough decision! 

duotone

GavRichList said:

Right, spent all afternoon A/B-ing them. This was tough. The Sennheisers are incredibly detailed, and perhaps have a wider stereo field; they really are spectacular. The B&W however have edged it for me. They've just got a certain something that's hard to put your finger on. Hugely enjoyable to listen to, and beautifully built. I found the Sennheisers a little fatiguing by comparison; they're almost too clear. Either would be welcomed, but the Bowers & Wilkins just feel a little more special, and at £200 each, that's not an unimportant factor. 

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff193/guitarsforminnaars/336c53cd8c2171ec8d52bea078b2420f.jpg

How are you finding them comfort-wise?
Listening again to my old pair of P5s they seem to have a real warmth to the sound.

GavRichList

Really comfortable - can happily listen for hours 

RobDavies

Interesting.  I tried the P5's in John Lewis and didn't like them at all - in the sound and comfort stakes. 

Might have to give them another go...

GavRichList

Were they the series 2? I just really grew into them whilst comparing. Found the Sennheisers sounded superb, but really quite fatiguing, and I don't get that at all with the B&Ws. There were a few tracks I used for comparison where they really shone; Sæglópur by Sigur Ros the most noticeable. They are definitely warm sounding doe want of a better word, but still really detailed, and they seem to be opening up the more I listen to them. 

Ultimately they were both great, it just came down to personal preference. Almost wish I'd gone for the P7s! 

GavRichList

Sorrow by The National also swung the vote. Brilliantly articulate. I'd be lying to myself if I tried to deny that the look and feel of them didn't play some part too - either would have been an expensive purchase, and the B&W feel incredibly premium and well built. Maybe shouldn't matter, but undeniably did influence. 

duotone

Yeah the P7 are very good, excellent treble. But a different type of beast imo to the P5.

P7 are more "at home" while P5 size are more "on the move". 

GavRichList

Please don't allow me to justify both 

Sporky

Well, if you're starting a collection you'll need some Shure SRH1540s and Beyer Teslas.

maxd

Are th P5s on-ear, so there'll be a degree of spillage? No good therefore for monitoring whilst recording vocals, or listening while my missus is watching the tv?

GavRichList

On ear yes, but the spill is minimal