Headphones to CLP 150?

[Dina]

Hello out there!
I'm thinking of buying the CLP-150 since it is a fairly expensive intrument, I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations when it comes to headphones that will do the piano justice. It would be pretty worthless if I had bought an instrument with good sound (which I think the 150 has) and it doesn't really tell because of crappy headphones.
My guess is that I will be playing alot in headphones since I work late and live in apartment.

When you play via headphones you will not feel the key-vibration, right? So maybe it isn't worth the extra money put into the CLP 150 if your intentions is mainly to play via headphones.

Just for the record, I'm classical trained and took lessons for about 10 years, but I've recently moved out to a small apartment so my old (and crappy :) Yamaha) acoustic piano is still at my parents house.

Any responses is would be greatly appreciated!

[profus2001]

I am very happy with my Sennheiser HD590 headphones together with my CVP 207. Recommended sales price in Europe is EUR 200 (incl. VAT), though you might find online retailers which sell them for less (bought mine for EUR 135).

[Ian J. Evans]

I would think that if you are buying the CLP150 from a reputable dealer as opposed to buying privately, the dealer would carry good quality earphones that you could try out.

Once you try something that you like then you could shop around for a better price for the same model if you are so inclined.

On the other hand maybe the dealer would give you a good price or even throw the earphones in inorder to make the sale on the CLP.

You can't lose by trying.

Ian

[jjm542]

Here's another vote for Sennheiser open back models - mine are 570s. I've tried many, and Sennheiser not only sounds good but is much more comfortable than "closed back" designs. This will really matter over the course of a practice session. Closed-back designs are fine for noisy environments but they aren't nearly as comfortable.

[ClavinovaGuy]

I have a pair of Sony MDR-7506's - I really like them a lot. Very light and comfortable, and excellent for many uses.

[zeeshan]

My vote goes for the AKG 240s. These are the same cans that are mostly used by the recording studios. I listened to these and the Sennheiser HD590 at my local music store and like these better. The sound is very detailed and spacious with deep lows, which for piano sound is very important. These is also an open back model. You can buy these brand new for about US$80-90 on ebay, which is a very good buy.

I am sure there are better ones but you will have to pay a lot more to get better sound.

One note is that they become a little bit uncomfortable during long practice sessions, but I am sure that is the case for most headphones that goes around ears.

Another thing to note is that if you do decide to get this one, make sure get the studio (55ohms) version. They come in two versions, the monitor and the studio. The monitor version is a 600ohms and you would need a good headphone amp to get good sound out it. The clavinova headphone output is not powerfull enough for 600 ohm headphones.

You might want to campare the AKG 240s with the Grado SR80, which I beleive are also very good cans. Hope it helps
Zeeshan

[jeffsumeracki]

I just wrote an email to Sony complaining about the way my MDR-V600 headphones sound on my CLP-170... There is a buzzing noise in the right can, so this might be a defective pair.

They are VERY comfortable even after 2 hours, but lows are weak and the overall tone quality is thin. STAY AWAY!

[feketejim]

Just a vote here for the Bose Quiet Comfort II set that i use. I actually bought them for their white-noise canceling quality, they make airline flight almost tolerable. But the sound through my CLP-170 is very, very nice, and it doesn't bother me that the instrument sits under the air return register of our furnace system! :)

Jim

[dancaputi]

My Dad's Koss Pro-4AA's always impressed me as a young lad - Pink Floyd, Genesis, The Who - all sounded loud and rich. My dad liked to listen to organ music which demands a great deal of bass. Only problem was that after an hour or two of wearing these massive clamp-on bricks, my head took a beating to the point were my ears would be throbbing. Their current gear impresses me too. They tend to have tremendous value - you get superior sound within a reasonable price.

My wife did not know of my passion for Koss when she bought me a pair of Bose Tri-ports for christmas. I was almost ready to return them (without trying them) until I found out that she got them mail order and I should avoid the hassle and crack open the package... I'm VERY gald I did because I was pleasantly suprised. They sound fantastic and the best part is I forget I have them on - NICE!

- Dan C.

[zeeshan]

Since my last post above, I also acquired the Grado SR-125. I wanted to campare it myself and then keep the one I liked the most and sell the other one. But now I am really confused, because I like both of them!!

The AKG 240s sounds sweeter and mellow whereas the sr125 are more detailed and a little more bright. I also think that sr125 has more bass so it gives better sound when playing the lower notes of the piano. So I mostly use the Grado when playing the piano on the clavinova(cvp-203), since they are also the more confortable for long practive sessions.
The sr125 runs a little bit louder as they are 35ohms vs 55ohms for the 240s.

Now having said that, I still think that the AKG 240s are the most musical sounding headphones in its price range. I use it mostly with my SACD player when I am listening to music. And that is why I have decided to keep both of them for now!

Zeeshan