Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio - Headphones (full-size) http://www.head-fi.org/forums/ Discussion of full-size headphones. en Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:50:08 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio - Headphones (full-size) http://www.head-fi.org/forums/ Unamped cans with low volume question http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/unamped-cans-low-volume-question-456539/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:55:20 GMT Hi, I've lurked around for a few weeks reading through threads looking for an around 100$ pair of cans unamped for my ipod. I ended up going with the M50's and am fairly pleased so far (I've only had them for a few days). I've been reading about listening too loud as well and have subsequently turned it down.

I remember reading in a thread someone saying something to the effect of having their ipod volume at 60% is enough to power their m50's. My question (its kind of a two part question) is 1, what does that mean and 2, does that mean if I have my volume below 60% i'm not getting "the best bang for my buck" with regards to sound quality. ie: am I missing out on certain frequencies?

Remember I'm using these unamped, straight out of my ipod. I'm also new at this and not sure if I explained that right. ]]> Headphones (full-size) Sudey5 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/unamped-cans-low-volume-question-456539/ New to Audiopohile-ing: Keep Me Under $150? http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/new-audiopohile-ing-keep-me-under-150-a-456534/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:18:39 GMT I have read some of the other posts regarding particular types of headphones... I have read some of the other posts regarding particular types of headphones (http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/rec...ubstep-452034/), however the reasons I need them and other factors might be a bit different. I didn’t want to repeat a similar post, but I am clueless as to where to start as far as fulfilling my criteria.

I’m new to the audiophile market, and over the past few months I’ve been getting more and more into music. I originally listened to mostly indie and some hardcore, but I feel that I’ve “expanded” my interests and branched out into other forms of music (lately, electronic). I have a cheap pair of no-name headphones (EarHugger), and recently the left headphone went out. I figured it was time to upgrade, and seeing as my new hobby is music (playing around with FL Studio, too), I figured I might as well upgrade to something of better caliber.

I’m not on too tight of a budget, but I would prefer to stay under $150. But, I wouldn’t mind getting as close to this number as possible, since I will have these for awhile. If need be, $200 would be the absolute max. I wanna get the most for my money. I’m reluctant to add an amp simply because it will cost more money (obviously) and I don’t know if I would be able to tell the difference in quality since I’m just getting into it. However, I do want some headphones I’m going to be keeping for years and years (I take good care of my headphones). But, if I must get an amp, I’m willing to go for it (just not a $150 amp or something, especially if it cost more than the phones). These will be exclusively for home use, as well, so portability is not a problem. Sound isolation isn’t a problem either, neither from external sound nor from my phones out into the environment. I live alone, so there is no problem with noise. They will be plugged into my soundcard (Sound Blaster Audigy). Don’t know for sure how powerful it is, but I figure just as much as most soundcards. Rarely, they might be plugged into an iPod/iPhone, but this will be few and far between, if at all. A long cord would be good (6’-10’), and I’d only be using an 1/8” plug. I’d be listening for hours, so something comfortable would be good. I’d prefer circum-aural to supra-, but I’m willing to go either way.

For music, I’ve recently been into a lot of electronic stuff (dubstep, DnB, IDM, industrial, trance, some glitch stuff) but also enjoy ambient/atmospheric music to listen to while at the computer or while staring at the dream machine (you should look into these if you haven’t—cool stuff). I have some indie music, though I don’t listen to it as much as I used to. I have very little rock and rap, so anything emphasizing these two genres is at the bottom of the priority list (though I hear Pink Floyd is good…so I might eventually give that a try :) ). I have some music that has orchestrated parts in it, but I never listen to only orchestrated pieces, so a soundstage emphasizing that is not a big deal. I like good warm bass, too, but it doesn’t need to be overbearing and elongated, though. I’d like it to be sturdy and a bit punchy, but not overpowering the highs. Mids I’m on the fence with, and as long as they are audible, it works for me. I want highs but without a lot of semblance. Since I listen to electronic music that makes use of these (trance, IDM, glitch), I’d like them to have a crisp sound, but not edgy. I’d like an open sound, so open headphones would be nice (no need to close them since I’ll be listening at home), but if there’s a good pair of closed ones, don’t exclude them. I also game, but that really isn’t a big factor as far as sound goes for me (I don’t watch movies with headphones, so that isn’t important to me, either). Examples of artists include:
-Stendeck, Blonde Redhead, The Matches, Aphex Twin, Biosphere, Wisp, Zomby, Broker/Dealer, Burial, Scuba, Eluvium, Seefeel, Ochre, Autechre, Moon Wiring Club, Psapp, Reso.

I’ve looked at Grado sr80i’s and Sennheiser HD555’s. It seems the Grado’s wouldn’t do me justice as far as my criteria. Any other suggestions would be wonderful. I don’t really have access to any shops to listen to headphones (unless anyone knows some in the Baton Rouge/New Orleans, LA area, or in the Atlanta, GA area…please!), so I’d prefer to buy a pair and keep them instead of returning over and over (I feel odd about doing this to a business, anyway). However, if that must be the case, so be it.

Thank you!

-HamSandwich

Edit: Made a typo in the title---oops. ]]> Headphones (full-size) HamSandwich http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/new-audiopohile-ing-keep-me-under-150-a-456534/ $70 Yulong headphone amp. Should i buy? http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/70-yulong-headphone-amp-should-i-buy-456529/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:37:24 GMT Welcome to Audiophilechina


Are these decent enough to work with the Beyer DT880's? I don't wanna spend anything over 100 bucks for a headphone amp, will these do the trick?

also, what cable wire would i need to connect the amp to my speakers.

thx for the help. ]]> Headphones (full-size) David.M http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/70-yulong-headphone-amp-should-i-buy-456529/ Sony A829 with HD600 unamped http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/sony-a829-hd600-unamped-456525/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:30:57 GMT I have a question that probably will make most of you facepalm but I just have to ask :D Thing is, the IEM that came with the A829(think it was... I have a question that probably will make most of you facepalm but I just have to ask :D

Thing is, the IEM that came with the A829(think it was the EX082) broke after a little more than a month's use. Obviously annoyed me to no end but I liked the sound. Now these Sennheiser HD600's look like they are really great and since I can get them for about 220 euros including shipping, I'm not too bothered by the price.

However, headphone amps are something that really aren't in my mind. I don't really intend to use the HD600's as portables. I know they aren't intended for that. But I am planning to take them to boring family trips. I know an amp can improve the sound enormously and most iPods don't have anywhere near enough power to power these enormous cans but it is the situation a bit different with the A829?

I know that I will never push them to their full potential without an amp but is there still enough of an improvement when I pair them with my Sony's? Who knows I might get a Nuforce Icon Mobile in the future but would that really make such a big of a difference?

Also, how will the HD600's compare with the HD-25's? Unamped of course using the Sony A829. Cause I'm thinking about something portable as well and I was thinking about the Sennheiser IE7's but I don't want another IEM to break on me. Especially of they are this expensive.

Thanks in advance!

edit*forgot to mention that I listen to a lot of Rock. J-Rock to be exact. And I like to get really involved in the music. ]]> Headphones (full-size) Nerd123 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/sony-a829-hd600-unamped-456525/ Audio Technica ES7 / FC700 / ESW9? http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/audio-technica-es7-fc700-esw9-456523/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:15:30 GMT To the o'holy hifi guru's, can you tell me what your experiences are with these phones?

The FC700 are dirt cheap here in japan (about 5000yen, 56usd), and I see that some Chinese fellow is selling the ES7 for 70$ incl ship, also the ESW9 a little too cheap to be true perhaps?

Ebay seller has got good feedback from people buying the same phones, so I'm thinking about rolling the dice and just get my cash back from paypal if they are fake..

So.. Right, I was wondering how these phones do on a DAP like iPod? My girl have been borrowing my 770 DT's too much lately, and I'm thinking of giving her a own pair for christmas.
She's not really good at taking care of things so the most rugged one of the three is..?

Comments much appreciated.

Edit: Also, how are these three compared to the DT 770? Thanks for looking!
Edit2: Ok the two up for ebay are fake, original box comes with Japanese on the back of the box, not English..

But the FC700 are bound to tangle up in her hair, where can I get the ES7 for less than 100$ incl ship? (They are 10000yen here in Japan, or over 100usd if you like..) ]]> Headphones (full-size) BassThor http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/audio-technica-es7-fc700-esw9-456523/ Shure Srh849 compared to the Audio Technica esw9 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/shure-srh840-compared-audio-technica-es9w-456520/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:04:41 GMT I was just curious if anyone has compared the two. The AT are more expensive but I am wondering if they are better and if so how. Thanks I was just curious if anyone has compared the two. The AT are more expensive but I am wondering if they are better and if so how. Thanks ]]> Headphones (full-size) Frank I http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/shure-srh840-compared-audio-technica-es9w-456520/ Which High-End Closed Cans? http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/high-end-closed-cans-456518/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:38:44 GMT I pretty much decided that i want to get a high end closed can for work.

But i'm pretty lost in the decision cause i don't really get the chance to listen to some of those here at vienna.

My decision list contains the following phones by now:
- Ultrasone Edition 8
- Denon D7000
- Denon D5000
- Audio Technica W5000
- JVC DX1000

I heared positives as well as negatives from all of them (as a matter of fact), but i need to decide somehow.

Which one would you take (not) and why? Also feel free to extend my list.

My fellow equipment so far:
Work: Fubar /w 2xOPA627 -> Heed Canamp -> K701/DT770
Portable: IPod 5G rockboxed -> Headsix -> HD25/TrippleFi 10

Music Taste: Just about everything, Classic will stay the domain of the AKG, beside that i primary listen electro, metal, rock, progressive

If you are able to, some comparison to my current equip would be nice. ]]> Headphones (full-size) sLite http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/high-end-closed-cans-456518/ Sennheiser 280 upgrade to Audio Tec w1000 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/sennheiser-280-upgrade-audio-tec-w1000-456504/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:06:03 GMT Hey guys im thinking of upgrading from my 280s to the ath-w1000... will i hear much difference in quality? i think i can get them for about £200... Hey guys
im thinking of upgrading from my 280s to the ath-w1000...
will i hear much difference in quality?
i think i can get them for about £200 second hand (1 year use)
but id rather ask before i spend money this big ]]> Headphones (full-size) wavid http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/sennheiser-280-upgrade-audio-tec-w1000-456504/ headphonists to the rescue! http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/headphonists-rescue-456499/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:39:55 GMT Hi all this is a personal request for a dear friend of many of us his site is fakeheadphones.com (http://fakeheadphones.com/) you may know... Hi all

this is a personal request for a dear friend of many of us

his site is fakeheadphones.com

you may know it or not but you might as well

it`s a great site to spot fakes and contains a valuable content

the moderator is a sweet and honest person who helps anybody
for anything without asking for anything back

i personally urge you to assist in any kind or form to his site

he is a rare kind of person

thanks all
Ron ]]> Headphones (full-size) dultsi http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/headphonists-rescue-456499/ Should I change Headphones? http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/should-i-change-headphones-456498/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:37:07 GMT Hi,

I'm currently with RP-21's...running through AlienDAC/SOHA combo...
The RP21's are starting to show some wear after nearly 2 years (cracked headband) so I'm considering new choices.

So..should I change to any of the following?

Grado SR60
Grado SR80 /SR60i
Alessandro MS1 /MS1 improved '09 version

How would they compare to the RP21's...I know they're open cans, so no more full volume in the office, but I'm wondering how they would fit to my music taste (mostly 80's metal and some more recent power/progressive metal and small amounts of rock).

Any other suggestions in the same price range are also welcome (up to 100 bucks or a bit over) ]]> Headphones (full-size) DolbyR http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/should-i-change-headphones-456498/ <![CDATA[Shure SRH440 'Foam plug' mod]]> http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/shure-srh440-foam-plug-mod-456493/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:27:05 GMT Been a long time lurker but I thought to share this interesting find I'd discovered a couple of days ago.

I've had the SRH440 for awhile now, it was fairly bass-shy but I really liked the clean and detailed sound of it. It occurred to me a couple of days ago as I was doodling with it, as I removed the earpads, the middle bit of the driver looks kinda odd with a foamy bit in the middle. Just as I remembered this thread, I quickly went on to unscrew and pry open the housing to discover the same design in here as well!

Be sure to use something sharp to pry/pick it out, you wouldn't want to risk pushing it in towards the diaphragm!


Looks kinda like bathroom sealant.


The foam feels pretty dense, putting it back is possible but takes more effort and care.


For those interested in the insides of the housing.



The most immediate difference is the increase in volume of bass, still somewhat shy of the ATH-M50 or MDR-V6 but it still packs tighter and more controlled bass notes. Separation is still fairly outstanding, soundstage remains pretty narrow and upfront, mids may still be a bit thin for some. More importantly though, it didn't alter the original sound I liked about and with added bass its more fun sounding than the 'neutral and sterile'-ness it was. Haven't heard the SRH840 for long so I can't give a proper comparison against it, all I remembered from it was the softer earpads it had and better tonality.

To sum it up, if you think your SRH440 could do better with a bit more bass, please do try it out!

Lastly, for reference, Zero DAC + 'sun' opamp & Dugood EA-600 amp was used. Tracks used includes some Queen, various Baroque/Classical pieces and various japanese pop/electropop.


Hope you've enjoyed reading as much as I did posting, cheers! ]]> Headphones (full-size) StuntmanFranky http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/shure-srh440-foam-plug-mod-456493/ problem or poorly matched drivers? http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/problem-poorly-matched-drivers-456491/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:23:39 GMT so I recently got a pair of jvc dx3s that my friend sold to me for 35 bucks that was barely used. I know 35 bucks is a steal. He said that left... so I recently got a pair of jvc dx3s that my friend sold to me for 35 bucks that was barely used. I know 35 bucks is a steal. He said that left channel is louder than the left.

I have to agree that when i wear them forward the left is louder, and backwards the right is louder. (of course on downmix to mono on foobar.

I had a very low tech way to figure out if it was just me and it was to attach a microphone to the inside of the cups while clamping the headphones tightly on a box so the drivers would not interfere with each other. The right channel produces a lower volume when recording on audacity. I've burned in this pair for over 150 hours varying from pink noise to FLAC audio tracks.

I've taken them apart to find that no hairs or any other obstructions are interfering with the sound. When i originally opened them one of the felt rings on the back was not attached to the left (louder) side. I removed the felt from the front and back of the drivers and that did not balance them.

The 4 conductor cable goes into the left side and 2 wires instantly connect to the left driver. The other 2 go to a small circuit board and they are connected to a much thinner wire to go to the right driver through the headband.

So i'm thinking should I try resolder the connections and bypass the circuit board (which look to be just for easier assembly) and lead the other 2 wires from the original over the headband to the other driver and bypass the much thinner wire. Also if you don't think that will solve the problem there is way to soften the left speaker perhaps?

I am currently using a receiver via optical connection on the computer to plug these headphones into. I have also tried this on my laptop and netbook without an amp. My srh840 and sr80 do not produce unbalanced results. ]]> Headphones (full-size) madcat20xac http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/problem-poorly-matched-drivers-456491/ Best of Both Worlds? http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/best-both-worlds-456484/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:10:25 GMT So,I got a pair of Logitech G35's a few months ago, and I have never owned a pair of higher end head phones before this, so the sound blew me away. I was extremely impressed with the positional audio that it offered me. Alas,
there was a problem, (that was apparently well known to logitech) with the mic making a high pitched hum.They said that it would be fixed without a few weeks, but its been about a month since they said that, so i'm kind of getting disgusted with logitech (previous "fanboy" of them) Now I have been on the never ending quest to find the best possible gaming headset available to me (without paying stupid amounts of money, lol).

I have been mulling around these forums for a bit. I found out that most people will agree that the audio quality of the headphones that offer "5.1 or 7.1" isn't as good as it should be for the price. However, I really enjoyed the surround sound experience that the logitech g35's offered me. So I tried looking in the higher end surround sound headsets, and ended up finding the Astro a40's, and the Pysko 5.1's.

The Psyko 5.1's didn't really suit me from what I can tell, but I read some good and bad reviews about the A40's. Eventually I figured, the A40 headset is probably not the best that it could be for the price you are paying for it, but the mixamp will be worth it for dolby encoder.

So, I decided heck, why not get the best of both worlds,ill mix the mixamp with some other type of high quality stereo headphone, and probably a zalman mic or something of the sort. I have a few questions about this however.

I need a good quality closed stereo pair(I need them for late night gaming sessions) of headphones that is good for gaming, I have been looking at the HD448, and the Denon Ah-D1001. I was wondering if these would be good for any gaming, and if not, what should I be looking at? If either of these do need an amp, will the mixamp cover it? I will be connecting this to my onboard sound on my laptop, or I will be using the TOSlink option from my HDTV through an HDMI setup.

Also, my last question is, if anyone has any experience with the astro a40 mixamp, how well does it do surround, and what will it sound like with a nice high quality pair of headphones? Will it be a significant improvement from the g35 headset?

Thanks for the help! ]]> Headphones (full-size) FattyMcFatFatFatty http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/best-both-worlds-456484/ Full Size Cans that sounds similar to the RE0 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/full-size-cans-sounds-similar-re0-456479/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:13:08 GMT Hey guys, newbie here. Thanks to so many people on this forums' recommendation, I went out and got the RE0 a while ago for my on the go pair and is still amazed by how much detail there is as well as the soundstage, I think I hear a small hump in the mid high but I'm not sure and that is a small complain for an otherwise great phone.

I was just wondering, is there a over the year headphone(open or closed, this will be for home use) around $100 to 150 that would sound as good as the RE0? Other requirements are that 1)It has to be comfy as I have ears that's easily uncomfortable under pressure(that's why I'd prefer not to have on ear). and 2)can do fine without an amp.

As far as histories I've had with headphones, it's not very long. I had a Denon D1001 up until last week(sold to baka1969, great buyer btw) that was real comfortable, really portable(not that high on my pecking order but it's a good quality nonetheless), wearable in public(not ugly), has a good soundstage for a closed can as well as a laid back signature that I can dig. However, the mid/high detail aren't as nice as the RE0 and I thought the bass was on the slow side.

I've recently bought a pair of Shure SRH-440 and it's still in the process of burning in I guess(40-50 hours right now), it sounded tiny out of the box with really slow, muffed bass and no detail but has gotten so much better since. The bass are pretty fast, the highs and mids are there(even though I think my pair has a big hump somewhere in the mid highs, cowbell and that type of instruments sounds unnaturally loud in the mix and surprise me sometimes. But still, the details aren't there and it is much more "in your face" than the denon that I had, which a lot of people like. But I'm not one of them. And let's just say my ear gets really warm really quick and the top of my head where the band goes hurts after a while.

I am probably not getting rid of the SRH 440 anytime soon, just trying to get an idea of what I should be looking for in my next pair of headphones.

BTW: just switched from the Shure to the Head-Direct, it's definitely more boring, but I like it more for casual listening, which is 80% of why I need headphones.

Thanks in advance! ]]> Headphones (full-size) playingwithfire http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/full-size-cans-sounds-similar-re0-456479/ Need good gaming headphones/headset http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/need-good-gaming-headphones-headset-456476/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:32:00 GMT Hey guys. I'm new here and since it took all day before my account got activated, I read some stickies and whatnot... I've also done this on other forums, but I still would like to address my situation.

Some background:
  • First and foremost, I want headphones purely for gaming as the priority. The games I play are all Valve, HL2, TF2, and now all I play is L4D and L4D2. I use my Creative Z-5500s for music 95% of the time and I'm sure gaming headphones will do music fine in case I go that route.
  • The cans I have now are the Razer Barracuda HP-1s and although some of you may laugh at me, it served very well for gaming. The problem became that since my ears are so tiny, they fall inside the cans and the hard part pushes on my ears. After about 45-60min of gaming, my ears start to KILL. I can't take it anymore. I need cans that will be comfortable.
  • I'm using an X-Fi Fatal1ty card (onboard 64mb RAM) with the front panel. I also bought another X-Fi, the Elite Pro because I was thinking that the front panel is annoying as I can't shut my computer tower's door.
  • I was told that CMSS 3D works very well, and I don't need true 5.1 headphones if I use CMSS.
  • I once used the Steel Series SteelSound 5H V2 Headset but I stupidly sold it for $60 when I bought my Razers. I regret that and feel dumb paying $100 to buy them again now.

Anyway, with either of those cards I mentioned above (whichever you recommend), what would be my best bet for gaming headphones? I'd like to keep the price below $100 if possible. Amazon seems to have some nice prices on ones I've scoped out:
I can either go with 5.1 headphones since my sound card would support 3 analog outputs, I can use the front headphone output on one of my X-Fi cards, or I can use the headphone output on my Z-5500 system. I'd also like to know which is the best method as far as line output(s). If I go with a pair of headphones, I'll need a mic too.

I thank you for any support you can provide. :)

P.S. If you think I can MOD my current Razer 5.1s, I would be willing to do that too. It's just that the cushion is sealed on, so if I tear it I don't want to potentially damage it. ]]> Headphones (full-size) g0dM@n http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/need-good-gaming-headphones-headset-456476/