Should I augment my IEMs with a set of full sized headphones? - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

ok3wire · #1 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 07:46 AM

I'm certainly no expert audiophile, but thanks in large measure to the information I've gathered from the generous members of this forum, I've managed over the years to put together a simple, yet fairly respectable, portable music system. At present, I have a good number of classic, alternative and hard rock albums loaded to an 80 Gb video iPod using Apple's lossless encoding. The iPod is connected to an iQube amp via a Silver Dragon pocket dock cable, and a pair of Shure SE530s IEMs rounds out the package.

Even with barely 50 hours on the iQube, this outfit performs magnificently and makes for a great travel companion. As an aside, I recently uploaded an old CD of Pink Floyd's The Wall, and for the last couple of weeks I've been completely mesmerized by the remarkable clarity and masterful way in which this album was engineered and recorded. Another Brick in the Wall (Part 1) particularly stands out as unbelievable. It truly is an eye opening experience to realize just how much you've been missing in the past.

At any rate, some work projects can have me on the road for weeks or more at a time and, logistically speaking, it would be no problem for me to pack along an additional pair of full sized headphones if I so desired. They would primarily be used in the relative peace and quiet of a hotel room (where passive sound dampening and/or noise cancellation technology would not be necessary). Unfortunately, I've never owned a pair of good quality full sized cans, and I'm not sure what's reasonable to expect performance wise as compared to a good IEM like the Shure SE530s. So I guess the question really boils down to two parts; 1) would my current amp be capable of adequately driving something like a pair of AKG-701s or HD650s, and 2) is it likely that my listening enjoyment would be enhanced enough to justify their cost? I realize the second part of the question is highly subjective, but I'm curious in general terms how the listening experience differs when using a good pair of cans as opposed to a good IEM in an already quiet environment.

MaloS · #2 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 03:42 PM

Your amp may sufficient power to drive HD600, but you may start with looking at easier to drive headphones - like Audio Technicas, Grados, Denons...

And per your query - ya, there is quite a bit of a benefit you can get for using full size cans with your portable chain.

baka1969 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 04:14 PM

I am myself looking for a pair of quality IEMs for use in public situations and where sound isolation is needed. It seems to me that IEMs are a lot more money to get equivalent SQ. I mention this becausi for under $100 you can get the Grado SR-80 and have, from what I've been able to gather, as good or better sound than with your IEM setup. If you stretch to the Grado SR-225 I would believe you'd be very pleased with the result.

Just my penny's worth.

MaloS · #4 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 06:40 PM

I am not so certain that SR80 will match the Shure - there are things that IEM can do that SR80 can't touch...

baka1969 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaloS

I am not so certain that SR80 will match the Shure - there are things that IEM can do that SR80 can't touch...

Hi

The 530s are four times the price of the SR-80. Also open back phones offer things that IEMs can't touch. I just don't truly believe you can directly compare open vs IEM vs closed. They each have specific characteristics unique to themselves.

That said, I believe that the Grado SR-80 would suit him given what he said. MHO of course.

lacrossebowe8 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 07:18 PM

If nothing else they would be a nice change of pace. It is also more comfortable IMO to wear headphones than IEM's.

Uncle Erik · #7 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 08:32 PM

I see you're here in Los Angeles. Are you going to be around on October 18? We're going to have a meet near LAX. If you can make it, bring your setup, some CDs and listen for yourself. You'll get to hear everything that interests you. Hope you can make it!

ok3wire · #8 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 01:44 AM

Thanks to everyone for offering your opinions. I very much appreciate the assistance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by baka1969

I just don't truly believe you can directly compare open vs IEM vs closed. They each have specific characteristics unique to themselves.

I was fairly certain that this was the case - even though I've only ever experienced one of the three styles of headphones mentioned. I don't know if this makes any sense, but to me, good IEMs seem to be almost schizophrenic in a strange sort of way. On the one hand they can deliver music with extreme clarity and purity, and yet, even while doing so, they can also leave you with a slight hint of claustrophobic sensory deprivation. I guess this sensation is just attributable to the well documented manner in which the IEMs can amplify your breathing sounds, etc.

Maybe a nice open can would be a good complement to my current setup. What would you consider to be a short list of the best open cans available that could be adequately driven by an iQube portable amp?

Baka, I read your very well done Grado review and noticed that you too appreciate the quality of the sound engineering present in many of Pink Floyd's albums. I wonder what their secret is.

By the way, my dad's half of the family live in and around Media.

ok3wire · #9 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik

I see you're here in Los Angeles. Are you going to be around on October 18? We're going to have a meet near LAX. If you can make it, bring your setup, some CDs and listen for yourself. You'll get to hear everything that interests you. Hope you can make it!

Thanks for the tip, Uncle Erik. I had no idea this was in the works, but was easily able to find the pertinent thread in the Meet Forum. Yeah, I'm fairly close to LAX. I'm not 100% sure I can attend at the moment, but I was wondering if the meet organizers will allow payment at the door for unregistered walk-ins.

Also, are there any good bricks and mortar stores in southern L.A. county that carry mid to higher end full sized headphones?

baka1969 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 05:55 AM

Ok3Wire,

I know Pink Floyd's secret! But don't tell anyone.

Lots n lots of drugs. LoL.

Seriously, Pink Floyd, especially Roger Waters, were absolute perfectionists about their music, production and recordings.

They were architectural students together (Waters, Wright, and Mason) at university. This may be some reason their sound seems to be structured and expansive at the same time.
Please stop me. I can go on and on.

I think any Grado that you might choose would make you happy. The open nature of the Grados will certainly move the claustrophobic soundstage of your IEMs further out. It did for me substantially.

I'm sure your Qube and Grado would marry well.