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My Ipod+Sony's too bright! Can't listen to it anymore! Help!

post #1 of 16
2/9/06 at 4:22pm
Thread Starter 
Hi,

Ever since i got my new stereo system (Apogee Stage ribbon speakers + Krell KAV-300i Integrated AMP + Musical Fidelity A3.24 DAC + RME Sound card ouputing lossless music) i can't listen to my ipod anymore without getting listening fatigue.

I have a 4g 20gb ipod with Sony MDREX71 headphones connected to the ipod remote. I play 128 compressed mp3's on it. It's just too bright and i get tired after 10 minutes.

Is it just a problem with my headphones? or is the ipod amp the culprit too? Or is it the mp3's? If it's the headphones, any suggestions for replacements that aren't too expensive?

thanks

Byron
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post #2 of 16
2/9/06 at 4:25pm
hmm . . you tried listening at lower volumes? If that doesn't help, ditch the sonys. You could also try EQing, but that may have mixed results.
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post #3 of 16
2/9/06 at 4:53pm
IMHO sony EX51/71 treble is piercing relative to the recessed mirange. Try turning down the volume to a VERY low level, and only periodically turn it up.

Garrett
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post #4 of 16
2/9/06 at 4:57pm
Thread Starter 
really low level? u mean like to silence?

I don't actually listen to it that loud, but can listen to my home system loud for hours and not get tired. I just remembered i have a pair of sennheissers [sic] stored somewhere, so i'll bring them to the office and try them out.

Once u move up a level, u really can't go back
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post #5 of 16
2/9/06 at 4:59pm
Hmm. I would also suggest lowering the volume. If that doesn't work then try some new buds. The Super.fi series go great with iPods. You may also want to look in the E500.
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post #6 of 16
2/9/06 at 7:33pm
Super.fi 5 pro all the way ! Very sweet highs !
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post #7 of 16
2/9/06 at 9:33pm
I'm not familiar with those particular cans, but all of the Sonys I've heard are way too harsh sounding for me.

See ya
Steve
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post #8 of 16
2/9/06 at 9:37pm
loud high freq noise for long period, can lead to hearing lost.

there seem to be many reasons for your fatigue here. first off the mp3 is 128kbs, veyr loud quality encoding usualy have piercing sound. so encode the music at higher bitrates. secondly sony headphone have a sound signature of bright highs, especially the ex71 and (god of torture) sony v6. so its best to try a different brand headphone, sennheiser is the opposite of this brightness. also pay attention to your music volume.
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post #9 of 16
2/9/06 at 9:45pm
Thread Starter 
y is everybody saying i'm listening too loud????

Anyways, will try the sennheisers and report how it goes.
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post #10 of 16
2/9/06 at 11:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by byronyu
y is everybody saying i'm listening too loud????
Because you said that you're getting listening fatigue after only 10 minutes of listening. That's a red flag that your volume is too high.

The EX71s can't be helping either. Get a real IEM. Any entry level IEM (Shure E2, Ety ER6, etc.) will be an improvement over the Sonys.
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post #11 of 16
2/9/06 at 11:58pm
I used to have EX51's and they were super bright aswell, regardless of volume I didn't like them. One thing that did help them was to EQ the iPod to the "small speakers" setting. Try that and hopefully it will help...either that or some new phones.
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post #12 of 16
2/10/06 at 1:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by byronyu
y is everybody saying i'm listening too loud????
It's just a possibility. A lot of people listen too loud (I used to back in the day) and it really wears out your ears, not to mention fries them to high heaven. My left ear atm is such, since my kscs only worked on one side. Now I can barely hear/feel any bass and everything sounds harsh. That said, I agree with the others, sony buds and the like are quite trebly and often distorted.
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post #13 of 16
2/10/06 at 1:37pm
Thread Starter 
Well, i'm trying my ipod on my Sennheiser HD 545, and it's better. No listening fatigue. But still no joy

Ever since i got my new system i'm beginning to be more "sophisticated" and picky. Music's still too flat (probably encryption) and it's not dynamic enough and no body (probably amp?).

Guess u can't ask that much from a portable unit and don't think i wanna buy a portable amp for it. Funny how the more u get into this hobby, the more snobbish u get.
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post #14 of 16
2/10/06 at 2:23pm
Quote:
Ever since i got my new system i'm beginning to be more "sophisticated" and picky. Music's still too flat (probably encryption) and it's not dynamic enough and no body (probably amp?).

Guess u can't ask that much from a portable unit and don't think i wanna buy a portable amp for it. Funny how the more u get into this hobby, the more snobbish u get.
Once you start listening to good sound, it is hard to go back. I don't think it's snobbery as much as understanding what good sound is and isn't. That said, you can get really good sound out of you Ipod with better headphones, lossless files, and a portable amp.

If you have an older Ipod, load Rockbox's firmware so you can drag your lossless files onto it. That should be a step up right there. Add a better pair of headphones and you might feel pretty good about your portable setup. For even better sound in those times you don't need ultraportability, add a portable amp. No, it won't equal the sound from your home system, but it will be really good.
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post #15 of 16
2/11/06 at 10:10pm
Your problem is the EX71 and 128kbit mp3s. As a rule of thumb 192kbit or above is what you should be aiming for.
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