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Biggest Listening Surprise After Doing Homework Here? - Page 2

post #16 of 25
8/23/07 at 10:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by scompton View Post
My biggest surprise is how little difference amps make on easy to drive headphones. I haven't heard an amp that makes my UM1 or im716 sound better than the headphone out of my iPod. Most just drive the volume too loud with just a nudge of the pot. I think most people just listen louder with an amp and they think it sounds better. I know that was my experience with my first amp. When I matched volumes there was no real improvement. Of course, quite a few headphones need a more powerful amp than the iPod. I'm not talking about them.
x2...ive tried different amps and the difference is small.
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post #17 of 25
8/23/07 at 10:22pm
My biggest surprise is the Koss KSC 75. I knew they were to be good, but when I actually heard them... wow.

2nd biggest is the improved bass on Grados when I used a desktop amp (CKKIII) for the first time. Added a completely new depth I didn't think Grado's could do.
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post #18 of 25
8/23/07 at 10:33pm
rb67,
I've always wondered what that is in you avatar?

Sorry about the OT
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post #19 of 25
8/23/07 at 10:46pm
was the amp connected to the ipod using a line out dock? if not, the amp is beginning with the ipods internal amp characteristics anyway.. a LOD bypassed the internal amp and leaves the work to something a lot better I find significant differences even with low impedance headphones. clarity, separation, control, resolution, and range.. all better. but I guess that depends on the amp, and the headphones

Quote:
Originally Posted by scompton View Post
My biggest surprise is how little difference amps make on easy to drive headphones. I haven't heard an amp that makes my UM1 or im716 sound better than the headphone out of my iPod. Most just drive the volume too loud with just a nudge of the pot. I think most people just listen louder with an amp and they think it sounds better. I know that was my experience with my first amp. When I matched volumes there was no real improvement. Of course, quite a few headphones need a more powerful amp than the iPod. I'm not talking about them.
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post #20 of 25
8/23/07 at 11:38pm
My new (lightly used - not even burned in) Sennheiser HD555 phones sounded exactly as I expected from impressions offered at head-fi.

I was actually surprised at not being surprised! Er, if that makes any sense.

OK, OK - I *was* surprised at the discomfort in wearing them - clamping force, it seems. Fortunately, some truly helpful discussions in the forum today have me hopeful that there's a more comfortable light at the end of the HD555-wearing tunnel. Er, if that makes any sense.

- wader
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post #21 of 25
8/23/07 at 11:47pm
Just got the SR60s today, my first ever taste of Grado. I was expecting them to be shrill and uncomfortable. Not only do they sound awesome, but they're more comfortable than the HD485s I just got. I'm probably going to send the Sennheisers back. Yeehaw!
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post #22 of 25
8/24/07 at 12:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marximus View Post
Just got the SR60s today, my first ever taste of Grado. I was expecting them to be shrill and uncomfortable. Not only do they sound awesome, but they're more comfortable than the HD485s I just got. I'm probably going to send the Sennheisers back. Yeehaw!
X2 except I purchased the SR-80s. They were the smartest purchase I've ever made.
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post #23 of 25
8/24/07 at 12:48am
Actually, I found the HD650's to be exactly what I expected - they are definitely very slow-sounding compared to Grados, but they did sound great at the first national meet, although only on a couple rigs out of the 500,000 that were there. I agree that they were certainly not dark at all.

Eh, I can't list just one:

One surprise at the first national meet had to be the Sony Qualia. For costing so much, the build quality wasn't amazing, and they sounded like crap. A supreme disappointment.

Another was the Westone UM2. I've heard them at three meets now, and they've impressed the heck out of me every time. For the price, these are killer IEM's! Definitely the "Grado" of IEM's, IMO.

And finally, the HP2. I heard about them and how awesome they were, but just couldn't understand how they could be that great. Then I heard them. Best headphone I have ever heard in my life. Bar none. Wow, wow, and wow.
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post #24 of 25
8/24/07 at 12:56am
Great thread.

My first surprise was when I first heard the dt770/80. I look back on the situation now, and cannot make sense out of it. The salesman handed me the 'phone, and was like(with a little smirk), "I think you'll be pleased with these." Boy, did they sound like...who knows what. My second surprise was when I first got the dt880'05s. The bass was kicking booty like it was getting paid to do so. My next surprise was when I heard a piano solo'ish part of this ambient song on the said headphone. The soundstage was so huge it sounded like a stereo, with all the sweetness the dt880s possess=] My most recent surprise was when I turned on CMSS-3D(guess I can call that my sound card's function to simulate surround sound) on my x-fi. I had NO idea my dt880's had so much potential.

Pretty pleasant surprises=]
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post #25 of 25
8/24/07 at 1:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dept_of_Alchemy View Post
I was disappointed with the MS2i, expecting it to be the be-all, end-all of rock headphones. My HD650 do just fine.
I am very sad to hear you do not like the MS2i you bought off of me



The biggest suprise for me have been little change in sould with different amps. I have found that a good sorce and with a modest amp to sound very good.
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