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How to get this effect..

post #1 of 16
9/19/03 at 10:56pm
Thread Starter 
Let me first off start by saying that while I enjoy some high end systems, I am not looking for audiophile headphones. The headphones I want are going to be 95% used in a home computer environment, playing mp3s, gaming, etc. I have my sound card running to a small receiver (so I can use "real" speakers), and I plug into the headphone jack on this receiver.

With that said, I'm looking for some headphones. Budget is like $50 max. I currently have some random $10 sony earbuds, and while they sound ok, I noticed that they sound much better and fuller if I push them into my ears and hold them there, almost as if they don't fit right normally. Does anyone know this effect I'm talking about? Would this maybe mean I might like sealed headphones better, since when I push them into my ears I'm sealing off the back part? or..

Anyways, I know about sennheiser hd497s in my price range, what else is there? I listen to EVERYTHING (I currently have a playlist on my mp3 player that has nelly, paul oakenfold, and mozart, to give you an idea). I also noticed that senn makes few/none of the sealed designs, they are all open. Not that I mind getting open (the environment is a non-issue), but if sealed will give me the "fuller" effect like above...

Any input would be appreciated.
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post #2 of 16
9/20/03 at 12:11am
Maybe you like the "inside-your-head" sound? Personally, I hate that because it appears super unnatural vs. the more airy sounds of open cans. But perhaps look into the Sennheiser HD280Pro or Sony V6 (both will be just a little above $50 new; less if used). Both are closed and are punchy the way you might like them.
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post #3 of 16
9/20/03 at 12:16am
Thread Starter 
Yah i was looking at sony v6. I'm also looking at koss ksc-35s (heard some great reviews, and that they are ultra comfortable, which is #1 concern to me). As well as grado sr60s.

I've never heard a bad thing about the quality of the grados, however I'm worried about their comfort level for extended periods of time.
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post #4 of 16
9/20/03 at 12:34am
If comfortability is #1 to you, then I'd suggest not getting Grados, for the obvious reason.
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post #5 of 16
9/20/03 at 12:40am
Thread Starter 
how are the koss at comfort? the ksc-35s. Also, why are these so good? I've heard some pretty good reviews about them, but I'm wondering why I should pick these up over like some of koss's "home" headphones for a similar price?

So right now I'm still looking at

Senn hd497s
Koss ksc-35s
Sony V6

Ideally I'm most likely going to go with something from Koss just because they are cheaper, and I'm not looking for crazy good headphones.
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post #6 of 16
9/20/03 at 12:48am
Quote:
Originally posted by MusicLover
If comfortability is #1 to you, then I'd suggest not getting Grados, for the obvious reason.
Don't talk out of your ass MusicLover.

I use Grado SR60's with Vwap modded Sennheiser HD414 pads and they're very comfy. I could wear them all day with no problem at all. If the headband's to tight or loose, you can bend it. I prefer their sound to the KSC-35's though I can't really say if you will. The SR60 isn't so much an upgrade as a sidestep. Which one you'll like better depends on which combination of strengths and weakness you're willing to live with. And the KSC-35's is certainly a better deal at nearly half the price. And KSC-35's double for portability. They literally disappear on your head as well. They're really and awesome deal. I'd say go for those.
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post #7 of 16
9/20/03 at 12:51am
Rizumu, since he said comfortability was #1, then I figured the Grados weren't the most comfortable on the planet.

Btw, I didn't mean to sound rude or anything in the previous post, that's just the way it came out.
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post #8 of 16
9/20/03 at 12:55am
Grados actually aren't that bad, but they may be a bit more revealing of bad sources due to their intimate nature (they have a very "hot" sound which means accentuated upper mids / lower high end and a very active bass).

If your budget is fifty bucks tops, the phones I could live with for that amount would be:

Sennheiser HD497 - good sound / comfort.
Grado SR60 - good sound, lively, o.k. comfort.
Sennheiser PX100/200 - good sound, comfort, and very small. 200 model isolates listener from noisy fans.

Good luck with your purchase.

Cheers,
Geek
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post #9 of 16
9/20/03 at 1:08am
i find the sr-60s with the stock pads to be a lot more comfortable than the hd-497s. not as comfortable as portapros though.
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post #10 of 16
9/20/03 at 1:27am
Thread Starter 
prince, portapros of ksc-35s?
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post #11 of 16
9/20/03 at 1:33am
portapros...i've never tried the ksc-35

i just know that when i put the portapros on and click the adjustment to the lightest setting i could wear em all day
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post #12 of 16
9/20/03 at 1:48am
Thread Starter 
Any input on the Koss "home headphones"? Like the UR40s or something?
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post #13 of 16
9/20/03 at 1:51am
I'm fairly sensitive to the comfort of my 'phones, and I found the Grados to be decently comforatable with the vwap pads, IF I take my glasses off. With glasses on, they get pretty uncomforatable after 30 minutes or so. Just something to keep in mind if you wear glasses. Grados with vwap pads and without glasses are slightly more comfy than my hd497's, but with glasses the 497's are better. The grado stock pads are ok but not as good as the vwap IMO. As far as sound, I have the more expensive sr-225's and they are better than the 497's, but I'm guessing the HD497's and sr-60's should be in the same league.
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post #14 of 16
9/21/03 at 9:49pm
Quote:
Originally posted by Rizumu
Don't talk out of your ass MusicLover.
Now, now...no need to get rude...

I find the Grado's sufficiently uncomfortable to avoid them. They are definitely a try-before-you-buy kind of thing. I don't think it's unfair to warn someone of the comfort factor.
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post #15 of 16
9/21/03 at 10:09pm
If you can afford the SR-60, go for it. Below that would rank the PortaPro's and the KSC-35's in my little expirience.
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