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Are you fooling yourself into thinking those are great cans? - Page 3

post #31 of 37
1/2/10 at 8:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by SgtPepper View Post
I'm the opposite. Whenever I get new cans, it takes awhile before my ears adapt and I can appreciate my purchase. Sometimes I never learn to love the sound, but I have never loved a pair of headphones the minute I put them on my head. Then again, maybe I am trying to justify my purchase in the end as well.

I just remembered, this applies to used gear I have purchased as well, so it's not just a matter of burn-in.
Yes it take time to get used to the soundstage of a new headphone. It´s definiatly part of what may be perceived as break in. Since when you get used to the soundstage you can more easilly hear more fine detail.

It would be strange if anyone wasn´t trying to justify their purchase by any means or have the new toy syndrome. Doesn´t really matter if you are a millionaire or not most want their new headphones to be IT. At least me that just don´t have unlimited spare time trying to be efficient. Most would probably like to say they are immune to the effect but I don´t think any real enthusiast really are.
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post #32 of 37
1/2/10 at 8:56am
If you buying blind or based on advice, never having auditioned, you will be more likely to fool yourself into thinking they are great cans.
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post #33 of 37
1/2/10 at 9:15am
New Toy Syndrome is real, but more than that it is the subtle flaws that take a while to make themselves known. When you're experienced in the hobby you can usually tell the general characteristics of something right away, but to really make a good verdict on a piece of kit you need to live with it for a while. Naturally, only the really good stuff stands up to heavy scrutiny over time, and it is in this way that you learn the real value of a component. Things that you can live with year after year are probably right up your alley, even if they don't blow you away on first listen. Then again if something is dire crap, you will probably know it right away.

But, to get that kind of experience you do need to go through many different sound signatures and have a good idea for what's possible in the hobby. Very often, your first really good headphone is not the sound signature that you end up setting on down the road. Now, it may sound absolutely amazing to you being the first good thing that you've heard, but in this case yes, you could be fooling yourself into thinking it's great, not having the proper references to compare it to. With experience though, you learn the proper perspective and start being able to tell the good from the bad. So, when an experienced member tells you that the HD600 or Omega 2 are good headphones, they're probably not deluding themselves.
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post #34 of 37
1/2/10 at 9:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by oqvist View Post
Yes it take time to get used to the soundstage of a new headphone. It´s definiatly part of what may be perceived as break in. Since when you get used to the soundstage you can more easilly hear more fine detail.

It would be strange if anyone wasn´t trying to justify their purchase by any means or have the new toy syndrome. Doesn´t really matter if you are a millionaire or not most want their new headphones to be IT. At least me that just don´t have unlimited spare time trying to be efficient. Most would probably like to say they are immune to the effect but I don´t think any real enthusiast really are.
I know what you mean. However, it's all about intent, i.e., why you bought the can or the next pair. It's not always about the money. It's also not always about EXPECTING your next set of phones to sound or fulfill your desire in a particular way. It can be about genuine curiosity and an openness to listen and accept what comes forth, good or bad. You may have hopes but you can be realistic at the same time and learn from the imperfections that are shipped to you each time.
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post #35 of 37
1/2/10 at 10:38am
I did this to myself when I bought my first pair of headphones after joining here. I got the ES9 with a cable upgrade. When I got them they sounded better than anything I had heard for sure but I told myself they where amazing. Now looking back, I feel they where not that much better than some 20$ IEM I had used in the past. I think I wanted to hear this new experience that really wasn't there on these particular head phones. I have my second headphones coming in the mail now, hopefully I won't need to convince myself this time.
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post #36 of 37
1/2/10 at 12:54pm
I've bought quite a few headphones that I ended up selling shortly after purchasing because I didn't like them as much as what I already had. I've also lived with some headphones for awhile, loving the sound at first, but eventually deciding that they weren't for me. Preferences also change over time, and sound signatures that I liked years ago drive me nuts today (e.g., thick, punchy, bass).

I think when most of us start out in this hobby, the first few headphones or rigs we get are significant upgrades from what we currently own, which is why we buy them and, of course, we're thrilled. After that, it's somewhat trial and error and learning about system synergy and personal preferences. There are also quite a few headphones/amp/sources that impress upon first listen (wow factor), but then don't deliver the nuances and depth that make for great listening sessions time after time. Also, with real high quality gear, you often need to live with it in your home with your music and with the rest of your components for a long time to get a genuine sense of strengths and flaws, the ones that please you most and irritate you least.
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post #37 of 37
1/2/10 at 1:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by boomana View Post
I've bought quite a few headphones that I ended up selling shortly after purchasing because I didn't like them as much as what I already had. I've also lived with some headphones for awhile, loving the sound at first, but eventually deciding that they weren't for me. Preferences also change over time, and sound signatures that I liked years ago drive me nuts today (e.g., thick, punchy, bass).

I think when most of us start out in this hobby, the first few headphones or rigs we get are significant upgrades from what we currently own, which is why we buy them and, of course, we're thrilled. After that, it's somewhat trial and error and learning about system synergy and personal preferences. There are also quite a few headphones/amp/sources that impress upon first listen (wow factor), but then don't deliver the nuances and depth that make for great listening sessions time after time. Also, with real high quality gear, you often need to live with it in your home with your music and with the rest of your components for a long time to get a genuine sense of strengths and flaws, the ones that please you most and irritate you least.
Great post!!!
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