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why is choosing headphones so damn hard **** - Page 4

post #46 of 67
3/21/10 at 3:28am
Cause stores don't sell them. You base your buying decisions on others opinions. Why retail stores don't sell high end headphones is beyond me. BB headphones are utter crap.
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post #47 of 67
3/21/10 at 9:28am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by kool bubba ice View Post
BB headphones are utter crap.
BB?
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post #48 of 67
3/21/10 at 10:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by NoobAudio View Post
BB?
Best Buy probably. Most prominent electronics retail chain in the United States, probably the biggest now that Circuit City is gone.
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post #49 of 67
3/21/10 at 10:36am
It's not just with choosing headphones. When it comes to any product category that consists of too many items to choose from, you encounter what is called the paradox of choice.
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post #50 of 67
3/21/10 at 10:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ypoknons View Post
Best Buy probably. Most prominent electronics retail chain in the United States, probably the biggest now that Circuit City is gone.
I was in one the other day while visiting in Miami and I must say that it, except for a few exceptions, it does a great job of skimming the surface with any category of equipment or electronics. It will stock only the basics since that's what the average consumer will be looking for or be interested in.
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post #51 of 67
3/21/10 at 10:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by NoobAudio View Post
Thank you for your replies and opinions, in my area we don't have any 'meets' i live in the UK so i don't think i will be able to try that.

My previous headphones were IEM's, these included Sennheiser IE8, Ultimate ears triple fi 10 they were fitment issues so i though full size headphones would give me a better fit.

I have taken the plunge to buying the Ultrasone 2500 hows that for difference lol
Being different is one thing; getting advice before you jump is also another. It's also pointless trying to pick a phone for a given style of music, when you're not familiar with phones and don't know how any of them will sound.

And Freq range specs are completely meaningless. So the widest possible range means nothing in terms of SQ. Some phones advertise FR limits that aren't even audible to the human ear.

Given the cost of those, you're going to need something better than a laptop or PC onboard sound to get the best from them; spending more on headphones means they're less likely to be plug n play, the better they are the less they can do it all by themselves and will need quality back up gear to reach their potential. They may even need amping, as while the ohms are low enough to suggest they don't, I can't find the sensitivity specs.

Which is why so many were suggesting Grados or other phones that are known to be easy to drive, and less demanding on lesser quality sources like PCs.
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post #52 of 67
3/21/10 at 11:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bengt77 View Post
It's not just with choosing headphones. When it comes to any product category that consists of too many items to choose from, you encounter what is called the paradox of choice.
A great talk and a great book.

Strangely enough, with headphones I find that I'm extremely happy with all of the headphones I've bought but I still want more. I don't know what Schwartz would say about that. Maybe I'm a maxisatisficer... or something...
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post #53 of 67
3/21/10 at 12:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by joelpearce View Post
A great talk and a great book.

Strangely enough, with headphones I find that I'm extremely happy with all of the headphones I've bought but I still want more. I don't know what Schwartz would say about that. Maybe I'm a maxisatisficer... or something...
Ooooooooooh! Time for you to register a trademark for that term!

And yes, it is indeed a great talk. Haven't read the book, though.
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post #54 of 67
3/21/10 at 2:23pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Drubbing View Post
Being different is one thing; getting advice before you jump is also another. It's also pointless trying to pick a phone for a given style of music, when you're not familiar with phones and don't know how any of them will sound.

And Freq range specs are completely meaningless. So the widest possible range means nothing in terms of SQ. Some phones advertise FR limits that aren't even audible to the human ear.

Given the cost of those, you're going to need something better than a laptop or PC onboard sound to get the best from them; spending more on headphones means they're less likely to be plug n play, the better they are the less they can do it all by themselves and will need quality back up gear to reach their potential. They may even need amping, as while the ohms are low enough to suggest they don't, I can't find the sensitivity specs.

Which is why so many were suggesting Grados or other phones that are known to be easy to drive, and less demanding on lesser quality sources like PCs.
Suggest me an amp?
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post #55 of 67
3/21/10 at 2:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bengt77 View Post
It's not just with choosing headphones. When it comes to any product category that consists of too many items to choose from, you encounter what is called the paradox of choice.
Nice video, thanks for sharing
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post #56 of 67
3/21/10 at 2:51pm
Headphone amplifier for what purpose and for what headphone/earphone, impedance, brand characteristics, sound signature of the headphone amplifier etcetera...

Sometimes a gamble pays off, sometimes really dig deep for that gem of a piece of audio gear. I gambled three times and I was quite satisfied. The next headphone amplifier won't be a gamble.
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post #57 of 67
3/21/10 at 3:31pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Deep Funk View Post
Headphone amplifier for what purpose and for what headphone/earphone, impedance, brand characteristics, sound signature of the headphone amplifier etcetera...

Sometimes a gamble pays off, sometimes really dig deep for that gem of a piece of audio gear. I gambled three times and I was quite satisfied. The next headphone amplifier won't be a gamble.
Ultrasone 2500 and the purpose well people say i need one to get the most out of it, any type portable not portable. I wouldn't say the 2500pro are portable lol. I don't want to spend anymore than £50
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post #58 of 67
3/21/10 at 3:32pm
imo it must be worse if you want the best & have the money for it already. 'cos first you gotta do your own homework, THEN consider everyones opinion on why they're best. 'cos everyones got an idea on which is best

if you're a n00b then aim for say, middle, as that's a good place to upgrade from & guage what you like - you just roll the dice & be happy in the improvement you got & improvements to come.

i'm glad i'm not rich, i can't be doing with 20 pairs of headphones, just like some people collect cats!
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post #59 of 67
3/21/10 at 4:16pm
I worked at best buy and have seen their purchasing charts. You'd never believe the % they make on their items. If something is sold in the store for 100$, they bought it for about 8-12$
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post #60 of 67
3/21/10 at 5:06pm
NoobAudio, I advise you to find a good reliable headphone amplifier for the Ultrasone and if your budget is limited go for a big CD-player, an older high end model which can be found quite cheap with certain brands and delivers really good sound. A Fiio E5 can work too though, if I'm correct.

Save up for a good headphone amplifier because your Ultrasone deserves it. In the coming time I'll try to get a Graham Slee Voyager or Lake People G100 for the long term, it might take six months or longer but then I'll have some proper gear for the ages .
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