[OneSec]

Hi GreenTea
If Samsung supports digital out, either coexial or toslink.
Edit: I just did some internet searching and no Samsung Galaxy S II doesnt seem to support digital out - so your phone will not support whatever DAC you purchase. So the DAC will only supported on your PC. From that perspective, then make sure your the following

1. You can go for a sound card, internal or external. USB connection would be preferred for if you are going for external.
2. Make sure the sound card comes with RCA out. This is for connection to Schiit Asgard.

 
You may connect the Samsung Galaxy S II as line out to Schiit Asgard though, which may result in double amplification
 
 
Quote:

I know this is a "headphone" guidance thread but just going off of the fact that someone giving advice off of headphones themselves probably has the answer to my question I'll just ask it here.
 
 
 
I have a couple of cheap headphones (MS1, HD555, planning on getting LCD-2s and IEMs are shipping) amped with a Schiit Asgard. I have 2 sources with 1 being my computer (Foobar2k) and my phone (Samsung Galaxy S2). The sound sounds a lot better coming from my phone in to the amp compared to coming from my computer. I'm using the same music files (.flac) on my phone and on my computer.
 
The big difference seems to be the bass. The highs and mids are improved as well but not as much. Not only the quality seems better but the equalization seems to actually do more in terms of changing the sound. With this being said, if I were looking for a device to help out would that be a DAC? I think just by trying these 2 sources it's really shown to me that the source does matter. I'm assuming if I get a DAC it would help not just the sound with my computer being a source but also improve on using my phone as a source.
 
If a DAC is what I'm looking for, could anyone recommend one? DACs seem to be either really cheap ($30 DIY kits) or really expensive. Price wise the HRT Music Streamer II seems to be a good price range for me, but does a DAC at this level do anything noticeably different?

 
Xisdibik,
On general lean base phone gives better PC experience (you may refer to the link in the first post of this thread). Actually AD700 from Japan is an good option. But its open. But I would doubt you put the volume so high you get to disturb your neighbours - You most likely go deaf first
Quote:

Yeah, when I have been in stores on previous visits they have them hooked up to hear music from them.  They unfortunately do not have them hooked up to gaming PC's running various games to test out how they handle gaming sounds/effects.  I was hoping to have at least a few options to hunt specifically for when I arrived there instead of going and hearing them all with only music options.
 
Thanks though for the suggestion.
 

 

 

[joelpearce]

Which ends up being the one real drawback--you won't get the real quality people are talking about without some work.
Quote:

I personally really like the T50RPs.  They also have GREAT moddability.
 


 

 

 

[gugman]

Hi everyone
 
i have asus xonar dg sound card and razer orca headphones, (50% music 25% movies 25% games) at this moment i can buy new headphones in under 200 usd range category. so far my options are
 
Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO
Ultrasone HFI-580 S
Fostex T50RP
AKG K 271 MK II
Grado SR-60i
Grado  SR80i
Bose OE2 
Sennheiser HD25-1 II
Audio Technica ATH-PRO700 MK2 
 
can you please share your thoughts regarding the headphones in this list or maybe you can advise something else?
thanx ppl
 

 

[miceblue]

Quote:

Hi everyone
 
i have asus xonar dg sound card and razer orca headphones, (50% music 25% movies 25% games) at this moment i can buy new headphones in under 200 usd range category. so far my options are
 
Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO
Ultrasone HFI-580 S
Fostex T50RP
AKG K 271 MK II
Grado SR-60i
Grado  SR80i
Bose OE2 
Sennheiser HD25-1 II
Audio Technica ATH-PRO700 MK2 
 
can you please share your thoughts regarding the headphones in this list or maybe you can advise something else?
thanx ppl
 

What kind of music do you generally listen to and what kind of environment will you be in while listening to the headphones?
 
The Beyers and Grados are open-back headphones and leak a lot of noise whereas the other headphones are closed-back and provide better noise isolation. Grados are generally recommended for rock music while the Ultrasones, Audio Technicas, and Sennheisers are recommended for bassier genres like pop, hip-hop, electronic, etc.
 

 

[gugman]

 
Quote:

What kind of music do you generally listen to and what kind of environment will you be in while listening to the headphones?
 
The Beyers and Grados are open-back headphones and leak a lot of noise whereas the other headphones are closed-back and provide better noise isolation. Grados are generally recommended for rock music while the Ultrasones, Audio Technicas, and Sennheisers are recommended for bassier genres like pop, hip-hop, electronic, etc.
 

thank you for your reply. mainly i do listen to electronic music and hip hop. i'll be using whatever i buy only in font of my computer at my flat, so that means environment will be almost without any loud noises  

 

[Mironov]

i need an advice.
grado sr60i or sony zx700 for metal music?
 

 

[Guy Incognito]

Hey all,

I want to dive into the world of audiophile headphones. I have a pair of old hand-me-down Sony headphones which have (and continue to) serve me faithfully but I feel it is time for an upgrade....

Somethings you might want to know:

Purpose and set up
--------------------

1. They are for home listening
2. Set up: .flac -> Xonar Essence STX -> NAD C350 -> Speakers / Headphones

Sound preference
--------------------
using subjective terms, lets say mostly neutral, accurate

1. Bass? Okay. So long as it is controlled and doesn't sucker punch you in the ears. Think pipe organ, tuba and double bass not a crowded club on a Saturday night.

Genres
--------------------
I like many but who doesnt? For simplicity, lets go with the following, in order:

1. rock (anything from the 70's!)
2. hip-hop and electronica if I drink too much coffee
3. "world music" (what a non-specific genre!)
4. classical / choral

Budget
--------------------
Say $300-500. For a first foray, the left-hand side might be safer?

Build Quality
--------------------
I VERY much respect a product that was designed for a life time. For treats like these, I despise built-in obsolescence and cost cutting.


Things I have found on this forum
----------------------------------------
The Denon AH-D2000 look like a 'fun' pair

1. I am worried about their build quality. I dont want to have to wear white gloves to use these.
2. If I go closed I could tolerate a bit of sound leakage... but if the Denons are very leaky I may as well go open?

The Sennheiser HD 650 look like a good reference pair

1. I am reluctant to get an open design - mainly because I have never owned a pair
2. I would be embarrassed by the look on my family's faces if Britney Spears came up on random... "Oops it happened again" - perish the thought... but you get the idea. Im not so keen to have mini-speakers attached to my head. I am experimenting to some degree so I am amenable to being convinced I "wont regret it".

      
Whilst trawling the forum and researching, these appealed to me but I am not glued to either - though I am leaning on the Denons.
Other recommendations are welcome.

I take it I would need to invest in a decent amp to get the most out of either of these (particularly HD650's). How far can the headphone circuitry of an integrated amp take you? I believe it is not so far?

I live in Australia so some brands are easier to purchase than others. With this in mind I have also found it difficult to find a store with a good range to road test (Sennheiser seem to have an over-representation here?). For this reason, to some degree, it is actually easier for me to average out a consensus than to 'trust my ears'. I also do prefer to buy local when I can (even though that usually incurs an unnecessary premium).
 
Thanks for your patience and your advice!
Guy

 

[200poundsofamp]

Quote:

After researching, I have been considering these headphones: Shure SRH-840 or 940, Beyerdynamic DT-1350. I also received a recommendation for the Denon D2000s, but reviews seem to indicate the bass characteristics are not quite in line with what I want. The main complaint against the Beyers is the fit of the earpad since they aren't full-sized. With the Shures, I have read reviews that paint the 840 as being more "laid back" than the 940s, so I'm not sure if this means the 940s are overly bright or if the 840s have more emphasis on the mids/bass?
 

Some of A, some of B. I'd take the 840 for rock, it's a little warm but still has good bite for guitars. The 940 is bright and more for classical or acoustic IMO.

A couple others to consider are the Fischer FA-003 and FA-006.
 
By the way, if you want to save some money on an ipod dock a Fiio F3 is dirt cheap and works great.

 

[MorbidToaster]

I was going to recommend the HD 598 or a Sennheiser HD 6xx. Your NAD should be plenty to power the 600 or 650. I bet it'll sound great, too. 
 
I think based on what you like the 600 or 650 would be the best pick. You've got the power they want, and the 598 can leave a little bass to be desired. I also think the 6xx series works a little better for male vocals than the 598. 
 
Concerning being concerned about open headphones...Don't worry about it. I've found that once you get your first pair not many go back. Closed headphones are necessary in some situations, but there's a good reason most of the 'high end' headphones around here are open. 
 
Quote:

Hey all,

I want to dive into the world of audiophile headphones. I have a pair of old hand-me-down Sony headphones which have (and continue to) serve me faithfully but I feel it is time for an upgrade....

Somethings you might want to know:

Purpose and set up
--------------------

1. They are for home listening
2. Set up: .flac -> Xonar Essence STX -> NAD C350 -> Speakers / Headphones

Sound preference
--------------------
using subjective terms, lets say mostly neutral, accurate

1. Bass? Okay. So long as it is controlled and doesn't sucker punch you in the ears. Think pipe organ, tuba and double bass not a crowded club on a Saturday night.

Genres
--------------------
I like many but who doesnt? For simplicity, lets go with the following, in order:

1. rock (anything from the 70's!)
2. hip-hop and electronica if I drink too much coffee
3. "world music" (what a non-specific genre!)
4. classical / choral

Budget
--------------------
Say $300-500. For a first foray, the left-hand side might be safer?

Build Quality
--------------------
I VERY much respect a product that was designed for a life time. For treats like these, I despise built-in obsolescence and cost cutting.


Things I have found on this forum
----------------------------------------
The Denon AH-D2000 look like a 'fun' pair

1. I am worried about their build quality. I dont want to have to wear white gloves to use these.
2. If I go closed I could tolerate a bit of sound leakage... but if the Denons are very leaky I may as well go open?

The Sennheiser HD 650 look like a good reference pair

1. I am reluctant to get an open design - mainly because I have never owned a pair
2. I would be embarrassed by the look on my family's faces if Britney Spears came up on random... "Oops it happened again" - perish the thought... but you get the idea. Im not so keen to have mini-speakers attached to my head. I am experimenting to some degree so I am amenable to being convinced I "wont regret it".

      
Whilst trawling the forum and researching, these appealed to me but I am not glued to either - though I am leaning on the Denons.
Other recommendations are welcome.

I take it I would need to invest in a decent amp to get the most out of either of these (particularly HD650's). How far can the headphone circuitry of an integrated amp take you? I believe it is not so far?

I live in Australia so some brands are easier to purchase than others. With this in mind I have also found it difficult to find a store with a good range to road test (Sennheiser seem to have an over-representation here?). For this reason, to some degree, it is actually easier for me to average out a consensus than to 'trust my ears'. I also do prefer to buy local when I can (even though that usually incurs an unnecessary premium).
 
Thanks for your patience and your advice!
Guy

 
 

 

[iscorpio71]

Hello!
 
Seeking advice between: AKG K702, AKG K 272 HD, Beyerdynamic DT 770-PRO, Audio-Tecnica ATM-M50, Grado Prestige Series SR325i and AiAiAi TMA-1. after narrowing down from the trillion of choices, any other suggestion is welcome and can budget up to 500$, but prefer < 300 $.
 
Mostly to hear with Macbook Pro, iPod with out amp., for now. 
 
Thank you!

 

[MorbidToaster]

K702 is out. Absolutely needs an amp (IMO). 
 
What kind of music do you like?
 
Quote:

Hello!
 
Seeking advice between: AKG K702, AKG K 272 HD, Beyerdynamic DT 770-PRO, Audio-Tecnica ATM-M50, Grado Prestige Series SR325i and AiAiAi TMA-1. after narrowing down from the trillion of choices, any other suggestion is welcome and can budget up to 500$, but prefer < 300 $.
 
Mostly to hear with Macbook Pro, iPod with out amp., for now. 
 
Thank you!

 
 

 

[iscorpio71]

Thanks for your fast reply MorbidToaster...
 
yeah I read that the K702 needs amp for Bass., but get awesome review
 
I hear Rock and Roll, Electronica (House, Dance, DeepHouse, Trance), but don't want a only kind of headphone for a kind of music but I guess that's the way to go if you want the best. looking for a best around headphone.
 
Thanks
 
 

 

[MorbidToaster]

You'd want the Q701 if you ever go with something from that line. More bass. IMO the K701/702 just don't have enough for anything Electronic. 
 
Scratch the Grado, too. They're too bass light for EDM. 
 
The TMA-1 would be my pick out of those, but it's a little too bass heavy to consider a great all rounder without some EQ. I'd consider the Phiaton MS400 or the Senn. HD 25-1 II. Both are excellent, easy to power all rounder. 
 
Quote:

Thanks for your fast reply MorbidToaster...
 
yeah I read that the K702 needs amp for Bass., but get awesome review
 
I hear Rock and Roll, Electronica (House, Dance, DeepHouse, Trance), but don't want a only kind of headphone for a kind of music but I guess that's the way to go if you want the best. looking for a best around headphone.
 
Thanks
 
 

 
 

 

[iscorpio71]

Ok., how about the K 272 HD? I'm considering the AiAiAi very high, Cnet's Editors choice... if that means anything jaja.
 
Quote:

You'd want the Q701 if you ever go with something from that line. More bass. IMO the K701/702 just don't have enough for anything Electronic. 
 
Scratch the Grado, too. They're too bass light for EDM. 
 
The TMA-1 would be my pick out of those, but it's a little too bass heavy to consider a great all rounder without some EQ. I'd consider the Phiaton MS400 or the Senn. HD 25-1 II. Both are excellent, easy to power all rounder. 
 


 
 

 

 

[MorbidToaster]

Even a broken clock is right twice a day, no?
 
I have no experience with the K272 so I can't really comment. 
 
Quote:

Ok., how about the K 272 HD? I'm considering the AiAiAi very high, Cnet's Editors choice... if that means anything jaja.