++ FULL-SIZE HEADPHONE RECOMMENDATIONS THREAD++ CLOSED: Please post a thread in the... - Page 1136  

Quote:

Originally Posted by KG Jag 

 

The better the music source, the better the sound.

 

The better the headphones, the better the sound.

 

The weaker between the music source and headphones capability limits what you hear to the capability of that "weakest link".

It's safe to say there are those that do use mp3 files (320kbps) and are satisfied?

Thanks.

The simple answer to that is, there are alot of people who can't differentiate the difference between mp3 (320) and FLAC/ALAC (which I think is around 1411 or so).  Mainly at this point, satisfaction's mostly dictated by how picky you are, how good your hearing is, and if the equipment you're using produces a sound you're happy with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saoshyant 

The simple answer to that is, there are alot of people who can't differentiate the difference between mp3 (320) and FLAC/ALAC (which I think is around 1411 or so).  Mainly at this point, satisfaction's mostly dictated by how picky you are, how good your hearing is, and if the equipment you're using produces a sound you're happy with.

+1. But the simple answer is..... yes, you will be satisfied in the sense that you will enjoy listening to your 320k mp3s. But you might find yourself starting to put together a FLAC/ALAC library. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by olear 

It's safe to say there are those that do use mp3 files (320kbps) and are satisfied?

Thanks.

Yes, but it's also safe to say there are those who use 20$ headphones, are satisfied and don't ask for anything more. If you want the best possible sound, then you want lossless files.  Maybe there are people who won't hear the difference between mp3 and flac, maybe there are those who don't have good enough equipment to hear it, but if you're serious about audio, then you go for the best possible sound files. Its like movies really. If you have a dvdrip in some standard quality and some 600x400 resolution, it will look good on regular small TV's or monitors. If you get a Bluray format movie, it will look slightly better on that small TV.  But if you have a huge full HD plasma or LED TV, it will look stunning and much better than dvdrip.  It's the same with music files, whether or not you will hear the difference and how big the difference will be depends on your equipment.

Now,  there are 320 kbps files that sound very good and are very close to lossless, so close that most people on most setups won't hear the difference between it and flac. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by olear 

It's safe to say there are those that do use mp3 files (320kbps) and are satisfied?

Thanks.

People were satisfied listening to 78's until 45's, 33 1/3's and FM radio came along.

The difference with MP3's is that the CD's, LP's and even tapes that came before have/had superior sound.  However, they weren't as convenient and could not be had for free as easily as MP3's.  Further the difference in sound was not that significant on typical teenage equipment and in the context of the lack of quality of many of the recordings.

Repost

Quote:

Originally Posted by loremipsum 

I'm looking for a new pair of headphones in the $300 range. Coming from the HD25, I want something with better extension into the lower frequencies, a larger soundstage, and slightly less treble emphasis (not after a dark-sounding headphone, though, just a little bit less peakiness). Right now I'm looking at the K550 and the HE-300. I'll be using them with my Matrix Mini-i so they'll need to be relatively easy to drive. No preference as to open or closed as I'll only be using them at home. What do you guys think?

Quote:

Originally Posted by olear 

Are using MP3 (320kbps) files going to sound good with full sized phones?

For most audio samples and nearly every listeners? They'll almost certainly sound

as good (or bad) as the original source. However, there are some audio clips which

have audible defects when encoded with LAME -- one of the most popular "encoders" -- 

in its best modes (320kbps CBR and "V0" VBR). I now encode using FLAC and

re-encode into MP3 for my car but it takes a lot more disc space.

Quote:

Originally Posted by loremipsum 

Repost

The best I can do to help you is to give you recommendations of some of the best new cans in the $300 +/- range (or less) based on U.S. street prices.

These would include: AKG Q701 (less), Beyer DT 880 (+/- Pro), Alessandro MS2, Sony MDR-MA900 (less) and Senn HD 598 (less).

The AKG K 550 is said to be good, but some folks, like those of use with beards, have trouble getting a good seal--which is necessary to get the full benefit of this can.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KG Jag 

The AKG K 550 is said to be good, but some folks, like those of use with beards, have trouble getting a good seal--which is necessary to get the full benefit of this can.

This is good to know. I have a beard and also usually wear glasses so these kind of issues are ones I'd like to avoid. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by KG Jag 

 You'll do better with the more neutral Shure SRH 840, Sony MDR 7510 or KRK KNS 8400.

Shure SRH 840 looks the best. I really like the idea of replacable cables and ear pads. I also read they are a bit heavy and not very good for metal/rock music (I listen to a lot, but am I really going to notice?), how do theses beat the Audio Tehnicia M50s?

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCase 

Shure SRH 840 looks the best. I really like the idea of replacable cables and ear pads. I also read they are a bit heavy and not very good for metal/rock music (I listen to a lot, but am I really going to notice?), how do theses beat the Audio Tehnicia M50s?

Thanks

The KRK's have replaceable cables and ear pads and are probably more durable. I hear a lot of complaints about the build quality of Shures.

Quote:

Originally Posted by devhen 

 

The KRK's have replaceable cables and ear pads and are probably more durable. I hear a lot of complaints about the build quality of Shures.

I've never hear of KRK new company ? Are these headphones natural/flat? Harsh treble hurts my ears and would you say they are better than the M50s? Tricky to pick new headphones with so many choices and I don't know anywhere I can test some

KRK is famous for their studio monitors.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCase 

Shure SRH 840 looks the best. I really like the idea of replacable cables and ear pads. I also read they are a bit heavy and not very good for metal/rock music (I listen to a lot, but am I really going to notice?), how do theses beat the Audio Tehnicia M50s?

Thanks

All three of these cans are balanced and at least neutral-ish.  The M50 has recessed mids--which means recessed guitars and vocals.

Can you guys recommend a cheap over ear headphone with good/great isolation that is good for listening to speech and podcast and also maybe for music?

some of the podcast recording that i have are very bad with random noise so i need something that can allow me to hear the spoken word clearly.

Also the isolation nedd to be good enough to isolate from external noise, fan noise, nagging etc..

Something that sound gentle and clear for speech.