Are hi-fi headphones overhyped by audiophiles? - Page 8

Quote:

Originally Posted by Permagrin 

No kidding. If you have any qualms about spending money on frivolous things stop as soon as it sounds good enough to you. Seriously!

and never go to a Hobie shop, buy Starbucks coffee, buy that extra pair of shoes even though you have two others, get the sweater because you want to, buy games. Honestly Frivolous things are anything but shelter, food, water, cloths *minimum IMO* , and SOME TIMES transportation* as i don't see two brand new hummers as a necessity* .I'm not saying I don't buy stupid shit ALL the time, because I do, hell I'm a gamer I buy games a lot ha ha I haven't bought a new one in some time as I have been saving up for headphones and a DAC...well mainly the DAC I don't want anymore headphones until the XB1000's reach the US. I'm just saying the frivolous is in the eye of the beholder, well that's a bad way of putting it, frivolous is fun? either way its a persons choice and the way I look at it everything that isn't vital to an existence is a "frivolous purchase"

i can kind of sympathize with the OP. when i got my first set of high(er) end phones i was a a little disappointed. I could hear a difference, but not one big enough to justify upgrading from a set of $50 TDKs to the $250 odd K702 and with $200 worth of amplification. After a few weeks though i grew to appreciate my purchase much more as i adjusted to the new sound, they burned in and i learned how to listen properly. But i guess if my previous cans had been more similar to the AKGs (rather than a flaming inferno of warmth) i would have felt pretty jipped initially (note, i really like the 702s now...... just wish they weren't a home use only option.

really, as much as all of us here talk about how important SQ is and how large the differences are between headphones, most "normal" people just want something that makes sound of one form or another. Its a bonus if it has a nice and warm sound sig, a fair quantity of bass and is "fun" thats why beats are so popular.  Alot of people out there wouldn't notice the difference between a sen 201 and 800 unless it was an A/B comparison and i think its important to remember this when giving advice to newbies.

though @ the OP. if you cant tell a difference at all, then you need to learn how to listen. it may not be a case of better worse, but there definitely will be differences between the two.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surruk 

i can kind of sympathize with the OP. when i got my first set of high(er) end phones i was a a little disappointed. I could hear a difference, but not one big enough to justify upgrading from a set of $50 TDKs to the $250 odd K702 and with $200 worth of amplification. After a few weeks though i grew to appreciate my purchase much more as i adjusted to the new sound, they burned in and i learned how to listen properly. But i guess if my previous cans had been more similar to the AKGs (rather than a flaming inferno of warmth) i would have felt pretty jipped initially (note, i really like the 702s now...... just wish they weren't a home use only option.

 

really, as much as all of us here talk about how important SQ is and how large the differences are between headphones, most "normal" people just want something that makes sound of one form or another. Its a bonus if it has a nice and warm sound sig, a fair quantity of bass and is "fun" thats why beats are so popular.  Alot of people out there wouldn't notice the difference between a sen 201 and 800 unless it was an A/B comparison and i think its important to remember this when giving advice to newbies.

 

though @ the OP. if you cant tell a difference at all, then you need to learn how to listen. it may not be a case of better worse, but there definitely will be differences between the two.

I dunno about the sennheiser 201 to 800 comparison, I'd say more anything from the 5xx series to the 800 would be a better comparison.

For most people that would be a better example yeah, though i know someone who recons he cant tell a difference between his $30 sen buds and those AKGs other than them being bass shy. (worse yet, he is a muso who has spent a fair few K on his guitar set up >_> ). So there are definitely people out there who wouldn't know better.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBomb77766 

I dunno about the sennheiser 201 to 800 comparison, I'd say more anything from the 5xx series to the 800 would be a better comparison.

I now have a better appreciation for what the "average person" considers "audiophile".  $50 headphones, 320kbs mp3s, and EQ'd bass boost...

So, to recant my earlier statement based on this new appreciation, no, I don't think interwebnets audiophiles "overhype" gear.

your pretty much spot on from my experience with friends. Give people a super sized serving of bass, doesnt matter who good it is, and most of them are as happy as a pig in mud.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DemonicLemming 

I now have a better appreciation for what the "average person" considers "audiophile".  $50 headphones, 320kbs mp3s, and EQ'd bass boost...

 

So, to recant my earlier statement based on this new appreciation, no, I don't think interwebnets audiophiles "overhype" gear.

I wish I was as happy as a pig in mud!

There is nothing sadder than saving up for something that you think will top everything and end up being dissapointed.  It seems impossible to go back, but continuing the search means more frivolous spending.