Hi all,
It's been a while and i've been content with my iAudio J3 + Shure SE535 combination.
But now my J3 is broken, so i'm looking for a new player. It's probably going to be another iAudio, but any other suggestions are welcome. I actually also have an iPod Nano V6 here, but i am really dissapointed with the audio quality (it's just awful actually, compared to iAudio - also any EQ change seems to make it even worse).
About the Shure SE535. They are great, have plenty of detail and have a neutral, yet full range sound, but somehow never really got me excited. Maybe it's just a little bit too neutral / clynical. Also i think i would enjoy a larger soundstage.
The best way to describe my taste and what i like is explaining my Audio/Home Theater set i guess, because that's the sound i really enjoy.
I have Emotiva XDA / UMC / XPA5 / UPA2 in combination with Monitor Audio RX6 fronts, RX center and RXFX surrounds. I'll stick with the stereo in this description, because having 5 plugs in you ear is pretty hard and i bet uncomfortable :P
The Emotiva have loads of power, which makes the sound very tight. So that made me think about a headphone amp in addition to a player and new headphones. It has a really neutral, yet rhythmic, detailed, open and punchy sound signature. This, in combination with the slightly warm, open sound of the Monitor Audio's makes it an ideal match for me. What i also really enjoy of the RX6's is the wide and almost 3D like soundstage and the superb low frequencies. The basses are tight, organised, detailed, have punch and rhythm. Yet, they still shine in mids and highs. Voices are cracking clear and feel like they are in your room. Highs are open without getting too bright.
So i'm not looking for bass like headphones. But i do enjoy their presence in a detailed, tight and full range manner. I need to feel them and really add the warmth/punch to the music. But what i don't want is overpowering messy blobs of bass without respect to the mids and highs.
I'm a bit of an allrounder regarding music. From easy going pop/rock/singer songwriter up to deep house, experimental and lounge music. So lets say, from coldplay, Agnes Obel up to Gorrilaz and Trentemoller.
I hope this gives a good view of my taste (if not, please ask).
Also size is a thing. I want them to be comfortable (allthough that's mostly personal ofcourse) and not sticking out too much. So when i lie on my ear it doesn't irritates too much. My Shure's are ok for this, so it shouldn't stick out more then that :)
Another wish is isolation. I don't want to hear other people, and i don't want them to hear me :)
So my question now would be:
- What headphones would fit this description?
- Are there any other players, other then iAudio, to consider?
- What phone amp would be a good choice (i'm new in this area - they should be mobile and as compact as possible)?
The EarSonic SM3's sound like my description. But they seem a little big and sticking out of your ear?
Budget is currently secundary. I really want just top quality sound. But i will consider price/quality ofcourse. It's not that i use it daily (mainly on holiday actually). So it needs to be within reason :) Please shoot anything that would suit my description, regardless of price :D I'll figure out later if i'm willing to go that far or not :D
It's hard to get a good view with headphones, because testing them isn't very common, like with speakers etc ...
So i hope you guys can give me some good tips and suggestions. It would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
Arno
Edited by Xstream - 1/29/12 at 2:33am
