SoundFreaq's Respite Thread of Interesting Stuff - Page 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoundFreaq 

Team Bed-fi. Who sleeps with their gear?

 

I wish I could join. I can't sleep in headphones.  I'll drift off, but then about half an hour later I'll wake up and feel like I'm in a casket, since I can't move my head. Then everything will start itching, and the inability to turn my head will start driving me bonkers, and finally I'll have to admit defeat and chuck the headphones aside.

This happens every time. I've also not yet found a pair of IEMs I can comfortably sleep in, though the S6 comes close.

Funny thing is that I do do the majority of my listening in my bed, usually either surfing the Internet or just chilling with my eyes closed, exploring the sonic landscape or just relaxing and letting the music flow over me. At which point I'll often fall asleep. And so the cycle repeats....

I can't sleep in them either. It's actually one of the reasons I got speakers now. Music while I sleep. Gets into your dreams. :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by Argyris 

 

I wish I could join. I can't sleep in headphones.  I'll drift off, but then about half an hour later I'll wake up and feel like I'm in a casket, since I can't move my head. Then everything will start itching, and the inability to turn my head will start driving me bonkers, and finally I'll have to admit defeat and chuck the headphones aside.

 

This happens every time. I've also not yet found a pair of IEMs I can comfortably sleep in, though the S6 comes close.

 

Funny thing is that I do do the majority of my listening in my bed, usually either surfing the Internet or just chilling with my eyes closed, exploring the sonic landscape or just relaxing and letting the music flow over me. At which point I'll often fall asleep. And so the cycle repeats....

I'll take a shot at these:

1. In general you're correct, I believe, but more because of ignorance of proper hi-fi (i.e. Beats != hi-fi) than necessarily because these genres don't benefit from good equipment. I tend to be pretty eclectic in my taste, and while there are certain songs in certain genres where my less accurate sets are "good enough" to sound good, there is nothing that doesn't benefit, IMO, from being played on my best equipment. And the vast majority of my music isn't what would be considered "hi-fi" or "audiophile" stuff--most of it's pretty mainstream, apart from the classical, and even there the production quality is spotty across different performances and collections.

2. This might also be true, though I don't have enough experience to make a blanket statement one way or the other. There are few instances, however, when poor production has impeded my enjoyment of something to the point where I abandon it. Incidentally, the only one in my collection that comes to mind at the moment is Previn's The Planets on Telarc, which is so dull and muddy (IMO) that I seldom listen to it, even though the performance itself is competent.

3. This is of course highly subjective, but to me at least the very best headphones in the world should definitely be considered terrific all-rounders. Being "pretty good" at something as opposed to "excellent" is going to be a judgment call. I'm assuming (having no personal experience with the headphone or knowledge of the genre) that an SR-009 would be less than excellent for dubstep because it doesn't have enhanced bass and/or is too bright.

I'll extrapolate the issue and use my DT880 as an example, since its tonal balance should produce the same situation. I'll admit that I have had a bit more fun at times with my electronicish stuff when I'm listening on something with more bass and a bit less treble, but I would stop short of saying that the DT880 is somehow deficient or less adept here. Rather, another headphone might have a euphonic quality that lends a subjective improvement in a few areas to specific material. When it comes to accuracy and neutrality, though, the DT880 is "correct", or at least "more correct" than the more colored headphone (lately I've been listening to some low end IEMs). By this metric, the DT880 is "excellent" for all genres and is consequently a great all-rounder. I'm assuming (and hoping, for the sake of its owners) that the SR-009 improves on the Beyers and is closer to neutral, meaning it's an even better all-rounder by that measure.

It all depends on what you consider important. Sometimes accurate and neutral aren't quite what's desired, or perhaps certain genres highlight the inherent limitations of the headphone format in general (e.g. lack of tactile bass, stronger presentation of microdetail than is natural, etc.). Maybe dubstep and electronic aren't a good match for headphones, though a bit of extra bass and some treble rolloff might help. If that's the case, we can't hold the limitations of the format against the SR-009 or any other high quality headphone.

The fatal flaw in this is that when you do find something from those genres that's done properly the 009s will put everything else on blast. 

I listen to a lot of Trance (and Electronic music in general, as you know), and have been getting WAY back into Metal lately. While they have genres they are more likely to sound good with like Jazz, Classical, etc. It's not because they are flawed it's because those genres are generally produced better. 

The main thing I'll focus on here is the Metal. While part of it is the overdriven guitar amp miking you refer to bands like Opeth and Dir En Grey (the new album is fantastic) sound unbelievably good via the 009. 

On another 'branch'...When I bought my 009 I listened to 90% Electronic music like Trance, Dubstep, and DnB. I absolutely still thought it was worth it. The key is that joy you swell up with when you find something done beautifully recorded and produced like BT's Morceau Subrosa, or a lot of Future Garage (Burial, Soular Order, etc.)

The only genre I've found that I just won't listen to with the 009s is Punk. This isn't because they do it badly...it's because Punk sounds like ****. Bottom line. It's poorly recorded, poorly produced, and practically unlistenable on a system that's not 'fun' and 'colored'. And even then...Ugh. 

----

Oh, and just for fun (and another jab)...Here's a record label making major headway into good sounding Metal. 

http://www.metal-fi.com/at-earache-less-earache/

They've started reissuing some stuff with 'Full Dynamic Range'. This Metal is actually more dynamic than anything else I own. Hell, it's more dynamic than most Jazz CDs.

http://www.metal-fi.com/napalm-death-from-enslavement-to-obliteration-fdr-2012-edition/

EDIT: The first record I drop on my new Harbeths is going to be Metal. I've bought a ton of new Metal LPs I haven't listened to yet, and I can't wait. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoundFreaq 

I posted this in the Final Audio Design Forum, but thought it would go here well as well. I also want MorbidToasters thoughts, and I know he glances at this thread every once in a while.

 

 

Ok, guys. Tell me what you think. I was perusing the world wide interwebs to see if anyone had ludicriously compared the Stax 009 to the FI-BA-SS. Honestly, of anything I have heard, the SS reminds me more of an 009 than anything else. Upon searching around, I found this comment. Edit: Not linking properly. Comment #58: http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/2353949/all )

 

".... Sound wise? splendid and nontraditional, you get a total new experience, and yet they are very specific on their "compatible" music genre.

Basically they can't handle rock, RnB or fast, bass music.
Vocal is their strong point."

 

At first, I thought to myself, well that's just not true. That's a blanket statement about a whole brand, and it's just some guy's opinion. Then I got to thinking about what he said. Tell me if what I am about to say is true, or if I just don't like the genres of R&B, and hard rock, so it's self evident for me. 

 

1. I don't think people buy super hi-end audio systems to listen to Hip-hop, Trance, R&B and Metal. If you're into those genres, I wouldn't recommend you pick up a Stax 009. With Metal, you're not worried about the drum stick sound as it strikes the cymbal, and the way it resonates in the recording environment. You're not worried about the Upright bass timbre in Jazz, and hearing the sound resonate in the wood before exiting through the f-holes. In Metal, the bass is run through a distortion pedal, then an amp, THEN miked. Metal is about the power of the music as a whole, and you don't get caught in the nuances of the music. 

 

2. Genres like Trance and Hip-hop are not well produced. Though it's getting better, I, as a fan of trance music, have gotten further away from it as I get into higher end audio, because it's usually produced horribly. Independent producers are different, but I'm talking DJ mixes. Even DJ's with Money, like Armin Van Buuren, produce mixes that are usually bright and not well done. Not to mention, it's a compilation of many producer's music, all mastered in a different way, then mastered all over again to be consistent within the mix. I get way more satisfaction out of trance by not listening to it on a quality system. For trance, I often go "mid-fi" to get the most satisfaction. 

 

3. The very best headphones in the world, are they terrific all-rounders? Or are they pretty good at most things, and excellent at a few things. Like 009. It will do anything. But acoustic, Jazz, Classical, instrumental, and vocal sound best. If you're a dubstep freak, you just don't dive into an 009. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoundFreaq 

SoundFreaq's Respite Thread of Interesting Stuff

 

 

 

What is this?

 

A place for your input, your feedback, your thoughts. A place for me to find solace and reprieve from the hurricane that Head-fi can be. A semi-Diary thread, a blog of sorts. A discussion thread. A way for me to ask the questions and posts the thoughts I have without starting a new thread.

 

Rules:

Anything goes, but:

1. Debates are encouraged. Arguing is not. 

2. Keep it fresh and intelligent. 

 

This is intended to be mine, and your, little alcove. Let's keep the crap out of here. 

 

Thank you for posting! Now, let's have fun,

 

SoundFreaq

_________________________________

 

 

Let's kick this off:

 

What do you guys do when listening to music on your headphones?

 

Do you surf the net?

Sip on beer or wine? Enjoy a nice Scotch?

Do you smoke it up with a cigar, or ...

Do you sit still and listen attentively?

Do you sit? Lay in bed?

 

 

I think my favorite thing to do is to lie in bed and listen attentively to some new music, or a favorite record. Sometimes I have a cold beer at hand if I'm really trying to lush out. Headphone land is my solace from life, the thing I look forward to after work. It's a celebration of audio and music. 

 

Sometimes if I am listening to my main rig, I'll surf the net. But serious new albums always get a serious, undistracted listen. 

 

You know, so any people don't understand sitting down and listening to music without doing anything else. The Music isn't enough. Yet, people stop their lives to watch a movie or even TV show. Is visual stimulation needed en mass? Or the combination visual and audio?

i often surf the net, and i often drink beer or whiskey (regardless of whether or not im listening to music), i hate cigars, but the "or..." is just about right =], and im also a rather compulsive cigarette smoker. sometimes, ill have the music in the background, just to motivate me to do things like washing the dishes or cleaning the apartment. sometimes i have music in the background in order to add to the fun of doing something creative - such as cooking (and theres the "or..." for that aswell). sometimes, i turn the light off, close my eyes, lean back and just enjoy.i also listen to music on the way to and back from work, but thats only for about 20 min each direction. 

if however i need to do something that requires concentration, such as studying, and even understanding some posts on head fi (mostly in the science forum where i lurk quite often) im afraid the music will only distract me. i cant study and listen to music at the same time, i cant solve math problems for example. so if i need to concentrate, ill usually need a quiet environment.

this is actually a concern of mine, as im probably going to start studying mechanical engineering this october, and im rather dreading the future of this hobby. i dont know how much time ill have for music between studying, doing homework and working... i hope ill find the time =[

edit: ill probably get more into portable gear i guess...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Argyris 

 

I wish I could join. I can't sleep in headphones.  I'll drift off, but then about half an hour later I'll wake up and feel like I'm in a casket, since I can't move my head. Then everything will start itching, and the inability to turn my head will start driving me bonkers, and finally I'll have to admit defeat and chuck the headphones aside.

 

This happens every time. I've also not yet found a pair of IEMs I can comfortably sleep in, though the S6 comes close.

 

Funny thing is that I do do the majority of my listening in my bed, usually either surfing the Internet or just chilling with my eyes closed, exploring the sonic landscape or just relaxing and letting the music flow over me. At which point I'll often fall asleep. And so the cycle repeats....

Quote:

Originally Posted by MorbidToaster 

I can't sleep in them either. It's actually one of the reasons I got speakers now. Music while I sleep. Gets into your dreams. :D

 

im a raving insomniac actually, so no music in bed for me... i need complete silence, and complete darkness.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoundFreaq 
Listening to Spotify or your iPhone with Apple buds is an atrocity that I am fixing in this universe, one man, woman or child at a time. 

i strongly disagree. music comes first. if i have to, i can enjoy music from my phones speaker. obviously, id rather use my rig, but if theres nothing else available at the time, it really doesnt matter. i was just at a friends house the other night, and he was complaining that his sub woofer died, together with his speakers (something to do with a power failure), and while he was waiting for his new gear to arrive, he was suffering terribly with some sub-par speakers, that "made him not want to listen to any music at all". i simply dont understand this. yes, i strive for greater detail and high quality. but music ALWAYS comes first, and if the music is good, i can enjoy it regardless of the source, or its abilities.

as for the discussion your having up there about bad recordings on high quality gear, i admit i only skimmed through that part, as i dont have any top tier equipment. but i rather doubt i ever will anyway. i listen to edm, and im a basshead, by not means am i looking for neutrality. for some songs, i eq bass and sub bass by 15db... furthermore, theres no way ill ever get open back headphones, due to living with room mates, and keeping irregular hours. so really, i see no reason for me ever to go flagship. yea, theres like, 2 flagships that are closed back. but why spend so much on a neutral can, if im going to eq the hell out of it anyway? my gear right now is pretty modest, hopefully ill get another pair of headphones before i start college\uni (havnt decided yet). but after that i feel most my energy will be put into finding new music, and better understanding audio, less about upgrading my gear.

edit: not to mention the fact that i live in a sh*thole far far away where virtually NO hifi gear is available, so i have to pay very expensive shipping fees and up to 34% tax on everything, making any gear i buy more expensive by a pretty big margin... mumble grumble...

this is a cool thread 

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoundFreaq 

 

Music should definitely come first. But you mentioned you don't have any top-tier gear. I wonder if you would feel different if you did. The way I think is if I can't listen to music and enjoy it in the utmost way, they way I want it, I would rather wait for the right time. 

 

I also am one of those guys that does not casually listen to music. I wait for the right times, when I can focus and relax, 

you know what? maybe i would feel different. but i cant audition anything, and theres 4-5 years of engineering school ahead of me, where ill be broke most of the time, so i imagine i have some time before anything changes.

you say you dont casually listen to music? youd rather wait for the right time? i dont get it, sorry... 

for example, i work security at a fancy hotel. before i was made shift manager, part of my job was to sit in a hut in the parking lot, and make sure no one went into the hotel through the parking lot (except for cars of course). depending on the shift, i could be stuck there for 1.5 - 2.5 hours with either a crappy radio, playing crappy radio music, or my phone, with a terrible speaker, but lots of great music. would you rather site in silence, or listen to your music, even though its through a poor quality phone speaker?

I will listen on anything, anytime. Crappy phone speaker, crappy headphones, crappy laptop speakers, or my good system. 

I do actually get depressed without some time on my good system though. The crappy stuff doesn't draw that same emotion out of me or relax me. Still good music, but it's just not the same.

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamlr 

you know what? maybe i would feel different. but i cant audition anything, and theres 4-5 years of engineering school ahead of me, where ill be broke most of the time, so i imagine i have some time before anything changes.

 

you say you dont casually listen to music? youd rather wait for the right time? i dont get it, sorry... 

for example, i work security at a fancy hotel. before i was made shift manager, part of my job was to sit in a hut in the parking lot, and make sure no one went into the hotel through the parking lot (except for cars of course). depending on the shift, i could be stuck there for 1.5 - 2.5 hours with either a crappy radio, playing crappy radio music, or my phone, with a terrible speaker, but lots of great music. would you rather site in silence, or listen to your music, even though its through a poor quality phone speaker?

Quote:

Originally Posted by MorbidToaster 

I will listen on anything, anytime. Crappy phone speaker, crappy headphones, crappy laptop speakers, or my good system. 

 

I do actually get depressed without some time on my good system though. The crappy stuff doesn't draw that same emotion out of me or relax me. Still good music, but it's just not the same.

 

my thoughts exactly, thank you =]