[Soymilk]

what do you like to use when a non audiophile friend discovers your expensive setup and asks to hear it to see if the money spent is "worth it"? or every once in a while listen to something that really benefits from having a good headphone setup that you can sit there and go wow, this is why i buy this stuff.
 
and somewhat related, what do you like to use to compare amps?

 

[zero7525]

My friends can't really tell the difference between my setup and some other cheap headphones, that is, until you let them listen to a whole song, or two, or three. In fact, leave them alone in a room for a while if they really want to listen to them. Even for me, I need a bit of time to distinguish the certain qualities of a headphone; and sometimes, I would judge too quickly.

 

[lie495fc]

find out what's his favorite song or what he current is listening to. play lossless version of that song to him on your headphone.

 

[zaphod-159]

crank the volume up on my amp, but on a bassy song and let them compare with their ipod earphones

 

[leng jai]

I put on Damien Rice - Cheers Darlin

 

[baka1969]

First I usually try to find a song that I have that they like. Then I'll play a song like Pink Floyd's Time. After that I'll play something off Kind of Blue. I haven't had anyone that wasn't impressed yet.


As for what I used to evaluate? It's quite an extensive process of different segments of songs, different artists and genres. I don't believe anyone can just use one song, artist or genre to properly evaluate a headphone.

 

[krmathis]

I usually put on some Pink Floyd, Øystein Sevåg or Nils Lofgren.
...or let them put on some music they are familiar with.
 
Then make sure they listen to at least a couple of tracks.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I invite them to bring their own music or pick something off the rack that they know. When someone starts hearing unknown things in their favorite song, they understand real fast.