there're dark headphones in this price range as well(such as LCD-2s from combos or slightly used)   speakers have better soundstage and more natural imaging in general but not darker in general, you might want to give JBL LSR 305s a try, they are cheap by your budget but might suit your...

Pretty much the only cheap (reads: not thousands of $ or more) interface that offers normal AES/EBU output (without the need for an impedance-matching or even active converter).   It even allows you to pass-through another AES/EBU device, while being able to control the volume on this digital...

  Liked their idea of putting a level limiter in the cans and the (not so happy) story behind that.

  The exhibitors could have made some arrangements in this regard and I'm sure quite some people (including me) would have appreciated that.   For example, STAX was in their own small but quiet room on the 3rd floor in which I was able to listen to the 009s for a small while (15min or so)...

  Genelecs are nice sounding.   A few caveats: 1. Genelecs with 3000hz crossover are all 'proper' three ways, the smallest pair of them (1237/1238) weighs around 100lb each. (This is incorrect, I somehow confused myself and thought that 2 ways would use the lower cross-over point of the 2)...

Tried to ask this in the intro board but no response for days. Would appreciate if I can get some help here.   Basically I'm using a FIIO X3II with LCD3s and wondering whether a X5II or iDSD Micro would be the better upgrade and in what way.   Thanks

  Some do, you can use KMP to play an MP3 file and then press TAB, it should show something along the lines of:   [Audio Info] Decoder - KMP MP3 Source(BASS) Format - Major Type: Audio - Sub Type: PCM WaveFormatEx: PCM(0x1), 44100 Hz, 16 Bits, 2 Ch   My guess for the reason that some...

I'm wondering which would be the better upgrade to a X3II player(driving LCD3) and in what way?   Thanks!

The creative roar speakers can be used to make phone calls (built-in mic) as well as record the call (actually learned about this on inner fidelity).   Just wondering, does anyone know of any another BT speaker that has the same feature?   Thanks!

Contemplating getting apogee groove to use with the above headphones for listening pleasure on the road (in hotel rooms/quiet outdoor environment, not like on the street/on a plane). Any comments on this idea and on how do groove play together with them? Open to other options with prices not...

  You do have the option to buy stuff from other countries if you feel that the local pricing is not fair:) EU might be the best bet due to weak Euro, but you'll have to do the research for the particular item you have in mind. You might be charged import duty (usually way less than the...

  Just remove the dust cover and you'll see that there's an absorber mounted in the center hole on the 800s, while the same hole is just an empty hole on the 800. Can one hear the absorber? I think so and I do find 800s to be not as 'sparkling'.

If it already sounds magical to you, might be better to spend time enjoying the magic than reading random posts and wondering about 'best'?

  Would be best to try for yourself. I would try to get hold of Ether(purchase one/get one from the classifieds?) and bring it the 'chance'. Or, attend some meet ups, such as head-fi's 'can Jam's. 800(800s) and LCD-X are so different, yet both enjoy a sizable population of lovers (and...

Thanks guys!