I listen mostly to acoustic jazz and modern pop and prefer a flat (un-eq'd) response, which is exactly what this combination provides. I was a (classically trained) rock musician back in the 70s and early 80s and also spent many years working in the high-end [home] audio field, so I guess I'm a...

Not all 320kHz MP3s are created equal.   For those of you who are hearing [qualitative] differences between FLAC (and other lossless formats) and 320kHz MP3s, let me suggest that you check your encoders and encoding settings, which can have a quite noticeable affect on the perceived sound...

For those of you who are hearing [qualitative] differences between FLAC (and other lossless formats) and 320kHz MP3s, let me suggest that you check your encoders and encoding settings, which can have a quite noticeable affect on the perceived sound quality of your recordings. In my case, I have...

Thanks, that's great information. Too bad I wasn't aware of this when I was on-the-hunt. Still, I'll have to check it out next time I take a trip to the local airport.

  Quote: Re enjoy vs analyze: To be clear, I don't think there's a right or wrong to the enjoy vs analyze camps. I just think you need to be aware of the options, so you don't confuse one for the other. Re identifying differences between low and high quality recordings: Back in the...

Quote: That's exactly right. Components may impress the logical side of your brain, but it's the emotional side that makes your toes tap.

Someone once told me the definition of an audiophile is someone that uses music to listen to his equipment. From experience, that's not altogether far from the truth. If you really want to see how good your headphones (or whatever component) are, get a copy of Nilsson's Aerial Ballet...

That's the spirit!!

Yup. Well, at least the harsh chorus sound in that Youtube video isn't harsh because of 'em.

Quote:   Yes, the chorus sounds harsh relative to the rest of the song, which is likely due to the producer (or recording engineer) having overdriven the recording amplifiers to give the recording a more edgy sound - a common practice in pop music. A couple of general comments: First, I...

Quote: I'm sorry. I (mistakenly) took your description of "a good pair of headphones is one that can be used without an amp, plays every bitrate from 128kbps or more well" to mean that you were running directly from an mp3 player into your headphones. Still, if you're dissatisfied with...

Quote: Unfortunately, alot of heavy metal's recorded with copious amounts of compression and limiting, which leaves recordings sounding kinda flat and two-dimensional. And if they've also been converted to mp3 format using a low-end converter (or the "fast" option in a good converter)...

Quote: Do you listen to alot of electronic and electronically processed music (as opposed to acoustic)?  

  Quote: I think most people go through this same thing. You buy a better (more expensive, better technology, great reviews, etc.) component and then you start finding all sort of warts in your previously glorious music, which sometimes can turn your (previously) favourite pastime into...

  Quote: Agreed, on both counts. Unfortunately, however, due to their varying volume, it's virtually impossible to not use the Sound Check on mp3s. I've got way too many of them to have to go back and readjust volume levels with Cool Edit or some other sound editor. I generally leave EQ...

  Quote: Good points, all. My hesitancy to spend more on an amp/DAC is due mainly to my primary (though not sole!) usage for the iPod, which is to provide music while I'm motorcycling. Subtle differences between DACs and amps at 60mph will just fade away. Add to that my need to keep...

Thank you for the very thoughtful reply, but I think I may not've been clear in my original post. Lemme see if I can do a bit better this time 'round...   First, I'm not using the 5Pros; I'll be using Reference Monitors (if that makes any difference), which should arrive on Tuesday:  ...

While a new set of UEs are winging their way to me, I'm toying with the idea of adding a headphone amp/DAC to my 1st-gen iPod (which I just upgraded with a fresh battery and 20gb drive) to optimize the signals being fed into the UEs. Because most of my iPodding is done while motorcycling (I...

Quote: Yes, exactly what I thought.  

Quote: Doubtful, They were purchased from Crutchfield, one of the recommended dealers listed on Monster's website:

Quote: I use IEMs mostly while motorcycling, so they have to both fit underneath a helmet and stay put under....well, let's just say very active circumstances. And the only issue I had with the Tributes, in this respect, which affects all IEMs that stick out beyond the plane of your ear...

I don't know how anyone can tell you what will fit or sound good to you in your ears. But if you want bass and articulation, I'd say the [Miles Davis] Tributes are worth serious consideration.   In my case, none of Monster's ear tips provided a proper seal, including their SuperTips, which I...

I know it's a pain-in-the-neck to send 'em back, but you aren't getting what you paid for if the seal isn't correct. In the long run, I think you'll be glad you did.

Quote: With the phones in, snap your fingers next to each ear. Does the snapping sound muffled or does one side sound different (clearer/crisper) than the other? If so, then one of your phones may not fit correctly (i.e., not sealing within your ear canal, which reduces bass response and...