A question from a nOOb - please help

[Audioshure]

My headphones for my mp3 player recently decided to die and I was completely lost as to what kind of headphones are good for my mp3 player until a friend recommended me to this site. I own the iRiver N10 (i think i am in the minority of people who owns a brand other then apple) and am wondering what the best combo of portable amps&headphones are for my particular player. I am a poor struggling college lad and would like any recommendations within a reasonable price range.

 

[AndyKatz]

Hi Audioshure,

Welcome aboard.

It would help to know what sort of music you listen to, under what circumstances, amplification, if any, long term plans, etc...

Also, do you prefer circumaural 'phones, buds, IEMs (based on your choice of screen moniker I'd guess you're not a stranger to IEMs.

I can get you started by saying that if budget's your principle consideration than the Koss KSC 75 or 35 is the way to go. The 75s usually run about 20 - 25. If you can go a little more, you might want to take a look at the Grado SR 60. IEM's are available for a dollar or two more.

Andy

 

[penguindude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audioshure My headphones for my mp3 player recently decided to die and I was completely lost as to what kind of headphones are good for my mp3 player until a friend recommended me to this site. I own the iRiver N10 (i think i am in the minority of people who owns a brand other then apple) and am wondering what the best combo of portable amps&headphones are for my particular player. I am a poor struggling college lad and would like any recommendations within a reasonable price range.

Welcome to Head-Fi, audioshure!

How portable do u want ur phones to be? clip-ons? earbuds? or regular sized headphones? If youre looking for portability, why would u want an amp?

Btw, iPODS are EVIL.

 

[J Tran]

Totally agree with AndyKatz, get KCS 75, KCS 35, PX 100 or Grado SR 60 as starters... Just remember I have never heard any of these and I'm just talking for the people who don't want to talk. I'm sure they'd also recommend you at least one of these. Or else... If I was still trying to choose my first pair of cans, I would

1. Buy cheap phones (KCS 75, KCS 35, Cheap Sony Buds... Anything along those lines)
2. Save up... a lot
3. Buy a high end model (example, HD 580, HD 600, HD 650, High end Grados.)
4. Save up again.
5. Get an amp
6. And never look back!

Or else, just erase 4 and save up a whole lot more in 2. Just to tell you again, this is coming from an elementary schooler with NO headphones... read my sig...

EDIT: How the hell did I forget IEMs? Well maybe you might want an IEM.

2nd EDIT: Oh yeah, keep the cheap phones for portable, or even better, upgrade your portable when you have the chance!

 

[Audioshure]

Thanks for all the replies. I don't have any particular preference in music. I listen to pretty much everything except country though and I tend to enjoy a little bit heavier bass although I also classical when I'm relaxing. I'm looking to get 2 sets of headphones, one for when I head out (i.e. something to block out the noisy environment ) and one for my comp at home. For portability, I'd prefer IEM's and when I'm at home, it doesn't really matter the size.

My friend recommended the portaphile portable amps. Can anyone tell me the difference between the budge x3 line and the v2^2? Or any other portable amps ~$150?

 

[granodemostasa]

not sure if this would qualify as reasonable but: how about Ultimate Ears Super fi pro 5s or Shure e4cs for the road and maybe an HD595 (50 ohm version) for home?

 

[penguindude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audioshure Thanks for all the replies. I don't have any particular preference in music. I listen to pretty much everything except country though and I tend to enjoy a little bit heavier bass although I also classical when I'm relaxing. I'm looking to get 2 sets of headphones, one for when I head out (i.e. something to block out the noisy environment ) and one for my comp at home. For portability, I'd prefer IEM's and when I'm at home, it doesn't really matter the size. My friend recommended the portaphile portable amps. Can anyone tell me the difference between the budge x3 line and the v2^2? Or any other portable amps ~$150?

I just got a pair of Audio Technica's A500 for home use and they sound GREAT with plenty of bass. Check out my short review on them http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=175422

For portable, if u want isolation, then the koss kscxx arent for u cause theyre clip ons and dont isolate sound.

 

[sisenor]

I second the sf5p's if they're in your price range. But, I would say go for SR80 instead of SR60 if you're getting Grados for home..they just have a bit more bass.

 

[afireinside]

What's your budget? SR80s will be great for home. I regret buying the SR60s instead of the 80s

If you want a cheap amp, check out the PA2V2. The shure E2c's are nice and cheap IEMs but I don't know anything about them.

 

[F107plus5]

For a few pennies more and a somewhat different sonic signature than the SR80s, you could look at the Alessandro MS-1s which "may" give you a slightly larger range of music styles.

 

[HFat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audioshure I own the iRiver N10 (i think i am in the minority of people who owns a brand other then apple) and am wondering what the best combo of portable amps&headphones are for my particular player. I am a poor struggling college lad and would like any recommendations within a reasonable price range.

I don't think you should feel too limited by the N10: I think it's a decent source and it has enough juice to power all my phones. Sure, there's (much) better out there but, especially with a limited budget, I'd put it all in headphones. Do some research, listen to some phones if you get a chance, and buy whatever's more appealing to you.

 

[Asr]

You're really not going to "need" an amp with <$50 headphones running off an iPod, because even the cheapest amp, a basic CMOY, itself will run you at least $30. The cost/benefit ratio isn't really there.