[IneptSavant]

Hello, I'm about to invest in my first set of non 30 dollar or included with product headphones and am looking for a little advice in case I'm about to make a drastic mistake, I'm going to order the Shure E530PHT in ear phones for 499. I would also like a decent headphone amp in the sub 200 dollar range to go with these. Can you seasoned audiophiles help me out, make sure I'm not choosing the wrong thing or offer some suggestions on amps. My source will be 80gig gen 5.5 ipod with line out cable. I listen to all varieties of music too, but mostly industrial rock and light classical.

Thanks in advanced for your advice

signed: Uber audio noob.

 

[cyrian]

why not trying something maybe alittle less expencive? like the $100 range, something from the same manufacturer, from what i can tell most manufacturers have a type of sound signature that is fairly common atleast to an extent through their lines. grado specifically, not so sure about the shure iems, but why the sudden jump from ~$30 to almost $500? you'll end up with upgradeitis eventually, and its not so bad upgrading from a $100 model, but when it hits with something that expencive you could easily drop $1000 + on your next pair. try out the SE210 thats around $150, see if you like the difference, then maybe upgrade to the 530's.

there can be huge differences between $30 and 500... it may be overwhelming to you.

hope this helps. good luck.

oh yeah, and welcome to head-fi, sorry about your wallet

 

[feh1325]

when you get your shures, be very very patient
work to get a good seal

your source should be turned all the way down..the ipod has a very strong line out

 

[cyrian]

oh yeah, and when going with the shures, try getting the foam pieces also, they get a better fit universally. and they're only $10

 

[IneptSavant]

Alright, I'm going to take the plunge and order them tommorrow.

One last question should I get a line out and amp or is the ipod internal amp of good enough quality? Thanks for your help.

 

[terance]

I have owned the e500's, and an ipod, and they WILL hiss if you run them directly out of the ipod.

your best bet is to buy a line attenuator (do not use the shure one, it sucks), and you will be set.

they will sound fantastic without an amp, so you don't need to worry (as long as you have your music ripped in a good quality music.

 

[spanks]

wasn't there a place to get these for like $270 the other day? Was that ebay?

 

[YamiTenshi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by IneptSavant /img/forum/go_quote.gif Alright, I'm going to take the plunge and order them tommorrow. One last question should I get a line out and amp or is the ipod internal amp of good enough quality? Thanks for your help.

Congratulations on the upgrade! I've been here three years and I've been reluctant to make such a huge jump. But two pieces of advice for the Shures.

First, as was mentioned before, be patient with IEMs. It may take some time to get used it if you've never stuck anything that far into your ears before. Also, be warned that IEMs do not sound as good as full size headphones in the same price range; what you are really paying for is the size and isolation.

Second, hold off on buying an amp right now. Listen to your new IEMs for a while first, see you if really like the way they sound. And then if you feel like upgrading again in the future you can get a new amp instead of buying a new pair of headphones. Do things in steps, your money will last longer and you will enjoy the process more.

 

[IneptSavant]

Excuse my ignorance but what is a line attenuator, and where do I buy one?

Thanks again.

 

[IneptSavant]

bump, I really want to know. I'm dropping like 700 on this not counting the ipod video 80gb. Do I want a line attenuator or an amp?? I don't know what the former is or what is the better of the two.

 

[Hellenback]

A line attenuator goes between the line out of your ipod and lowers the amplitude/electronic noise coming from the source, lines or other interference. An amp ups the volume and sound quality. (No expert but that's the basics) Sounds like you should go with the attenuator to me but I don't use IEMs. Attenuators are cheaper than amps and would better suit your initial situation.

 

[034936]

lottsss of money mannn... i'd go easy on my first purchase if i were you.

 

[IneptSavant]

I'm doing alright on money. I started my own it business about a year ago and now quite well when I'm working. and I LOVE music. I bought some sony mdr-d66 in japan when I was there a few years ago and loved them, they broke though so I"m going bigger.

Any particuluar brand of attenuators I should be looking for? I researched amps for hours but not those.

 

[034936]

Quote:

Originally Posted by IneptSavant /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm doing alright on money. I started my own it business about a year ago and now quite well when I'm working. and I LOVE music. I bought some sony mdr-d66 in japan when I was there a few years ago and loved them, they broke though so I"m going bigger. Any particuluar brand of attenuators I should be looking for? I researched amps for hours but not those.

uber envy

 

[tbonner1]

I would second the choice to get the E500 for around $270 as they are the same as the 530. They will not last at that price.