Calling all open phone users: help!

[axle]

I feel deaf. I've been listening to my HD600s again, my first pair of open phones. I don't get what's going on--I've always used a pair of AT closed (amazing isolation), and now I'll listen for a good hour on my new $200 Senns, take them off, and feel... deaf.

Which means I've been listening to them too loud? But it doesn't seem that loud. It really doesn't. I guess I should just turn it down, but I can't hear anything! Does anyone else ever have this problem going from closed to open?

By the by, these HD600s are amazing with good source. Sound like female donkey with poor source, though. Sill hear a little veil, but they appear to be out-thumping my Audio Technicas--good in my book!

 

[Kirosia]

turn down the volume, or listen for shorter periods of time. You can eventually adjust to low vol., I did. Perhaps the detail and/or overall sound is just fatigueing your ears.

 

[dj_mocok]

Wow..

I reckon you use your headphones way too loud.

If you can notice a dramatic change in real environment after you take off your headphones, that's a sign you've played them too loud man.

Better turn down the volume and starts getting used to it or you'll go deaf.

 

[kramer5150]

dont have that problem going from my DT770 to my MS2. BUT both are forward and engaging, with great projection and bass impact so I dont really need to turn the volume up at all.

The HD600 is a SMOOTH can and (IMHO) very laid back. Is it possible youre turning up the volume excessively to try and make them more forward / engaging?

Garrett

 

[bifcake]

Get an aftermarket replacement cable. You're turning your phones way too loud because you're looking for that snap (I'm guessing). A replacement cable will cure a lot of that and you won't have to turn them up so much.

 

[rhythmdevils]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kramer5150 dont have that problem going from my DT770 to my MS2. BUT both are forward and engaging, with great projection and bass impact so I dont really need to turn the volume up at all. The HD600 is a SMOOTH can and (IMHO) very laid back. Is it possible youre turning up the volume excessively to try and make them more forward / engaging? Garrett

I agree. I found that I listen to my HD600's WAY louder than my MS-1's. the hd600's seem to be so smooth in those frequencies that hurt your ears first, that i can turn them really really loud, especially with my SR71, and it doesnt hurt at all. It's just really loud

But even though it is tempting to up the volume with them, watch yourself becuase im srue they are still doing damage even though the treble notes dont sink into your eardrums like flying daggers

 

[axle]

You know, I think that's exactly it. Precisely how I'd descibe the sound: laid back.

Would a new cable fix this? (Perhaps the $15 HD650 one?) Or are the HD600s just not right for me? The sound stage is huge with the Senns, I love the comfort, bass is above average, but I feel like I can't hear anything!

 

[kramer5150]

Quote:

Originally Posted by axle You know, I think that's exactly it. Precisely how I'd descibe the sound: laid back. Would a new cable fix this? (Perhaps the $15 HD650 one?) Or are the HD600s just not right for me? The sound stage is huge with the Senns, I love the comfort, bass is above average, but I feel like I can't hear anything!

I didnt notice your signature... those ATH-40df cans are supposed to be forward and very live sounding. Similar to a V6, but no mid harshness. So if thats what your ears are tuned to and youre just now entering HD600 realm...

 

[axle]

...it's like being deaf.

Well, I'll give the HD600s a good 20 day try; amazon has a 30 day policy if I'm not mistaken. But I'm already looking at DT880, A900, SA3000, and SA5000. I only want ONE set of phones. I don't know. It's all so much money... I'll likely begin crying.

Thanks for the advice, all.

 

[bifcake]

Quote:

Originally Posted by axle You know, I think that's exactly it. Precisely how I'd descibe the sound: laid back. Would a new cable fix this? (Perhaps the $15 HD650 one?) Or are the HD600s just not right for me? The sound stage is huge with the Senns, I love the comfort, bass is above average, but I feel like I can't hear anything!

Hi,

The 650 cable won't do anything for you. I paid about $200 for my equinox replacement cable. The cable won't make the Senns sound different than they do. It'll just make their sound better. The things they do well will be even better and the things they don't do well won't be as pronounced.

There is another thing that I should mention. The 600's really come alive with a GOOD quality source and a GOOD amp. Perhaps the issue is the mismatch of components. The 600's won't offend if you have lower grade components, but they won't shine either. That's another thing to consider. Before sending them back, see if you can play them using someone else's higher end components. If you don't like the way they sound with better supporting equipment, then you'll know they're not right for you.

 

[kramer5150]

Quote:

Originally Posted by axle ...it's like being deaf. Well, I'll give the HD600s a good 20 day try; amazon has a 30 day policy if I'm not mistaken. But I'm already looking at DT880, A900, SA3000, and SA5000. I only want ONE set of phones. I don't know. It's all so much money... I'll likely begin crying. Thanks for the advice, all.

IMHO you should an MS2 to that list. Mine has surprisingly been a very good all around can, and its not terribly sensitive to source/amp selection

 

[Aman]

You know, he may be turning up the HD600's to "block" out external noise which would normally be non-existent with his AT headphones on.

 

[bifcake]

You know, I didn't even think of that. That's a good call. I assumed that the environment was quiet.

 

[kramer5150]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bifcake You know, I didn't even think of that. That's a good call. I assumed that the environment was quiet.

Yeah.. Im just now realizing how noisy a "quiet" room can be.... baby monitor buzzing, washer humming, air cond vents whistling. Never noticed it before with my dt770

 

[axle]

Huh. Good to know about the cable--I sure don't want to spend money where it'll do no good. Thanks

That could be it, ambient noise, but it's really pretty quiet (I live in Wind Gap, PA).

The MS2? Really? I'm a big fan of electronica & rock, but I also listen to jazz and classical. Does Alessandro really make Grados that versatile?

I listened to some Brahms piano concertos last night, and fell asleep. Now, that's an excessively laid back pair of phones