[reptillian]

is this track a good test for high end headphones? YouTube - Counterstrike - Fear Generation

are high end headphones up to this without distorting so you can keep the volume lower?

 

[West726]

I would think that there are better tests out there, but I can tell you that my DX1000s can handle this like butter.

 

[Ham Sandwich]

Quote:

Originally Posted by reptillian /img/forum/go_quote.gif are high end headphones up to this without distorting so you can keep the volume lower?

Of course. But you also have to know whether the distortion is in the original recording or not. With modern recordings that are maxed and brickwalled and loudnessed it is hard to know. If the distortion is in the original recording then getting a better amp and better headphones isn't going to fix it.

I listened to the YouTube version in HQ and there is distortion in the recording. The level meters for the bass are often pegged at and near max. But it's also a YouTube version with lossy compression. Maybe the CD version is better (but I doubt it).

The amp also plays a roll in whether the sound gets distorted during playback. Use an amp that isn't up to driving the particular headphones you are using and you'll get added distortion.