Earphones for iPOD 5g

[torqu3e]

I recently bought an ipod 5g, i couldnt afford the creative zen and all. I noticed that it clips the bass frequencies at high volumes on the stock earbuds.

I wanna buy a pair of new earphones, and i have narrowed down to the Sennheiser MX 400/450/500/550. I would appreciate guys enlightening me which would be the best for it. I dont have much knowledge about the hi fi headphones and all so explanation on stuff would be really appreciated.

Another doubt i had how does the impedance of the earphones affect the frequency response.

 

[verymagicalguy]

If the bass clips at "high volumes" your high volumes are probably too high. For people to make a good recommendation/evaluation, you need to post more information.

Ex: Type of music you listen to, if you need sound isolation or not, how much you're willing to spend, etc.

 

[torqu3e]

I basically listen to music at ear shattering volumes, i know its bad, but its a personal preference. By high volume i mean above 95% volume of the ipod 5g.

I normally listen to Black/Goth/Death Metal, sometimes heavy rock like slipknot or something.

Dont care about sound isolation, even if it spills out its ok, i dont like the in the canal type ones.

Budget is around USD 50. Later on will save up and buy the HD 650 or so.

 

[F107plus5]

The problem with "ear shattering volumes" is that they shatter ears.

My oldest grandson was talking a few weeks ago about a listening "contest" a few of his friends were involved in. They would take turns turning up the volume on their mp3 players while other kids were listening and voting on who could play their tunes the loudest by how much sound they heard coming from the phones while the contestants were wearing them.

The winner couldn't hear the applause.

....naw; I'm not preaching, just mentioning something that happened.

 

[ManAtWork]

Not so many options suitable for your bass head in such budget. Even MX series may not appropriate to listen heavy rock, heavy metal. What you need is the punchy in bass, which is lack in low end earphones. Those low end earphones usually have heavy but mess bass.

 

[nylan8301]

Quote:

Originally Posted by F107plus5 /img/forum/go_quote.gif The problem with "ear shattering volumes" is that they shatter ears. My oldest grandson was talking a few weeks ago about a listening "contest" a few of his friends were involved in. They would take turns turning up the volume on their mp3 players while other kids were listening and voting on who could play their tunes the loudest by how much sound they heard coming from the phones while the contestants were wearing them. The winner couldn't hear the applause. ....naw; I'm not preaching, just mentioning something that happened.

That made me a little sick to my stomach. Permanent damage is no fun.

Sorry to derail. To the OP, as far as earphones are concerned a lot of people recommend the Yuin Pk2 for "audiophile" quality ear buds. I've never listened to them, but search for posts. Another one (and I know it gets thrown around a lot) is the Koss KSC-75's. They're supra-aural ear clips, so they're not going to go in your ears, and they're open so they won't be isolating sound. They may not be bass heavy, but I absolutely love them for anything with electric guitar. They're currently my portable headphone of choice. You can usually find them for at least half of your budget. I know they may not be exactly the style you're looking for, but I thought it was worth the mention.

 

[andrewx490]

pk3?

 

[torqu3e]

I think i explained the part about intra canal wrong, i dont like the ones that go deep down into the canal like the V moda's, i dont mind the MXs or the stock ones.

I have read at lotta places that the MXs are much better than the ipod earphones, i wanna know what is better, 16 ohm impedance or 32 ohm?

 

[headphonejunkie]

My SENN px100's worked great for a first pair of headphones that were way better than my stock earbuds.

 

[onvn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by torqu3e /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think i explained the part about intra canal wrong, i dont like the ones that go deep down into the canal like the V moda's, i dont mind the MXs or the stock ones. I have read at lotta places that the MXs are much better than the ipod earphones, i wanna know what is better, 16 ohm impedance or 32 ohm?

I would say save your money and get yourself something more worthy than sub-$100 earphones if you're want the quality. To answer your question, it doesn't matter if you use 16 or 32 ohm earphones - both types work fine out of iPods.. 16ohms will punch out more volume though.

Train yourself to listen to listen at lower volumes!!

 

[torqu3e]

Would an iPod drive the HD series if i were to get those? Or would i need a headphone amp?

 

[headphonejunkie]

My 580's run out of my ipod but they seem to need more power to get the UUMMPPHH factor. I would get a pair of grados. My 225's rock straight out of my ipod. You can get them at TTVJ for about $175.

 

[ex0du5]

The HD aren't so great for rock, and definately not for metal.

I'd say check out Grados. They will leak sound and let a lot of sound in, however, and they're easy to drive. They have great bass, but not heavy heavy bass if that's what you're looking for. Grado SR60 are dirt cheap, and so are Alessandro MS-1. Check those out.

Other than that, Beyerdynamics have that heavy heavy bass, but I'm not sure exactly how well an iPod will drive them.

 

[Bizzel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by torqu3e /img/forum/go_quote.gif I basically listen to music at ear shattering volumes, i know its bad, but its a personal preference. By high volume i mean above 95% volume of the ipod 5g. I normally listen to Black/Goth/Death Metal, sometimes heavy rock like slipknot or something. Dont care about sound isolation, even if it spills out its ok, i dont like the in the canal type ones. Budget is around USD 50. Later on will save up and buy the HD 650 or so.

You're free to listen as loud as you like, of course, but if you damage your hearing through loud volume levels I don't think you'll be getting the full potential of the HD-650s.