How to choose?

Mar 14, 2007 at 11:13 PM Post #2 of 12
None of those criterion is going to be of much help, I'm sorry to say.
Your best bet is to do a ton of research on here. Search is your friend. You might just post what kind of music you like and the sound you're looking for if you have an idea.
 
Mar 14, 2007 at 11:34 PM Post #3 of 12
Quote:

Originally Posted by HorrorKid /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I know that buying headphones without trying them first is not recommended, but I still would like to know how to accurately choose quality ones.

First, I would like to now if I will notice much difference, and second, how to choose good ones by looking at the specs online.
What Frequency Response, Impendance, Sensitivity, and Distortion is recommended? or does this depend on my music-style preference?
Sorry if these are very n00bish questions, but to tell you the truth, I definitely still am one.
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Thanks!



I have to agree 100% with what DevilDog has stated. I tried like crazy to make good sense of what I could find in the data and since there really is so little of it, it just didn't seem to add up to much.

With speakers in an anechoic chamber there are some good references, but with cans and the variations in ear pads and who-knows-whaever variables, the data just doesn't click quite as easily. The best advice is to decide what types of music are most important to you and start reading!

There are certain cans that excel at certain types. For instance
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is smiling cause he's wearing a set of phones that are reasonably priced and do a great job with clasical.

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is happy with rock!

...that sort of thing!
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Happy searching and good luck!

....and..."Welcome to Head-Fi and Sorry About Your Wallet!!"
 
Mar 14, 2007 at 11:52 PM Post #5 of 12
First thing is to decide what kind of sound you like. It's especially hard if you haven't heard any headphones for reference. The most important difference between similar quality headphones is basically the sound signature.

Also You should narrow down what kind of environment you're going to listen to those phones. Outside or inside with/without amp noisy environment or need for silence. Sitting down or walking.

Then you have to set a the price range

Then you have to guess which sound signature will be more enjoyable to you at your price range.

Guessing what sound signature you like without hearing is a guess. You might get it right or wrong. Unfortunately some of use don't have an easy access all the headphones so we have to rely on the forum and guessing.

That why we often ask what type of music you will listen to.
Because some sound signature are more suitable for certain type of music for a large portion of user.

But then each person is different so it might not perfectly suite your taste. So in the end you have to try multiple headphones and try to find what kind of sound signature you like most.

Words description can only go so far. But that the best we can do on a forum. By reading a lot of info you can get a relative idea of what the sound signature is like and choose the headphones accordingly.

Good luck

IF you haven't follow what I said
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Well just tell us What your price range. How your going to used them and what type of music you enjoy and will do the guessing for you.
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PS. Forget about spec they are pretty much useless for anything beyond the very basic.
 
Mar 15, 2007 at 1:31 AM Post #6 of 12
Thanks a lot for the quick replies!

- I would like headphones, not earphones.
- I will be using this outside for walking home from school, and for traveling in cars, airplanes, etc.
- Noise canceling, preferably.
- I listen to everything. But mostly classic rock, and goth rock. (So I think bass would be a main priority...? not sure) I also love punk, but most old-school punk songs are badly-recorded, so I don't think the quality would improve much.
- Price: Preferably under $50. Yes, I know it's very little money, but it's all I can spend at the moment. :s

Thanks again!
rs1smile.gif
 
Mar 15, 2007 at 1:44 AM Post #7 of 12
Good noise canceling usually run about $100 or more. Anything less usually amounts to serious compromises to the quality of the sound. You may have to look around for used headphones. Also, noise canceling only cancels out constant droning noises usually emitted by devices such as air conditioning and airplane engines. They also require extra batteries.

My advise is to go for a good pair of closed headphones. Koss sells a lot of good headphones for under that price, not to mention many of their headphones are sort of punchy which is good for old punk. Some of the favorites among head-fiers are the Koss KSC-75 and the KSC porta pros.
 
Mar 15, 2007 at 3:02 AM Post #9 of 12
noise canceling really tends to degrade sound quality, especially in this price range.
 
Mar 15, 2007 at 6:20 AM Post #10 of 12
They're not closed and they don't cancel noise. But you should buy the Grado SR-60. They fit the bill with the music you listen to and you won't hear much outside noise when you turn them up a little.

Since you registered at Head-Fi, TTVJ give you a $10 coupon. You can get the SR-60 from him for $59. A little over $50, but they're one of the best sets out there. You'll love them.
 

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