I have no idea why I must post here as a first post. but oi

[nobl182]

I enjoy using this website (I've used it a fair bit in the past two years) quite a bit and wanted to be able to ask questions. However I have no idea what to say right now but want to be able to respond to a couple of threads so I'll just say where I am in audio.

I'm only thirteen. I think I got into audio seriously just after I got a pair of OneOdio Studio Pro 10s. I of course being a goose didn't realize they had loads of bass. But I did appreciate how clean the instruments sounded and how they looked fantastic. I then began collecting in ears. I currently am enjoying Steal This Album! by SOAD through a pair of Truthear Hexas, and while smashing them through a garbage MP3 player I intend on replacing it with a FiiO M3 PRO. I also am expecting a pair of Onn.s (the improved version, not the 15 dollar version) and I watch loads of DankPods. My band teacher's got a pair of Porta Pros (which he loves dearly, due in part to the fact that he's put high-end focusing ear pads to even out that bass. I own a pair of Koss KTX-1s too, which I got like 4 years ago. I didn't realize it then, but that was an amazing pair of headphones.

I listen to a lot of nu-metal, pop punk, rap rock and alternative rock, though I also shamelessly love j-pop.

My wishlist is currently the FiiO M3 Pro, the Etymotic ER2SE Research IEMs and the Sennheiser x Jubilee HD58Xs.

I'm new. I had no idea what to write. So I thought I'd introduce myself.

 

[Lindholdt]

Welcome
Nice introduction, you seem very much into the hobby, despite your young age, that's pretty cool.
Usually the introduction happens via this thread: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/new-member-introductions-thread.717134/

But it's fine that you have created your own as well.

Enjoy the forum

 

[nobl182]

Welcome
Nice introduction, you seem very much into the hobby, despite your young age, that's pretty cool.
Usually the introduction happens via this thread: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/new-member-introductions-thread.717134/

But it's fine that you have created your own as well.

Enjoy the forum

Thanks m8 see you around

 

[earmonger]

I enjoy using this website (I've used it a fair bit in the past two years) quite a bit and wanted to be able to ask questions. However I have no idea what to say right now but want to be able to respond to a couple of threads so I'll just say where I am in audio.

I'm only thirteen. I think I got into audio seriously just after I got a pair of OneOdio Studio Pro 10s. I of course being a goose didn't realize they had loads of bass. But I did appreciate how clean the instruments sounded and how they looked fantastic. I then began collecting in ears. I currently am enjoying Steal This Album! by SOAD through a pair of Truthear Hexas, and while smashing them through a garbage MP3 player I intend on replacing it with a FiiO M3 PRO. I also am expecting a pair of Onn.s (the improved version, not the 15 dollar version) and I watch loads of DankPods. My band teacher's got a pair of Porta Pros (which he loves dearly, due in part to the fact that he's put high-end focusing ear pads to even out that bass. I own a pair of Koss KTX-1s too, which I got like 4 years ago. I didn't realize it then, but that was an amazing pair of headphones.

I listen to a lot of nu-metal, pop punk, rap rock and alternative rock, though I also shamelessly love j-pop.

My wishlist is currently the FiiO M3 Pro, the Etymotic ER2SE Research IEMs and the Sennheiser x Jubilee HD58Xs.

I'm new. I had no idea what to write. So I thought I'd introduce myself.

With Eytmotics, you might be better off with the ER2XR because they have a little bit of extra bass boost -- nothing overbearing or muddy, but your rock genres would probably appreciate just that little bit more of bass punch.

 

[nobl182]

With Eytmotics, you might be better off with the ER2XR because they have a little bit of extra bass boost -- nothing overbearing or muddy, but your rock genres would probably appreciate just that little bit more of bass punch.

Thanks for the reccomendation. But I kinda want a nice critical listening pair of in ears, with a bass rolloff. (The said pair would not be my cas listening headphones, after all.) All of my knowledge on headphones comes from DankPods and crinacle YT videos, so I may sound immature and cheap. That said, now I'm a bit curious as to how it could be.

 

[earmonger]

Even Crinacle likes the ER2XR a bit better -- that's one of his under-$100 recommendations.


I have the ER3XR and they are still quite analytical. That's what I use them for. Why roll off bass that the musicians wanted you to hear?

One thing about Etymotics -- and I'm not only one to say this -- is that their soundstage is wide but not deep, more 2D than 3D. It's like watching the music on a crisp big-screen TV, or through a control-room window, not in a club or concert hall. It's a distinct choice.

The FiiO M3 Pro is getting harder to find, unless you have a line on a used one. Shanling M0 is around the same price.

 

[nobl182]

Even Crinacle likes the ER2XR a bit better -- that's one of his under-$100 recommendations.


I have the ER3XR and they are still quite analytical. That's what I use them for. Why roll off bass that the musicians wanted you to hear?

One thing about Etymotics -- and I'm not only one to say this -- is that their soundstage is wide but not deep, more 2D than 3D. It's like watching the music on a crisp big-screen TV, or through a control-room window, not in a club or concert hall. It's a distinct choice.

The FiiO M3 Pro is getting harder to find, unless you have a line on a used one. Shanling M0 is around the same price.

I am very stubborn and I tried looking at the graphs. I can't get behind what you're saying. But I feel insubordinate and inexperienced. This is me referring to the IEMs, of course because, like I said, I'm a stubborn shopper. I do like the M0, though, and I love the M2X, exploring the rest of their website. I don't know, on the in ears. I'll have to look at the graphs. Thank you.

 

[nobl182]

In all honesty to whoever may read this I am a percussionist who loves the detail top end can give. I don't know why I wanted to mention that but I prefer top end by a large margin. I love the sound profile and I live for the top end in the minute details of cymbals, the CHIKA CHIKA of a guitar and I love crunches and small noises.

 

[earmonger]

Obviously you don't want a bass-bloated set that overwhelms the high frequencies, or what reviewers like to call "relaxed," with a rolled-off treble in the graph. Etys don't roll off the treble.

As for graphs, they're helpful but they're never the whole story.

From Crinacle:
1. A Frequency Response graph is not in any way an indication of good sound quality. Think of it as flavours, like in ice-cream. The FR is like the branding at the side of the tub telling you the flavour of the ice cream. It’s not going to tell you if it’s good ice cream, but at least you have a way of finding out if it’s the flavour you want.

 

[nobl182]

Obviously you don't want a bass-bloated set that overwhelms the high frequencies, or what reviewers like to call "relaxed," with a rolled-off treble in the graph. Etys don't roll off the treble.

As for graphs, they're helpful but they're never the whole story.

From Crinacle:
1. A Frequency Response graph is not in any way an indication of good sound quality. Think of it as flavours, like in ice-cream. The FR is like the branding at the side of the tub telling you the flavour of the ice cream. It’s not going to tell you if it’s good ice cream, but at least you have a way of finding out if it’s the flavour you want.

But what if I look at the soundstage graphs, treble-bass-mid graphs and the LR accuracy graphs? I am a logical person, and because I'm just a kid I can't go to my nearest audio store (which, according to Google, is around 45 minutes away). So I must rely on every graph I can find. (which is actually why I chose some of the headphones I did.)

I suppose what you mean is that because audio is subjective, I may never know what will amaze me next unless I actually try some real, good stuff?

 

[Cabbages]

But what if I look at the soundstage graphs, treble-bass-mid graphs and the LR accuracy graphs? I am a logical person, and because I'm just a kid I can't go to my nearest audio store (which, according to Google, is around 45 minutes away). So I must rely on every graph I can find. (which is actually why I chose some of the headphones I did.)

I suppose what you mean is that because audio is subjective, I may never know what will amaze me next unless I actually try some real, good stuff?

You can probably tell by comparing graphs is something is alright or not, but stuff that amazes you I think you have to test in person. Especially when you go up in price point the graphs don't tell the whole story. I've tried quite a few flagship IEMs, while all of them were quite good only upon trying a couple did I go "Wow this is perfect for me". Nothing beats a in person demo!

EDIT: I'll add to this and say maybe even reviews don't tell the whole story for your personal exprience, many IEMs that are top tier according to reviewers e.g Monarch MK3 while they are great, may not be the perfect fit for your own preferences! This is in no way saying MMK3 isn't good but I doubt it's perfect preferrentially for many people - even with how great it's performance is.

 

[nobl182]

You can probably tell by comparing graphs is something is alright or not, but stuff that amazes you I think you have to test in person. Especially when you go up in price point the graphs don't tell the whole story. I've tried quite a few flagship IEMs, while all of them were quite good only upon trying a couple did I go "Wow this is perfect for me". Nothing beats a in person demo!

EDIT: I'll add to this and say maybe even reviews don't tell the whole story for your personal exprience, many IEMs that are top tier according to reviewers e.g Monarch MK3 while they are great, may not be the perfect fit for your own prefences! This is in no way saying MMK3 isn't good but I doubt it's the perfect preferrentially for many people - even with how great it's performance is.

I can see where you're coming from. Of course, I'll never be able to afford the MMK3

 

[earmonger]

I'll never be able to afford the MMK3

Never say never. One of your beats might go viral on TikTok or you might invent the next killer app.

And at the risk of offending the kilobucks crowd, you can get incredible sound for a few hundred dollars. Diminishing returns kick in fast. Above that you are getting fancy materials and designs and additional sonic nuances, but spending twice as much does not get you a 2X improvement in sound, and spending 10X as much...save it for your college tuition instead. I've heard some great devices at CanJams, but until I win a lottery I'm happy with my ~$300 Audio-Technica ATH-R70X (open-back) and Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X (closed back).

Since you like treble, you might look into Beyerdynamic models in particular; they're very divisive, loved by some and hated by others who say the highs are excessive. The DT 700 Pro X (and open-back DT 900 Pro X) are supposed to have tamed the usual Beyerdynamic sharpness in the highs.

There's nothing wrong with graphs (as long as the person doing the measuring is competent). I guess by "soundstage" graphs you mean the graphics I see occasionally of how far the sound illusion appears outside your head? Those are interesting but seem pretty subjective.

Most of what's around are frequency-response graphs, which sometimes also compare left and right channels (though L-R is probably going to vary with every unit).

As I understand it -- and I'm not an engineer, so I'll probably get corrected here -- a frequency-response graph doesn't tell the whole story with timbre: how natural instruments sound. That may not matter much if you're listening to music with a lot of electronics, but acoustic instruments and voices really have to sound like the real thing for me.

People talk here about "balanced armature timbre." I found that the most expensive IEMs that I owned for a long time, the Shure SE535, started to sound unnatural and metallic when I compared to IEMs I got later, like the Tri I3 and the Sennheiser IE300; I eventually sold them and hope the buyer loves them, they're very comfortable. The Shure have balanced armature drivers; the Sennheisers have a dynamic driver; the I3 has a dynamic, a balanced armature and a planar that they somehow manage to blend well.

I've found I like dynamic drivers best, though BA drivers are said to be crisper, which you may prefer because you like percussive transients. (And my Ety ER-3XR are BA but don't sound particularly metallic.) But that's one reason you can't entirely go by a graph. Another reason, especially with IEMs, is that fit and tips make a huge difference, so a particular graph may not accurately reflect what happens with the headphones and your own ears. Tips can muffle or boost different frequencies for each user.

Understandably your options are limited by your age. But most Amazon sellers have no-penalty return policies. So if your family is willing to help you try stuff, you could do a little bit of that. Obviously you are already doing plenty of serious research first already, so you're being selective.

 

[nobl182]

Never say never. One of your beats might go viral on TikTok or you might invent the next killer app.

And at the risk of offending the kilobucks crowd, you can get incredible sound for a few hundred dollars. Diminishing returns kick in fast. Above that you are getting fancy materials and designs and additional sonic nuances, but spending twice as much does not get you a 2X improvement in sound, and spending 10X as much...save it for your college tuition instead. I've heard some great devices at CanJams, but until I win a lottery I'm happy with my ~$300 Audio-Technica ATH-R70X (open-back) and Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X (closed back).

Since you like treble, you might look into Beyerdynamic models in particular; they're very divisive, loved by some and hated by others who say the highs are excessive. The DT 700 Pro X (and open-back DT 900 Pro X) are supposed to have tamed the usual Beyerdynamic sharpness in the highs.

There's nothing wrong with graphs (as long as the person doing the measuring is competent). I guess by "soundstage" graphs you mean the graphics I see occasionally of how far the sound illusion appears outside your head? Those are interesting but seem pretty subjective.

Most of what's around are frequency-response graphs, which sometimes also compare left and right channels (though L-R is probably going to vary with every unit).

As I understand it -- and I'm not an engineer, so I'll probably get corrected here -- a frequency-response graph doesn't tell the whole story with timbre: how natural instruments sound. That may not matter much if you're listening to music with a lot of electronics, but acoustic instruments and voices really have to sound like the real thing for me.

People talk here about "balanced armature timbre." I found that the most expensive IEMs that I owned for a long time, the Shure SE535, started to sound unnatural and metallic when I compared to IEMs I got later, like the Tri I3 and the Sennheiser IE300; I eventually sold them and hope the buyer loves them, they're very comfortable. The Shure have balanced armature drivers; the Sennheisers have a dynamic driver; the I3 has a dynamic, a balanced armature and a planar that they somehow manage to blend well.

I've found I like dynamic drivers best, though BA drivers are said to be crisper, which you may prefer because you like percussive transients. (And my Ety ER-3XR are BA but don't sound particularly metallic.) But that's one reason you can't entirely go by a graph. Another reason, especially with IEMs, is that fit and tips make a huge difference, so a particular graph may not accurately reflect what happens with the headphones and your own ears. Tips can muffle or boost different frequencies for each user.

Understandably your options are limited by your age. But most Amazon sellers have no-penalty return policies. So if your family is willing to help you try stuff, you could do a little bit of that. Obviously you are already doing plenty of serious research first already, so you're being selective.

Thank you!

(actually interesting you say that a beat of mine may get big- I'm working on a nu metal project along the lines of Limp Bizkit. Getting a drum set soon- that's my primary instrument, but I don't have one.)

I didn't mean I'd never be able to afford them in a negative way anyway. Obviously I'm gonna pay for something more important to my life. But I just meant that to be a tongue in cheek statement. I love chi-fi anyway, and am rocking two different pieces of equipment of chi fi (watching Mrwhosetheboss on a Vizio powering a BTR3K going into Truthear Hexas).

 

[rennyprowess]

Nice to see you around! Also a new guy to hifi here. Hopefully we can talk about our new obsession!