[cel4145]

Does your model have Dolby Headphone? I know that they did put it in the flagship models for a while.

 

[Shaffer]

I currently have a pair of Sennheiser HD518s that while I think they are fine headphones, I still find them lacking in some detail. I think they are a bit on the warm side.
I'm looking for a headphone that is good for all kinds of music (vinyl and CD will be the media). I will be using them for listening and reviewing...not reviewing the headphones, but the music.
I'm not a headphone guy and try to avoid using them at almost any cost, but my current situation may call for it on occasion at least. (Doesn't make any sense to invest in $400 headphones or something).

I'm looking at the Takstar Monitor Hi 2050. How good are these for music listening such as I do? Are they lacking in that area and more geared to gaming or MIDI?

I'll be plugging into receivers directly, but if what I get requires a separate headphone amp, no problem, plenty of those to chose from and I'll pick one up.

Lester Bangs had the worst plastic stereo imaginable, as he felt that Exile on Main Street was meant to be heard on just such a device. Not that I necessarily agree, but one can't deny that he wrote some of the most poignant Rock commentary of all time. In my own experience, when I had a music review column, I used the stereo that I owned. No special provisions. No reason to. As such, if you'd like to change your headphones, go to the nearest Best Buy, as an example, and listen to some. Then, buy the ones you like. Or, stay with what you have and know the sound of. Good luck.

Edit: To be clear, I was not drawing a parallel between Lester and myself.

 

[414353]

Does your model have Dolby Headphone? I know that they did put it in the flagship models for a while.

Hmm, not sure, I'll have to look. I think it might.

 

[414353]

Lester Bangs had the worst plastic stereo imaginable, as he felt that Exile on Main Street was meant to be heard on just such a device. Not that I necessarily agree, but one can't deny that he wrote some of the most poignant Rock commentary of all time. In my own experience, when I had a music review column, I used the stereo that I owned. No special provisions. No reason to. As such, if you'd like to change your headphones, go to the nearest Best Buy, as an example, and listen to some. Then, buy the ones you like. Or, stay with what you have and know the sound of. Good luck.

Edit: To be clear, I was not drawing a parallel between Lester and myself.

Well, normally I listen with speakers because I like detail and my speakers (and main system for that matter) are very revealing. However, my headphones are not. Of course all speakers and headphones are colored to some effect so it's really a matter of choosing what flavor you like. However, that also presents a problem because these days there is no way to demo headphones. If I am using headphones for serious listening to review an album and they are lacking something noticeable, it can skewer the whole thing. It's not that I am doing or reviewing anything important like new albums and artists (like I used to), it's really just for fun, but at the same time some folks may not be familiar and might be curios, so I still want to do it right since it's possible to so do.
I'm not competing with other reviewers or anything, so I don't care what they use or used and how they did it.
I'm not looking to change my systems...eek! That would be mission impossible.
 
Best Buy does not carry good headphones. The Sennheiser HD558 is as good as far as they go. They also don't offer a way of listening to headphones except for the 3 or 4 they have hooked up to a device with unfamiliar music selections of unknown origin.
I don't know what happened to the days I recall when one could go to a stereo shop or what have you and actually try a dozen or more headphones.

 

[Shaffer]

Well, normally I listen with speakers because I like detail and my speakers (and main system for that matter) are very revealing. However, my headphones are not.

Then, why not listen with the system? You'll get a better picture of the recording.

Of course all speakers and headphones are colored to some effect so it's really a matter of choosing what flavor you like. However, that also presents a problem because these days there is no way to demo headphones. If I am using headphones for serious listening to review an album and they are lacking something noticeable, it can skewer the whole thing.

I have to disagree with you here. A good tune is a good tune on a transistor radio or the most advanced system around. Yes, you won't hear every detail and every layer of the production values, but is that what you're reviewing? Plus, you have an actual audio system to do that with. Something to think about.

It's not that I am doing or reviewing anything important like new albums and artists (like I used to), it's really just for fun, but at the same time some folks may not be familiar and might be curios, so I still want to do it right since it's possible to so do.

Fair enough.

Best Buy does not carry good headphones. The Sennheiser HD558 is as good as far as they go.

The stores near me carry a much bigger variety. That's why I used BB as an example. Try an Apple store. I haven't been to one, personally, but I hear that some sell decent headphones.

They also don't offer a way of listening to headphones except for the 3 or 4 they have hooked up to a device with unfamiliar music selections of unknown origin.

Aren't you going to be reviewing unfamiliar music? The listening setup is hardly optimal, but it sure beats going on someone's word whom you've never met or even seen. For all you know, you could be talking to children on the forums. Believe it or not, quite often infrequent posters are doing just that without realizing it, especially if they like to count votes.

If you're set on getting new cans, I'd strongly suggest reading the boards for a while and understanding the constraints, then focusing on a few options. OTOH, if you don't care that much, buy 250 Ohm Beyer DT880, as was suggested. They're very good sounding headphones and should work reasonably well with your receiver. Amazon has liberal return policies, but in no way am I suggesting using them as an audition service.

I don't know what happened to the days I recall when one could go to a stereo shop or what have you and actually try a dozen or more headphones.

Folks wanted to save money and started shopping online. The situation it brought about is unfortunate in many ways.

 

[414353]

Then, why not listen with the system? You'll get a better picture of the recording.
I have to disagree with you here. A good tune is a good tune on a transistor radio or the most advanced system around. Yes, you won't hear every detail and every layer of the production values, but is that what you're reviewing? Plus, you have an actual audio system to do that with. Something to think about.
Fair enough.
The stores near me carry a much bigger variety. That's why I used BB as an example. Try an Apple store. I haven't been to one, personally, but I hear that some sell decent headphones.
Aren't you going to be reviewing unfamiliar music? The listening setup is hardly optimal, but it sure beats going on someone's word whom you've never met or even seen. For all you know, you could be talking to children on the forums. Believe it or not, quite often infrequent posters are doing just that without realizing it, especially if they like to count votes.

If you're set on getting new cans, I'd strongly suggest reading the boards for a while and understanding the constraints, then focusing on a few options. OTOH, if you don't care that much, buy 250 Ohm Beyer DT880, as was suggested. They're very good sounding headphones and should work reasonably well with your receiver. Amazon has liberal return policies, but in no way am I suggesting using them as an audition service.
Folks wanted to save money and started shopping online. The situation it brought about is unfortunate in many ways.

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[cel4145]

Apple Store? Your kidding, right? I do not want expensive toy headphones such as Beats. Out of my range anyway.

Last time I went, my Apple store had B&W headphones. Might be out of your price range, but demoing other good headphones is good for seeking advice on this forum. Gives you more examples to share of what you like/don't like that other people may be familiar with.

 

[Shaffer]

I have no idea where your going with that bit about tunes. Why would I not want to hear the production values or details? I want to hear that just for listening let alone writing about it.

Musical quality comes through regardless of the system composition. That was the point.

I'm a little gun shy of Beyer phones having tried a pair I do not remember the model of, but do remember them sounding tinny with extremely narrow staging. Although I'm sure they are probably nice since I can't recall the model I heard. The DT880 is on the list, but if I'm going to take a big risk it needs to be under $300. Right now, that is too much.

At the risk of stating the brutally obvious, all Beyer headphones do not sound alike. A 250 Ohm DT880pro can be had from Amazon for as little as $200 as an open box, or less than $250 BNIB. I'm sorry, did you even look before trying to argue about everything that was said? Frankly, I don't care what you buy. I thought I was helping a colleague of sorts, but you apparently want to debate every point, no matter how irrelevant it may be. Not interested. That's why I chose not to respond to the entirety of your comment. Good luck with your quest. I'm out.

Edit: http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-DT-880-Pro-Headphones-250/dp/B001B1QENY/ref=sr_1_1?&ie=UTF8&qid=1439778272&sr=8-1&keywords=dt880+pro

 

[414353]

Last time I went, my Apple store had B&W headphones. Might be out of your price range, but demoing other good headphones is good for seeking advice on this forum. Gives you more examples to share of what you like/don't like that other people may be familiar with.

Indeed. While I have never set foot inside an Apple store, unfortunately, I also do not have one conveniently near me. I also don't see the point in spending time seeking stuff outside my range.

 

[cel4145]

Indeed. While I have never set foot inside an Apple store, unfortunately, I also do not have one conveniently near me. I also don't see the point in spending time seeking stuff outside my range.

Well, I just explained to you how it can help. But OK.

 

[414353]

It looks like I will be down to either closing my eyes and picking one and if I don't like it, then tough tacos on me (I might get lucky) or just forgetting the whole thing.
I will wait until maybe around November because I might have more choices then.

 

[BrentR79]

Amazon has the Sony MDR-V6 on sale today. Pretty good headphone at a great price. Something to consider.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00001WRSJ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?tag=slickdeals09-20&ascsubtag=72237b637375467aa0d7e258b5195ef3&ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER%3Fsdsrc%3Dstaff

 

[414353]

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