M-Audio VS Bose - Which to get?

[demo1]

Hi, I still consider myself a newb concerning headphones and such and seek help on which pair to get.

I will be running the phones UNAMPED from my laptop so this may be an important factor in choosing which pair to get. I'm currently looking at the M-Audio Q40 headphones which I can get for $160 CAD and the Bose - yes, I know bose sucks right =( - which I can get for only $100 CAD! I currently own a pair of Ultimate Ears Super.Fi 5 Pros which I experience static issues with my laptop (I suspect it has to do with its low resistance), otherwise, i find them fine. So which pair: the M-Audio's or the Bose will offer me better sound UNAMPED. And please take into account the extra $60 I'd be forking out for the M-Audio in the case that they're better. Is it worth it?

P.S. Should I expect better or worst sound from these pairs compared to my Ultimate Ears Super.Fi 5 Pros.

Thanks in advance!

 

[1Time]

If buying the Q40, the extra $60 will be worth spending because you can afford it and you won't be happy settling for less. Welcome to Head-Fi (sorry about your wallet).

 

[Bobofthedead]

Hmm... If you're having static issues, then try the impedance adapter that came with your Super.fis. It looks like a female headphone jack (inny) with a short tube and a male headphone jack (outy) on the other end, and it adds resistance for the wire, making the headphone perform better with more powerful outputs. Try it, it's got to be cheaper than the new IEMs.

 

[mattcalf]

I just got the Q40s and I'm quite happy with them.
But to be honest I can't wait to hear them amped, I think it'll give them a real boost. So it might not be great for your situation.

Don't get me wrong, very respectable unamped but I think the benefit from an amp will be worth it.

What kind of music do you listen to?

 

[demo1]

@ Bobofthedead:
I've noticed that with the attenuator adapter that it takes away from the bass and hence makes the sound "tiny" with the UE 5 Pros.

@ mattcalf: would you say the Bose Triports sound better unamped?

P.S. will either of these pairs sound better than my UE Super.Fi 5 Pros?

Thanks!

 

[holland]

The M-Audio Q40 is a very sensitive headphone. It will work fine from a laptop. The only problem is that most laptop audio chips aren't all that great.

What do you mean by static issues? A constant buzzing? Or a buzzing when certain notes are hit?

 

[mattcalf]

Sorry haven't listened to the Bose phones.

 

[Eagle_Driver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattcalf /img/forum/go_quote.gif Sorry haven't listened to the Bose phones.

And that's a good thing, IMHO. I have always felt somewhat nauseated every time I tried listening to either of the Bose TriPorts (around-ear or on-ear). In my experience the TriPorts did not sound very good out of anything (in fact, they sounded quite wretched even out of a portable player or a notebook computer, and their sound quality didn't improve much even on good high-end equipment) - and they are not as efficient or as sensitive as some other headphones at any price point which sound way better than the TriPorts. And at their asking prices, they are way too expensive for the unimpressive sound quality that they reproduce (for example, the around-ears are only $40 good, not $140 good - and the On-Ears, which IMHO are worth less than $50 in sound quality but cost a whopping $180, aren't much better than the Around-Ears).

 

[demo1]

Alright thanks guys. It looks like I'm going for the M-Audio Q40s then.

The problem with my UE 5 Pros is that it gives off a constant buzzing/static noise when plugged into my laptop and desktop no matter whether there's music playing or not. When the hard drive spins, the buzzing increases. I avoid using the attenuator because it takes away from the bass. Regardless, I've come to accept this.

 

[intoart]

I have yet to hear any Bose product that does not totally suck!

 

[mbd2884]

I haven't spent anytime with the SuperFi 5, but I did some research cause I'm helping my aunt find something for her travels, and from what I have read, answer is no. Your SuperFi 5 will blow away the Bose and the M-Audio.

Quote:

Originally Posted by demo1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif @ Bobofthedead: P.S. will either of these pairs sound better than my UE Super.Fi 5 Pros? Thanks!

 

[mbd2884]

I would personally buy a new PCMCIA or ExpressCard Sound Card.

Echo Indigo. Higher grade sound cards won't produce hissing like the lower quality ones.

So I would go for that as the SuperFi 5 I believe probably sound a lot better than the Q40.

Just my .02

Quote:

Originally Posted by demo1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif The problem with my UE 5 Pros is that it gives off a constant buzzing/static noise when plugged into my laptop and desktop no matter whether there's music playing or not. When the hard drive spins, the buzzing increases. I avoid using the attenuator because it takes away from the bass. Regardless, I've come to accept this.

 

[Pianist]

Personally, I don't consider Super.fi 5 Pro to be better than M-Audio Q40. In fact, I prefer the Q40s hands down for many types of music, especially music where midrange is important, such as acoustic or classical. I feel that Super.fi 5 Pro really lacks presence and texture in the mids and also sounds too colored and splashy in the highs. By comparison, the Q40s have a much more textured and more lively overall sound, especially the mids, but also have more controlled bass and more realistic (although somewhat harsh) highs IMO.