rincewind
1000+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2004
- Posts
- 1,097
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- 44
Hi. This is kind of a "bitsa" post as it could easily go in amps/headphones/portables, but it's about portable in general so I thought here was most relevant.
I've got a iRiver H140, getting a Ray Samuels Hornet, some nice interconnects (from someone like Rnb180 or highflyin9). Now the reason I posted HERE is because the analog "line-out" is not a "pure" line-out because it is affected by the EQ and DSP (SRS/WOW etc) system on the DAP.
Now, I don't consider this a bad thing for how I intend to use it. I've read about all the major earphones and am strongly leaning towards the Etymotic ER-4S. Now, I listen to a lot of metal, and the rest divided amongst ambient/electronica/soundtracks. For example right now I'm listening to the pitter patter of rain falling on Vangelis' beautiful Bladerunner soundtrack (Esper edition of course!), yet I could listen to Children of Bodom (deathmetal) or a Tim Burton soundtrack next (eg Corpse Bride), next might be Opeth or Strapping Young Lad. So obviously I want a LOT of detail and resolution for some music, which is what everyone says these 'phones give, and impact for other stuff. Apparently you HEAR the bass more than feel it, which is fine by me.
The only concern (and here's where I don't mind my "fake" line-out), is that these 'phones may lack slightly for impact in the metal department. Now, in the grand scheme of things, metal isn't the most detailed kind of music, so if it does lack punch, I intend to boost the bass using the iRiver's EQ. It should only need one or two notches up (out of 10 I think) to thicken up the bottom end. This way, I'll have my great detail for ambient/soundtracks/alternative and a bit more impact (where desired) for metal and electronica). I also have HD650's at home which I think will have a nice bottom end with the Hornet and be brought forward a bit by it's signature (ppl say it is Grado-esque, which would counteract the Senn's laidback-ness).
Think this "occasional bass tweak" will work/is a good idea? (mainly the portable setup, the Senn's have plenty bass as is).
And also, now I realise the volume also affects the line-out on the H140.. so what volume do ppl use when connecting to a headphone amp? From general knowledge 75% is a good, but that would be fairly loud (it was loud even into my Sony buds unamped), and I read that the Hornet is slightly unbalanced between left/right when the dial down low (which I think it would be considering how loud the sony buds were)...
Very interested from anyone using a similar setup! I'll be ordering the gear hopefully within the next week or so, and wanna sort this out in case (for example) the buds won't suit me.
I've got a iRiver H140, getting a Ray Samuels Hornet, some nice interconnects (from someone like Rnb180 or highflyin9). Now the reason I posted HERE is because the analog "line-out" is not a "pure" line-out because it is affected by the EQ and DSP (SRS/WOW etc) system on the DAP.
Now, I don't consider this a bad thing for how I intend to use it. I've read about all the major earphones and am strongly leaning towards the Etymotic ER-4S. Now, I listen to a lot of metal, and the rest divided amongst ambient/electronica/soundtracks. For example right now I'm listening to the pitter patter of rain falling on Vangelis' beautiful Bladerunner soundtrack (Esper edition of course!), yet I could listen to Children of Bodom (deathmetal) or a Tim Burton soundtrack next (eg Corpse Bride), next might be Opeth or Strapping Young Lad. So obviously I want a LOT of detail and resolution for some music, which is what everyone says these 'phones give, and impact for other stuff. Apparently you HEAR the bass more than feel it, which is fine by me.
The only concern (and here's where I don't mind my "fake" line-out), is that these 'phones may lack slightly for impact in the metal department. Now, in the grand scheme of things, metal isn't the most detailed kind of music, so if it does lack punch, I intend to boost the bass using the iRiver's EQ. It should only need one or two notches up (out of 10 I think) to thicken up the bottom end. This way, I'll have my great detail for ambient/soundtracks/alternative and a bit more impact (where desired) for metal and electronica). I also have HD650's at home which I think will have a nice bottom end with the Hornet and be brought forward a bit by it's signature (ppl say it is Grado-esque, which would counteract the Senn's laidback-ness).
Think this "occasional bass tweak" will work/is a good idea? (mainly the portable setup, the Senn's have plenty bass as is).
And also, now I realise the volume also affects the line-out on the H140.. so what volume do ppl use when connecting to a headphone amp? From general knowledge 75% is a good, but that would be fairly loud (it was loud even into my Sony buds unamped), and I read that the Hornet is slightly unbalanced between left/right when the dial down low (which I think it would be considering how loud the sony buds were)...
Very interested from anyone using a similar setup! I'll be ordering the gear hopefully within the next week or so, and wanna sort this out in case (for example) the buds won't suit me.