Need advice on new phones

[ArturoGH]

Ive done some research here, and have found that my Bose on ear headphones are not as good as I thought they were XD.....So Im looking for a good replacement.

I own an iPod Classic. Right now, I want something for it first, then Im not sure if getting speakers or big headphones for my laptop. But thats for another day. My budget could go up to 500 bucks, but Id rather keep it lower. Ive read a lot about the Shure SE530 and the Triple-Fi.

So, I listen to the following music: lots of rock (mainly instrumental like Satrinai, Eric Johnson, etc.) but I also enjoy old bands like Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, AC/DC, etc. I too enjoy Jazz, Classical, and orchestra music, though I dont really own any XD. So if youve got to choose one for your suggestion, choose rock then.

Sound isolation is not a must, but it would sure come in handy. My music is at least in 256 KBPS. Lossless is not worth it on the go...or is it?

Thanks a lot for any advice you can give!!!!

 

[jonathanjong]

With your repertoire of music, I'd suggest buying several headphones instead of one super-expensive one. Also, Head-Fiers find it difficult to answer questions if you're not more specific with your requests. Do you want things to put ON your ears or IN your ears or AROUND your ears?

 

[ArturoGH]

On bass, if possible, i think this guy put it right for me: "some tracks that don’t have much bass and that is what I hear, there are others that have large amounts of really deep bass and that is what I hear"

Definetely on or in my ears. Sorry, but I just cant decide on one of those. IEMs are gret for portability, but that is no Thaaaaat important for meyou see. And I dont want to have many phones. Just ones; or two if I do get IEMs, as the other ones would be proper headphones. Sorry if you still need more info; if you do, please let me know, and Ill provide it. I havent found too much info on headphones (over the head headphones), so right now Im just considerong the SE530 and the TF10, as they are the only good ones Ive found.

 

[Sayajin]

I am going to buy both of these too soon and maybe I grab ER-P4 too on the way. What that research I made around here they should be all solid investiments.

I just need some good prices. It's become very expensive when I look for prices in my own country. - Where do you even talk about prices guys?
Can't really find the place.

 

[tstarn06]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArturoGH /img/forum/go_quote.gif On bass, if possible, i think this guy put it right for me: "some tracks that don’t have much bass and that is what I hear, there are others that have large amounts of really deep bass and that is what I hear" Definetely on or in my ears. Sorry, but I just cant decide on one of those. IEMs are gret for portability, but that is no Thaaaaat important for meyou see. And I dont want to have many phones. Just ones; or two if I do get IEMs, as the other ones would be proper headphones. Sorry if you still need more info; if you do, please let me know, and Ill provide it. I havent found too much info on headphones (over the head headphones), so right now Im just considerong the SE530 and the TF10, as they are the only good ones Ive found.

If the 530 and TF10 are the only good ones you've found, then you are basing your entire search on cost. There are several lower-priced IEMs and canal phones from Sleek, Denon, UE and other manufacturers. Not trying to be harsh, but you should try doing a little more research on Head-Fi.

And there are entire threads on over the ear and on-ear phones. In fact, those phones have their own area/threads. Use the drop-down menu on the lower right, and you will find them.

 

[hamedy]

I never heared se530 but i read that triple fi is better for rock music,
I own them and i can say they really shine on rock more than other genres specially they reproduce the sound of drums very accurate, fast and live.
the isolation is well, at first the fit can be a problem but you will find the right way to get comfort and seal by silicon tips. dont worry about it, i own comply tips and i was thought they are needed to get comfort but after 2 weeks found the right way to use silicon tips.
so between SE530 and triple fi i recommend triple fi.
hope this help

 

[jonathanjong]

tstarn06 is right, of course. Much digital ink has been spilt on such matters, especially with regards to bass. US$500 is a lot of money, and I think most Head-Fiers would recommend starting lower. I think that's what tstarn06 is implying too. I can heartily recommend Denon AH-C551s, which are canalphones (if you'll allow the distinction from "true" IEMs) with well-controlled, powerful bass. These go for less than $100. For about double, slightly weaker bass, but better mids and highs, you can get the Denon C700/751, which get a lot of love around these parts. The Etys (ER6i, ER4) are not well-known for their bass, though these are excellent IEMs for other purposes (e.g., classical, jazz). There are other popular options for the $100 to $300 range that I know very little about, like the Head-Direct RE2, Sleek SA6, Westone UM1/2. But these are all thing to stick in your ears.

What about supra-aural or circumaural phones? My AKG K26Ps (now K414, I think. Or K27is.) are very bassy, but many complain of the bass muddying the mids. I find them great for outdoors use, but when I'm indoors, I'd rather use circum-aural cans...

All of which is to say, (a) consider cheaper cans and (b) think about what type of cans you want a little more. Here are a few questions:

1. What frequency is important. (Answer: Bass)
2. Is isolation important? (Or, relatedly, closed or open?)
3a. In-ear, on ear, or around ear?
3b. If in-ear: Earbuds, canalphones, or "true" IEMs?
3c. If on ear: Headband or neckband?
4. Amped or unamped?

Once you've thought about these questions, and narrowed down your search. We can do a better job recommending some good cans to you. Then you can avoid this Bose thing from happening again. I'd say "Sorry about your wallet", but you're thinking of spending $500, so...lol.

 

[ArturoGH]

1. What frequency is important.
middle. With good lows too, but mainly mid for great guitars!

2. Is isolation important?
Open

3a. In-ear, on ear, or around ear?
On ear

3c. If on ear: Headband or neckband?
headband

4. Amped or unamped?
amped but not right after my buy probably

Ive thought about it, and I think about 150-200 bucks is something I can spend right now. Anyone know of a pair which arent huge and I can carry around. And something for rock music. Instrumental rock preferably.

 

[ClieOS]

I see an Alessandro MS2 in your future.

 

[scytheavatar]

I think for a good value of money beginner IEM you should go for the sleek SA6; they're very versatile and can do all genres well. The Shures and Triple.Fi are much more expensive than the Sleeks but they are not much better. Another good option is the Head direct RE2.

 

[ClieOS]

^good recommendation for IEM, but the OP is looking for open can.

If a cheaper MS2 can't be found in the FS forum, I think MS1 might work if you don't mid the very narrow soundstage. Generally, I think Grado is really good with rock music.

 

[ArturoGH]

Can anyone give more info on the MS2? Ill do some search myself too. Thanks for all the help so far!

 

[ClieOS]

This is a good thread to start with:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/ano...review-288677/

 

[ArturoGH]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClieOS /img/forum/go_quote.gif This is a good thread to start with: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/ano...review-288677/

That was what I was looking for...though I dont really get what most of the words "sound" like. But I think its down to these 2 models. The problem is I live in Peru, so good luck to me finding them here XD

Ill see what I can do. If anyone can explain briefly how they are different, i might just take the plunge. Thanks again for all the great help!

 

[ClieOS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArturoGH /img/forum/go_quote.gif That was what I was looking for...though I dont really get what most of the words "sound" like.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/des...ossary-220770/