FlyinAg
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2011
- Posts
- 44
- Likes
- 0
Howdy,
I recently found this forum, and realized that I am a wanna be audiophile. After reading, reading, and more reading, I have figured out that I would like to buy my first set of fullsize headphones. Right now, I own a set of Shure SE210s and a set of Westone CR1 custom molded plugs that came with our Westone ACCESS plugs. On my iPhone, they both sound pretty decent (not much to compare them to except to your standard big box store plugs), and on my laptop they sound awful (which is to be expected wtih RealTek). I also have a Cowan D2 that I really really like, especially sound wise, but I am usually too lazy to use it and I just grab my iPhone for sure convenience.
I am fixing the laptop sound issue with a Asus Xonar U1 external soundcard. I am hoping this provides a good all around solution for gaming and music, and it should definitely outperform the RealTek. I do not plan on getting an amp or dac yet for budgeting reasons, and I think I can get the biggest increase in quality by getting some better phones. The SE210's sound pretty tinny, and don't have enough bass for me, but I like their clarity. I know how to properly fit them, and that helps ALOT, but I feel they are still lacking. The CR1s are better all around than the 210's. I really like IEM's, but it is all I know, and I think my ears need a break from them. We now wear IEMs while 'at work', and that combined with extended use while listening to music and gaming is pissing my ear canals off.
After all the reading I've done, I think I have pretty much narrowed my choices down to the Shure SRH840s or the M50s.I want something with more bass than what I have now, but also with clarity. I am a drummer, and I would enjoy headphones that bring out the punchiness the bass drums, tonal mids from the toms, and shimmering cymbal crashes. I listen to a lot of prog and metal. Some of my favorites are Avenged Sevenfold, Volbeat, Shadows Fall, Anthrax, and Pantera, Mastodon, Dream Theater, Genesis, Alice in Chains, Blue Man Group, The BEastie Boys... and then some country like George Strait, Charlie Daniels, Hank, and various Texas Country Artists. Yeah I know, I have a odd taste in music. I also do a bit of gaming, and I am a little worried about the lack of sound stage reported with the M50s. I would consider the AD700s, but I am turned off by the open back design with regards to isolation/disturbing my neighbors. I don't need portability as I have plenty of IEMs for that. Additionally, I think the SRH840s are priced at about the max that I want to spend.
I have used the search feature and read up until my eyes hurt, and am just looking for that last little push over the edge to help me pull the trigger on one or the other. Or maybe I am totally our to lunch and should be looking at something else. The other problem is I can't exactly go try them out where I am at right now... Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
I recently found this forum, and realized that I am a wanna be audiophile. After reading, reading, and more reading, I have figured out that I would like to buy my first set of fullsize headphones. Right now, I own a set of Shure SE210s and a set of Westone CR1 custom molded plugs that came with our Westone ACCESS plugs. On my iPhone, they both sound pretty decent (not much to compare them to except to your standard big box store plugs), and on my laptop they sound awful (which is to be expected wtih RealTek). I also have a Cowan D2 that I really really like, especially sound wise, but I am usually too lazy to use it and I just grab my iPhone for sure convenience.
I am fixing the laptop sound issue with a Asus Xonar U1 external soundcard. I am hoping this provides a good all around solution for gaming and music, and it should definitely outperform the RealTek. I do not plan on getting an amp or dac yet for budgeting reasons, and I think I can get the biggest increase in quality by getting some better phones. The SE210's sound pretty tinny, and don't have enough bass for me, but I like their clarity. I know how to properly fit them, and that helps ALOT, but I feel they are still lacking. The CR1s are better all around than the 210's. I really like IEM's, but it is all I know, and I think my ears need a break from them. We now wear IEMs while 'at work', and that combined with extended use while listening to music and gaming is pissing my ear canals off.
After all the reading I've done, I think I have pretty much narrowed my choices down to the Shure SRH840s or the M50s.I want something with more bass than what I have now, but also with clarity. I am a drummer, and I would enjoy headphones that bring out the punchiness the bass drums, tonal mids from the toms, and shimmering cymbal crashes. I listen to a lot of prog and metal. Some of my favorites are Avenged Sevenfold, Volbeat, Shadows Fall, Anthrax, and Pantera, Mastodon, Dream Theater, Genesis, Alice in Chains, Blue Man Group, The BEastie Boys... and then some country like George Strait, Charlie Daniels, Hank, and various Texas Country Artists. Yeah I know, I have a odd taste in music. I also do a bit of gaming, and I am a little worried about the lack of sound stage reported with the M50s. I would consider the AD700s, but I am turned off by the open back design with regards to isolation/disturbing my neighbors. I don't need portability as I have plenty of IEMs for that. Additionally, I think the SRH840s are priced at about the max that I want to spend.
I have used the search feature and read up until my eyes hurt, and am just looking for that last little push over the edge to help me pull the trigger on one or the other. Or maybe I am totally our to lunch and should be looking at something else. The other problem is I can't exactly go try them out where I am at right now... Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
