NEW MEMEBERS

[CRESCENDOPOWER]

It seems very funny to me that when a new member ask's a question about what equipment he, or she should buy they give us almost no important information. Then, comes along everyone else giving advise without really knowing what the person is looking for.
I think there should be a place on Head-Fi with a series of questions that a newbe can look at, or answer before he, or she posts. And, if they don't look at it before hand maybe someone could politely direct them there.
I also feel that this would be a perfect post to make a list of some of those questions. Some of the questions that I thought up are the following:
1. How much do you want to spend?
2. What existing equipment do you plan to use?
3. What type of music do you listen to?
4. What type of sound are you looking for?
5. What else have you heard that you like?
6. Will this system be strictly portable, home, or both?
7. What country are you from? Will it be hard for you to get certain equipment where you live?
8. What type of headphones are you looking for? Canal/Supra/Circum
9. Have you got big/small ears, or head?
10. How important is isolation?
11. What will you be using the system for? Music/movies/computer
I am sure that almost no one is going to take the time to answer all of these, but there are some questions that a newbe must answer before we can truly help them.

 

[secretagent44]

Quote:

Originally posted by CRESCENDOPOWER 4. What type of sound are you looking for?

I think this one is definitely important. While I'm definitely happy with the advice I've received here, I find that a lot of people are looking for a completely different sound, like emulating speakers as much as possible or attempting to recreate a 'live' atmosphere. I, for one, like the experience of headphones better than speakers, and like to listen to music like looking at a painting, not like I'm at a concert. I think this is why I like the 'analytical' sound of the V6s. Anyways, just my 2 cents.

Joe

 

[cajunchrist]

cresendopower, I'm sure you've seen the various threads about having a newbie FAQ, and any idea of one actually coming together gets shot down everytime. A recent thread about having a newbie lounge was also discussed, and pretty much shelved.

What's the solution to your valid concerns? I don't know. There doesn't seem to be enough real interest to address them.

 

[Duncan]

Cajunchrist...

I've been away for a week, and i've seen all manner of changes here, criticisms galore, offensive remarks... languages I can't understand... things are basically changing

BUT, i disagree with you about the lack of enthusiasm for a newbie forum, if you read into things more, you will see that there IS a general wanting of a newbie area, but it needs to be structured in a way that is useful

What can you put into a newbie area that isn't too generalised to be of no use? - without peoples input (such as Crescendopowers up above) what are moderators and admin supposed to make the forum about? - for every question that could be answered, there are another 100 that can't...

Its a toughey, but.. it IS wanted

 

[cajunchrist]

so...where is it?

 

[Snufkin]

I think a nice web based flowchart would be great.

Incorporate a FAQ into that as well.

eg: Is isolation important to you or those around you?
Y/N
Learn more about isolation _here_

At the end give a list of headphones that suit their requirements and on the way they educate themselves as to what the different terminology means.
When they get to the end list, they can ask peoples experience with the different listed headphones, find where to get them, learn about the different characteristics of them and so on.

Just an idea.

 

[Joe Bloggs]

I think this is different from all those 'newbie guide' ideas that were shot down--this is a guide to what *questions* to ask, not a guide containing actual canned answers...

 

[MacDEF]

While I'm not in favor of a "newbie" area, I do agree with what Joe is saying -- it would be helpful for new members to learn a bit about what questions to ask. For example, maybe a list of links to information on closed vs. open, amp vs. no amp, portable vs. home, earbud vs. canalphone vs. lightweight vs. supraural vs. circumaural. I agree that the toughest part of most "new user" questions is figuring out what they actually want.

 

[markl]

Why not make it a form that gets posted in the appropriate section (Headphones, Accessories, etc.). Once you've answered all the questions on the form and you hit "enter", it posts your requirements automatically by creating a new thread.

We could all then jump right in and start offering our usual contradictory advice.

markl

 

[shivohum]

You mean like this?

Improving Answers to: Which headphone is right for me?

 

[Mumrik]

Have any of you guys seen the forum specific FAQs over at Ars Technica?

http://arstechnica.infopop.net/OpenTopic/page

I'm talking about those that are linked in the sub fora descriptions..

like this one for the A/V Club...