[eyeteeth]

Nice article at positive-feedback about discovering the world of headphone listening & head-fi.org

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue12/myaudio.htm

 

[fewtch]

That is a nice article -- really enjoyed it, thanks.

 

[D-EJ915]

Quote:

Headfiers are a fun bunch for the most part

...then there's us

Interesting read, thanks for pointing it out.

 

[markl]

Great read gbeard, well done!

 

[gbeard]

Thanks all, for the nice comments.

I think it was better before it was edited, but then I always do.

This article is my ode to Headfi. As I, unfortunately, will only be an infrequent visitor from now on. I just cannot shake my ear problem. It is not nearly as bad with speakers, so I am going to have to stick with them as my way of listening.

I kept hoping that this problem would eventually go the way of the Dodo, but as Hirsch can attest, I have been battling this problem for a long time, and I just can't take it anymore. It has cost me some bucks too, but at least a couple of members here have benefited from my difficulties. As Walt Disney always says, "It's the Circle of Life." He did say that didn't he?

I have two more headphone amp reviews that will be appearing in PFO in the near (?) future and that will probably be it for headgear. That said, Carlo and Owen Meany will carry on without me (and most likely not missing me either!).

I appreciate all the help so many here have given me as I navigated the uncharted headphone waters. It was quite an eye-opener for me. I will continue to stop by every so often to see what's happenin', and perhaps to sell one or two things...

Cheers to all,
Gary

 

[meech]

I enjoyed that. I guess there's something to a decent headphone rig after all!

Great read.

 

[radrd]

Very nice writing there Gary!

 

[ghesekki]

Great article gbeard!

Can you explain your ear pain in more detail for me? The reason I ask is because I've been experiencing ear pain as well. I don't listen to music very loud at all, but about a month ago, I started experiencing ear pain after listening to HD590s. It's gotten better, mainly because I've limited my listening sessions, but I can still feel it a little bit after listening for like an hour or so. It's hard to describe the pain, but I guess it feels like it comes from deep within the ear...like I've vigorously scratched my eardrums or something. And when my ear hurts, it's painful to listen to highs, which is the main reason I sold my 590s. I thought it might have been the start of tinnitus, but I don't get any ringing, just some irritation. Does this sound similar to your condition?

 

[gbeard]

Originally by ghesekki Quote:

Can you explain your ear pain in more detail for me?

Well, it is a bit as you've described. Pain from within the ear. My estation (sic) tubes get blocked and both ears hurt. I blew the right one out during an airline flight a few years ago, so it is even worse. I do have tinnitus as well, but the pain is what is so bothersome.

The treble bothers me for sure, even with speakers sometimes, but it is the sound (air?) pressure created by headphones that really bothers me. If I listen to one cd, my ears hurt for a day or two. The doc has prescribed a steroid nasal med for me and it has definitely helped, but I know it is time to retire from high end headphones. Just when I was gettin' the hang of it all too. Dang the luck!

Can't fool around with the old ears though, good thing I still have my speakers. I guess they'll have to do.

 

[tortie]

Nice piece of work gbeard!

Its sad to hear about your ear problems. I do hope they get better.

 

[Wmcmanus]

Nice article, Gary. We'll miss you around these parts...

 

[Hirsch]

Quote:

Originally posted by gbeard but as Hirsch can attest, I have been battling this problem for a long time

If you read the article, the MicroZOTL mentioned in it is the one I had for a long period. Gary got me started on tube rolling with that amp. Just for that, I'm going to make a suggestion.

Gary, you might want to try the AKG K-1000. It's wide open design has the drivers reasonably far from the ear, and there's nothing even faintly resembling a seal. Air pressure is just about eliminated with these.

 

[Music Fanatic]

Thanks for the article Gary, and good luck in all your future endeavours.

 

[ServinginEcuador]

Quote:

Originally posted by gbeard I think it was better before it was edited, but then I always do.

Wow, I thought I was the only one who liked their articlees better before the editors hacked them up.

Great job Gary. I enjoyed reading this article. I have begun more and more to preach two things here: source first, and music is what it's all about. Bad sources abound, and are the last item looked at far too often. I also noticed a trend toward spending too much money on toys without expanding the music selection along with it. Your article was a nice reminder to keep an eye on our priorities and make sure that we stay focused on enjoying our music, and not lose that in searching for the "ultimate system".

Sorry to hear that your ears have been having problems recently. I hope that they cure up and that you can once again get a great headphone amp and enjoy your headphones.

OBTW, kee this line from your article in mind: Quote:

I truly enjoy listening to headphones, and have found that they are a viable alternative to speaker-based systems.

I think you will see it again very soon over at SoundStage!. I submitted an article with almost this exact sentence in it a little over a week ago. We'll see if the editors remove it.

 

[ipodstudio]

Cool article! I posted it at "the ipod studio", too.