Open Vs. Closed Cans

[mathmanx]

I have a pair of hd280s for work, and dt 880's for home. I can listen to my 880s for HOURS with no problem, but the hd280's inevitably scream "take me off!!" after about every 45 minutes. I had a similar problem with the akg K181.

I'm wondering: Is this a common problem with closed phones, these particular cans, or is there another effect that I'm experiencing? Closed is convenient at work to keep out some noisy co-workers.

Any hints, experience, or advice?

Thanks!

(4 weeks on the forum, and I've learned to respect you all. What a wonderful group).

Mike

 

[IPodPJ]

Do you take them off because of sonic fatigue? If so, try an amp with crossfeed.

 

[mathmanx]

Don't know. What are the symptoms of sonic fatigue? It seemed to "Feel" like the pressure difference between the ears was driving me crazy. I certainly wasn't tired of the sound itself... I'd imagine that if it was sonic fatigue it would effect the dt 880's too?

 

[Jaska]

The HD280 isn't a particularly good headphone, in my opinion. I suffered much the same fatiguing effects when listening to the AKG K26P, and had to get rid of them.

For much more non-fatiguing listening with closed headphones, you might enjoy something like the beyerdynamic DT250 or the AKG K271S.

 

[mathmanx]

I did experiment with the Meier crossfeed circuit (benefit of working with electrical engineers), and the sound quality went down the tubes. Do the amps with crossfeed have a better effect than that circuit?

 

[smeggy]

I don't think it's necessarily a closed/open thing as much as a poor phone or uncomfortable design thing. I've had many phones from Sennheiser over a long time period and nearly all were uncomfortable and sonically fatigueing to me. Many love the fit and feel of Senns so it's a very personal issue. I wouldn't discount closed phones based on one design that may be very flawed.

There are some very highly praised closed phones around.

 

[krmathis]

I don't think it matters if the 'phones are closed or open. What matters are their wearing comfort. Earpad construction, pressure, weight distribution, etc.
I can wear the 4070 (closed) and SR-007 (open) for 4-5 hour or longer listening sessions without any discomfort at all. So its clearly not a general problem with closed cans...

 

[IPodPJ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mathmanx /img/forum/go_quote.gif I did experiment with the Meier crossfeed circuit (benefit of working with electrical engineers), and the sound quality went down the tubes. Do the amps with crossfeed have a better effect than that circuit?

Well, I use the crossfeed on my Opera. It is certainly the best implementation of it I've heard. Yes, sound quality is sharper and more refined without crossfeed but it is much easier (less fatiguing on the brain) to listen to headphones with it turned on. In most cases, soundstage is also improved with it turned on. For me, it is a toss up. When I first got the amp I listened with crossfeed 95% of the time. Recently though I've been listening to more music without it but I get more headaches. Headphone listening (extreme channel separation) doesn't come naturally to your brain, so it is especially fatiguing when you try to listen (without crossfeed) and read forum posts at the same time. Try using crossfeed some more and see if the fatigue doesn't go away. I'm pretty sure it will. And of course, your headphones have to be comfortable to wear.

 

[ph0rk]

depending on the ambient temperature, closed headphones can cause more earsweat and generally be less comfortable/stuffy

the new dt990/880 unpro are some of the most comfortable headphones i've ever worn - the hd280 is one of the least. (I'd prefer even the hd25 to it - ear squash and all).

 

[b0dhi]

Someone had a similar issue with closed phones recently and it turned out to be an inner-ear problem. Unless the closed phones are clamping too much, I suggest you get checked up.

 

[mathmanx]

Hmmm.... So I might be on the right track if I try the dt 770 for a closed can then? (I love the 880, and the 770 seem to have the same around ear comfort - by looks alone.)

I did get a check up, and have some wax build up that I'm currently dissolving

Dang, I wish there were somewhere around here that had nice headphones to test. Money hemorrhages can kill a wallet, and audio experimentation definitely qualifies as a money hemorrhage

 

[vesther]

Because Closed Air prevents air from entering your ear, closed air headphones provide good isolation but there's this "Distortion factor" which sounds sometime sound distorted.

Open-Air allows air to enter the diapharagm for more natural sound but allows all the background noise to leak-in, forcing you to listen to music at dangerously high volumes.

Either way, there are downs when using closed-air and open-air headphones.

 

[worldman]

I am a proponent of closed cans (I used open cans only for over 10 years), but if you are looking for "quality" sounding closed cans with similar open-type quality and comfort, I would recommend you to try out the Ultrasone Proline 750. It is a seriously wonderful HP IMHO and definitely worth a try.

 

[worldman]

I meant "proponent of open cans" above. Sorry.

 

[mathmanx]

I found a place locally that deals with UltraSone. I'm going to try to set-up a demo next week. Thanks for the recommendation!