Portable headphone decision
Dec 27, 2002 at 8:52 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 14

mmortal03

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I have been a casual reader of Head-Fi Forums for a while now, and I have decided to buy a pair of quality headphones, so I figured I'd ask a couple questions before I make the purchase. I have read countless reviews and gone through many posts on the board, and have chosen two cans as my possibilities. I have about $140 to spend, and want to purchase a good pair of closed headphones. I am currently trying to decide between buying the Sony MDR7506/V6 or the Etymotic er-6, but am open for better solutions. I currently use a pair of Koss The Plug, so I am used to the type that you insert in your ear, and the noise cancelling aspects of this type of headphone. With that in mind, I think that the etys are my first choice. It would be nice if I had the money to spend on the er4p, but it is not an option. My primary use for the headphones that I will purchase is as described in the Subject line, I will be using them directly plugged into my portable RioVolt mp3/CD player. I have read comparisons between the Etymotics and the V6s. and I have come to understand that the Etymotics have a much more level sound equalization than the Sony pair, though this is descibed as a difference, not a flaw of either. I have never tried using a good closed circumaural 'phone, so I do not know whether I would enjoy using a pair like the v6 as compared to the er-6. I will primary use these headphones at home, but I like the feature of possible outside noise reduction, as there is a very good chance I wil use these in public in the future. Does anyone have any suggestions one way or the other? I won't mind new cans added to the mix either, keeping within my price range. Right now, I am leaning toward the Etys, but I have no problem with v6 users trying to sway my view!
Thanks
 
Dec 27, 2002 at 10:35 AM Post #2 of 14
if i DID get the Sony v6's, would it be a good use of my left over money on an amp like the Fixup Supermini amp? I know that the v6's have relatively low impedance at 70 ohms, but I hear the sound will still improve a lot with an amp. I would also consider doing the Beyer pad mod with them as well. Btw, the specs on my player are as follows:
Headphone Output 7mW (L) + 7mW (R) : (16 ohms) Max. Volume)
Line out Level 0.57V rms : (47k ohms) at max-volume
 
Dec 27, 2002 at 10:17 PM Post #4 of 14
No, Somehow I totally missed it. Well, I did a search and read all the threads on the MDR-D66SL Eggos, which were few and far between, and most people said that these were either clearly or just slightly better than the V6's, while only one person in one old post stated that he liked the V6's better. I am assuming that his was not a true side-by-side review, and since these are easily in my price range, I am going to add them to my list. Does anyone have any other notes comparing the V6 and the D66 Eggos, and what would really help would be a comparison of the D66 Eggos and the Etymotic er-6. THAT would help me make my final decision.

edit: lol, changed "posts" to "threads"! Of course I read your on-going thread on them with 60 or more posts...What I meant was that the THREADS were few and far between!
 
Dec 27, 2002 at 11:02 PM Post #5 of 14
mmortal03
HI: Above this post there is a great many post on the Eggo d66. Look at the beginning post for I just got the Eggo D66
I got my MDR-D66SL Eggo headphones. There are 60 post there LOL
 
Dec 27, 2002 at 11:15 PM Post #6 of 14
Where's the love for the px100 or 200s? Sometimes I think stuff gets bashed just to bash it. Listen to Tyll.
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Dec 28, 2002 at 12:32 AM Post #8 of 14
I had the PX200, and have the D66 and the MDR-7506, which as Duncan and I established, were only slightly different to the V6. (Not really enough to say for sure)
The PX200 is good bearing in mind it's nifty folding feature and general coolness, but the sound is very position sensitive. I had to wear it like a Sony streetstyle and Left/Right reversed before I started getting anywhere near the style of sounds that some PX200 ravers were claiming they were getting. I won't comment on the sound because my opinions seemed to be at odds with Tyll (whose site also makes some slightly odd comments about other phones if you were to ask me), but I will say they definitely didn't work for me.
The D66 is sonically superior, by quite a long way, to the V6. A much larger soundstage and an enhanced quality to the sound, albeit with some loss of bass response, but not to any distressing degree. Couple this with great ampability and you have a very serious pair of headphones which look like toys
biggrin.gif

They are hands down the best portable headphones I have. But they have one major failing as I keep saying. They're very open for portable use. Not as open as an open-backed headphone but not really closed either. That means that outside noise does intrude quite badly on your listening experience.
 
Dec 28, 2002 at 1:05 AM Post #9 of 14
hmm, really good isolation would be nice, but I don't think it is a must for me, and maybe I don't see paying the extra 40-50 bucks for the etys just to get isolation if the sound difference is not that radical compared to the eggos. I think I could save up for the er-4p's in the future, and that THAT would be a true treat and a welcomed addition to my eggos, if I end up going for them. I just feel like having TWO etys in the future would not be as nice as having a choice between a regular closed type headphone like the eggos and a inner ear type like the er-4p's. I have almost been completely swayed toward the eggos, though I am still waiting on some etymotic comments to make my final decision.
 
Dec 28, 2002 at 1:25 AM Post #10 of 14
Quote:

Originally posted by mmortal03
hmm, really good isolation would be nice, but I don't think it is a must for me, and maybe I don't see paying the extra 40-50 bucks for the etys just to get isolation if the sound difference is not that radical compared to the eggos. I think I could save up for the er-4p's in the future, and that THAT would be a true treat and a welcomed addition to my eggos, if I end up going for them. I just feel like having TWO etys in the future would not be as nice as having a choice between a regular closed type headphone like the eggos and a inner ear type like the er-4p's. I have almost been completely swayed toward the eggos, though I am still waiting on some etymotic comments to make my final decision.


If you can bear it, I'd hold off until I could afford the ER-4Ps. You will most likely want another 'phone in the future, but it will probably be in addition to the Etys, not in place of them. Like many here, I own several headphones, but the Etys and CD3Ks are the only ones I'd immediately replace if my house burned down.

Spad
 
Dec 29, 2002 at 11:42 PM Post #13 of 14
I'm of two minds about the D66. I bet there're fine headphones. I know we all have different ears, but so many people can't be all that wrong. And I just looooove getting gadgets, especially those that sound good.

But on the other hand, I have to consider my requirments. I'm a gadget-freak. Things like portability mean something. That's why I have a Tungsten and an iPod. That's why I have a Waterfield cargo bag and use Vaja cases for my gear. This stuff matters. I think it's plus points for Senn that they included a nice case and actually remembered to add a way to store the cord.

However, it's the sound that counts right? Well, they sound find on my small ears. Could this be a crucial design flaw - that they don't fit any head/ear size? Well they fit mine...

But then even so, the etys are ultimate for isolation, sound and portability, IMO. Anything else I get is just a substitute for when I can't use the etys...

So even though the eggos are no doubt nice, I just can't find a use for them, sadly. So I'm stickin' with Tyll's opinion, the px200s are great.
very_evil_smiley.gif
 
Dec 30, 2002 at 3:06 AM Post #14 of 14
plainsong
HI: Your PX200 are great. Now several members have just ordered the Eggo D66 and will post on them. They are very small about the size of your fist and very portable but not as portable as the PX200. But can I ask you a question. What if the Eggos sound 10 times better? Are much more comfortable and lots of fun to listen to. Would this make a difference to you if not I understand. I just would like you to have great portable sound with easy on easy off cans. Now don't get mad at me.
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LOL
 

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