Sony MDR-F1 - to buy or not to buy...?

[Tae]

Hope I'm posting this in the right place...

Anyway, I've been wanting to get some new headphones for quite a while, but I've had some troubles deciding which I want.

I currently use a pair of Skullcandy TI's which I mainly bought because they look frickin' awesome.
Though I am nowhere near an audiophile it's easy to tell that the sound they produce... well let's just say it could be better.
The sound, however, is not the main reason why I want new phones. The comfort is. The purpose of the skullcandys seem to be to squeeze the listeners brain out through their nose or something like that. I can't wear the things for more than half an hour before my head starts to hurt. Maybe I'm just weak? I don't know.

SO, I've been going to Biccamera (electronics shop in Japan) quite a lot lately and tried out the headphones they have on display there, and I seem to have almost decided upon a pair, but I figured I'd just run it by this place to hear if they're worth my money or not.
The headphones in question are the MDR-F1 from Sony.
As I do not really know that much about headphones and the technical stuff behind, I've mostly based my decision on the level of comfort and if the music sounded good, ok or bad.

I would like to end my post here before it gets waay too long, but I just have to include that I plan on using the headphones with my iPod or my computer (macbook using itunes for music). No fancy audio gear, subwoofers, amps etc.
So, do you guys think these cans would be a good choice for me or is there something else that might be better. Budget-wise I'd like to stay around $200.

 

[jade0203]

I dont have one, but as I saw the photo of F1 I think the F1 should be a very comfortable headphone.

Lee

 

[IceClass]

I own the F1 and like it a lot.
Remember that it is a completely open headphone so you hear pretty much most ambient happenings in your vicinity and you leak sound.

If that still fits your bill and you like a detailed, airy sound with oodles of soundstage then the F1 is for you.

 

[jade0203]

Thanks IceClass
Nice to see someone to answer the questions.

Lee

 

[Zanth]

Whoa they are still available? If so where from? My wife has very very very very very sensitive ears and she absolutely requites the most comfortable phones ever. I was under the impression they were discontinued. If not, I'll buy her some tonight!

 

[jade0203]

I think u have to buy it from Japan.
Just checked the Ebay......none....

Lee

 

[apostate]

Audiocubes lists it as a "Special Order". Not entirely sure what that entails but I was able to add it to a shopping cart.

Ant

 

[wae5]

I have small ears and the MDR-F1 still brushes against my ears. You may want to be aware of that.

 

[HiFlight]

I also have the Sony F1s, and they are, without doubt, the most comfortable phones I have ever owned. Everyone who listened to mine at CanJam was very impressed with both the sound and comfort.

They do take many hours to completely develop their full tonal range.

They are still available from Audio Cubes.

 

[Tae]

Hey guys!

Ok, so I bought the headphones today and am in the middle of breaking them in by listening to a little music

So far my verdict is: super super comfortable, good sound (though the used ones in the store were better - of course... mine will get there someday!), leaks sound and lets in noise but I already knew they would seeing how they're open and everything.
So, so far I'm very very happy with them!
They're seriously comfortable!

I didn't know they were discontinued. I bought them in Japan in Biccamera (as I mentioned in my first post) and they didn't seem discontinued. I even got to pay full price and everything

so perhaps they're just discontinued outside Japan?
Anyway Zanth, I hope you'll be able to get them through Audio Cubes. I think your wife would be able to use them no matter how sensitive her ears are. I have some cartilage piercings and a lot of headphones pinch them a tiny bit (which gets annoying in the long run) - but so far I'm not feeling a thing wearing these cans, not even the slightest amount of pinching, nothing.
I think I'd be able to wear them for 10+ hrs and still be all right.
I guess we'll see tomorrow when I'm spending my very interesting Saturday at home, studying with the aid of music and new headphones...

 

[IceClass]

The F1s have been discontinued?!!

 

[TheOneInYellow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zanth /img/forum/go_quote.gif Whoa they are still available? If so where from? My wife has very very very very very sensitive ears and she absolutely requites the most comfortable phones ever. I was under the impression they were discontinued. If not, I'll buy her some tonight!

Erm....try these links:

Amazon.com (via Wall Street Photo)

AudioCubes.com

GeekStuff4U.com

I have never tried these cans, but if I ever got any Sony cans, the MDR-10 (latter build), Sony Qualia Q010-MDR1 (Small Edition, I think...), maybe Sony MDR-SA5000 (looks like the poorer brother of the now defunct Qualia range), and these Sony MDR-F1.

However, I think the next cans I actually want to get (that will complement my AKG K701 and NuForce Icon DAC/Preamp/Headphone Amp) are: the Grado XX (might actually save up for the GS1000 rather than the RS1), Denon AH-D5000, Audio-Technica ATH-W5000, Sennheiser HD650 (but I have heard of it's slowness and darkness it brings to music), and maybe the Beyerdynamic DT990.

Anyway, I hope those links prove helpful, and best luck in getting one, I am sure your wife will appreciate this Sony circumaural headphone. If anything, they does look really, really cool

Just remember that you might need an amp, so check out those who own these cans and see what they use (unless you have great amps anyway...)

---

The One In Yellow
"Day One Will Suffice"

 

[ford2]

Quote::Just remember that you might need an amp, so check out those who own these cans and see what they use (unless you have great amps anyway...)


An amp will certainly bring out the best in them,but they can easily be driven from most sources.
I used to run mine direct from rme card and they sound fantastic.I now run them through an aria on the same card.
In years to come they will be a sought after phone.


Ford2:

 

[Currawong]

I saw these in Biccamera as well, but regrettably there is no demo version on display.

If you search around head-fi, there's a bit of discussion on them. I'm pondering picking up a pair, as I know I can always sell them on if I don't end up liking/using them.

 

[Tae]

Ok, so I've been using my F1s pretty much all day (can you say no life?) and they're great. My head hurts a tiiiiny tiiiny bit from the pressure but I think it's just because I'm (apparently) really sensitive. Seriously.
I used to have a pair of little foldable Sennheisers, but they broke. Apart from them, I've never had a pair of headphones (or earbuds for that matter) that I've been able to use for a whole day without my head beginning to hurt. And even the Sennheisers made my head (ears) hurt a little bit, because they were sitting on the ears and not around...
So yeah, loving these cans.

Oooonly tiiny tiiny complaint is the noise cancellation which is non excistant (because they're open back, I knooooow), but I'm considering buying a cheap pair of noise cancelling ones just for when I need that. Even though it does make me feel a bit guilty spending that much money on headphones and having more than one pair. But yeah guess I've come to the right place if I need confirmation that it's ok to buy (own) more than one pair of headphones.. hehehe...

Currawong, they have them on display in the Biccamera in Odakyo in Shinjuku just across from the station (Shinjuku St.) so if your path ever crosses Shinjuku you'll know where to go.. hahaha!