The ____ headphone bashing thread

[hozo]

No need to get into a fit. If my post struck the wrong cord, please ignore.
I don’t have time to read every detailed discussion of current headphones. Just trying to get a quick run down of the cons of today’s favorites in a humorous manner. I have no problems with Grado or Sen, I just acknowledge what to my ears seem like weaknesses in a specific category.

I have no argument for my poor sources/amps. All I know is in my speaker experience, my ears can't distinguish that big of a difference between Mark Levinson 33s and an old McIntosh (nor $200 cables and cables costing more than my car).

Hopefully it won't turn into a flame war as that was not my intent.

 

[gshan]

I hate all regular earbuds (non canalphones). I've yet to try one that fits in my ear without causing pain after a few seconds.

I always wondered...for the sake of cool, are there some ipod users that use the buds even though they hurt?

 

[lan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrea All available headphones are crap.

long live speakers!

 

[Claus1100xx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gshan I hate all regular earbuds (non canalphones). I've yet to try one that fits in my ear without causing pain after a few seconds. I always wondered...for the sake of cool, are there some ipod users that use the buds even though they hurt?

I do have the same exact problem, from my first game boy to the latest PSP - all their earbuds hurt my ears after about 30minutes of wearing them, especially when laughing.

 

[arspy87]

HD497. Thin and dry sound. Vaguely reminds me of an FM radio signal.

 

[TooNice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gshan I hate all regular earbuds (non canalphones). I've yet to try one that fits in my ear without causing pain after a few seconds. I always wondered...for the sake of cool, are there some ipod users that use the buds even though they hurt?

Strange, I find earbud more confortable than my UM2 so far. I am not too bothered by earbuds to be honest

 

[Thaddy]

Grado SR-325i. I felt that these were absolutely terrible, even by Grado's standards. For some reason, they seemed brighter, cheaper, and more uncomfortable than any other model I've ever tried. I wonder why that is?

edit: Man, that felt great to finally get off my chest!

 

[Elephas]

Some negative impressions of my own headphones:

ATH-AD2000: Can be overly bright due to source material. Could use some additional deep bass. Clamps a bit tight. The '3D-Wing' attachment points look flimsy. I had to add foam strips inside the ear pads so the drivers don't press against my ears.

Grado RS-1: After a couple months use, the bowl pads no longer cause pain, but could be more comfortable. The 'fun' sound is excellent for some music but not as suitable for others. The headband could be better designed or have more cushioning. Can be fatiguing if used for more than an hour.

DT880: Treble is emphasized at the expense of bass. Could use more deep bass. Not as involving as AD2000 or RS-1, but I use them for a change of pace. Can be too 'polite-sounding' for some music, and not have enough impact/slam. Treble is too prominent at low volume levels.

 

[Sinbios]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lan long live speakers!

Even better, direct coax (since RCA sucks? ) plug to your brain!

 

[utep10]

I hate all unbroken-in cans

Damn, that didn't come out right

.

 

[StevieDvd]

Any headphone that is not:

1. Comfortable
2. Sexy looking
3. Reasonably priced
4. Available everywhere
5. Named like DRN6771s etc
6. In my possession
7. Closed
8. Isolating to the max
9. Owned by any other head-fi member
   

 

[warpdriver]

Shure E3C...."No highs, no lows, must be Bose...eerr....Shure"

I have a love/hate relationship with Grado's....sometimes I'm groovin', sometimes I find them intolerable, and I look at their build quality and shake my head with disgust.

 

[Rhydon]

I second Warpdriver on those E3c's.

 

[Nerull]

HD555s. Slow, boring, congested, and rolled off in the highs! Absolutely killer for the music I listen to. *as compared with MS-2is, which are a dream

*. I really don't see what's there to like, even if they are less expensive. I must say though, the HD555s work great for movies and games.

~Tom

 

[grawk]

I hate the grado PS-1s, they make me so I can't get anything done...