Total First Time Set-Up

[theirishjoey]

Hi all,
This is my first on the forum so let's hope it's a good one!

OK. I know absolutely nothing about headphones. Hence why I have come here.

I want to know the best set-up for a music lover for sub $400. All suggestions welcome but over ear is my favourite style and noise cancelling is very useful.

So, with all that information said and done, start recommending! (please

)

EDIT: I already have an iPod classic(loaded with apple lossless songs), so that isn't included in the $400. Just the stuff plugged into it

 

[vvanrij]

Does it have to be portable, or would you also interested be in a home setup? Also what is 'over hear', as your favorite music? And noise cancellation as in active noise cancellation, or as in a closed headphone?

 

[theirishjoey]

Sorry about that, I meant over ear. I've edited it now. And I don't know the difference between active noise cancelling or closed headphone, so which cuts out more noise for the best value for money.

EDIT: Just a home set-up now, I can live without perfect sound outdoors

 

[lucky]

The best value in noise cancellation comes from IEMs, or earphones you put into your ear. Far behind that, IMO, come closed phones, and beyond those come "noise cancelling" phones.

Quote:

Originally Posted by theirishjoey Maybe a portable and a home set-up is in order?

Yup. In your case, I'd buy a pair of IEMs for outdoor use and a pair of open phones for indoor use.

 

[vvanrij]

Ok, so what music styles do you listen to?

Active noise cancellation are the ones with a battery that make 'opposite' waveforms to cancel out external noise. Closed headphones will cover your ears, and therefore isolate you from noise. And you want both a Portable and a Home setup for a total sum of 400$? I would be carefull with those strong cancelling IEMS on the street though, its very dangerous (unless you use public transport). Furthermore there is a difference between open and closed headphones, and neither one is better, it all depends on the headphone.

 

[theirishjoey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vvanrij /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ok, so what music styles do you listen to? Active noise cancellation are the ones with a battery that make 'opposite' waveforms to cancel out external noise. Closed headphones will cover your ears, and therefore isolate you from noise. And you want both a Portable and a Home setup for a total sum of 400$? I would be carefull with those strong cancelling IEMS on the street though, its very dangerous (unless you use public transport). Furthermore there is a difference between open and closed headphones, and neither one is better, it all depends on the headphone.

I listen to just about every music style but it is mostly "Alternative" e.g. The Killers

Yup $400. And thanks for the explanation about noise cancelling. I prefer closed headphones because they just seem more comfortable to me compared to open headphones.

 

[Viktor]

Cosidering noise cancelling, this is a good choice:

QuietComfort® 3 Acoustic Noise Cancelling® headphones

 

[theirishjoey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viktor /img/forum/go_quote.gif Cosidering noise cancelling, this is a good choice: QuietComfort® 3 Acoustic Noise Cancelling® headphones

I was looking at those but have heard from a lot of people that Bose is over rated. Have you got any experience with these 'phones?

EDIT:Oh, and they're over my budget. I'm in the UK btw and I meant £200, but put $400 because I thought it was an American forum. But I might be able to scrape together the funds, so thanks for the suggestion.

 

[mbd2884]

Would say though, the route you are taking is not audiophile... just everyday consumer setup. Can ask anyone on your walk to work, train, subway, there tons of those Bose around. And 400 dollars won't get you true audiophile headphone setup.

Just the DAC
$250 - Entry Mid Fi
$450-$700 starting Audiophile.
$1000+ - Audiophile

For the Amp
$99 - Beginner
$250-400 - Mid Fi
$600+ - HiFi
$1000 + - Starting Audiophile
$2000 - Would say you are audiophile level

Headphones
$99 - Beginner Low Fi
$275+ - Mid Fi
$400 + HiFi/Audiophile
$999 + - Solidly Audiophile

Now this was if we were to put a price tag to it all. None of this matters as only the sound and how your music sounds matters. That's the tough one, finding the system, combination that will make you happy, not the budget.

But Bose noise cancelling and portable audio is not even Mid Fi

I'm solidly Mid-Fi and loving it.

 

[theirishjoey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbd2884 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Would say though, the route you are taking is not audiophile... just everyday consumer setup. Can ask anyone on your walk to work, train, subway, there tons of those Bose around.

True, I just liked the word audiophile

. I changed it to music lover now. What would you say is an audiophile's route?

 

[Uncle Erik]

Welcome to Head-Fi! Have you heard that saying about your wallet?

I think you're looking for an over ear, or circumaural headphone, right?

What kind of music do you listen to? That helps a lot in deciding which headphone would be a good fit for you.

Though they're supraural (on ear) I think a pair of Grados or Alessandros is a great place to start for a new listener. You don't need to buy an amp for them, they sound good right out of an iPod. But tell us about your musical tastes and whether you really need to be portable - desktop amps have significant advantages.

 

[theirishjoey]

Ok, I'm not an audiophile (yet) because I don't have the funds. But what would you recommend then for best value for money for a home set-up.

 

[theirishjoey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif Welcome to Head-Fi! Have you heard that saying about your wallet? I think you're looking for an over ear, or circumaural headphone, right? What kind of music do you listen to? That helps a lot in deciding which headphone would be a good fit for you. Though they're supraural (on ear) I think a pair of Grados or Alessandros is a great place to start for a new listener. You don't need to buy an amp for them, they sound good right out of an iPod. But tell us about your musical tastes and whether you really need to be portable - desktop amps have significant advantages.

Thanks for the warm welcome!

Over ear headphones are the ones for me. And I'm now looking for a desktop set-up.

I listen to just about every music style but it is mostly "Alternative" e.g. The Killers.

Could you recommend a certain model?

Oh, and I'm starting to record and mix my own music so these headphones would be super useful if I could use them for that as well!

 

[vvanrij]

Audiophile -- Audiophile - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[theirishjoey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vvanrij /img/forum/go_quote.gif Audiophile -- Audiophile - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

OK, I get it, I'm not an audiophile! But I really do like to have high quality sound, not horrible tinny stuff.

But I'm very young student so I can't afford the super high end stuff.

Now, back on topic. What would you recommend for me?