Total First Time Set-Up

[lucky]

Quote:

Originally Posted by theirishjoey /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thank you! Looks good. Are they comfortable? I still learnt a lot anyway

I can't speak for the Er6i, but the AD700 (the open phones) are wonderfully comfortable.

Good luck with whatever you decide, and remember that the only thing that matters

is whether you enjoy the sound. :O)

 

[theirishjoey]

I think it's now a fight between Bose QC3s and Audio-Technica ATH-AD700, any recommendations?

 

[dcpoor]

er, if you're actually considering a bose qc, please take a look at the audio technica anc7 first.

 

[fjrabon]

if you're going with noise cancelling, you won't ever have to worry about the other stuff, like an amp, DAC, etc.

Noise canceling, to put it bluntly Fs up the sound. Its subtle, and in certain situations, the benefit from noise canceling outweighs this coloration.

Here is my advice:

1) buy an entry level type high quality headphone. I own these two currently, and would highly recommend them.

a) Grado SR60 or Grado SR80 - This headphone will make it sound like you are on the front row and it just makes good music, particularly rock, come alive. However, they don't block out much, if any outside noise. However, I think most people tend to overestimate their need for blocking out outside noise. I know I did when I first started looking at headphones. However, for my money, this is simply the best sound you are going to get for under $100, without an amp.

b) Denon AHD1001 - Great bass. A little less forward the the Grados, they maybe sound like you're on the 10th row (not technical at all, just trying to convey the feeling). THey aren't as "sharp" sounding as the Grados either. However, they do sound fantastic and are easily driven by an iPod without an amp. And its virtually impossible to beat their comfort in the price range.

2) Figure out what you want to do from there. Really, after buying a good set of headphones, it becomes as much of a hobby as it is about improving the sound quality of the music. The difference between a low level pair of Grados, Denons, Audio Technicas, etc is just gigantic compared to what you are probably used to.

3) either buy a cheap, portable amp, something like a FiiO E5 or try out an amp, if that's an option. Also a possibility here is listening out of a receiver, as this will give you a rough approximation as to what your headphones will sound like with an amp. If you think it sounds like night and day, then:

4) Buy a decent DAC and amp, or possibly even a combo.

But my main point is buy a nice pair of entry 'phones first. Savor them, then see where you want to go.

 

[Ishcabible]

The AD700 is the opposite of the qc3s, because the AD700 has sound leaking in and out, no isolation period. Please consider the ANC7 over the qc3s, as it is a third of the price and has better sound quality.

 

[asmd]

dude.. pay heed to fjrabon.

its easy to get a little too starry eyed when splurging for new equipment. i take it your primary audio device is your ipod. that in itself is a restricting factor for the be all and end all of audiophile-ism.

get a decent pair of easily driven pair of phones and that in itself will make a huge improvement to the sound qulaity form your ipod. you may never have to go any further or over time you may decide if what you have is good... and question how does it get better and then go on to the next level.

also dont ruin your perception of what sound good by starting off with active noise cancelling phones. as mentioned they screw up the sound. and even then noise cancelling phones mostly cancel out things like airplane engine drone.. not the hustle and bustle of a subway or a baby crying. if IEMs are not the thing for you, closed phones will probably serve as a good starting point.

the following will already provide a much improved sound quality straight from your ipod. depending on your budget, good open backed starter phones are koss portapro or the senn px100 and for a little more, the grado sr60s.

for closed back phones the denon d1001 (these are a couple of steps above the portapros or senn px100 mind you) would probably serve you well running it out of an ipod and also will give you an upgrade path if you would want to add an amp or use it with a better source later. and they would work well enough inside or out.

in short, before going for an amp and what have you, get a decent pair of phones and listen to what you've been missing this far.

imho - go for the denon 1001.

hope this helps.

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by theirishjoey /img/forum/go_quote.gif 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!

Beyers DT150 if you can look past the industrialized look. I'd also look used. 400 will MUCH farther.

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by theirishjoey /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think it's now a fight between Bose QC3s and Audio-Technica ATH-AD700, any recommendations?

If you want great noise cancelling, and very comfy phones, get the QC3s, but the build and SQ is 2nd rate.

 

[vvanrij]

I agree with Fjrabon.

 

[theirishjoey]

I already have a pair of Sony mdr-???? In my household, not mine but I use them a lot. And I find that when I actually turn on the noise cancelling it adds another level of sound to the music and it sounds much better to me personally.

 

[fjrabon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by theirishjoey /img/forum/go_quote.gif I already have a pair of Sony mdr-???? In my household, not mine but I use them a lot. And I find that when I actually turn on the noise cancelling it adds another level of sound to the music and it sounds much better to me personally.

I know what you're talking about. Its not the noise canceling you're hearing, its the headphones being powered by the battery in the noise canceling unit. The noise canceling unit on those Sony's does two things, first it cancels noise, but second it acts like a small amp, which gives the bass more authority, mainly.

Think about it, if noise canceling was the only thing it was doing, you should be able to sit in a perfectly quiet room and hear no difference whatsoever. That is what a perfect noise cancellation unit would do, only cancel noise. But that isn't the case. The thing about those Sony's is that they're not designed to be run with the noise canceling off. They actually need the extra power the noise canceling unit produces, without it they sound like absolute crap. I actually bought the pair you are referring to from best buy and took them back. let me assure you, a pair of nice entry level headphones will make those Sony's you are talking to sound like feeble crap.

I mean if you really want noise canceling, because you frequently have extremely loud, but droning noises, all around you, then by all means buy some. But let me be completely blunt, there is no world where noise canceling headphones actually sound-better than even a $70 quality headphone. Noise canceling is good for canceling noise, and if you really really need that, then go ahead and buy some. But do yourself and don't buy them for the sound quality. At least try some quality entry-level quality headphones.

From what you've said, I'd personally recommend the Denon AHD1001. You can get it from Amazon for $100 plus shipping. It brings the bass, you can't hear anyone talking to you, unless they are talking particularly loud. And they're some of the most comfortable headphones you'll ever put on.