Im a huge music fan, I just never thought about spending a lot of money on quality headphones. Well, I've talked myself into it. Will my late night experiences improve a lot? The only thing im afraid of is the higher end headphones will pick up on imperfections (i mainly listen to clean electronic music), and i'll start analyzing the music more than enjoying it.
I plan on getting the Beyerdynamic DT880s btw (if everything goes right) I've heard that these headphones bring out the true sound. When you use 15dollar headphones, all the sound pretty much seems the same: muffled and dark. But you get used to it and can still enjoy albums.
Originally Posted by nullstring /img/forum/go_quote.gif Make sure you get an amp for your DT880's
I've read plenty of times that these cans love tube amps.
ahh aren't those really expensive? im not really looking to spend a bunch on the amp. To be honest, I don't blaze the loudness, I generally listen to an album every night in bed, so I don't really have it that loud anyways.
Those penguin portable amps are really appealing. Would that be pretty much worthless for this? It's connecting to my computer BTW.
Drivers(speakers) in high quality headphones typically require more power in order to sound their best. Amping isn't about loudness.
If you don't want to spend money on an amp right now, maybe you can locate a vintage receiver? I wouldn't use this as a permanent solution, but it'd work in a pinch.
If you are using onboard sound, you should also consider getting a USB DAC (digital-to-analog converter). This is basically a sound card without all the extra features. It does straight stereo PCM to analog conversion.
Originally Posted by contr01 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Im a huge music fan, I just never thought about spending a lot of money on quality headphones. Well, I've talked myself into it. Will my late night experiences improve a lot? The only thing im afraid of is the higher end headphones will pick up on imperfections (i mainly listen to clean electronic music), and i'll start analyzing the music more than enjoying it.
I plan on getting the Beyerdynamic DT880s btw (if everything goes right) I've heard that these headphones bring out the true sound. When you use 15dollar headphones, all the sound pretty much seems the same: muffled and dark. But you get used to it and can still enjoy albums.
What do you guys think?
As long as your source quality is at least decent (meaning 320mp3/lossless/or better yet direct or direct rip) you should have nothing to worry about. I'd like you to list some of the electronic artists your into. The better recorded and produced an album is, the more it will shine and come alive through very nice headphones.
I know my D2000's aren't reference analytical headphones, but I can still hear absolutely everything in a recording. I don't find myself enjoying them any less, usually it's just the opposite, I find more detail in them.
Especially dealing with something as detailed as electronic music, I don't think you should fear hearing what's really there. Frankly if it sounds pretty bad, or displeasing, that's usually the fault of the producer/engineer. The fact is some albums make your headphones explode with dynamic and tonality, whilst others feel more flat and sterile.
Originally Posted by mookowz13 /img/forum/go_quote.gif There are some reasonably low price tube/tube hybrid desktop amps available with favorable reviews. It might be worth looking into.
A starving student would be one of them, though it is a DIY, but I'm sure you can find someone to build one for you.
well all my albums are mp3. i have MANY MANY albums on my computer, wouldnt be able to find them all FLAC. but most are above 200 rate at least.
what are some reasonable amps you speak of? i might be interested in the lunchbox amp or the little dot mkIII. are there others smaller and cheaper like these?
I'm rocking-out right now as I enjoy a 30Gig Ipod Video playing Mp3s threw $13.00 elcheepo Sylvania 40 mm magnet headphones.
Just get ready because all the money you spend only gets you a hair-split closer to better music. My Brother says he can not hear the difference between $100.00 system and a $7000.00 system with everything tweeked to the hilt.
I would suggest starting with a set of phones that don't need an amp but will also sound good with an amp. That way you can start slowly versus rushing into major purchases. For a nice sounding affordable open phone (this type has holes on the headphone which let sound in and out making the phones sound "airy" or have a huge sound stage) you can go with a pair of Philips HP910 off of ebay for about $40. These phones have quite deep bass, nice midrange, and decent highs (much better than any cheapy can from Walmart and as good or better than Sennheiser HD555's IMO), they are a slower can though so lack detail. If you want more detail and a tight bass the AD700 sell on Amazon for around $100 and will definitely be a huge upgrade for you but they are not as bassy as the Philips. For closed cans I hear that the Denon D1001 are supposed to be easily driven or if you can find a pair the JVC HARX700 are supposed to be very nice and not to badly driven from lower amplified sources. There are also some AKG models (K240S?) that are designed to work without alot of amplification but I will let others with more knowledge on them speak.
Originally Posted by Redcarmoose /img/forum/go_quote.gif Just get ready because all the money you spend only gets you a hair-split closer to better music. My Brother says he can not hear the difference between $100.00 system and a $7000.00 system with everything tweeked to the hilt.
Originally Posted by Redcarmoose /img/forum/go_quote.gif There is a grand beauty in simple systems that show a perfect tone of all 20-20,000 Hz. That's all I'm saying.
Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of husbands. Remember all men would be tyrants if they could.
Abigail Adams
Originally Posted by Liver /img/forum/go_quote.gif Try the headphones straight off the computer first. I have an X-Fi and it was more than enough for the DT880s.
You may not need and amplifier. Most likely would sound better with the amp, but may not be by much. Try it unamped, you may like it.
What!?
Without an amp (minus the 32 ohm version), the DT880 will sound flat and lifeless like any headphone when it's underpowered.
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