[VALIENTE]

I have been almost a year in this good website.
I will buy headphones because at night time I don't want my neighbors to be disturbed.
I am very happy with my Grado SR60, after reading a lot of reviews from the web.
I think I took 1/2 to 1 year to surf the web for reviews of SR60 before I buy the headphone.
I always believe in the reviews from the web.
I plan everything before I buy headphones.
Before Christmas, I will buy another headphone after extensive reviews from the web again.
I will get AKG K 701, to complement my Grado SR60.
And because I need this headphone, not I want this headphone.
In conclusion, I buy headphones because I need them, not I want them.
I think this must be the motto of any headfiers that doesn't like to be cursed by this good website.

Guys, what is the best way to experience audiophile nirvana without many frustrating experiences?
Here are my opinions...
1. Read headphones reviews.
2. Buy only the headphone that you need.
3. Buy headphones with different sound signatures.
4. Select an amp that can handle most headphones well.
5. Pass on first on new/latest models of headphones cos they are expensive.

Fellow headfiers, maybe you have also opinions in your mind.
Please share. Thank you.

 

[iPoodz]

Good points. To those I would add:

1. Buy used. This way, you won't feel as bad if you get a sound signature you don't like.
2. Be open to new sound characteristics. Don't convince yourself that you're the type of guy (or gal) who will only enjoy cold/analytical.
3. Search for the headphones that make you smile when you put them on and listen to your favorite CD, not for the headphones that have the best reputation, or will give you the best audiophile street cred.
4. Trust your ears. If you can't tell the difference between a 150$ pair of phones and a 200$ pair of phones, admit it to yourself.
5. Buy AKG! (just kidding. I've just recently fallen in love with them.)

 

[johnwmclean]

Go to meets, best way bar none.

 

[Drubbing]

Quote:

Originally Posted by VALIENTE /img/forum/go_quote.gif I will get AKG K 701, to complement my Grado SR60. And because I need this headphone, not I want this headphone. In conclusion, I buy headphones because I need them, not I want them. Guys, what is the best way to experience audiophile nirvana without many frustrating experiences? Here are my opinions... 1. Read headphones reviews. 2. Buy only the headphone that you need. 3. Buy headphones with different sound signatures. 4. Select an amp that can handle most headphones well. 5. Pass on first on new/latest models of headphones cos they are expensive. Fellow headfiers, maybe you have also opinions in your mind. Please share. Thank you.

You are definitely confusing want with need. You don't need another headphone, you want one.

Audio nirvana is listening to the music you like best, on a piece of kit that presents them in a way that is most pleasing. It doesn't matter if that's a $100 canal or a $5K Stax system. The end result for the listener can be the same. Except one has a lot more beer money left over.

Speaking of which, beer is the the one sure-fire upgrade to any sound system. I have improved the enjoyment (at least 500%) of all my music, with my modest set up, with the addition of beer.

Given I'm going to drink it anyway, technically, it's free.

But. If you really want to find something you like, without going through masses of products you don't, stop doing all the 'research' you're doing. Go and find a headphone store, or go to one of the headphone nerd meets, and listen to lots of stuff.

Anything else - forum opinion or trade reviews are purely an opinion, and they don't have your ears and your taste in music.

 

[Xcalibur255]

I think it just takes listening to enough headphones until you have a firm idea of what sound works for you. I can understand your frustration. I've spend a lot of money on this hobby and have yet to find a headphone I actually enjoy listening to. The closest I've come is a Yuin clip-on believe it or not. I went "high end" with the K701 and have a love-hate relationship with them that is more hate than love, but when I try headphones known to have a more or less opposite sound to the K701 I find something is missing in them as well.

Frustrating about sums it up.

 

[Acix]

GMP 435.

 

[Kernmac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drubbing /img/forum/go_quote.gif Speaking of which, beer is the the one sure-fire upgrade to any sound system. I have improved the enjoyment (at least 500%) of all my music, with my modest set up, with the addition of beer.

Headphone + beer = fall asleep

 

[GuyDebord]

Just go Stax and avoid any 'frustrating' experience

 

[charlie0904]

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnwmclean /img/forum/go_quote.gif Go to meets, best way bar none.

X2

so that you experience many different headphones and amps.

stax is so far the benchmark for all audio gear.

 

[odigg]

Here is a statement that would have saved me a lot of headache (and heartache) when I first started getting into headphones.

**Flame Suit On**

Remember that the majority of stuff said audiophile sites is hype, exaggerations, justifications for purchases, and justifications for the existence of an ever expanding gamut of overpriced products.

Remember that when you are making decisions on what to buy. Be a skeptic.

Good luck to all and good night

 

[johnwmclean]

Quote:

Originally Posted by odigg /img/forum/go_quote.gif Here is a statement that would have saved me a lot of headache (and heartache) when I first started getting into headphones. **Flame Suit On** Remember that the majority of stuff said audiophile sites is hype, exaggerations, justifications for purchases, and justifications for the existence of an ever expanding gamut of overpriced products. Remember that when you are making decisions on what to buy. Be a skeptic. Good luck to all and good night

Nothing to flame you on here, I agree - You’d have to be naive to drink fully from the cup of audiophiledom.

 

[TStewart422]

Quote:

Originally Posted by odigg /img/forum/go_quote.gif Here is a statement that would have saved me a lot of headache (and heartache) when I first started getting into headphones. **Flame Suit On** Remember that the majority of stuff said audiophile sites is hype, exaggerations, justifications for purchases, and justifications for the existence of an ever expanding gamut of overpriced products. Remember that when you are making decisions on what to buy. Be a skeptic. Good luck to all and good night

Don't believe ANYTHING on here until you test it out. I wish I would have been given that advice before I started, otherwise my total amount purchased would be A LOT lower!

 

[mrmarano]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iPoodz /img/forum/go_quote.gif Good points. To those I would add: [*]Buy used. This way, you won't feel as bad if you get a sound signature you don't like.

Another way to ensure satisfaction is buy from a reputable company with a liberal try-before-you-buy policy. Purchasing used cans, particularly higher end sets, won't necessarily get your money back if you're unhappy.

As a resident of the US, I can offer a suggestion: I live in a major city on the East Coast with only one retailer offering a limited selection of headphones. I purchased my cans from Headroom in Montana. They offer 30 days full refund (minus shipping) with no questions, provided items are returned undamaged and packaged as new. They also stand by their products. Headroom replaced two defective pairs and permitted me to switch brands when I expressed my dissatisfaction.

Due to manufacturer restrictions, Headroom won't ship certain products abroad, and shipping costs may prove prohibitive. Residents across the pond may be able to find retailers offering similar service closer to home.

 

[roker]

VALIENTE, I highly recommend Grado SR60i for you.

Click: Grado SR 60i - Headphones | HeadRoom Audio

 

[Drubbing]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kernmac /img/forum/go_quote.gif Headphone + beer = fall asleep

Pro Tip: you've the wrong phones or the wrong music.