they don't need any type of amping right? Or will I have to dust off this mini3 amp that I have?
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$500 cans on, this is how you dream right - Official Headphone Thread
- Thread starter HiResDes
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they don't need any type of amping right? Or will I have to dust off this mini3 amp that I have?
They are plenty loud running straight out of my Macbook Pro.
If you're getting a headphone amp and DAC for those headphones, I'd...probably return them (somehow) and get something better for $500.
I don't want to be rude but if we're talking about objective performance, they're really horrible. They have crazy distortion that is through the roof.
Breaking the MDR1's in. They have been on my head for ~6 hours now without a hint of discomfort. This really surprises me since I wear glasses and expected any over-ear to need some rest period.
The sound keeps getting better and better as well.
The sound keeps getting better and better as well.
threetri333
Banned
Is it me. or is Music louder in Google Music than Spotify?
I'm listening on my phone with HD 600.
I'm listening on my phone with HD 600.
max_505
Member
Wow, thanks for the detailed reply! Got me a bit curious at the ASG 1 Plus, so I hopefully I can find a place to audition it. I don't have any EDM track on my DAP, since I focus mainly on Jazz and Vocal Jazz, so the bass probably won't be a problem if I ever buy a Parterre.
Finally caved in and bought the Bose QC20 ...
I already had a noise canceling headset ( Logitech UE6000 ), but my god as expected Bose are on a whole other dimension with their noise canceling technology. They're so far ahead it's not even funny.
I've bought them for using at work and on train/plane, since I have better sounding devices for home, and they fit the bill perfectly.
Excellent build quality, sound is very good ( even if for the asking price one can buy much better sounding in-ear ), comfort is incredible. But the noise canceling system gives it an incredible value. The best way to describe the feeling would be that you feel as if you were under the water on a swimming pool. Sound is REALLY canceled, and the few you can hear feels like it's so far away and muted.
I work in a very noisy environment and couldn't believe how the NC cut all conversations, sounds, and such. The only people I'm hearing are those on the desks immediately next to mine, and I only hear them faintly. And when playing music, everything vanishes.
The "aware" mode works really well too, only would have liked it to pause music at the same time. But it works really well to prevent taking off the headset when needing to talk to co-workers and such.
One downside I found is that even if they work without NC ( so without battery needed ), the sound signature and quality are much less pleasant.
Really loving it so far. Bottom line for me is to not buy those for the sound quality ( it's really good but same quality could be acquired for half money I think more or less ), but for the combination of comfort, incredible noise canceling, and still very good sound.
I already had a noise canceling headset ( Logitech UE6000 ), but my god as expected Bose are on a whole other dimension with their noise canceling technology. They're so far ahead it's not even funny.
I've bought them for using at work and on train/plane, since I have better sounding devices for home, and they fit the bill perfectly.
Excellent build quality, sound is very good ( even if for the asking price one can buy much better sounding in-ear ), comfort is incredible. But the noise canceling system gives it an incredible value. The best way to describe the feeling would be that you feel as if you were under the water on a swimming pool. Sound is REALLY canceled, and the few you can hear feels like it's so far away and muted.
I work in a very noisy environment and couldn't believe how the NC cut all conversations, sounds, and such. The only people I'm hearing are those on the desks immediately next to mine, and I only hear them faintly. And when playing music, everything vanishes.
The "aware" mode works really well too, only would have liked it to pause music at the same time. But it works really well to prevent taking off the headset when needing to talk to co-workers and such.
One downside I found is that even if they work without NC ( so without battery needed ), the sound signature and quality are much less pleasant.
Really loving it so far. Bottom line for me is to not buy those for the sound quality ( it's really good but same quality could be acquired for half money I think more or less ), but for the combination of comfort, incredible noise canceling, and still very good sound.
yup, it is a fun headphone, i have other more analytical headphones but this is the most 'fun' of them all
also so comfy , I've slept wearing them once
I pulled the trigger on a pair of X2s and got them today and I'm pretty damn blown away. The sound is ENORMOUS, very detailed as well as warm-ish and engaging. The bass feels satisfying and is just right to my taste. The only thing that isn't perfect to my ears is that the treble is ever so slightly harsh and can come off as shrill every now and then. Some people might feel it as sparkle, but to me it sometimes comes off as a bit thin. Maybe I'm just sensitive to treble? That might change after I get used to it, but for now I'm very pleased. Would love to compare it to the X1s to see how their treble strikes me, but they're hard to find around here (Sweden).
Dynamite Ringo Matsuri
Member
OH, if you're planning on listening to jazz/vocal jazz, I'd skip the Parterre and the 1 Plus and seek out the JVC FX850 and applying this simple mod:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/703874/jvc-ha-fx850-iem-woody/405#post_11162329
You don't have to apply James' back vent mod, though that will attenuate the bass even further resulting in an even more spacious and even sound. I'm not a fan of the FX850 in its stock form as I find the bass to be ginormous, but once modded, it's insanely good. INSANELY GOOD. It's far and away the best phone I've ever heard for jazz and classical, the instrumental timbre is just spot on, and just crushes most other phones at any price range. This would be my pick for a jazz phone. The used market price for it is about $250 these days. You can get a new one if you're in Japan for about $280-300.
If you don't want to apply the mod for whatever reason, I'd recommend checking out one of the Final Audio Design Heaven phones, either the Heaven V or the Heaven VIII. Both will be well within your $700 limit. I don't find their timbre to be as precise as the FX850, but there's this tonally saturated, dreamy sound to the Heaven series that really brings out the emotion in performances, especially in things like solo piano. Out of all the balanced armature style phones, they're the ones that are most evocative of dynamic drivers.
You probably won't find a difference if you're having this issue with the X2. I found the treble with the X1 a bit troublesome and there has been a few reports suggesting this is still a minor issue in the X2. Perhaps its a driver quirk, probably in the same way it is with Beyerdynamic's DT880 series.
That's why I still prefer the Sennheiser HD600 series even if the bass is totally flaccid.
The treble on the X1 is supposedly less smooth, though I've never found them to be sibilant in any regard. But for some reason I think I'm only sensitive to sibilance when listening to closed headphones. The M50 sounds peaky to me and the Sony MDR-V6 drives me crazy on some tracks. The DT880s sound amazing to me though, very extended treble, but not peaky.
Good to know, thanks. Still enjoying the hell out of the X2, though. They're incredibly absorbing and addictive. Had them on for almost 5 hours now, too, and they're very comfortable to boot.
max_505
Member
I'm in luck, someone's selling their Heaven VIII here. I'll audition his pair first and see if I like it. Might just go for that or FX850 since it's more cheaper and I can audition it here. Still thinking about modding it since I haven't modded any of my gears, but it looks simple and easy to do. Might as well try it since it won't hurt. Thank you very much for the suggestions
DT-990 for gaming purposes.
Yeah, maybe (probably) the K612s will have a better soundstage but the 990 Pros are just way too fun for gaming. You can practically feel explosions in games while still remaining detailed.
Sennheiser HD 558 or sale for $90
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/sennhei...=8575135&loc=0&id=1218285361000&skuId=1700513
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/sennhei...=8575135&loc=0&id=1218285361000&skuId=1700513
612s are one of the very best headphones in the range for acoustic music though, but movies and games definitely gonna be better on the DT 990
I've had my X2s for 24 hours now, and even though I find them amazing in almost every aspect the somewhat harsh treble is really getting to me Most of what I listen to sounds incredible, but some stuff is definitely fatiguing, like I can feel the treble as an uncomfortable tension in my ear. I'm used to listening to the somewhat veiled portapros, and while the sound of the X2 is on a completely different level, I can't help but miss the more "comfortable" sound of the portapros a bit. Now I know the treble on the X1s is supposed to be somewhat artificial, but if it's smoother and more laid-back than on the X2, it might be worth it to give them a shot instead. Appreciate any feedback y'all have.
Most of what I listen to sounds incredible, but some stuff is definitely fatiguing, like I can feel the treble as an uncomfortable tension in my ear. I'm used to listening to the somewhat veiled portapros, and while the sound of the X2 is on a completely different level, I can't help but miss the more "comfortable" sound of the portapros a bit. Now I know the treble on the X1s is supposed to be somewhat artificial, but if it's smoother and more laid-back than on the X2, it might be worth it to give them a shot instead. Appreciate any feedback y'all have.Shit, really? Guess I can ignore the X1 then. And yeah, my hearing is pretty weird: I'm really sensitive to noise and especially high-pitched noise in general (I always want to turn the TV down when watching with other people). I usually pick up on small stuff in the environment that others miss, but at the same time I can have a hard time hearing people in conversation if there's a lot of background noise like in a bar. Maybe I should get my ears checked out or something. Anyway, I appreciate the suggestions.
Friend tried to buy them after seeing they were available in lots of MA stores. Checkout failed (they could be added to cart fine), saying they were not available. Looks like the web store may have inventory wrong.
Doesn't seem like that great of a deal considering how cheap the 598s have been.
Barrylocke
Member
Monster Hunter and a few other things has me looking for a mic for my Philips Fidelio X1s. The main two I've heard are good are the ModMic and the V-Moda. They seem to have very different designs (attaching to the side of your headphones vs. the mic being right on the cord). I'm researching them now, but if any of you have tried either (or both!) of these, are there any opinions or things worth noting?
silentcapybara
Banned
best recs for mixing/critical listening for the price?
What price?
silentcapybara
Banned
under $200 preferably. i've just been working with some $11 monoprice isolating buds up until now.
I'd go with some KRK KNS8400 or Kam HP1 these are both super clinical and linear headphones at the pricepoint without much coloration at all...So while fantastic for mixing and recording don't expect any added bass thump or overly extended treble.
silentcapybara
Banned
thanks des. will probably go with the KRKs.
TarpitCarnivore
Member
Anyone have experience with the RHA 750i? Looking to upgrade my train/walking pair of buds, from the Earpods, as I want something with a better seal. My main concern really is cable noise.
The problem with the treble on the X1/X2 is that there's a weird quality to it that just isn't nice at all for some people. That's why I noted that its probably a driver issue akin to the DT880 where some people, like myself, find the treble cold even when EQed down.
Thanks, I'll check them out.
Thanks dude, read into them a bit and they seem perfect. Gonna probably get them.
I've had the HE-400s for two years now and they're just incredible. For $240 they're an absolute steal. Even at $400 they were arguably the best in their price range, but at almost half that price, it'd be hard not to recommend them.
Comfort is probably the one downside. They are pretty heavy and the headband isn't really padded at all. However, once you get used to them they really aren't uncomfortable until you wear them for over three hours or so. Usually I don't even remember they're on my head.
But the sound is just insane. Especially since you're looking for headphones for electronic music, these are a no-brainer. I don't even care for electronic, but sometimes I listen to it just because it sounds so perfect on these headphones. Just the most crisp, precise, perfect sounds. It's hard to describe, really.
They're an excellent all-rounder too, though.
I could really go on about them for a while, but I won't. In conclusion, I'd definitely recommend them.
I'm glad to hear this. Since I listen to a lot of trance, house and hip-hop these seem right up my alley. I am very tempted to purchase the HE-400s.
Do it.
Oh, also, if you get the HE-400s, you HAVE to buy the replacement velour earpads. Not only do they drastically increase their comfort, but they MASSIVELY improve the sound. I was expecting the improvement (I had read the velour improved the sound a bit, but I had bought them for comfort) to be unnoticeable, but it was night and day. I don't have the discerning ears like some headphone fanatics do, but I noticed immediately that my HE-400s were sounding significantly better when I put the velour earpads on.
Edit: It looks like these are no longer sold... These look like they're third party ones, but they look exactly like my Hifiman ones.
Use an equalizer if that's a problem. I have never understood why consumer audio users are so afraid to use the equalizer. If the headphone drivers and enclosure are properly implemented (Beyerdynamic DT880 + DT990 are one of the few that are!), equalization works very well.
Do it. They are pure sex.
Crispy clear sound, large soundstage, and crazy good bass for an open headphone.
In what way do they improve the sound? I already thought they sounded perfect!
The HE 400 are definitely tempting at that price. I listen to a lot of ambient, classical, minimal techno and avant grade stuff (Actress, Sean McCann, Oval, Ryoji Ikeda, Tim Hecker etc). Bass isn't hugely important to me. Would those still be appropriate? I also listen to a lot of pop, and a little metal, rap and jazz. I don't really listen to much dubstep or dance-centric music.
If I get them I'll probably get the Schiit stack as well.
If I get them I'll probably get the Schiit stack as well.
Mainly puts a bit more emphasis on upper midrange and has smoother treble response. All round smoother response though.
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