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$500 cans on, this is how you dream right - Official Headphone Thread
- Thread starter HiResDes
- Start date
So I bought some Senn HD595s and a VSX-820 receiver (which I am fairly sure is faulty after exhaustive testing with inconsistent results, but that is for another thread) and the more I read about audio equipment the more I wonder if I should buy an amplifier or not. The OP suggests the 595s don't have an impedance that warrants it but I've seen other sites suggesting it.
Since my new receiver doesn't want to play nice I have my PC and an iPhone 4 as my two sources of sound, and the PC has a crappy onboard soundcard so I'm wondering what these headphones might sound like if I invest in an amp or a better soundcard.
Any feedback is appreciated!
Since my new receiver doesn't want to play nice I have my PC and an iPhone 4 as my two sources of sound, and the PC has a crappy onboard soundcard so I'm wondering what these headphones might sound like if I invest in an amp or a better soundcard.
Any feedback is appreciated!
Gvaz said:
you can try getting an E7 for 100 bucks. it's a portable DAC/ AMP combo.
DAC isn't mind blowing but it's better than on board audio. AMP has a nice little bass boost feature which isn't too bad, either.
I don't have any experience with those Senns so I can't comment about how much they benefit from an amp, but if your budget is as low as you state, I think the E7 is the best bet for you. (I liked it more than the nuforce icon mobile, which is about the same price or slightly more expensive)
PflargBlarg
Member
Malvolio said:
I actually stretched them over my desk phone for about a month. That certainly improved the fit, but not enough. It's alright though, I just brought my ATH-A900 from home. So now I have 4 pairs of headphones lying around my desk at work.
Speaking of amps, what are your opinions on this? http://www.jdslabs.com/products.php
Until I buy a fullsized amp, I figure that I might as well use this along with my PC whenever I use my headphones.
Until I buy a fullsized amp, I figure that I might as well use this along with my PC whenever I use my headphones.
I guess what I want is a headphone amp. I probably don't really need a DAC since I have a receiver that has a headphone jack on the front.Yasae said:
Preferably something with a 1/4" trs jack?
I'm really only looking for one headphone slot, not like four different ones on the same box. Something small that I could hook up to my desk out of the way....?
Well, coincidentally I own an AD700 and although I have not used them for a while, I thought they got a much needed bass boost from my old cmoy. The ad700 have nice detail and soundstage but they can sound kinda thin if driven straight from an iPod or on board sound card . The amp helps those quite a bit, in my experience.RS4- said:
Okay, today I was at a friends. Another guy stopped by and had headphones on. Naturally, my reaction was "gimme... pleeeease."
5 minutes later, my mind was blown. Grado SR80. Oh my freaking god. I have listened to AKG, Beyerdynamic, Audio Technica, Sennheiser and Ultrasone so far but this thing takes the cake. Completely outstanding sound.
How that is possible at this price point is beyond me but get them!!!
5 minutes later, my mind was blown. Grado SR80. Oh my freaking god. I have listened to AKG, Beyerdynamic, Audio Technica, Sennheiser and Ultrasone so far but this thing takes the cake. Completely outstanding sound.
How that is possible at this price point is beyond me but get them!!!
ha ha! yes! Grado takes another one!
I had a similar experience with the MS1is (slightly tweaked version of the midrange Grado)
theyre not the most detailed or have the best bass but, man, they are fun fun fun. they just put the midrange and treble right in your face. super aggressive phones that get your head bopping.
that led me to get the higher end Grado RS2. better bass but still very much a pushy headphone thats a ton of fun
I had a similar experience with the MS1is (slightly tweaked version of the midrange Grado)
theyre not the most detailed or have the best bass but, man, they are fun fun fun. they just put the midrange and treble right in your face. super aggressive phones that get your head bopping.
that led me to get the higher end Grado RS2. better bass but still very much a pushy headphone thats a ton of fun
jamieson87
Member
Whats the best in ear headphones for under $150?
SolarPowered
Member
I know the grado sound well and I've been desperate to buy an upgrade for my now dead SR80. The grado sound is one of a kind and not everyone can handle it, but it is one of the best sound signatures around if you can dig it.FoxSpirit said:
The Big Rig
Member
I bought a Sennheiser headset in April, and it died this morning. The left earbud went out, so I call Sennheiser. Apparently the dealer I got it through is not an "authorized dealer" and I was just told to get my money back from Amazon. Called Amazon, they told me to tell Sennheiser that their website doesn't say anything about not honoring warranties through unauthorized dealers. Called Sennheiser again, and they're closed for the day. Anyway, contacted the dealer, and they're refunding me. Happy times. On to my question:
What would be the best set of earbuds, preferably with a mic, that I can get for around $40-50. And I want to make sure the dealer is authorized this time. I really don't want to support Sennheiser now.
What would be the best set of earbuds, preferably with a mic, that I can get for around $40-50. And I want to make sure the dealer is authorized this time. I really don't want to support Sennheiser now.
The Big Rig
Member
They look nice. Do you have any experience with them?
Technosteve
Banned
How are Grado's build quality these days? I had a pair of SR60's for years untill everything started fall apart on it but i abused them every day. Think i might get a better pair but i mainly use it with my iphone on the road.
Technosteve said:
I honestly dont think theyve changed much in the past couple years. same metal band and vinyl headband on the midrange models.
still the messy glue job squeezed out between the driver and housing (even on the $1700 PS1000s when you check pictures online). same plastic housings for the metal rods that adjust the driver positions.
theres not many complaints of their stuff breaking more these days but its still built with an eye towards economy and no-frills design.
The Big Rig
Member
I've seen MEElectronics in the thread a lot. If the build quality is decent, I might go with these.HiResDes said:
Technosteve
Banned
LCfiner said:
=/ i would pay a premium for them to just build the thing out of metal instead of the gundam plastic kits construction. I wonder if they still manufacturing from brooklyn, they sent me a bunch of extra parts when i mailed them about my shit falling apart. Except for the foam padding i had to pay for the premium pads.
edit....
http://www.headphile.com/page5.html
hmmmmmmmmmm
theres not many options with Grado if you dont want plastic. even the 300 dollar 325is have plastic driver housings with metal cups.
you need to find a super rare HF-2 model to get wood driver housings and metal cups.
I like the look of their wooden models, as that old fashioned design seems to click with me when made out of wood. but Id love it if they would update some of the things that are still cheap on the high end models - like the cable crimping on headphone cord, the lack of stops on the rods that causes the drivers to spin around and get tangled up.
but, man, that sound...
you need to find a super rare HF-2 model to get wood driver housings and metal cups.
I like the look of their wooden models, as that old fashioned design seems to click with me when made out of wood. but Id love it if they would update some of the things that are still cheap on the high end models - like the cable crimping on headphone cord, the lack of stops on the rods that causes the drivers to spin around and get tangled up.
but, man, that sound...
LCfiner said:
My SR225's broke. Cracked ring, separation right between the D and O in "Grado Labs". However, nothing was loose and it did not affect the sound one bit. Stuck em up on head-fi when i got the beyer itch, listed them for 95 since they were "broke", and they lasted all of a half second. I literally got 6 pms in the span of like 5 mins and had them sold before I left my chair. Still kicking, according to the guy i sold em to nearly 2 years ago. So crappy build quality, but "durable"
Technosteve
Banned
Please PM me if they ever do a HF3 =/
Technosteve
Banned
the only AKG i visually like are the K1000 but they don't make those anymore.
HiResDes said:
I wish I could hear the AKG 701s without having to buy them as they seem very polarizing.
apparently very transparent and with great detail but also boring? I suppose it depends on the expectations someone has with high end headphones.
If theres one thing no Grado will ever be referred to is boring.
I got my SR-60s in 2004 and they're only now becoming unlistenable. The Y-connector has I guess been stressed too much and the right cup doesn't work at all unless I hold the wire in a really severe position. I need to get around to contacting Grado somehow, but a quick Googling didn't come up with any easy way.Technosteve said:
I was lucky enough to have a friend that let me try his 701s. They are nice and great lookers imo but it is not a sound signature I'd want to listen to enough for the price. I can see(hear) why people like them.LCfiner said:
I wish there were store in North America that you could try lots of headphones at.
I searched but did you do the wooden cups mod to your alessandro headphones? Do they look super rad now?
MacGurcules
Member
Of the six sets of SR-60's I've known, I've had to replaced the plug on five of them. This was seven or eight years ago, though. I will say that their spare construction does make rewiring them pretty easy.
My Brother is looking for a new pair of headphones. Would you suggest the Sennheiser Hd201/3's?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003LRN53I/?tag=neogaf0e-20
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007XJSQC/?tag=neogaf0e-20
Edit: Anyone?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003LRN53I/?tag=neogaf0e-20
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007XJSQC/?tag=neogaf0e-20
Edit: Anyone?
I just got my TMA-1s today. Oh. My. God. Incredible sound, could not be happier. I can't stop listening to them. They sound amazing. Incredibly comfortable, and I hear things in songs that I didn't even know was there. Everything is very crisp, and it sounds like it should. Nothing is too overbearing, seems pretty great all around to me. Also very comfortable, and after I wear them for a while, it's as if they're not even there.
Oozinator said:
And that's the problem of all of Hi-Fi and Head-Fi. How do you get those damn thing to output sound that sounds just like the original?
The best headphones for that task are currently Stax headphones. Safeguard your wallet... or beware if you are weak of heart.
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