-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
$500 cans on, this is how you dream right - Official Headphone Thread
- Thread starter HiResDes
- Start date
Robobandit
Member
Alucrid said:
Well, I had thought I'd like a DAC/amp combo.. then I read that some folks were pairing an E7 and an E9 for the extra power boost that some of the higher-end cans need..
I carry my notebook to work every day (macbook pro) and I was thinking I'd like to be able to throw something like an E7 into the bag with my notebook and use it as a DAC for my klipsch IEMs and plug it in to an E9 at home to use with my PC and notebook at the house.
At home is where I'd be planning to use the new cans, since I can't afford to have audio leakage at the office (I've been thinking about open cans..) and that's a whole setup I don't really want to be lugging around.
Does that sound like a workable plan?
Got my E11 in today! Maybe I am a bass crackhead, because while I really like the bass it produces, it's still not as much as my stereo amp on my PC and I would like more. Definitely a small step up from the E7, if not very similar imo, but the cheaper price is worth it. I'm very satisfied with it.
Should I be using the Gain setting on low or high with my M50?
Should I be using the Gain setting on low or high with my M50?
Robobandit
Member
ok, guys.. I've narrowed down my headphone choices..
At the moment I'm considering the Denon A-HD2000 and the Shure SRH940..
I've been reading that both of these headphones do fine without an amp, but can still benefit from one..
The Denons look like they would be more comfortable, but I'm hearing a lot of good stuff about the Shures, too.
I'll probably get a DAC/Amp later down the road.. but spacing out multi-hundred dollar purchases sounds like a better idea to me than going all-in right now.
At the moment I'm leaning towards the Shure SRH940..
At the moment I'm considering the Denon A-HD2000 and the Shure SRH940..
I've been reading that both of these headphones do fine without an amp, but can still benefit from one..
The Denons look like they would be more comfortable, but I'm hearing a lot of good stuff about the Shures, too.
I'll probably get a DAC/Amp later down the road.. but spacing out multi-hundred dollar purchases sounds like a better idea to me than going all-in right now.
At the moment I'm leaning towards the Shure SRH940..
hmm, Grado just announced a new headphone. the PS500 for 600 bucks. looks just like the limited edition HF2 on the outside and sits in the same professional line as the amazing PS1000. wooden inner shells and metal outer cups but these use the smaller bowls like the RS and SR series.
Im very curious to read how these compare to the other high end Grados.
Im very curious to read how these compare to the other high end Grados.
Robobandit
Member
HiResDes said:
What makes the denon's better for home usage?
Not that I don't trust your advice, I'm just curious. I keep reading about that screw that falls out of the Denons and that you have to send them back for a repair.. and that they haven't fixed it yet..
The_Inquisitor
Member
oh my GOD.
Not only did my Fiio E6 headphone amplifier arrive for my ATH-M50's today, but my pair of AudioEngine A5's did too.
Oh my god...
Not only did my Fiio E6 headphone amplifier arrive for my ATH-M50's today, but my pair of AudioEngine A5's did too.
Oh my god...
Dreams-Visions
Member
TBH, they're just better cans.Robobandit said:
I found the 940's to be somewhat hollow and shrill (sharp) by direct comparison.
You'll find the Denons tend to offer better treble and bass. Mids aren't as strong, though. Also, the Denon's are god-like for watching movies. They're extremely versatile in that regard. Amazing performance for closed cans.
Hey gaf, I'm looking into buying this headset from a fellow gaffer for $150 shipped what is gaf's opinion on it? http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-PlayStation-Headset-Powered-3/dp/B004GCRJRK/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1315358462&sr=8-6
sharkmuncher
Member
Those look classy as hell, but I'm a sucker for the Grado look and sound. I've been considering upgrading from my 80i's to the 325i's for a while now, but damn if those don't make me want to save up a bit more...LCfiner said:hmm, Grado just announced a new headphone. the PS500 for 600 bucks. looks just like the limited edition HF2 on the outside and sits in the same professional line as the amazing PS1000. wooden inner shells and metal outer cups but these use the smaller bowls like the RS and SR series.
Im very curious to read how these compare to the other high end Grados.
mmmm dat button-less screen
Trojita
Rapid Response Threadmaker
When I'm looking through this thread and see people mentioning that they need to use an AMP with their iPhone in order to try and get their headphones loud, I'm wondering how much you guys are fucking up your ears. An amp in a headphone I thought was for making the sound clear and unfucked up when raising the volume.
Robobandit said:
I've owned the D2000's. They're currently in a drawer of my desk because the screws broke on both sides of them, so the cups are no longer attachable. However, this was my own damn fault because I didn't have a headphone stand and kept dropping them on the ground. They're not super durable and only have the one screw holding them together - so they're not ideal for traveling or, well, clumsy people.
If I had been more delicate with them, like I have my D7000's, they'd still be in one piece now. Both are great headphones, though, and I highly recommend you pick up the D2000's. They really feel great on your head and you can't go wrong with them.
Trojita said:
I was surprised how little volume I could get from my iPhone when I hooked up some decent headphones to it. not even really inefficient headphones but decently easy ones to drive like the denon d5000 and a range of higher end grado headphones (RS2, HF2).
So I can see why someone who had even more difficult headphones (like, say, the K701) would need an amp for volume just as much as the improvements in detail, soundstage, etc...
sharkmuncher
Member
Amps have pretty much nothing to do with making the audio louder and more with allowing headphones to reach their full range. Many times you can actually listen at a lower volume with an amp and still get the same dynamic range as with just the source alone.Trojita said:
Also, there are many headphones that simply require more power to be driven properly. Even my ATH-A700s (which are fairly efficient) are only about 75% of the volume of something like apple earbuds at the same volume setting.
hockeypuck
Member
Given the trends in loudness, one might argue that current songs/sources don't have as much dynamic range to begin with. This is why I try to buy older CDs and rip them myself to lossless instead of going to iTunes if I can help it. I've noticed that lossless versions from older CDs are encoded in the 700-800s kbps range while newer, remastered versions are encoded in the 900-1000s kbps range. With a good DAC and amplifier I don't need "help" from remastered versions to get the most from songs and it's a shame.sharkmuncher said:
I myself have been saving up for an RS1, but lately I've been thinking, "fuck it," and going straight ahead to the GS1000. I've been thoroughly enjoying the 325is; highly recommended.sharkmuncher said:
hockeypuck said:
careful, the GS1000 dont share the same grado sound signature. mids are sucked out a bit and theres way more soundstage than in other grados (which might be a good thing but it removes that fun sense of urgency that grados all have).
I guess you may already know this (or may have auditioned the GS1000) but I figure its worth repeating just in case you didnt know. the GS1000 is very much a different type of headphone compared to the typical grado.
Trojita said:
Amps also 'drive' the headphones. A headphone straight out of an iPod might not sound nearly as good as it could with an amp. The lows might by muddy, the highs too bright, they might sound veiled, etc. etc. I generally don't like using amps with iPods for various other reasons though.
Izayoi said:
TubeMagic D1 or Dacmagic.
hockeypuck
Member
I've read about criticisms about the 325is, that it's the most aggressive Grado headphone and that alone can be a deviation from the signature house sound. Probably the brightest sounding Grado ever, everyone says. I still enjoy them. I look at the frequency graphs on Headroom's website and can't help but think that the 325is and RS1i graphs look too similar (albeit graphs are not the end-all-be-all of what is mostly a subjective-based hobby).LCfiner said:
I'm rather curious as to the new soundstage offerings from the GS1000 as Grados have been the only audiophile headphones I've ever used. I personally don't understand what "urgency" means in regards to headphones since the source remains the same. If the distance of the drivers to the ears is what matters to reproduce the signature sound, should I want it, then I can replace the stock ear pads with L-cush ones.
hockeypuck said:
Id say its pretty unanimous that the 325 sound represents the house sound very well. some say its a little too peaky with the treble but its still very much a grado sound.
what I meant by urgency (bad word choice, sorry!) was the collapsed soundstage that makes you feel like youre on stage with the musicians. nothing sounds far away. thats a big part of the grado sound.
the GS1000, by all accounts, gets rid of that.
and be careful about replacing the bowls between the large ones and small ones. drivers are tuned to sound a certain way when placed a specific distance from the ear. if you replace the GS bowls with smaller ones, it might make the bass bloated since the drivers are now pushed up against the ear and were not designed for this.
I can speak from experience by switching around small and large bowls between the HF2 and PS1000. the HF2 works well with the large bowls but the PS1000 does not work well with the small ones.
The only reason why I bring all this up is because you said were thinking of moving past the RS1 and going straight to the GS1000 and I just wanted to point out that its not a clear, simple upgrade like from SR60 to SR325. its more of a side grade and for some people who love the traditional grado sound, the GS1000 could even be considered a downgrade - and its an expensive move to make if you haven't heard them yet.
The_Inquisitor
Member
So running the Fiio E6 on my ATH-M50's via iPhone right now.
Holy fucking shit. The difference is fucking apparent on stock. Haven't really messed with the EQ settings, but god freaking damn....
The bass, treble.... fucking everything feels fuller.
It is also now apparent how fucking bad my x-240's have been, even with a discrete soundcard in my computer. I can't wait to hook my A5's in tomorrow.
Holy fucking shit. The difference is fucking apparent on stock. Haven't really messed with the EQ settings, but god freaking damn....
The bass, treble.... fucking everything feels fuller.
It is also now apparent how fucking bad my x-240's have been, even with a discrete soundcard in my computer. I can't wait to hook my A5's in tomorrow.
Trojita
Rapid Response Threadmaker
So last month or so I was asking for advice for a pair of headphones that were mid-sized, I guess they would be called on-ear headphones, for a macbook air that I was thinking about getting. You guys were mentioning the Grado's. I ended up getting a mac mini instead. Anyways I come here because I was thinking about getting a set of phones, I would like the possibility of using them with a laptop that I take with me and possibly using them in public to listen to an iPod or play a portable game with. I have a pair of ATH-AD700, which really aren't for taking into public. I was looking at the Sennheiser HD598, and they look nice. Unless my eyes deceive me they look stylish and don't seem AS gargantuan as the ATH-AD700's. Anyone know how are they are? I was also thinking about getting the ATH-ES7's instead, but they seem sold out at most places.
Also I was just wondering, the material that is used on most of the Grado's for the cushioning, is that the same material that is used in most headphones? I don't know what you call it but in other headphones they'd make my ears itch.
Also I was just wondering, the material that is used on most of the Grado's for the cushioning, is that the same material that is used in most headphones? I don't know what you call it but in other headphones they'd make my ears itch.
sharkmuncher
Member
Trojita said:
LCfiner said:
I replaced the foam pads on my SR-80s almost immediately with Sennheiser HD414 pads which are quite a bit denser and at least for me quite a bit less itchy than the stock Grado pads. Just a warning about the Grados as portable headphones, they aren't that great for it. That being said, I use mine at work all the time which is in a lab so I am constantly moving around from room to room and its not a huge issue. I just thought I would point out a few things. 1. They are a lot larger than they look in pictures. Not quite ATH-AD700 size, but they still stick of your head a good inch and a half. 2. The cable is a nice heavy duty cable, which is great, however, the 1/8" connector is not so great. Mine blew out after a year because it couldn't support the weight of the rest of the cable when I had my ipod clipped onto my pocket. It was quite easy for me to re-terminate the cable, but I need to fix the connection every 6 months or so because of this problem. I don't want to discourage you from getting Grados, because as far as sound goes, I absolutely love them, just thought I'd give you a heads up onto what you might be getting into.
Spectacular Dr Dawg
Member
Hi. I have a pair of Sennheiser HD 595 headphones and I'm currently trying to put a pc together. Is it worth it to get a internal soundcard, or is the 595 too low end for it to make any difference?
Unknown Soldier
Member
I never knew there were so many Animu-Gaffers in Headphone-GAF.
Hi guyz~
Hi guyz~
So I dropped my Hd555's one too many times and the left ear snapped off.
So now I'm looking for a new set. The primary use is for gaming hooked up to my Creative SB Xfi Xtreme Gamer via 3.5mm audio jack.
Overall I was pretty happy with them, but now I am wondering if there are better options available in the price range. Right now they are $110 which is a bit more than I paid for them two years ago. The thing that I was really impressed with was how well they worked with the XFi CMSS-3D of my soundcard to create a surround sound. Obviously it doesn't even approach an actual surround sound setup, but I still really appreciated it.
So reading the OP it looks like this was because they have a good sound stage since they were open. Is this correct?
$100 is really my budget comfort zone, and if it can be cheaper I'd be happy with that. I don't consider myself much of an audiophile, although now I using my RP-HT722s since they're only other pair of true headphones I own and I am definitely noticing the inferior sound quality.
the only other important thing to mention is I have a pretty big head, like I can't normally find hats that will fit my head in stores. I never had a problem with the HD555's though.
So from the list of suggestions in the OP it looks my best options are the...
HD555
SR80i
AD700
I guess right now I'm torn between wanting the AD700's because they are slightly cheaper and wanting the HD555's because I know them, and I'm also just now learning about modding them. Plus I have an old broken pair to practice the mod on.
So questions boil down to...
1. The ability to create positional audio in the HD555 is due to their openness/soundstage?
2. If 1 is correct, thoughts on HD555 vs SR80i vs AD700s?
So now I'm looking for a new set. The primary use is for gaming hooked up to my Creative SB Xfi Xtreme Gamer via 3.5mm audio jack.
Overall I was pretty happy with them, but now I am wondering if there are better options available in the price range. Right now they are $110 which is a bit more than I paid for them two years ago. The thing that I was really impressed with was how well they worked with the XFi CMSS-3D of my soundcard to create a surround sound. Obviously it doesn't even approach an actual surround sound setup, but I still really appreciated it.
So reading the OP it looks like this was because they have a good sound stage since they were open. Is this correct?
$100 is really my budget comfort zone, and if it can be cheaper I'd be happy with that. I don't consider myself much of an audiophile, although now I using my RP-HT722s since they're only other pair of true headphones I own and I am definitely noticing the inferior sound quality.
the only other important thing to mention is I have a pretty big head, like I can't normally find hats that will fit my head in stores. I never had a problem with the HD555's though.
So from the list of suggestions in the OP it looks my best options are the...
HD555
SR80i
AD700
I guess right now I'm torn between wanting the AD700's because they are slightly cheaper and wanting the HD555's because I know them, and I'm also just now learning about modding them. Plus I have an old broken pair to practice the mod on.
So questions boil down to...
1. The ability to create positional audio in the HD555 is due to their openness/soundstage?
2. If 1 is correct, thoughts on HD555 vs SR80i vs AD700s?
Alucrid said:
Late but really? Only if watched from the high end but certainly not from total performance. Of course, from what I gathered.
Fun thing, so far I have heard the AD500 and the AD900 but not the 700. The 900 is pretty bass shy (not sure if properly burned in) but much more resolved than the 500 which actually do have a nice bottom. I wonder where the 700 is at. Soundstaging on those is huge and wear comfort is second to none. I only have a slight gripe with the highs, a bit much treble energy. But many people don't mind that.
I figured this would be a good place to ask with all the audiophiles in here:
I recently bought a pair of Bose Companion 20 speakers for my PC, but I'm not a huge fan of Bose or the sound these generate. I was eyeing the Audioengine 5s bamboo speakers, but they're $200 more. Would I notice $200 worth of sound improvement, keeping in mind I have an integrated PC sound card and no external driver? Thanks for any help.
I recently bought a pair of Bose Companion 20 speakers for my PC, but I'm not a huge fan of Bose or the sound these generate. I was eyeing the Audioengine 5s bamboo speakers, but they're $200 more. Would I notice $200 worth of sound improvement, keeping in mind I have an integrated PC sound card and no external driver? Thanks for any help.
FoxSpirit said:
Not really, no. The WA6 is not low end, imo. the Fiio E9 amp at 130 is low-end but still works great
its true that there are some crazy 5K amps out there but they make up such a tiny percentage of sales that I think its fair to say the WA6 is high end. (perhaps mid-fi level, based on price alone)
Dice
Pokémon Parentage Conspiracy Theorist
Dice said:
Oh, and Ive read very good things about the new Beyerdynamic DT1350, similar the cans you posted (but its at the top of Gilas price range)
http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/awesome-beyerdynamic-dt-1350
Robobandit
Member
Well, my gaming headset just broke this morning..
so I did some poking around locally.. and ended up at Guitar Center checking out a pair of SRH840s.
Somehow they ended up coming home with me..
If they don't prove to be uncomfortable, I'll probably end up keeping them and then save up some money for a decent-to-good desktop amp that will open up more headphone choices.
so I did some poking around locally.. and ended up at Guitar Center checking out a pair of SRH840s.
Somehow they ended up coming home with me..
If they don't prove to be uncomfortable, I'll probably end up keeping them and then save up some money for a decent-to-good desktop amp that will open up more headphone choices.
Similar threads
- Locked