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The Official Headphone Thread 2.5: We're Making WAVs and Catching FLAC

Vipu

Banned
You won't be able to get a big upgrade at that price, but something like the Vali 2 would be a better option than the O2 for your amp.

I'd wait until you can stretch for at least a Modi Multibit and a nice amp to pair with it. Vali 2 or wait to see what the upcoming Magni 3 has in store.

I currently have some Asus xonar soundcard so I guess just upgrading dac could be option too?
 
In your opinion, are they better than the 598Cs?

Well keeping in mind its subjective, and taking price into account, yes they are better. They are more comfortable and sound incredible. Its open vs closed so hard to compare directly. Just depends on if open works for your listening environment. If it does, buy the 9500s.

The only issue I have with them is that the treble can be a bit much on certain songs or at certain points in games, but I think its something you get used to fairly quickly.
 
I've never had an issue with their bass quantity actually, especially with tubes. Is it even possible for a headphone to have a soundstage that big and tons of bass slam?

The problem with the HD800 with a lot of pop and modern recordings is that they just sound too bright.

SDR mod and the right equipment fixed that for me. Bright sounding recordings may still sound bright, but otherwise I don't have a problem.

Took me going through a few different equipment combinations to get there though. Finally settled on a Mimby (soon I'll be upgrading my Bifrost to a Bimby) and DNA Sonett. Much cheaper options exist to really get the 800 going. A Mimby/Vali 2 stack is a phenomenal low cost combo, just be sure to swap out the tube in the Vali 2. Personally I liked the EH 6CG7 which is only around $20.
 

matmanx1

Member
They look sexy - is this real Mahagoni?

It is real wood. And after listening to them for a couple of hours last night I honestly can't believe how good they sound for the money. I believe that it is a product of how little distortion there is in the sound but I keep coming back to the word "smooth" to describe them. Needless to say I am thus far thrilled.
 

NotSelf

Member
The TH-X00 are great sounding my only complaints are the stock pad opening is small the pads on denon d2000 are much wider and the stock cable on both are very hard to manage.
 
I'm having the same exact issue as you, please post here if you find a solution. I haven't been able to try a powered hub or non usb powered DAC yet because of life stuff.

Powered USB hub worked! Just got the Amazon basics one, it's actually a really nice unit and only $15. Low buzz when GPU is under load is completely gone. Try it out!
 

matmanx1

Member
Powered USB hub worked! Just got the Amazon basics one, it's actually a really nice unit and only $15. Low buzz when GPU is under load is completely gone. Try it out!

Awesome, glad it worked out for you. I actually have that same hub and for the price it is a good pick.
 

matmanx1

Member
So I'm sitting here and I'm listening to: "Dave Holland Quintet - Extended Play - Live at Birdland" on the TH-X00's and I am shocked at how good it sounds and how much I am enjoying myself. Live at Birdland is just an excellent jazz album but isn't something that I would have normally picked for the TH-X00's. As it turns out their inherent smoothness, clarity and lush midrange really, really work for this album.
 

K.Jack

Knowledge is power, guard it well
Next time the E-MU Teak goes up, I better not be finding out about it as I get home from work, and they've already sold out.
 

Antiwhippy

the holder of the trombone
Yeah if you think the TH-X00 is a lush headphone I wonder how the EMU Teak will sound, because Tyll calls them even more liquid than the TH-X00.
 

nitewulf

Member
So I'm sitting here and I'm listening to: "Dave Holland Quintet - Extended Play - Live at Birdland" on the TH-X00's and I am shocked at how good it sounds and how much I am enjoying myself. Live at Birdland is just an excellent jazz album but isn't something that I would have normally picked for the TH-X00's. As it turns out their inherent smoothness, clarity and lush midrange really, really work for this album.

I love Coltrane's Live at Birdland...you should also check out Dave Brubeck's Time Out and Coltarne's My Favorite Things. I'm glad these worked out for you, when I heard the originals, I realized right away they were quite special.
 
How are Apple's Airpods?

I thought they were expensive at first, but I've been hearing that are the best buys for bluetooth earphones. Convenient too.

I have a pair. They are super convenient (if you have a device running iOS 10). Sound quality is essentially the same as AirPods though. So you are paying the $160 for truly wireless earbuds that work with no hassle on iOS devices, but you aren't getting close to $160 worth of sound quality from them.
 
Guys I just ordered a pair of Philips Fidelio X2/00

After some reading around I learned that there are two different options when it comes to X2s
/00 and /27
and depending on which you get you might get some problems like glued pads and not detachable and so on. Even some imbalance between channels (whatever that means)

Anyone heard about that?

This is my first step into audio world and I got them really cheap, something like 120-125€
(For people in Sweden Elgiganten has them for 1111 SEK) but seemingly the worse deal, not really sure about that.
 

matmanx1

Member
Next time the E-MU Teak goes up, I better not be finding out about it as I get home from work, and they've already sold out.

I know Massdrop is convenient but Chan (the guy responsible for the E-Mu stuff) will custom make you an E-Mu Teak if you email him and send him money via Paypal. No need to wait for a drop.

Yeah if you think the TH-X00 is a lush headphone I wonder how the EMU Teak will sound, because Tyll calls them even more liquid than the TH-X00.

Yeah I would like to hear them.

I love Coltrane's Live at Birdland...you should also check out Dave Brubeck's Time Out and Coltarne's My Favorite Things. I'm glad these worked out for you, when I heard the originals, I realized right away they were quite special.

Great suggestions. I will absolutely check them out. I'm a newbie when it comes to jazz so I appreciate the pointers.
 
So I really like the aesthetics of the on ear bluetooth Beats. However, if I am going to spend that kind of money, I would rather get something that sounds better. Any suggestions for a pair of bluetooth on ear headphones?
 

Ashhong

Member
I think you might enjoy the Narmoo S1 too just because they're bassy as fuck

Are these my best option for bassy IEMs? I want to invest in a pretty decent pair with a budget of around $100 that I can power with my iPhone. The bass doesn't have to be super overpowering, I still want something with a decent soundstage as well. But I want a good punch

Powered USB hub worked! Just got the Amazon basics one, it's actually a really nice unit and only $15. Low buzz when GPU is under load is completely gone. Try it out!

Question, does your monitor happen to have a USB hub? Would you be able to test that as well?
 

K.Jack

Knowledge is power, guard it well
I know Massdrop is convenient but Chan (the guy responsible for the E-Mu stuff) will custom make you an E-Mu Teak if you email him and send him money via Paypal. No need to wait for a drop.

He'll do it for the Massdrop price?

Tyll said he'd gladly pay $200 more for the Teak than he would the X00, but I am not about that life.

Guys I just ordered a pair of Philips Fidelio X2/00

After some reading around I learned that there are two different options when it comes to X2s
/00 and /27
and depending on which you get you might get some problems like glued pads and not detachable and so on. Even some imbalance between channels (whatever that means)

Anyone heard about that?

This is my first step into audio world and I got them really cheap, something like 120-125€
(For people in Sweden Elgiganten has them for 1111 SEK) but seemingly the worse deal, not really sure about that.
how do you even know which you ordered?
 

Antiwhippy

the holder of the trombone
So I really like the aesthetics of the on ear bluetooth Beats. However, if I am going to spend that kind of money, I would rather get something that sounds better. Any suggestions for a pair of bluetooth on ear headphones?

Not on ear, but the sony MDR-1000X is considered really good.
 

nitewulf

Member
He'll do it for the Massdrop price?

Tyll said he'd gladly pay $200 more for the Teak than he would the X00, but I am not about that life.


how do you even know which you ordered?

Two different headphones though...the EMUs are $500 on Massdrop, the X00 are $400.
 

Antiwhippy

the holder of the trombone
$50 increase for removable cables.

Which is worth it, because I think you pay more to get someone to do it for you with the TH-X00.
 

Dart

Member
Can't decide between these headphones;

Sony h.ear wireless

Or

Beats Solo 3 wireless

Or are the Sony mdr-1000x that much better to spend an extra $100?
 

NotSelf

Member
Can't decide between these headphones;

Sony h.ear wireless

Or

Beats Solo 3 wireless

Or are the Sony mdr-1000x that much better to spend an extra $100?


The Beats Solo 3 wireless appear to be on ear having experience with both I generally find over ear more comfortable.
 

HiResDes

Member
Are these my best option for bassy IEMs? I want to invest in a pretty decent pair with a budget of around $100 that I can power with my iPhone. The bass doesn't have to be super overpowering, I still want something with a decent soundstage as well. But I want a good punch



Question, does your monitor happen to have a USB hub? Would you be able to test that as well?

TFZ Series 5


and

Wooduo 2

Should also definitely be considered for bass


But I think at that price range the Astrotec AM850 might be the best all arounder and have enough bass for most people
 

Jabronium

Member
Got my teaks a couple days ago. Just...wow. I haven't tried the ebony cups yet, and I want to get some ZMF pads as well, but even in the limited time I've gotten with them thus far I've been blown away.
 

Mulligan

Banned
Currently in the market for some cans. I'm no audiophile as such but I am massively into music so would like the best sound possible for the price I'm paying. I'm looking at somewhere around the £200 but I can stretch if it's worth the extra.

Would really appreciate a little help here from people in the know. I have read the OP but it hasn't helped too much in narrowing down the choices, although it was informative and pointed me in the right direction.

I've been eyeing up the Sennheiser Momentum 2.0, B&W P5 series 2, B&W P7, Audio-Technica ATH MSR-7, among a few others. What you guys recommend?
 
Are these my best option for bassy IEMs? I want to invest in a pretty decent pair with a budget of around $100 that I can power with my iPhone. The bass doesn't have to be super overpowering, I still want something with a decent soundstage as well. But I want a good punch



Question, does your monitor happen to have a USB hub? Would you be able to test that as well?

Not sure but I'll try when I get home.
 

yonder

Member
Got a raise and a more permanent position at work so I celebrated by finally picking up some Sennheiser HD650s and couldn't be happier. Coming from a pair of Fidelio X1s, although excellent in their own regard, this is a palpable step up in both sound and comfort. Now I just need to get a proper amp...

I also auditioned some HD599s and came away very impressed. I ran both off my Schiit Fulla 1 (so the 650s were not exactly performing at their best), and the 599s came pretty close to the 650s. For someone not interested in getting involved with dacs, amps and all that business, the 599s would be a fantastic allrounder, especially when the price comes down. Compared to the 598s (or rather my memory of having listened to them two years ago), the 599s have more bass, about the same level as the 650s to my ears, and increased clarity. The soundstage was about on par with the 650s in width, but not as tall or deep. Their build quality seemed improved from the 598s too, feeling a bit more solid and "premium".
 

Ashhong

Member

TFZ Series 5


and

Wooduo 2

Should also definitely be considered for bass


But I think at that price range the Astrotec AM850 might be the best all arounder and have enough bass for most people

Awesome thanks! I'll look into these. Im using iPhone ear pods right now and even these when inserted properly have a good amount of bass. Something along the same lines would he nice

Also, I'm considering returning my 558. They're nice and I enjoy the lightweight and open design, but I don't think I need them when I already have M50s. Do you guys think I should instead spend more to get something that's actually a decent step up from the M50? The 558 were only 85$...
 

Innolis

Member
You guys seem super knowledgeable, I'm looking to buy the bose quiet comfort 35. Do you guys suggest or know of a better headset at that price-range? ($350)
 

HiResDes

Member
You guys seem super knowledgeable, I'm looking to buy the bose quiet comfort 35. Do you guys suggest or know of a better headset at that price-range? ($350)
If you need active noise cancelation than there aren't many better except maybe the Sony MDR-1000X. If you don't need extreme isolation then there are definitely better sounding headphones that can be had that cost less. Personally, I never found the active noise canceling to be a good value when I could just buy a hundred dollar IEM that will block nearly as much sound and sound just as good or better.
 
If you need active noise cancelation than there aren't many better except maybe the Sony MDR-1000X. If you don't need extreme isolation then there are definitely better sounding headphones that can be had that cost less. Personally, I never found the active noise canceling to be a good value when I could just buy a hundred dollar IEM that will block nearly as much sound and sound just as good or better.

such as? I too am looking for bluetooth over the ear/top
 
I posted in the thread about gaming headsets, but that thread seems to be getting buried. I'm hoping someone here could help out with some advice. I read the OP a bit, but I'm still not sure what to get. Basically, I'm just looking to get better audio while gaming (and listening to music), have a mic when needed, and not break the bank too much. Any help would be appreciated.

Okay, I was planning on creating this thread so I'm glad it came up. I've been reading people's responses but still feel a bit overwhelmed with all the info and what products to get. Forgive me, I really don't know anything about good audio.

I would like to get these headphones: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0042A8CW2/?tag=neogaf0e-20

For the mic, something like this would work, correct? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ17WKK/?tag=neogaf0e-20

What else do I need to be able to use this setup with my PS4 and Xbox One (I don't have a gaming PC)? Somebody mentioned getting an amp and then there might be a converter needed for the Xbox.
 
Ok guys,
I just came home with my Philips Fidelio X2s and connected them to my main rig and right away I see I have a problem. I have ASUS P8Z77-V PRO motherboard and 6 different colored connections in the back. I only use green one for my cheapo 2.1 speakers.

Now I would like to use both speakers and the headphones but no way I'm gonna crawl behind desk to change cables every time I need to switch.

So I found an old Y-switcher and it works but everything sounds a looot lower (probably as signal splits into two). I have some forward facing 3.5 mm openings but afaik they have never been working, perhaps they are not even connected, but I don't know how to check.

So what is the best and if possible cheapest solution to my problems? It would be perfect if both speakers and headphones were always playing and I could just choose myself what to listen to. Worst case scenario if there was some switch or something.

Also another thing is that headphones sound kinda low even when I crank sound to 100 in Windows. I was expecting "hearloss" (joking), but it is barely loud, and this is with headphones connected directly to motherboard green 3.5mm port so no Y-splitter.
Is that normal or can I do something there as well? I mean my cheap, cheap 2.1 speakers sound very loud from the same port.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 

Dart

Member
The Beats Solo 3 wireless appear to be on ear having experience with both I generally find over ear more comfortable.

Over the ear it is, I went for the Sony h.ear wireless in Viridian blue. In the end I thought they were the most stylish of the 3 plus they just had a recent price drop.

sony-h-ear-on-13.jpg
 

Ashhong

Member
Ok guys,
I just came home with my Philips Fidelio X2s and connected them to my main rig and right away I see I have a problem. I have ASUS P8Z77-V PRO motherboard and 6 different colored connections in the back. I only use green one for my cheapo 2.1 speakers.

Now I would like to use both speakers and the headphones but no way I'm gonna crawl behind desk to change cables every time I need to switch.

So I found an old Y-switcher and it works but everything sounds a looot lower (probably as signal splits into two). I have some forward facing 3.5 mm openings but afaik they have never been working, perhaps they are not even connected, but I don't know how to check.

So what is the best and if possible cheapest solution to my problems? It would be perfect if both speakers and headphones were always playing and I could just choose myself what to listen to. Worst case scenario if there was some switch or something.

Also another thing is that headphones sound kinda low even when I crank sound to 100 in Windows. I was expecting "hearloss" (joking), but it is barely loud, and this is with headphones connected directly to motherboard green 3.5mm port so no Y-splitter.
Is that normal or can I do something there as well? I mean my cheap, cheap 2.1 speakers sound very loud from the same port.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I'm no expert but I did run into this very same problem. Your motherboard is not pushing enough power to run both the speakers and headphones at the same time. Your best bet, other than connecting to the front jack for your headphones, is to use a switch (which I think is best anyway, because why would you want speakers and headphones on at the same time?). I was looking into this item but never got around to buying it

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NTKFKMG/?tag=neogaf0e-20

It'll get the job done. There are other, better looking options out there of course. When I researched online other people told me it's best to get a box with RCA connections, and use a converter for your headphones to RCA
 
So my AKG Y50s messed up (it later transpired to be the cable rather than the actual headphones...)

Purchased some AKG N60's.

So far I'm very impressed by the noise cancelling. I was able to listen to music at a much lower volume with better clarity.

What are the general opinions on the N60's?
 
I posted in the thread about gaming headsets, but that thread seems to be getting buried. I'm hoping someone here could help out with some advice. I read the OP a bit, but I'm still not sure what to get. Basically, I'm just looking to get better audio while gaming (and listening to music), have a mic when needed, and not break the bank too much. Any help would be appreciated.


Your plan is solid, however Sennheisers have a proprietary twist lock mechanism on the cable jack so the v-moda boom mic won't work (unless you want to mod the lock out which I'm assuming you don't want to do).

This will work, it works on my 598 cs:

Boom Microphone Universal Volume for gaming PS4 Xbox One PC Laptop iphone Android phone to Sennheiser HD598 HD558 HD518 Audio-Technica ATH-M50x ATH-M4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IRCRCL2/?tag=neogaf0e-20

Also you may want to have a look at the 598 SE, as those are black instead of tan/brown:

Sennheiser HD 598 Special Edition Over-Ear Headphones - Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0126HISOO/?tag=neogaf0e-20

And as an alternative to the 598, have a look at the Philips shp9500. They are much cheaper ($56 right now on Newegg) and many believe they are just as good. These will accept the v-moda boom mic:

https://m.newegg.com/product/index?itemnumber=N82E16826138190
 
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