The Headphone Thread

[Stephen]

What do you want out of your headphones?

What will you be using them for, where, and do alot of headphones feel uncomfortable?

[StrokedSix]

This thread kinda inspired me to get a nice set of closed headphones i can use to listen to all kinds of music while at work, home, or traveling. Here's what i'm looking at right now...

Denon AH-D2000

Sony MDR-V6

M-Audio Studiophile Q40

Audio-Technica ATH-M50

Shure SRH840

dbi Pro 700

Equation RP-21


i know the price range on these is rather big. i might try out the dbi PRO 700 since it seems like a popular budget headphone on headphone forums. if i don't like them then i can step up to something more expensive.

speak up if you have any opinions on any of these or any other suggestions.

i would primarily be using these without an amp and just out of a computer or mp3 player... i might get an amp sometime later.

[csermonet47]

Here yah go: http://cgi.ebay.com/Valve-Class-A-Tu...#ht_5807wt_958

I can only find them on ebay though. They got really good reviews.

[Stephen]

^link?

I did order a Fiio e5 a little while back. pretty basic low end amp. But for 18$ shipped, whatever, ive heard good things, especially at the price.

[csermonet47]

I want one of those little tube ones for like 50 bucks. The Bravo Audio ones. They have good reviews and look cool as shit. Tubes are where its at too.

[z31maniac]

^ excellent.




Grado Sr80s came today. Better highs, tons of detail and separation to my ears. However the bass does not kick my ass like it does on the V6s. Overall, i think i like the sr80s, but this is first impression. My guess is the V6s will be great for travel (foldable/isolation) but alone at home i think the Sr80s will be better. Maybe the amp can add a little more bottom end as well

Yes, a quality amp will help big time with the bottom end, and help the overall clarity and response.

There are a couple of very good affordable amps on headphones.com.

[csermonet47]

I tried out the Beats By Dre and was pretty unimpressed. I think they are very overpriced personally.

I have Sennheiser HD485s which I think for 80 bucks you can't go wrong. I tried my friend's HD595s and thought they even though they had more clarity, they were really lacking in bass.

[fiftytakedowns]

The new "beats by dre" headphones are rediculous. I go inot best buy with my ipod just to jam out to them.
200 though

[Stephen]

^ excellent.




Grado Sr80s came today. Better highs, tons of detail and separation to my ears. However the bass does not kick my ass like it does on the V6s. Overall, i think i like the sr80s, but this is first impression. My guess is the V6s will be great for travel (foldable/isolation) but alone at home i think the Sr80s will be better. Maybe the amp can add a little more bottom end as well

[z31maniac]

Don't know why I didn't see this earlier.

I've got a pair of SR60s that I use here at work with no amp. They sound great, just don't quite have the bass punch, although an amp helps big time. I've had a chance to listen to them through a few different amps.

I'm planning on stepping up to the 225s and a nice amp eventually.

I HATE closed back headphones, they lose their presence/openness. At least all the ones I've listened to.

[Bimmerman325i]

^ Awesome stuff man, how does the amp affect the sonys? Since i have almost the same headphone. I actually bumped my order from the fiio e3 to e5 amp. Still, pretty small entry level stuff, but i wanna see how it changes the sound.


Anyone on head-fi.org? Granted i have all of 4 posts and dont go on much

Ha thanks!

It makes a good difference but not a whole lot. The Sonys are pretty low impedance from what I can tell and don't get a ton out of the amp. They do sound cleaner and have more bass but they're not night and day different like the Shures are. The amp does let you listen to lower volumes with better clarity and dynamic range compared to before though, so that's a plus.

Despite the Shures' low impedance they can't get enough current and power from an ipod unless it's turned up waaaaay too loud. Loud + IEM = deaf, and I already don't need help in that area. The amp gives the little midgets more than enough current and power to actually sound the way they're supposed to even at low volumes. With the amp the cans actually had bass.

I think the V6s and 7506s sound pretty much the same, the difference lies in the durable exterior.

[Eurospec]

My collection, albeit very small.

Sennheiser HD-555


Westone UM2

[AlarmedBread]

I've got the MDR V500's,

+1, good old stand by

Recently been getting more into 5.1 phones, current favorite is the TRITTON 5.1 Pro. Uses 3.5mm jacks so it's easily adjustable. Fairly impressed with them using realtek alc889. For $65 I'm glad I tried them, but still wary about the longevity based on reviews.



Had logitech g35 before and returned due to hardware issues with them, though they were nicely built and once the minor issues are fixed they will be nice. No individual speaker adjustment and a high pitched tone when using the mic was enough to ditch them.

[alpinee30m50]

I rock earbuds unless im at home, and just got a pair of klipsch S4. For 85 bucks, they are the best buds ive ever heard and far better even than some in the $200 range

[Stephen]

^ Awesome stuff man, how does the amp affect the sonys? Since i have almost the same headphone. I actually bumped my order from the fiio e3 to e5 amp. Still, pretty small entry level stuff, but i wanna see how it changes the sound.


Anyone on head-fi.org? Granted i have all of 4 posts and dont go on much