Headphone Thread.

[scotprice]

i just got  some audio technica ath-m50's.  so far they are better than any other headphone Ive ever tried.  im looking forward to seeing how far down the rabbit hole good headphones will take me.

[FoxWolf1]

Oh hey, somehow I didn't notice this thread before.

No pics, since I don't feel like cleaning off my desk right now, but running Mad Dogs + Racoon SG-300 here.

[kekman]

auditioning some higher end headphones gave me a greater appreciation of my dt990s, they still fared extremely well against hd800, 800 S, and even stax sr-009. also, very pleased with how well my anedio D1dac/amp setup does against sennheiser hdva800, and a marantz hd-dac1 and stax srm007. imo the D1 performs slightly better than even the hdva800, which is a pleasant surprise considering the cost difference, as well as how much i paid for my D1

[Sifo]

Yeah I wasn't totally blown away by the HD800 when I got to briefly demo them at a local meet up (ironically it was a keyboard meet). I do wanna try the 800S though!

[kekman]

Yeah I wasn't totally blown away by the HD800 when I got to briefly demo them at a local meet up (ironically it was a keyboard meet). I do wanna try the 800S though!

not enough difference to justify the huge markup... tbh even switching immediately from one to the other it was insanely hard to notice any difference...

I do however greatly prefer the HD800 to pretty much every headphone I've tried. I'll probably go back in a few weeks time to test out the LCD series and Hifiman's higher end stuff (only tried up to 400S) and see whether my preferences change to planars.

[funderburker]

Anyone here has ordered/owns the "best bang for buck" earbuds (VE Monk Plus) everybody is raving about? Maybe you can tell a bit the earbuds - are they something WOW! or are they just above average for 5 bucks?

Have read good reviews about the sound and stuff so I ordered one pair. Would be used for bike riding probably, so I can hear the surroundings and still have some random guitar solos in my mind at the same time.

[PadawanGeek]

auditioning some higher end headphones gave me a greater appreciation of my dt990s, they still fared extremely well against hd800, 800 S, and even stax sr-009. also, very pleased with how well my anedio D1dac/amp setup does against sennheiser hdva800, and a marantz hd-dac1 and stax srm007. imo the D1 performs slightly better than even the hdva800, which is a pleasant surprise considering the cost difference, as well as how much i paid for my D1

I have the DT990 Premium and it does hold up well against the HD800, but I do feel that the HD800 is more resolving and add to that, its well known soundstage separates it from the DT990. I listen to them on my Oppo HA-1 (and sometimes on my Gustard X12/H10 stack) and the difference between the two is subtle but appreciable.

[davkol]

TIL Sennheiser HD 650 cable works with HD 25. There are such cables for $15 on eBay, and they actually look good.

[klennkellon]

I've been using a pair of beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro 80's since my freshman year of highschool. (5 years ago) They're really nice headphones. A noticable bass emphasis with very sparkly highs but recessed mids. Large soundstage for a closed headphone and overall have an open sound but still isolate well. Velour pads are super comfy but I think they are a little too heavy for me and the cable is too stiff and likes to coil up.

I'm wanting to buy a pair of Sennheiser RS-220 or 180's next, I've heard they are very similar to the HD-600 or HD-650 but they are wireless.

[Carcharocles]

My MDR-7506's broke after an incident, and I decided that I might want to try a different set. Behold, the ATH-M40x. Not used to the flatter sound, but it's also still burning in. That said, the sound is much less fatiguing than the Sony's. There's less of a mid-bass hump, so I don't get that punchy effect, but the highs are clearer and the base itself is much more well-rounded. A day or so of burning in and I'll update how they sound.

I did steal the Beyerdynamic Velour pads from my Sonys and put them on this headphone. No clue how it changed the sound since I didn't listen to them before hand, but Head Fi seems to think it improves them a bit.

The headphones also come with 2 detachable cables--a long straight one that can plug into an iPod, iPhone, tablet or really anything with a 3.5mm jack, and a coiled one with a much larger jack meant for higher end stereo setups.

[funderburker]

xpost.

Just wanted to share what I got today! Well, they are impressive for 5 bucks, that's for sure. Wanted to try some earbuds after a long time. This are alright but need a little more time to get used to them.

[tjcaustin]

Can't wait for padawan to get the new focals that are coming out next month.

[Sifo]

^

[dannrawr]

My cable for my custom one pro is broken and i need to change the pad too. Fml


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[PadawanGeek]

Can't wait for padawan to get the new focals that are coming out next month.

Just send me the 3999USD and I'd get it......for sure!

[tjcaustin]

Can't wait for padawan to get the new focals that are coming out next month.

Just send me the 3999USD and I'd get it......for sure!

Well, I'm getting the Elears probably, sooo no?

[Carcharocles]

Thought I'd update since I said I would. The M40x are very nice, probably a bit better than the 7506. However, due to their angled drivers they can sound rather... claustrophobic? Well, they just don't have good sound stage. But for something I spent 75 bucks on, I'm happy with what I got: clear highs, good mids, and controlled bass that isn't overemphasized. I wouldn't say they sound flat per se (I've heard they have a rather v-shaped sound profile), but they definitely sound flatter than my 7506's. Definitely a bit of an improvement in my opinion.

[PadawanGeek]

Well, I'm getting the Elears probably, sooo no?

Perhaps the Elears, but not so soon though....gonna wait for more feedback first.

[DALExSNAIL]

So my dog broke my cheap audio technicas, so I decided to grow a few and buy this. Hope it was a good decision lol



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[missalaire]

So my dog broke my cheap audio technicas, so I decided to grow a few and buy this. Hope it was a good decision lol

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Which pair of Fostex are those?

[DALExSNAIL]

So my dog broke my cheap audio technicas, so I decided to grow a few and buy this. Hope it was a good decision lol

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Which pair of Fostex are those?

T40rp mk3

Kinda wanted t50s but these were the only set with prime.

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[PadawanGeek]

T40rp mk3

Kinda wanted t50s but these were the only set with prime.

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First thing you've gotta do when you get the T40RP is to swap out the stock pads with Brainwav or the Alpha pads. The stock pads on my T50RP Mk2 was pretty uncomfortable, treble sounded a tad harsh and grainy, mids was too forward and bass was somewhat lacking. When I'd swapped out the stock pads with a pair of Alpha pads, it made a world of difference. Suddenly treble had smoothed out, mids was more balanced and bass was accented......and the Alpha pads were soooooo comfortable to boot!

Oh yeah, I just wanted to share my experience with the good peeps here regarding EMI interference resulting in audio distortion. The electrical supply to my area is rather 'dirty' resulting in a watery, crackling noise when my Oppo HA-1 and KRK Rokit5 are powered on, I could hear this distortion when the volume is set to my usual listening level  which isn't that loud with nothing playing. It got worse when I played my usual games (UT3 and Serious Sam HD), especially so with UT3. I'd believe it was some sorta coil whine and figured I couldn't do anything about it (the Oppo tech guy whom had visited me told me that my setup was definitely noisy). So, the other day, I was at the local tech mall and whilst waiting for my friend, I decided to buy some ferrite chokes (see below)

I then clamped these puppies onto the power cables on my Oppo HA-1, speakers, even the PSU cable and all thos annoying distortion vanished. Man, these ferrite chokes (about 1.40USD each) are really lifesavers, saved me from going mad with those distortion (strangely, I don't hear it with my cans on). I've read that KRK speakers are known to be quite susceptible to EMI and the chokes eliminated that issue. Pretty stoked to have found a cheap and good fix for the issue I was having.

[DALExSNAIL]

T40rp mk3

Kinda wanted t50s but these were the only set with prime.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

First thing you've gotta do when you get the T40RP is to swap out the stock pads with Brainwav or the Alpha pads. The stock pads on my T50RP Mk2 was pretty uncomfortable, treble sounded a tad harsh and grainy, mids was too forward and bass was somewhat lacking. When I'd swapped out the stock pads with a pair of Alpha pads, it made a world of difference. Suddenly treble had smoothed out, mids was more balanced and bass was accented......and the Alpha pads were soooooo comfortable to boot!

Oh trust me I knew about the pads



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[missalaire]

T40rp mk3

Kinda wanted t50s but these were the only set with prime.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

First thing you've gotta do when you get the T40RP is to swap out the stock pads with Brainwav or the Alpha pads. The stock pads on my T50RP Mk2 was pretty uncomfortable, treble sounded a tad harsh and grainy, mids was too forward and bass was somewhat lacking. When I'd swapped out the stock pads with a pair of Alpha pads, it made a world of difference. Suddenly treble had smoothed out, mids was more balanced and bass was accented......and the Alpha pads were soooooo comfortable to boot!

Oh trust me I knew about the pads

Show Image

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Where can you buy the Alpha pads by themselves?

[tjcaustin]

https://mrspeakers.com/shop/3-accessories/alpha-pads-genuine-lamb-leather/

[do_Og@n]

Finally got an AMP/DAC...now I'm looking to purchase some new headphones. Stuck between the new Fostex TR90's, HiFiMan HE400s, or the AKG K553 Pro.

Unless of course one of you has a better suggestion?

[tjcaustin]

Finally got an AMP/DAC...now I'm looking to purchase some new headphones. Stuck between the new Fostex TR90's, HiFiMan HE400s, or the AKG K553 Pro.

Unless of course one of you has a better suggestion?

I like the fidelio x2 a bit more than any of those three, but if I were to have two pair of headphones, the k553 would be the second pair.  I'd mod the cable almost immediately, though, but yeah.  Another closed option that seems to be past fotm is the meze 99 classics, but I haven't had an urge to buy them myself yet.

[do_Og@n]

Finally got an AMP/DAC...now I'm looking to purchase some new headphones. Stuck between the new Fostex TR90's, HiFiMan HE400s, or the AKG K553 Pro.

Unless of course one of you has a better suggestion?

I like the fidelio x2 a bit more than any of those three, but if I were to have two pair of headphones, the k553 would be the second pair.  I'd mod the cable almost immediately, though, but yeah.  Another closed option that seems to be past fotm is the meze 99 classics, but I haven't had an urge to buy them myself yet.

I'll look more into the Fidelio x2. Haven't done much research on them yet. Just looked up the Meze 99 Classics since I've never heard of them and WOW...those look amazing. Might have to save up a little more.

Thanks TJ!!!

[do_Og@n]

Has anyone heard of this brand of headphone before?

http://www.bravoheadphones.com/

[kekman]

Has anyone heard of this brand of headphone before?

http://www.bravoheadphones.com/

nope. and I'm having trouble seeing how they've managed to make an electrostatic headphone that doesn't require an amp...

[do_Og@n]

Has anyone heard of this brand of headphone before?

http://www.bravoheadphones.com/

nope. and I'm having trouble seeing how they've managed to make an electrostatic headphone that doesn't require an amp...

So after reading more into these headphones I found that their drivers were created by a company called Verisonix. Interesting company and some really good looking headphones.

http://www.verisonix.com/ <- if anyone else is interested.

[letsjigsrocks]

Just VE monk plus  (indoor) and VJJB V1 (for outdoor).

[[Lewynlight]]

Koss PortaPros plugged into my motherboard's onboard audio. Supa hi-end, yo.

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same with me. except kramer mod, recabled, and i'm plugging it with an ipod :p

[pmck]

i just got  some audio technica ath-m50's.  so far they are better than any other headphone Ive ever tried.  im looking forward to seeing how far down the rabbit hole good headphones will take me.

Hows the build quality, I don't know why but I'm a little skeptical about picking up a pair.

[kekman]

i just got  some audio technica ath-m50's.  so far they are better than any other headphone Ive ever tried.  im looking forward to seeing how far down the rabbit hole good headphones will take me.

Hows the build quality, I don't know why but I'm a little skeptical about picking up a pair.

very solid, shouldnt have any problem with tossing them around. owned them for nearly half a year with 0 issues, only thing worthy of note is that the clamping force is quite high and eventually lead me to sell them.

[bmilcs]

First time post here :O

These bad boys are sadly going back to make room for my HD650s. I just sold my Poker and Pulse combo and looking to build my first proper amp: Bottlehead Crack Speedball combo

[do_Og@n]

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First time post here :O

These bad boys are sadly going back to make room for my HD650s. I just sold my Poker and Pulse combo and looking to build my first proper amp: Bottlehead Crack Speedball combo

I just barely got myself a pair of HD600's and LOVE them!!! Saving up for a proper amp as well. Have my eyes set on the Project Ember 2.1.

After that I'm debating on the Hifiman HE560 or Audeze LCD-2.

AMAZING photos btw.

[PadawanGeek]

While I'm on a headphone buying hiatus, I was in another forum recommending some cheap China made IEM's I'd read about (TFZ Series 1/2/3, Knowledge Zenith aka KZ, etc) when it struck me that I'm recommending stuff that I'd had no experience with. Well, I decided that it was time to muck around with IEM's, and cheap ones at that! I'd gone out to grab two pairs from the KZ Acoustics range - ZS3 and ED12. Though I'm having a proper seal issue with the ZS3 with the supplied ear tips (will remedy this, and improve on the ED12 by getting Comply tips), the KZ ED12 is proving to be quite true of what I'm hearing in the various forums here in my neck of the woods. They do sound good! Initial impression of the ED12: Nice almost balanced sound with a hint of forward mids and a touch bass boost (tight and NOT at all loose), it's warm sounding to me....will do further listening on my HM901s with Discrete Amp card.

[duynguyenle]

Are earbuds accepted here? Anybody using Ultimate Ears TF10 or UE900? 

[PadawanGeek]

Just remembered I have an old high end cable in my drawer, I was using it with a Noble Audio Savant a while back, sold it and dumped the cable into my drawer. Anyway, the cable is an Effect Audio Thor Silver 8 Conductor cable and is pretty high end, I'm tickled pink as this is the first time I have a cable attached to an IEM which costs way, way, waaaaay less than the cable itself.

[Sifo]

Just remembered I have an old high end cable in my drawer, I was using it with a Noble Audio Savant a while back, sold it and dumped the cable into my drawer. Anyway, the cable is an Effect Audio Thor Silver 8 Conductor cable and is pretty high end, I'm tickled pink as this is the first time I have a cable attached to an IEM which costs way, way, waaaaay less than the cable itself.

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sell me cable for cheep ;'(

on an equally serious note, does the cable actually make a sound quality difference? I've only experienced this with headphones, but all the CIEM cables I see are expensive as ****.

[PadawanGeek]

sell me cable for cheep ;'(

on an equally serious note, does the cable actually make a sound quality difference? I've only experienced this with headphones, but all the CIEM cables I see are expensive as ****.

Can't comment about the ED12 + Thor Silver, but I'd initially not put much stock into this 'cable makes a difference' talk.....in fact, I'd thought that peeps who believed in this 'myth' are pretty gullible. But (and you knew this was coming), I was pretty surprised, nay, shocked when I'd tried my Campfire Jupiter with stock tinsel cable vs ALO SXC24 cable. Perhaps the tinsel cable sucked, I dunno, but even to a guy like me, who doesn't have the best hearing around, the ALO SXC24 cable seemed to opened up the sound a little more (more 'airy' and better soundstage) and mids seemed to have moved forward by a little. I tried A/B'ing between tinsel and SXC24 hoping that I'd imagined the difference.....picked up on the same differences between time after time. I was told that IEM's respond more positively to changes in cables compared to cans due to the way they are constructed using BA's and crossovers.

[Lansky]

I stumbled upon a pair of second hand Fidelio X1's the other day. The previous owner won them in a contest a while ago, but he only used them a handful of times so they have just been sitting a drawer for like 95% of the time. The original box was missing, but at $59 including shipping, it was too good a deal to pass up.  Even the 'new headphone' smell is still intact.

And I didn't even need more headphones. Damn you, headphone hobby! 

[yowaffle]

I'm sort of a Massdrop addict so my headphones are all from there:

• Fostex TH-X00s (Love them so much)
• AKG K553 Pro (Haven't received yet)
• Final Audio Heaven IIs (IEMs - They're good)

[do_Og@n]

I'm sort of a Massdrop addict so my headphones are all from there:

• Fostex TH-X00s (Love them so much)
• AKG K553 Pro (Haven't received yet)
• Final Audio Heaven IIs (IEMs - They're good)

It's hard to pass up on some of the really good deals Massdrop has sometimes. Almost jumped on the Fostex TH-X00's with the ebony finish.

Since then I have grabbed a pair of HD-700's that are in pristine condition. I'm impressed with the building quality and of course the sound. More closed back the the HD-600's and quite a bit heavier too so I'm having a hard time deciding which to keep. I will probably get the Project Ember II amp before I make my final decision.

@ PadawanGeek - I've looked at the images of your collection and dear god man! You have some mighty nice cans....giggity!

[noisyturtle]

well my O2 finally crapped out on me. It no longer holds a charge, and when I plug it in directly it stays on for only a second or two before bliping out of existence.

[PadawanGeek]

It's hard to pass up on some of the really good deals Massdrop has sometimes. Almost jumped on the Fostex TH-X00's with the ebony finish.

Since then I have grabbed a pair of HD-700's that are in pristine condition. I'm impressed with the building quality and of course the sound. More closed back the the HD-600's and quite a bit heavier too so I'm having a hard time deciding which to keep. I will probably get the Project Ember II amp before I make my final decision.

@ PadawanGeek - I've looked at the images of your collection and dear god man! You have some mighty nice cans....giggity!

DO you really find the HD700 to be heavy? Then you really ought to build up your neck muscles by getting an Audeze LCD series can, they're great for working on and building neck muscles! When I had the HD700 myself, I thought it sounded rather dark, very nice lush bass, but kinda weak on the top end.....ended up sounding rather dark to me.

I was gonna get a Focal Elear later this week, was mentally masturbating over it, kinda hard to just such a purchase in light of the number of great cans I have. Finally decided to ditch the Elear in favor of a 21:9 34" monitor. Gonna check out the few such monitors available here in my neck of the woods. Should be getting one by the end of the week'ish.

[do_Og@n]

It's hard to pass up on some of the really good deals Massdrop has sometimes. Almost jumped on the Fostex TH-X00's with the ebony finish.

Since then I have grabbed a pair of HD-700's that are in pristine condition. I'm impressed with the building quality and of course the sound. More closed back the the HD-600's and quite a bit heavier too so I'm having a hard time deciding which to keep. I will probably get the Project Ember II amp before I make my final decision.

@ PadawanGeek - I've looked at the images of your collection and dear god man! You have some mighty nice cans....giggity!

DO you really find the HD700 to be heavy? Then you really ought to build up your neck muscles by getting an Audeze LCD series can, they're great for working on and building neck muscles! When I had the HD700 myself, I thought it sounded rather dark, very nice lush bass, but kinda weak on the top end.....ended up sounding rather dark to me.

I was gonna get a Focal Elear later this week, was mentally masturbating over it, kinda hard to just such a purchase in light of the number of great cans I have. Finally decided to ditch the Elear in favor of a 21:9 34" monitor. Gonna check out the few such monitors available here in my neck of the woods. Should be getting one by the end of the week'ish.

HD-700's are pretty heavy in general for headphones but I was mostly comparing the weight difference between it and the HD-600's. I have tried on a pair of LCD 2's and I agree...them cans are heavy! I'm loving the HD-700's sound though. The highs aren't as detailed as I would like but that could also be my Fiio e17 not pushing enough power to it. So I'll make my final judgement once I get the other headphone amp.

I would highly suggest the Acer Predator X34. As much as I can vouch that Focal makes some amazing audio equipment....you sir have to many the right amount of headphones.

[PadawanGeek]

HD-700's are pretty heavy in general for headphones but I was mostly comparing the weight difference between it and the HD-600's. I have tried on a pair of LCD 2's and I agree...them cans are heavy! I'm loving the HD-700's sound though. The highs aren't as detailed as I would like but that could also be my Fiio e17 not pushing enough power to it. So I'll make my final judgement once I get the other headphone amp.

I would highly suggest the Acer Predator X34. As much as I can vouch that Focal makes some amazing audio equipment....you sir have to many the right amount of headphones.

I had a pair of LCD2.2 nF, but the weight and the Audeze signature sound didn't quite agree with me, sold it off after 'bout a year or so. That's the great thing about this hobby, everyone's entitled to his/her opinion as to what headphones sound good to him/her. We can agree to disagree amicably, that's what's so great about the audio sub-forum here, everyone respects the opinions of the other, nobody's gotten into a hissy fit simply because you don't agree with them. I'd mentioned this a while back: I was in another audio sub forum where a guy threw a fit when I chose to ignore his 'sagely' advice, insisted I was wrong to buy what I'd bought (an iFi iDSD Micro) and that I should not ignore his advice because he thought of himself as an audio guru in that forum.

Silly me! I didn't realize that the Elear isn't out yet (at least definitely not in my neck of the woods), makes my choice to go with an UW 34" monitor that much easier. And yeah, I'd prolly get the Acer XR341CK  , the one with Freesync, as I'm an ATi/AMD man at heart....

[kiwi99]

Got these in the mail yesterday, pretty sweet headphones.


I could use an amp for sure though so I guess I'll have to look for something lol