Headphone Thread.

[Doyniish]

Good Schiit! I haven't had an opportunity to hear the TH900 yet.

Here's my stack:

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Beautiful!

[radio_killah]

Padawan what amps/dacs are you running? After you get ample head time let me know what you think of the HE400i's bass. Personally I am a bit underwhelmed  but everything else about it is great, the highs are so clear, the mids are full and the sound stage on them is fantastic. I really need some closed headphones 

Interestingly enough... a suggestion given to me by someone else here on GH was perfect for adding the right kind of bass to the HE400i/560.

If you use windows go to your sound devices> right click on your device> go to device properties> enhancements > check Bass Boost and apply settings.  You can also EQ it yourself by cutting the low mids, mids, highs by at most 8dB and then compensating with more amp volume.

Just tried the bass boost option, unfortunately, I didn't like it...  . To me it just messed with the sound too much, everything else became muted and the bass felt artificially lifted. The bass without any enhancements is still great I just wish it had a bit more head rattle. Thanks for that heads up though, I will probably play around with it a little more.

[Binge]

Padawan what amps/dacs are you running? After you get ample head time let me know what you think of the HE400i's bass. Personally I am a bit underwhelmed  but everything else about it is great, the highs are so clear, the mids are full and the sound stage on them is fantastic. I really need some closed headphones 

Interestingly enough... a suggestion given to me by someone else here on GH was perfect for adding the right kind of bass to the HE400i/560.

If you use windows go to your sound devices> right click on your device> go to device properties> enhancements > check Bass Boost and apply settings.  You can also EQ it yourself by cutting the low mids, mids, highs by at most 8dB and then compensating with more amp volume.

Just tried the bass boost option, unfortunately, I didn't like it...  . To me it just messed with the sound too much, everything else became muted and the bass felt artificially lifted. The bass without any enhancements is still great I just wish it had a bit more head rattle. Thanks for that heads up though, I will probably play around with it a little more.

Yeah it is food for thought. EQ is much better if you cut, and the Microsoft bass boost is a great example of that ideology.   It reduces the low mids mids and highs by -4dB.  All things considered you may only need a good 1-2 dB cut instead.  The 400i have a fantastic sound, and my wife likes them stock.  I think on my O2/ODAC the bass boost is almost necessary if I want to relax.

[radio_killah]

Padawan what amps/dacs are you running? After you get ample head time let me know what you think of the HE400i's bass. Personally I am a bit underwhelmed  but everything else about it is great, the highs are so clear, the mids are full and the sound stage on them is fantastic. I really need some closed headphones 

Interestingly enough... a suggestion given to me by someone else here on GH was perfect for adding the right kind of bass to the HE400i/560.

If you use windows go to your sound devices> right click on your device> go to device properties> enhancements > check Bass Boost and apply settings.  You can also EQ it yourself by cutting the low mids, mids, highs by at most 8dB and then compensating with more amp volume.

Just tried the bass boost option, unfortunately, I didn't like it...  . To me it just messed with the sound too much, everything else became muted and the bass felt artificially lifted. The bass without any enhancements is still great I just wish it had a bit more head rattle. Thanks for that heads up though, I will probably play around with it a little more.

Yeah it is food for thought. EQ is much better if you cut, and the Microsoft bass boost is a great example of that ideology.   It reduces the low mids mids and highs by -4dB.  All things considered you may only need a good 1-2 dB cut instead.  The 400i have a fantastic sound, and my wife likes them stock.  I think on my O2/ODAC the bass boost is almost necessary if I want to relax.

Yeah the 400i has a very lovely sound signature. They are so much more clear than the original HE400's.

Is your O2/Odac in a single housing? When I had my stand alone Odac I actually found that if you plugged headphones straight into the output you would get massive amounts of bass. Like unholy amounts of bass. Just something interesting I found haha.

[Binge]

Padawan what amps/dacs are you running? After you get ample head time let me know what you think of the HE400i's bass. Personally I am a bit underwhelmed  but everything else about it is great, the highs are so clear, the mids are full and the sound stage on them is fantastic. I really need some closed headphones 

Interestingly enough... a suggestion given to me by someone else here on GH was perfect for adding the right kind of bass to the HE400i/560.

If you use windows go to your sound devices> right click on your device> go to device properties> enhancements > check Bass Boost and apply settings.  You can also EQ it yourself by cutting the low mids, mids, highs by at most 8dB and then compensating with more amp volume.

Just tried the bass boost option, unfortunately, I didn't like it...  . To me it just messed with the sound too much, everything else became muted and the bass felt artificially lifted. The bass without any enhancements is still great I just wish it had a bit more head rattle. Thanks for that heads up though, I will probably play around with it a little more.

Yeah it is food for thought. EQ is much better if you cut, and the Microsoft bass boost is a great example of that ideology.   It reduces the low mids mids and highs by -4dB.  All things considered you may only need a good 1-2 dB cut instead.  The 400i have a fantastic sound, and my wife likes them stock.  I think on my O2/ODAC the bass boost is almost necessary if I want to relax.

Yeah the 400i has a very lovely sound signature. They are so much more clear than the original HE400's.

Is your O2/Odac in a single housing? When I had my stand alone Odac I actually found that if you plugged headphones straight into the output you would get massive amounts of bass. Like unholy amounts of bass. Just something interesting I found haha.

It's in a single housing, but I still have outputs for the odac.  The line output will get more harmonic distortion depending on the load put on it, so I really don't appreciate the sound so much.  It's designed to be used with a headphone amplifier's line input.

[Tasker]

Got myself a pair of Bose QuietComfort 15s for xmas. It's my first pair of proper noise cancelling headphones. They might not be as pro as some of the setups going on in this thread but I love them. Really comfortable and great sound (and they seriously help cut out all that noise while I'm walking around the city centre!).

[Sifo]

Scrub life, I got desperate enough to fix my M50s and I'm currently using them until all my stuff comes back from RMA.

[PadawanGeek]

A couple of audio source hardware purchases since I'm done with buying cans (I hope! ). A Schiit Vali and a Light Harmonic Geek Pulse....

[radio_killah]

A couple of audio source hardware purchases since I'm done with buying cans (I hope! ). A Schiit Vali and a Light Harmonic Geek Pulse....

Show Image

Sweet... I am on the payment plan for the Geek Pulse right now. How do you like it so far? Once I get that, I will pretty much be done getting audio gear for a while, It will be just my geek pulse and wa7 fireflies holding it down  :p Also question, in your opinion Padawan, whats the better all around end game, HD800 or Audeze LCD-2/3?

[brimborion]

I have a bunch of headphones, partially because I do home recording, but also just because I like headphones. None of them are terribly expensive, but I have some Grado SR-60s, Sennheiser HD 280 pro, AKG 240, KRK KNS 6400. Sony MDR-7502 Pro, Sony MDR10RNC plus various cheaper ones.

But my favorite right now are quite inexpensive. Koss QZ-99, big, sturdy, tight, passive noise reduction headphones. Some people say they aren't bassy enough, but I prefer not to add too much bass to the source material anyway, and they reduce noise better than my MDR10RNCs, which are fairly good. Also, for recording, they don't leak much sound either, so I don't get a lot of bleed when I am recording vocals.

[Bromono]

What I am rocking right now

[demik]

sold my schiit stack ;_;

need to buy mm2 uber now.

but need to sell my jvc to fund it.

[Bromono]

sold my schiit stack ;_;

need to buy mm2 uber now.

but need to sell my jvc to fund it.

I didn't get the Uber ones. But these mm2's are still amazing. It powers the DT990s wonderfully. But now I have been eyeballing the HD600's..

[demik]

im looking at ubers for the optical out and so i can connect speakers. sometimes i dont feel like wearing headphones

[Bromono]

im looking at ubers for the optical out and so i can connect speakers. sometimes i dont feel like wearing headphones

Hmm good point. I don't have room on my desk for speakers, but would RCA splitters work?

[radio_killah]

sold my schiit stack ;_;

need to buy mm2 uber now.

but need to sell my jvc to fund it.

I didn't get the Uber ones. But these mm2's are still amazing. It powers the DT990s wonderfully. But now I have been eyeballing the HD600's..

Don't fall into the trap of side-grading. Just save up and actually UPGRADE. It is worth it  Something I need to learn as well haha.

[Sifo]

So I've got my Spirit One S and HP50s back now. Not enjoying the sound of the Spirit One S as much as the HP50s, but the HP50s are just too uncomfortable for me to wear long term. Comfort of the Focals are slightly above average. Thinking about selling both of them now :\

[Bromono]

So I've got my Spirit One S and HP50s back now. Not enjoying the sound of the Spirit One S as much as the HP50s, but the HP50s are just too uncomfortable for me to wear long term. Comfort of the Focals are slightly above average. Thinking about selling both of them now :\

What is uncomfortable about them? I thought the DT990's pinched way to much and I could only wear it for about an hour. I left them bent out on some books for 2 days, then used my hand to flex the band a bit more. Heavenly bliss now.

[Sifo]

So I've got my Spirit One S and HP50s back now. Not enjoying the sound of the Spirit One S as much as the HP50s, but the HP50s are just too uncomfortable for me to wear long term. Comfort of the Focals are slightly above average. Thinking about selling both of them now :\

What is uncomfortable about them? I thought the DT990's pinched way to much and I could only wear it for about an hour. I left them bent out on some books for 2 days, then used my hand to flex the band a bit more. Heavenly bliss now.

The clamp + glasses is killing me, and the headband is kinda awkward. Earcups aren't deep enough either, even after doing a spacer mod with cables. Literally my most comfortable set of cans right now are my M50s but I dislike their sound greatly.

[radio_killah]

So I've got my Spirit One S and HP50s back now. Not enjoying the sound of the Spirit One S as much as the HP50s, but the HP50s are just too uncomfortable for me to wear long term. Comfort of the Focals are slightly above average. Thinking about selling both of them now :\

What is uncomfortable about them? I thought the DT990's pinched way to much and I could only wear it for about an hour. I left them bent out on some books for 2 days, then used my hand to flex the band a bit more. Heavenly bliss now.

The clamp + glasses is killing me, and the headband is kinda awkward. Earcups aren't deep enough either, even after doing a spacer mod with cables. Literally my most comfortable set of cans right now are my M50s but I dislike their sound greatly.

Sell them all and upgrade to one better pair?

[Sifo]

So I've got my Spirit One S and HP50s back now. Not enjoying the sound of the Spirit One S as much as the HP50s, but the HP50s are just too uncomfortable for me to wear long term. Comfort of the Focals are slightly above average. Thinking about selling both of them now :\

What is uncomfortable about them? I thought the DT990's pinched way to much and I could only wear it for about an hour. I left them bent out on some books for 2 days, then used my hand to flex the band a bit more. Heavenly bliss now.

The clamp + glasses is killing me, and the headband is kinda awkward. Earcups aren't deep enough either, even after doing a spacer mod with cables. Literally my most comfortable set of cans right now are my M50s but I dislike their sound greatly.

Sell them all and upgrade to one better pair?

That's the  plan!!! but to what?

[radio_killah]

So I've got my Spirit One S and HP50s back now. Not enjoying the sound of the Spirit One S as much as the HP50s, but the HP50s are just too uncomfortable for me to wear long term. Comfort of the Focals are slightly above average. Thinking about selling both of them now :\

What is uncomfortable about them? I thought the DT990's pinched way to much and I could only wear it for about an hour. I left them bent out on some books for 2 days, then used my hand to flex the band a bit more. Heavenly bliss now.

The clamp + glasses is killing me, and the headband is kinda awkward. Earcups aren't deep enough either, even after doing a spacer mod with cables. Literally my most comfortable set of cans right now are my M50s but I dislike their sound greatly.

Sell them all and upgrade to one better pair?

That's the  plan!!! but to what?

Well what is your preferred sound signature? Do you want open or closed? Also what are you driving it with? I am sure comfort is high up there since you mentioned your glasses. Also budget, do you want to spend all the money you make from selling your other cans?

[Sifo]

So I've got my Spirit One S and HP50s back now. Not enjoying the sound of the Spirit One S as much as the HP50s, but the HP50s are just too uncomfortable for me to wear long term. Comfort of the Focals are slightly above average. Thinking about selling both of them now :\

What is uncomfortable about them? I thought the DT990's pinched way to much and I could only wear it for about an hour. I left them bent out on some books for 2 days, then used my hand to flex the band a bit more. Heavenly bliss now.

The clamp + glasses is killing me, and the headband is kinda awkward. Earcups aren't deep enough either, even after doing a spacer mod with cables. Literally my most comfortable set of cans right now are my M50s but I dislike their sound greatly.

Sell them all and upgrade to one better pair?

That's the  plan!!! but to what?

Well what is your preferred sound signature? Do you want open or closed? Also what are you driving it with? I am sure comfort is high up there since you mentioned your glasses. Also budget, do you want to spend all the money you make from selling your other cans?

I'm going pretty all in once I sell them both, all towards new closed cans. Sound signature I like is neutral, maybe some warmth similar to the HP50s. Driving them with E17 for now until I get a stack. The Squad has been recommending me Fostex TH600s

[radio_killah]

So I've got my Spirit One S and HP50s back now. Not enjoying the sound of the Spirit One S as much as the HP50s, but the HP50s are just too uncomfortable for me to wear long term. Comfort of the Focals are slightly above average. Thinking about selling both of them now :\

What is uncomfortable about them? I thought the DT990's pinched way to much and I could only wear it for about an hour. I left them bent out on some books for 2 days, then used my hand to flex the band a bit more. Heavenly bliss now.

The clamp + glasses is killing me, and the headband is kinda awkward. Earcups aren't deep enough either, even after doing a spacer mod with cables. Literally my most comfortable set of cans right now are my M50s but I dislike their sound greatly.

Sell them all and upgrade to one better pair?

That's the  plan!!! but to what?

Well what is your preferred sound signature? Do you want open or closed? Also what are you driving it with? I am sure comfort is high up there since you mentioned your glasses. Also budget, do you want to spend all the money you make from selling your other cans?

I'm going pretty all in once I sell them both, all towards new closed cans. Sound signature I like is neutral, maybe some warmth similar to the HP50s. Driving them with E17 for now until I get a stack. The Squad has been recommending me Fostex TH600s

Those are some nifty cans. Another suggestion would be the Mr. Speakers Mad dogs or Alpha dogs if you can stretch that far.

[MythicalWagyu]

I picked up some Sennheiser HD 598s from Amazon Warehouse Deals for $120... I think I might like them more than my AKG K7XX ($200) - they sound amazing and they're comfy as all ****.    fml

[nubbinator]

I picked up some Sennheiser HD 598s from Amazon Warehouse Deals for $120... I think I might like them more than my AKG K7XX ($200) - they sound amazing and they're comfy as all ****.    fml

I need to try those.  The best headphones I've tried to date are some Beyerdynamics.  I think they were DT 770s.  As soon as I see a pair of DT 770s, DT 880s, or DT 990s down around $100 again, I think I'll be grabbing one.

[radio_killah]

I picked up some Sennheiser HD 598s from Amazon Warehouse Deals for $120... I think I might like them more than my AKG K7XX ($200) - they sound amazing and they're comfy as all ****.    fml

Love love love the 598s. I'll take Senn over AKG any day.

I picked up some Sennheiser HD 598s from Amazon Warehouse Deals for $120... I think I might like them more than my AKG K7XX ($200) - they sound amazing and they're comfy as all ****.    fml

I need to try those.  The best headphones I've tried to date are some Beyerdynamics.  I think they were DT 770s.  As soon as I see a pair of DT 770s, DT 880s, or DT 990s down around $100 again, I think I'll be grabbing one.

I picked up some Sennheiser HD 598s from Amazon Warehouse Deals for $120... I think I might like them more than my AKG K7XX ($200) - they sound amazing and they're comfy as all ****.    fml

I need to try those.  The best headphones I've tried to date are some Beyerdynamics.  I think they were DT 770s.  As soon as I see a pair of DT 770s, DT 880s, or DT 990s down around $100 again, I think I'll be grabbing one.

Might be tough to hit that price point for new pairs but definitely possible with used ones. Any of those 3 would be great.

[MythicalWagyu]

I picked up some Sennheiser HD 598s from Amazon Warehouse Deals for $120... I think I might like them more than my AKG K7XX ($200) - they sound amazing and they're comfy as all ****.    fml

I need to try those.  The best headphones I've tried to date are some Beyerdynamics.  I think they were DT 770s.  As soon as I see a pair of DT 770s, DT 880s, or DT 990s down around $100 again, I think I'll be grabbing one.

Been eying the Beyers as well, thinking a closed headphone like the 770 would be a good compliment to my AKGs, but after being blown away by the 598s I think I'd want to test-drive before buying if at all possible - I need to find a good hi-fi shop in the area to sample some cans! If you ever want to borrow the 598s to test 'em out let me know

[Ludovician]

I use these:
http://www.head-fi.org/products/german-maestro-gmp-8-35-d-monitor-headphone

Had them for a  couple of years now, love em.

[Rayoui]

I prefer the HD598 over the K/Q7xx as well. The AKGs sound a bit thin and harsh with some peaks in the upper mids that make them fatiguing to me. They have a grainy, dry sound. The HD598 is just on the warm side of neutral and has a much more euphonic sound that is never fatiguing.

Picked up a Beyerdynamic T1 last week and I am really enjoying it. It definitely impressed me more out of the box than the HD800 did when I first heard it. I've never heard a headphone with such a buttery smooth midrange that presents with this level of detail and finesse. By comparison, the soundstage of the HD800 is larger in the sense that sounds seem farther away, and somehow less tangible. The T1 places sounds slightly closer with equal positional accuracy and an absolutely mind blowing level of clarity.

It's still a bit to early to decide for sure, but this thing may drive me to liquidate my HD800.

[Sifo]

Damn what a beautiful set up

[MythicalWagyu]

That's some serious headphone porn right there!

[katushkin]

That is a serious bit of kit... So jealous.

[PadawanGeek]

Recently, I called the local distributor of AKG in my neck of the woods, told them I'd lost the screw on adapter for my can. They graciously sent a replacement via mail FOC, I can't tell you how surprised I was with this level of good service, the package arrived today....

Yes, I could simply have used any adapter but the anal guy in me wants an exact fit AKG adapter.....

[Creizai]

I prefer the HD598 over the K/Q7xx as well. The AKGs sound a bit thin and harsh with some peaks in the upper mids that make them fatiguing to me. They have a grainy, dry sound. The HD598 is just on the warm side of neutral and has a much more euphonic sound that is never fatiguing.

Picked up a Beyerdynamic T1 last week and I am really enjoying it. It definitely impressed me more out of the box than the HD800 did when I first heard it. I've never heard a headphone with such a buttery smooth midrange that presents with this level of detail and finesse. By comparison, the soundstage of the HD800 is larger in the sense that sounds seem farther away, and somehow less tangible. The T1 places sounds slightly closer with equal positional accuracy and an absolutely mind blowing level of clarity.

It's still a bit to early to decide for sure, but this thing may drive me to liquidate my HD800.

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Mind me asking what camera are you using?

[Rayoui]

Mind me asking what camera are you using?

It's a Nikon Df with a 50mm Zeiss Planar T

[MythicalWagyu]

Mind me asking what camera are you using?

It's a Nikon Df with a 50mm Zeiss Planar T

Damn, your camera game is as on point as your headphone game!   

[supersoul]

do ear phones count? love my shure se215s

[MythicalWagyu]

do ear phones count? love my shure se215s

I see no reason to discriminate, post 'em up! Seems like you aren't the only one happy with em: http://www.head-fi.org/products/shure-se215

[trizkut]

do ear phones count? love my shure se215s

I have a pair for the gym and my right ear cuts out at certain angles.  I know there's a pin mod but I haven't gotten around to doing it yet.

[hwood34]

So not exactly a headphone question, but I didn't think it warranted a new thread. I want to get a subwoofer for a home setup, what should I look for if I just want to find an old one of Ebay? And this is the amp I have, I'm assuming I'll need a new one?

[katushkin]

So not exactly a headphone question, but I didn't think it warranted a new thread. I want to get a subwoofer, what should I look for if I just want to find an old one of Ebay? And this is the amp I have, I'm assuming I'll need a new one?

A sub for home or car?

[hwood34]

So not exactly a headphone question, but I didn't think it warranted a new thread. I want to get a subwoofer, what should I look for if I just want to find an old one of Ebay? And this is the amp I have, I'm assuming I'll need a new one?

A sub for home or car?

whoops, for home.

[Eszett]

I'm trying to find a wireless pair of headphones that won't cost me a damn fortune..

Me too. JayBird BlueBuds X have good critics, but are way expensive. Any alternatives?

[katushkin]

So not exactly a headphone question, but I didn't think it warranted a new thread. I want to get a subwoofer, what should I look for if I just want to find an old one of Ebay? And this is the amp I have, I'm assuming I'll need a new one?

A sub for home or car?

whoops, for home.

I just have a 5:1 integrated system which works pretty well, but I guess if you have a set of decent speakers already, you are going to want a separate sub...

I'm not that familiar with subs, but I think you may need a new one, as that one puts out only 20W. But I'm not sure.

I'm trying to find a wireless pair of headphones that won't cost me a damn fortune..

Me too. JayBird BlueBuds X have good critics, but are way expensive. Any alternatives?

Over ear or in ear?

[PadawanGeek]

I decided to use my Geek Pulse on my 2nd rig, I replaced it with an iFi iDSD Nano + Lyr stack, liking what I see and hear thus far....oh yeah, since they have that aluminum look, I decided to break out my YoTH again.

[radio_killah]

I decided to use my Geek Pulse on my 2nd rig, I replaced it with an iFi iDSD Nano + Lyr stack, liking what I see and hear thus far....oh yeah, since they have that aluminum look, I decided to break out my YoTH again.

Show Image

I've still got 2 more payments on my geek pulse :( should see it around April though. Can you give some impressions? There are so few reviews out there it makes me worried. Have you heard of lachlan likes a thing? If you haven't try googling it. He is some small reviewer that got a faulty unit and kind of bashed the Geek Pulse.

[PadawanGeek]

I've still got 2 more payments on my geek pulse should see it around April though. Can you give some impressions? There are so few reviews out there it makes me worried. Have you heard of lachlan likes a thing? If you haven't try googling it. He is some small reviewer that got a faulty unit and kind of bashed the Geek Pulse.

I know, that lachlanlikesathing YT reviews he does, and yes, his was apparently a faulty unit. No issue with mine, though I've been warned that I should always power on first, wait a few sec BEFORE plugging in my cans. When you're done listening, always unplug the can first before powering off. I follow that regime and thus have no issue. As for sound, I don't have golden ears, but I do find the Lyr + Nano iDSD stack to have a little more 'weight', plus the tilt towards warmer sound is always welcomed.....to me at least. Mine is the Geek Pulse Standard, no perks and whatnot, it is actually quite a capable unit, sounds pretty good and powerful enough to drive my DT990/600, LCD2.2 and HD800 with ease.

[radio_killah]

I've still got 2 more payments on my geek pulse should see it around April though. Can you give some impressions? There are so few reviews out there it makes me worried. Have you heard of lachlan likes a thing? If you haven't try googling it. He is some small reviewer that got a faulty unit and kind of bashed the Geek Pulse.

I know, that lachlanlikesathing YT reviews he does, and yes, his was apparently a faulty unit. No issue with mine, though I've been warned that I should always power on first, wait a few sec BEFORE plugging in my cans. When you're done listening, always unplug the can first before powering off. I follow that regime and thus have no issue. As for sound, I don't have golden ears, but I do find the Lyr + Nano iDSD stack to have a little more 'weight', plus the tilt towards warmer sound is always welcomed.....to me at least. Mine is the Geek Pulse Standard, no perks and whatnot, it is actually quite a capable unit, sounds pretty good and powerful enough to drive my DT990/600, LCD2.2 and HD800 with ease.

That's good to hear. I would hate to have buyers remorse before I even receive mine lol. But since I got the wa7 my plan is to use the Geek Pulse as a dac since everyone raves over the dac chip used. That's good the amp is powerful but I'm guessing the tubes of the lyr are just too good I'm sure.

[PadawanGeek]

Yep, I'm somewhat into tube rolling, the stock GE tubes were a tad coarse, the Telefunken 6DJ8 I am using now smoothened that coarseness. Even bought a pair of Amperex and am now thing of scoring a couple of Mullard.