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The Official Headphone Thread 2.5: We're Making WAVs and Catching FLAC
- Thread starter HiResDes
- Start date
Phat Michael
Banned
id need a new damn amp to get it so not much. Im pretty happy with what i have now and i havent spent all that much. To get a pair of SR009s and a Blue Hawaii, i think that would be overkill.
Im moving to a loft next year so i want to concentrate on my stereo setup so would rather keep the headphones as is. Ive got 6 sets of headphones, 2 DAC/AMps and a portable DAC/Amp - i think getting any more would just be kinda greedy and i dont need it.
Phat Michael
Banned
Man that is a pretty damn good price, all things considered. Is it worth putting in the extra $300 for a set of open backed EL-8s instead?
Got the Shakes
Member
I am gun shy on pulling the trigger on the 950bt by sony I just think they are so sexy.
I can get them refurb for like $90. Can someone either talk me into getting them or discourage me? Is there a comparably priced Bluetooth headset that looks as good and minimal? (wirless is a must) I am not working out in these.
Glad I saw this since I've been looking for some Bluetooth headphones. All I've seen at Amazon and and Best Buy is the extra bass model. Is that all they make at this point and where is the cheapest place to buy these? Thanks!
Are you after something with a similar sound signature? Also how much are you looking to spend?
I'm pretty sure I told you that the isolation on those is average
Flacracker
Banned
I guess something similar with more base maybe, and at most $200.
AKG K553, Audio-Technica ATH-900, Soundmagic HP150, or NVX XPT100
...Yamaha MT-220 have less isolation, but are probably my favorite closed headphone in your price range.
Just caught Innerfidelity's Oppo PM-3 Review
Phat Michael
Banned
Thanks for the link. Tyll hit it right on the head. Absolute spot on review and easily the best bang for buck headphones money can buy.
He didn't really go into the HA-2 but they pair really well. I have 3 oppo products connected now (using my OPPO find 7 as my source) and it's an incredible gym setup for sure.
Antiwhippy
the holder of the trombone
Now that the Momentums have a few days for me to get used to the sound and also to let the pads soften to mould my head better I've got to say that the bass has been much better. Thought the bass doesn't quite have the impact or quantity I was looking for, but after awhile it totally does. Probably still doesn't beat the v-moda m100 from impressions I've read, but these aren't bass-neutral at all. Really good texture and it has a lack of boominess that colours the mids too.
Phat Michael
Banned
The ATH A900s are an amazing set. They're comfortable and really good to use. Nice and warm and lovely bass as well. I still have my pair and won't sell them as I love the sound.
You would go straight in at the high end? As you are using headphones like EL-8 and Oppo PM-3, then the low end STAX would be an comparatively equal starting point, and if you don't like it, you can probably sell it on for what you paid for it. Don't discount the SRS-2170 if you've not heard it.
I do agree that 6 sets of headphones are probably enough. I'm trying to get down to one pair of open backed for home (STAX SRS-2170), one pair of closed back for travel (Sennheiser HD25-I) and some IEM's (Rockets). I'll keep my other Sennheisers (HD565, HD595) but use for gaming. Edit: And a pair of STAX SR-5 for the office.
The HD565 Ovation are 25 years old, but I refreshed the foam and headband and fixed a loose connection in one of the drivers, so they are now fully functional and just as good as the 595. My first ever decent pair of headphones
Dynamite Ringo Matsuri
Member
Couple of my friends who've heard the Lambda vs. the 007/009 feel that the actual technical differences between the headsets is pretty scant (one of them felt it's probably just 5% overall), with the 007/009 both actually feeling more closed in, if anything. This is driven off of Stax' own amps in a showroom. Not sure what the actual headroom for the 009/007 is with something like the KGSSHV or a Liquid Lightning/BHSE
Phat Michael
Banned
Currently i have:
Headphones:
- Audeze EL-8 Closed back
- Audeze LCD3Fw Norne Draug 2
- Sennheiser HD 800s w Norne Draug 2
- Oppo PM3
- Audiotechnica ATH-A900
- FAD Heaven C IEMs
Amps
- CEntrance Dacmini
- Oppo HA-1
- Oppo HA-2
Yes i dont own any electrostats, but i have a set for pretty much every occasion now, with the LCD3 and HD800s being paired with my desktop AMP/DAC - then using the HA2 with PM3/EL8s when i travel.
It's getting to the point now that id love to hear some new headphones..but i think i have what i need without going crazy and im pretty happy with all those headphones tbh.
REPINGING for a new page
HM5's are pretty damn good in the $100 range, not sure you can do much better, unless you just don't like the rather neutral sound signature.
Once you're happy with what you've got, that's a pretty good place to stop. Nice list.
It was a toss up between EL-8 and the STAX, but to own a pair of headphones that I've wanted since 1985 (original lambda review I saw in What Hifi) and heard in person in 1995, was too good a chance to miss.
Edit: So LCD-3 v HD800? Comparable?
Phat Michael
Banned
Completely different sounds. The HD800s are transparent and completely neutral. I find them slightly bright where the treble can hurt a little bit. The new cables I got for them really compliment them well and I heard they benefit from the warmth of tube amps.
The LCD3Fs are warm and have the audeze bass slam. I love them to death but they are damn heavy and heat your ears up way too much after a short time.
The audeze are just a much more enjoyable sound to me, a lot more fun. I love the EL-8s as well, it's a really nice sound.
For me: Neutral = pm3 and hd800s. Warm, strong bass, hard drums and fun = EL-8 and LCD3Fs
Flacracker
Banned
Thanks! Think I am going to go with the HP150's after doing some research.
Good choice!
nintendork666
Member
My Sony MDR 1R's just came in the mail today. I was able to find a used pair for $100 and jumped on it. This is my first pair of nice headphones, and HOLY CRAP. I've heard some claim the bass is lacking in these - but those highs and mids. Wow. I feel like a whole new world has opened up to me. Listening to FlyLo - You're Dead now. These just sound too good, it's like hearing the album again for the first time.
I don't have the HM5, just the pads
Eanan
Member
Should have bought a pair of Sennheiser urbanites dude for that big bass.
You know since you already have the replacement pads you could get the JVC S680s and replace their stock ones to create a great set at a good value. Otherwise check out the NVX XPT100's if you're looking for something more neutral. The M Audio Q40 is another fantastic headphone in your but really benefits from a bit of amping.
Antiwhippy
the holder of the trombone
I dunno man, style is personal and all that but I don't like how the urbanites look at all. Too bulky and chunky. Seeing that I'm using these as portables I do consider headphones to be fashion pieces.
Their bass definitely bleeds into the mids more as well.
Antiwhippy
the holder of the trombone
Yeah, I used to think I don't mind the mids being recessed but I do enjoy the separation of the mids and bass. Still think the momentums are lacking in treble extension but I'll take that over bass bleeding into the mids.
Though I guess if I want basshead phones bass bleed is kind of point. Still, happy with the momentum's bass for now.
Though I guess if I want basshead phones bass bleed is kind of point. Still, happy with the momentum's bass for now.
Eanan
Member
Thats true as I consider them to be more appealing in the looks than the momentums.
My nation coloured urbanites have gotten a good few compliments since ive got them, they look really nice in person.
Eanan
Member
Has anyone here used or have the Xiamoi piston 2 or the newer piston 3 in ear phones?
If you do, how do they sound for the price (~€15 currently for genuine originals).
I prefer the look of the silver piston 2s:
as opposed to the Piston 3.
I imagine the piston 3s will sound better though.
Any thoughts?
If you do, how do they sound for the price (~€15 currently for genuine originals).
I prefer the look of the silver piston 2s:
as opposed to the Piston 3.
I imagine the piston 3s will sound better though.
Any thoughts?
Antiwhippy
the holder of the trombone
I have the pistons 2 and I really like them. Really good, fun bassy sound with good treble and bass but the boominess of the bass causes the lower mids to be somewhat muffled. Still a good fun sound though, and worth it for the price.
From what I've read the 3s aren't that big of an upgrade.
Be careful of fakes though.
From what I've read the 3s aren't that big of an upgrade.
Be careful of fakes though.
Eanan
Member
Thanks for that, I think ill go for the 2s then as the piston 3s are made of plastic now and are a bit more expensive.
Yeah, ill probably buy off Tiny deal as they only sell genuine Xiaomi stock.
Get the 2.0 if you want a bass heavy earphone and honestly if you're looking for balanced ones they're are better options at the same price point of the 3.0 including the Zero Audio Tenore, Ostry KC06, RE-300H,and the Fidue A63.
Eanan
Member
Yeah I ordered the 2.0s. Might also order the 3.0s to see what theyre like though.
I dont live in the US so those headphones seem hard to get over here, but thanks for the recommendations.
that is a nice get, it's a fun headphone
Flacracker
Banned
Oh well I guess I need an amp too. Help me out. I know jack shit about that. I have just been plugging my current ones right into my motherboard.
For some reason I felt compelled to try the UE6000 even though it doesn't fit the pads. Hopefully I will like them. If not I will try the JVC or NVX
Good headphones, but really suspect quality control.
They scale really well, but don't need too much amping, any budget set will do the track. Maybe get something portable in case you want to take them with you. The Schiit Fulla would be an excellent choice if you can afford it. If you want an even cheaper option check out the HifimeDIY Sabre
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-MDR-XB...0&sd=261888755787&afepn=5337259887&rmvSB=true
best price (manufactured refurb)
I bought them refurbished off amazon hopefully that means they were given extra attention
If they're in good shape you'll really like them, fairly wide soundstage, good balance, good treble extension...Decent bass quality, though not too much quantity. I wouldn't describe the mids as being very forward, but they're also not too recessed either.
Huge fan so far. I do miss my ears being entirely surrounded by pads with the HM5 velours but the UE6000 sounds remarkable. Amazing soundstage for closed back. Playing the Witcher 3 has been completely different with them on.
Sorry I didn't think to recommend them before, was just concerned about their build. But I think refurbished ones might actually be better as maybe that's given Logitech a chance to fix their weak points.
jongkookie
Member
I dunno if anybody is interested in studio monitors but Guitar Center has the KRK Rokit5's for $100 a piece all Memorial Weekend I believe.
I stopped by there today to pick up the $50 pair of Alesis Elevate 3 but instead I walked out of there spending $220 instead. Smh lol.
I stopped by there today to pick up the $50 pair of Alesis Elevate 3 but instead I walked out of there spending $220 instead. Smh lol.
jongkookie
Member
Yeah, they seem to emit some kind of hiss/static/noise/whatever when it's not playing anything and you stick your ear by it. The thing has some auto-mute feature though, where if you don't play for anything for a set amount of time the speakers go into sleep mode so that noise does go away. But even then, you'd have to be a dog or something to pick up that sound from a listening distance lol.
I actually had it worse earlier when I either had a bad TRS cable or the speakers doesn't like unbalanced cables as there was severe noise that was disrupting the entire thing. Swapped them with balanced TRS' and they've still got that low noise I'm talking about but it goes away the moment you're listening to something.
One thing I've learned from these speakers though is that you can actually mix stuff with the Sony MDR-V6 headphones... I was going through my old mixes when I only used the V6's and they sound perfectly fine on them. Like there's a couple of issues here and there but the overall mix was alright lol.
thoughts on these?
http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product...spx?path=0682f69f831c6b7a8ce40cb4eec9c988en02
looking for a cheap pair to use for trips and running
http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product...spx?path=0682f69f831c6b7a8ce40cb4eec9c988en02
looking for a cheap pair to use for trips and running