Headphones, etc.

[Saccopoo]

So, I got a cell phone last July. My first. Bought the HTC One M8 for the main purpose of using it as a music player device first. As such, I wanted to get a quality set of headphones to match with it and decided on the AKG K545 for their performance and portability. Great cans. Very linear and precise.

I believe I made what amounted to the perfect purchase for how I like to listen to music (which is trying to maintain object neutrality) and what I wanted from the headphones (portability, in-line mic1, quality sound) .

I feel that the artists and engineers have already done a lot of work with the music and don't need audio components coloring the sound beyond what was originally envisioned and finalized by the artists.

AKG K545:


Really blown away by how good the sound is through this setup and I kinda got bitten by the headphone bug. Bought a bunch of Skullcandy units to play around with as my local retailer had a great sale on them (some being DQ'ed):

Crusher
- Absolute guilty pleasure. Two drivers per side with one acting as a sub. You want to be "in the club?" Well, here it is. It's really funny and cool to have that bass jacked and having your head vibrate to it. Adjustable.

Also, the Navigator (loves it - so freaking comfortable), Hesh 2 Bluetooth, Hesh 2, and the Lowrider. Skullcandy makes some pretty good cans for the money IMO.

Which got me to thinking about how I have a pair of Sennheiser HD580's sitting somewhere and wondered how an in-home audiophile set of headphones compared to these newer ones.

I hadn't put them on in something like ten years and as soon as I touched them, the foam on the headband and earpads literally disintegrated. So, I ended up paying something like $70 for replacement pads and now I'm thinking that I'm committed to using them for my desktop system. (Especially since I have been downloading all my CD's into FLAC files on the computer for playlist transfers to the phone (bought a 64 gig SD card for music storage on the HTC).)

Sennheiser HD580:


Which got me to thinking that just plugging a 300 ohm impedance headphone into either my Asus Xonar DSX sound card or the headphone port on my lower end Logitech Z523 2.1 speaker system wasn't going to do them any justice, so today I ordered a Schiit Magni 2 Uber Headphone Amplifier and a pair of Audioengine A2+ powered monitors, which will be supported by a Sunfire True Subwoofer Super Junior that I've had in a box that's never been used.

Schiit Magni 2 Uber:


Audioengine A2+:


Oh, I figured while I was at it, I might as well get a DAC/Amp for the Phone to bump up the performance on the go, so I picked up a FiiO E18 Kunlun, which was designed specifically for Android units:



So, what type of headphone/phone/desktop rigs are you people using? Any feedback on the aforementioned equipment?

[penguinz]

Originally Posted by ragedogg69

I am the same way. Got earbuds that were $15.99 and came with a $16 rebate, so they paid me to buy them.

all and all if I had to pay for new ones, I would just buy something from monoprice. They do quality stuff all the time.

Only time I use them is at the gym so I am not going to spend money on something that may get a 45lb plate dropped on them.

[BWillie]

I just can't stomach spending alot of money on headphones. I had some really expensive (to me that is $200) Bose Headphones that were a few years old. I broke them, so I bought some new bluetooth cordless Nakamichi arond the ear headphones for $59. They honestly sound just as good. I've listed to $59 headphones before and they are shit, but if you are looking for an inexpensive pair, I'd say they are the best for the money I've found. I found them based on the high reviews on the internet.

[DaveNull]

All comes down to what you're wanting to spend and how much you use them. If you're a desk jockey and wear headphones all the time you'll thank yourself for springing for something that sounds better or (just as important) is more comfortable.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by penguinz

Only time I use them is at the gym so I am not going to spend money on something that may get a 45lb plate dropped on them.

Can't you find me some that don't die from sweat inhalation after two months of use? That's my biggest problem. I sweat like a fat guy when lifting when it's hot.

[DaveNull]

The earbuds I linked before are water/sweat resistant.

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Check out Focal's new headphones ($349). I've been using the Ultrasone 550's in my studio for a decade and they rock. The bottom is so huge you can feel it in the phones, which is rare.

Have you ever used the Sony MDR7506 headphones?

I wonder how the Focal's compare as it seems that the word "accurate" is being bandied about by users. The 7506, in my experience, were the most linear headphones I've ever used. Used them for evaluation/comparison tools in our loudspeaker designs. (Previous life.)

However, I tend towards an open backed design at home as I find that they produce a more realistic soundstage. (Well, as realistic as a direct coupled bi-aural transducer interface will allow.)

[eDave]

Originally Posted by penguinz

Only time I use them is at the gym so I am not going to spend money on something that may get a 45lb plate dropped on them.

I love music. LOVE IT. I listen. I dissect. I learn. I create music. Headphones are a tool. And you are as good as your tools.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by DaveNull

The earbuds I linked before are water/sweat resistant.

Looks like many users have trouble with them staying in their ear. Weird looking setup on those?

[DaveNull]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Looks like many users have trouble with them staying in their ear. Weird looking setup on those?

Maybe...but that weird angle that the earbud itself sits at might also be why they stay in really well for others.

The come with three sizes of buds and a couple different sizes for the "wings".

[Saccopoo]

Just got in the Schiit Magni 2 Uber today.

Man, what a pain in the ass trying to find a decent RCA to mini plug beyond 3'. Radio Shack had one and it was on sale as they are closing their doors. (Mentioned in the Lounge somewhere recently.)

Here's the unit on the desk:

[Saccopoo]

And it looks like I'm going to have to go in on their DAC as well as the Asus GSX sound card's analog out is going through an amplification stage, so all I'm doing at this point is amp'ing the amped signal from the soundcard, which is not what I want to do. Poop.

[Saccopoo]

Got the Soundengine A2+ speakers today.

Haven't run much through them, and haven't level balanced them with the Sunfire sub, but they are impressive. Very coherent.

I did order the Schiit Modi Uber DAC so I don't have the Asus DSX's analog op amp in the signal path.

However, I can see why these are getting all the love these days.

[DJJasonp]

I picked up, on black friday last year, a pair of Sennheiser HD215 (think I paid 70 bucks or so....regularly 150 or so).

Pretty quality headphone for that price range.

Much better than the "beats" crap (which is typically 100 more bucks or so).

Yeah, they're not fashion-conscious....but who the hell cares - sound is what matters!

[srvy]

I have Sennheiser HD650 with a Fii0 Kilimanjaro amp for serious listening and Audio technica ATH-EH7 for just kicking around. For ear buds anything cheap that sounds decent. I have found a cheap Phillips clip on over ear at 10 bucks a pop works pretty decent and hard to beat. Also pick these up through Amazon for 13 bucks Audio-Technica ATHCLR100BK.


When I win the lottery I will have these Woo monoblocks at 12,000 a piece.

[srvy]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Can't you find me some that don't die from sweat inhalation after two months of use? That's my biggest problem. I sweat like a fat guy when lifting when it's hot.

I have herd good things about these Shure SE535 cable is replaceable and tips come in various sizes can be bought directly through shure and should be replaced every 2 week. People I know who have the do about everything short of swimming in them and they sound good.