The Headphones Thread - Page 12

Thats ok Matt, it just seems I'm being quite unlucky. I just checked my tracking number on the USPS website and it says it's been delivered, but I don't have it, and when I called the Post office they said they dont know. What a crock of bull**** I think I'm just gonna give up on these damn headphones
What the hell do I do? My company's mailroom say they don't have it, and Post office says they don't have it. ****ing thieves

gsferrari, I have read this entire thread, and others like it in other forums searching for info. on headphones. I have read posts by "audiophile" types in other forums, but I would like to have your opinion. I know by now (from what I've read) that you are a pretty big fan of the Grado SR-60's, and that is a set that is in my final 2 choices. I am down to either the HD-497's or the SR-60's... and possibly the HD-212's. I know that's 3 , but the HD-212's I wanted to ask you about. I know people say they have too much bass, but I would almost consider myself a "basshead", so I wanted your opinion on the 212's also. If there are others that you would recommend, I would like to spend $100.00 or less, but if I was really convinced about a set I could spend up to $200.00. I will be mainly listening to MP3's and gaming. Because of where I now live, I can't use my Klipsch Ultra's at an "enjoyable" volume. So that's why I'm looking to get a good set of headphones. Let me add that I have NEVER heard good "bass" in a set of headphones. Of course I have never listened to a nice set, but because of this I am having a hard time imagining what bass from headphones sound like. If you could help me out I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

The HD-212 will be awesome for games and decent for music

The SR-60 is a more balanced headphone. Get it with the Grado Flat Pads (contact todd at www.ttvj.com) and you will have more bass than is healthy

The price difference between the two is minimal and on that basis I would go for the SR-60. The price of Grado Flats is a little more than you might expect but it does make a significant difference to the sound.

If you are on a budget then go with the HD-212 pro - they are quite enjoyable...

Cheers!

I'm going to order the HD-212's and the Grado SR-60's. Thanks for your help.

Glad I could help

GS you seem to be the Head Phones guru...
Question for ya...

I've got some Senn HD580's... Absolutly Love them....
I hear from most places they require an Amp to sound thier best....
Recomendations?

I use them on my Desktop PC, (SB Audigy ZS) would they still require Amplification? or does the Sound Card push it enough?

Same question, if more power is needed... Recomendations?!
(Money is an object, so I'd like to stay away from SUPER expensive Amps!)

The HD-580 is a demanding headphone. At this point of time you will have to re-evaluate your setup and circumstances and decide if headphones are the way to go.

I have an amp I am not using but even this amp is $220.00 + shipping for anyons who is interested. Yes - it is a tube amp and it is a journalist version (the retail is $600.00).

The cost of amp + headphone will go into the Klipsch Promedia Ultra territory with ease...

Do you want good music or do you want gaming performance (5.1).

I sold off some bits of gear to get a new Klipsch Ultra 5.1 because I gave off my old one and missed it. Doom-3 is ****inyourpants stuff now

Think about it and lemme know which route you intend to take.

I would get an amp...but thats because I havent found speakers under $20000 us that give me the kind of sound I get out of these headphones.

Cheers!

I've given up on speakers, I can't listen to them anymore.... After spending hte past few nights about 7 hours at a time with the headphones on, any speaker I listen to (even my Floor Standing Yamahas) sound "small"....

I want to grab an amp, or anything that may push my sound performance forward.... I'd be interested in what ever you have available, but give me a few days.... Broke as hell right now due to car repairs and first of the month bills

The best formula is :-

Sennheiser HD580/600/650 + Tube amp = Audio Nirvana.

What are you using as a source? Here is another equation :-

Crap in -> Crap out

If your source is bad then the sound will SUCK!


My recommendations :-

EMU-0404 or EMU-1212 Sound Card for the PC
Tube Amplifier (will get into details later)
Sennheiser HD-580 (I have the 650 and the improvements are marginal)

I still consider the HD-580 to be the best value in high end headphones. Just slap on a Meier Oehlbach cable and you will be all set.

Total cost :-

EMU-1212 = $
Tube Amp = $250 - $ no limit
Cables for HD-580 = $55.00
Cables for interconnects = $20 - $ no limit

Cheers!

As stated above... I have an SB Audigy ZS....

Where would I find:
Cables for HD-580 = $55.00
Cables for interconnects = $20 - $ no limit

Cables for HD-580 :- Meier Audio
http://home.t-online.de/home/meier-audio/

Look under products / cables / Oehlbach

or just click here : http://home.t-online.de/home/meier-audio/cables.htm

Cables - you can choose depending on your budget. I wouldnt spend more than $50.00 on interconnects if I were you because your source is not high end. Better to upgrade source ahead of cables.

I upgrade source ahead of cables and even amplifiers because the source makes the biggest difference to my ears.

Try the EMU 1212 or 0404. Even the Chaintech / terratec are better for audio than the SB Audigy that you are using.

Why?

Its all about the DAC and emphasis on audio than on game hardware.

Also - When you use Foobar 2000 (if you are not using this for music then START NOW) make sure you use Kernel Streaming for output and set resampling as high as your system can handle. Set kernel buffer as low as possible without having any audio distortion.

You should be able to mute WAV in the volume control and still get output when you have kernel streaming enabled.

Cheers!

Hello Headphones thread. I know I'm the millionth person to ask this question but I'm looking for some cans for gaming, music and dvd's. I recently returned my audio technica ath m40fs cans because although they bosted a ultra low frequency responce the bass distorted when I jacked it up even the slightes. Since the bass reponce is flat for monitering puposes I found I wanted more when the source was lacking in the lower end. I thought it may have been my sound card the echo indigo but after listening to multiple sources with out the sound card I found the source was the head phones. SO now I'm on the market again.
I'm really leaning towards the grado sr80 because of their supposed improved base over the sr60's. Is this a wise choice for the price range?
I'm also going to get the flat pads. My question about this is on headfi they recommends the large earpads to bring out the highs and the muddied mid bass. The flat pads seem to be recommended more on this thread. WHich is best for my above stated uses?
THank you for any help.
Mr.Mojo

How much are you willing to spend. I just got a few review samples of these headphones :-

Ultrasone HFI-650 Trackmaster
Ultrasone HFI-650/700 DVD
AKG 240S
Beyerdynamic DT-531/440/770p

and they are all nice choices.

I would get the Ultrasone HFI-650 because it has some powerfull visceral bass without distortion. But it is pricey. Very comfortable and easy to pack (it flattens out) in a laptop bag. Isolation is awesome and therefore it is good for LAN parties.

The Grado SR-80 is not worth the price difference.

If you want great musical headphones then buy a Grado but choose accordingly :-

Grado SR-60
Grado SR-225
Grado RS-1

None of the other Grados offer value for money.

Alessandro also makes good products

Alessandro MS-1
Alessandro MS-2
Alessandro MS-Pro

WHAT IS YOUR BUDGET?

gsferrari, my HD-212 Pro's just arrived and I think they sound AWESOME. I know they aren't anything on these other headphones you talk about, but to my "headphone rookie self" these sound excellent. The bass is great. I can't believe headphones can make bass that sounds that good. But it is amazing how you hear the loss of quality in Mp3s thru good headphones. I decided to order these and THEN possibly get the Grado's. I figured I needed to hear these 212's because I heard about their good bass, and I consider myself a "semi-basshead". My main question is do I need to "break these in"? If so, how do I do that? LOL Also, is there a set of headphones that sound as good as the Grado SR-60's but still have bass like the 212's? Thanks again for all your help! I really appreciate it.

I had the HD-212's for a while and they were very FUN phones. Great for games (gunshots are quite ear shattering). One word of caution - please dont play them too loud because you CAN damage your hearing. I use a decibel meter with all my CD's and set the volume so that I never cross 75-80db and I dont listen for longer than 2-3 hours at a stretch.

Watch those ears.

Now - what headphone sounds like a good Grado but has better bass?

Answer - a better Grado.

The Grado SR-225(open) / Ultrasone HFI-650 (closed) / Sennheiser HD-580 (open) / Sennheiser HD-555/595 (thin on the bass but nice sound).

I would invest in an amp first. Build one yourself (shouldnt cost more than $50.00 MAX!!).

Go here for more info :-

http://www.tangentsoft.net/audio/

If you are in the market for headphones - I recommend these online resellers :-


1] www.ttvj.com
2] www.audioadvisor.com
3] http://home.t-online.de/home/meier-audio/
4] www.headphone.com

Cheers!

Better to buy from people with a solid support base and return policy. Buying online may save you a few bucks but you can get shafted if things go wrong.

OK GS, in the process of selling off a few things to make room in the budget for GOOD sound

Thanks for the replies

Thank you for the recommendations and speedy responce gsferrari.
I'm looking ad a 130 budget max. I may beable too tack on an extra 20 to that if I can keep the reciept away from the misses. HeHe. The Ultrasone are a bit out of my buget though the look sweet.

How does the akg 240 hold up to the akg 501?

I want something that is sonically balanced and can also deliver on the low end ya know? The senn 212's are very reasonably priced but i ave a feeling they may compromise over all sonic quility for the heavy bass. But this is merely an opinion and not persennal experience. But I don't have those golden ears more like bronze ears.


And what of those pads? Falt or large?
This is fun!
Mr.Mojo

For a $150.00 budget I can recommend the following :-

* Alessandro MS-1
* Used Grado SR-225
* Ultrasone HFI-650 (I think it is $175.00 from meier - even the HFI-550 is good and someone is selling theirs on www.headfi.com for $90.00 - http://www5.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=83668 )


Scan the For Sale section related to headphones at www.headfi.com


Here is the direct link : http://www5.head-fi.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=14

A few more interesting headphones : http://www5.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=84455


Buying used will save you money and give you a good headphone that has been broken in. People at HeadFi with good feedback are excellent to deal with. Have no fear in dealing with them but make sure you check their feedback.

For example : my feedback thread : http://www5.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=62639

A few more interesting headphones for sale :-

Grado SR-125 : http://www5.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=84255
(might as well plonk in $50.00 and get the SR-225 new / or remove $50.00 and get the SR-60 new )

Sennheiser HD-580 : http://www5.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=82042
Sennheiser HD-580 : http://www5.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=84248
Grado SR-60 : http://www5.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=83973


BEST DEAL : http://www5.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=83345

Thats $150.00 for a Grado SR-225.

REMEMBER : $15.00 more will get you a brand new one from www.ttvj.com (dont forget to apply the 10% discount on the listed price!! )

Might as well get a brand new SR-225 from Todd (www.ttvj.com) who is a great dude. You have a solid return policy.

You can also order the flat pads ($30.00) from him at a later stage when you feel you are ready for more Oomph!

Cheers!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...718077751&rd=1

Happy Bidding