The Headphones Thread - Page 20

I've owned the following headphones: Bose Triport, Bose QuietComfort 2, Sony EX71 earbuds, Shure E3Cs, Beyer DT-770, Sony cans (can't remember the model, but high-end), Audio Technica A900, and other stock brands. I started out with the QC2s and liked them a lot, but after all the bashing I read at Headfi, I was convinced to try some of the other highly-rated phones I mentioned above. In the end, I went back to the QC2s. I don't care for most of Bose's products, and their marketing practices and prices are definitely questionable, but I have to admit that I haven't found any headphones I like better than the QuietComfort 2s. At $300, they're definitely expensive, but they're awesome on planes and can be worn for hours on end without any discomfort. I think that comfort is almost as important as sound quality when it comes to headphones. Many would say (and with good reason) that the Etymotics 4Ps are much better sounding and actually block noise better. I won't deny this, but they aren't comfortable (at least in my opinion). What good is an great sounding pair of headphones if you can't stand to wear them for more than an hour? The Bose product may not sound as good as other brands (they sound just as good to me, but I'm not an "audiophile"), but they're much more comfortable than anything I've tried.

HeadFi is all about the best sound and comfort comes second. I agree about the comfort of the BOSE QC2 but I simply cannot tolerate the "hosey" sound it produces. There are other better options if comfort is what you seek - WITHOUT compromising on sound quality.

You honestly believe that the Beyer DT-770 is not as comfortable as the QC2?

Perhaps you should state your criteria (the criteria you use to rate headphone comfort).

sorry if i'm imposing on any conversations... i'm an amateur when it comes to headphones, but my ears are very well trained (years of music..playing piano) and i like clean sounds from my mp3 player. I currently have an ipod g4 (but am thinking about switching it for something "newer")...i was wondering if you would recommend the etymotic 6isolators. they look nice and i think i would like them very much. they're actually pretty stylish if i do say so myself. Would any of you recommend another type? i've used the ipod buds for quite a while now...and i also have a pair of sony mdr-v700s

sony mdr-v*** (eek)!
Hey GS, Is your multi-review in here yet?
how far back do I have to go?

I am assuming your budget is about $150.00

I recommend the following :-

Shure E3
Shure E2
Shure E4 (brand new...dunno if it is available or how much it costs...I have a journalist sample and it is simply STUNNING!!)

I dont like the etymotics too much...good and clean sounding but too lean on the bass for my tastes...

I had the ER6 for almost a year...

The ER6i is a glorified overpriced Etymotics ER6 with color matching with the iPod...

LOL Sony Dont get me started...

Multi Review??? I am hunting for a job in california...I am on a short time-frame...no job = deportation to India

LOL

gs, what happened to that Bose job? LOL...

I am actually thinking of getting either the Ety ER-6i or the Shure E2C now. It would be my second pair of headphones. Whew...I've still got a long way to go. But I remember what you said about the weak bass of the Etys and how they are a pain to take out and put back in. Hmmm...

Hey, buy the E2C and tell me how do you like it! (Thinking on buying one of those too... )

http://notebookforums.com/showthread...560#post608560

My main criteria for headphone comfort is that they fit around your ears, not crush them against your head. Unfortunately, I was blessed with ears that stick out, so finding headphones that meet this criteria is more difficult. The Bose and Beyers were the only ones I tried that fell into this category. My second favorite of the group were the Beyers. They have nice velvet earcups, but they clamp onto your head really tightly and I found that uncomfortable. Also, while they sounded great, my iPod was clearly not powerful enough to adequately power them. I had to crank them up all the way to get enough volume.

You don't have to tell me there are better sounding headphones out there than Bose because I've acknowledged that. To me, they sound excellent, but like I said, I'm no audiophile. I think a large number of people who bash them have, in fact, never even tried them. Head-fi is always preaching how you need to burn in your headphones and never to judge sound by the first listen, but then they put the QC2s on at the Apple store or something for 30 seconds and say they're crap. A lot of people bash Bose because it's the fashionable thing to do, and while they deserve a lot of the heat they get, I don't think people are giving their headphones a fair shot. There's actually a thread buried over at Head-fi somewhere where someone spends some serious time analyzing the QC2s. He claims that he didn't like the sound at first, but after burning them in and changing some equalization settings, he grew to really like them. I believe the name of the thread was something like "The serious Bose QuietComfort 2 Thread" or something along those lines. Of course he was ridiculed like crazy.

I know a lot of headfiers with this problem...

aah....we spread-eagle them on a couple of books or with a coat hanger during the burn-in period But I know what you mean...

Most headfi comments are based on using the headphones with a decent amplifier.


It is just fun to bash bose... Seriously - their prices are just unbelievable and their speakers are a joke...But you are right - not too many bashers have tried them for more than a few minutes. I sat down with a pair in Best Buy (demo) which I assumed would be quite well used because this was during the holiday season and it was hooked up to an iPod My impressions were not very positive...

You are quite accurate in your observation here. Maybe I will be the fall guy for a pair of QC2's - just need to find a fearless headfier to sponsor the review LOL

I have seen this thread...and he did get shooed away...

Let me see...i'll give these headphones a shot and post a review. They cant shoo me away so easy LOL

BOSE job is in the 2nd stage. Passed the preliminary interview, phone interview and technical tests. Waiting to get the call to meet the techies for the final interview and test...

I hate relocating so they had better come up with a sweet compensation...I'll make a GOOD Bose headphone and call it the NBF1.0 or somesuch

So what do you think of Bose? Are they truly innovative or are they just plain but hidden behind clever marketing?

They started out with a good lineup of innovative designs and then just kinda slunk away into the marketing game...

Kind of similar to the Apple story - good clean design to begin with and then a horrible R&D slump before they got their act together again...

well not entirely but the iPod sure is a HUGE success...you may even see apple selling off its notebook lineup in the near future and moving into comsumer electronics and computer accessories...

My HFI-650's are coming!!! Just wanted somewhere to announce that.

I think I did a review somewhere on this forums...not sure...let us know your impressions and give them a good burn-in period of about 150 hours at a volume level which is about 10 % more than your maximum listening level.

Cheers!

Actually, I saw your review of the HFI-650 and it was one of the reasons I decided to take the plunge and buy them. They are not cheap up here in Canada (CAD $350 with tax and duty) but I trust your opinion. I agree about the grados sr60's; it is truly amazing what they can do for the price. The problem with being an audio addict, however, is nothing is ever good enough. I will certainly keep you posted on my impressions of the HFI-650.
P.S. How does the sound quality of the total airhead compare w/ the total bithead? I am considering buying the airhead and a separate DAC or just the bithead. I will only be using them for portable use, as I have some behemouth gear at home.

BOSE IS FOR YUPPIES WHO WANT A FANCY LOGO ON THEIR SPEAKERS. THEIR SOUND QUALITY DOES NOT JUSTIFY THE PRICE AT ALL.

Dude - if you want to buy anything in Canada - let me help you out. I will buy whatever you need here in Erie Buffalo and ship it to you. You might end up saving some money this way...and as a HeadFi member - service to people who need it is priority.

I have been given money when I needed it, equipment to try (expensive stuff...a headfi member sent me his $8000.00 headphones and $23000 Turntable )

So - if anyone needs help about best prices, beating the system etc. Dont be afraid to ask.

Also if you need amplifiers I build and sell several ones..

www.veda-audio.com (not yet complete but there is a link to a temporary web page)

and several other amps in the $300 - $1000 price range.

cheers!

Why do you want a DAC for portable use??

Bithead and Airhead sound the same...same amplifier section...

The Bithead is for use with a PC. It doubles as a portable amp but you can get a WHAMMO custom built amp for a LOT less than that.

If you want a purely portable amp then I have just the thing for you :-

Brand New Meier Audio Porta Corda MK-II for $145.00 plus shipping.

I got this in a group buy. My own one was stolen and I bought one from another member because he also bought the EMmeline SR-71 and preferred that ($400.00).


You can also contact me if you want a custom made one - $100 - $500

take your pick and I will give you the list of people who will be happy to build an amp for you - me included - but I dont build portable amps.

Best regards,

gs

I need a DAC for my lappy. The integrated sound card is remniscent of a Korean clock-radio. I cannot belive they actually make you pay for that, I cannot imagine anyone being satisfied with it. So, what I'm hearing is that it would be better to get a killer portable amp, then look for a separate DAC? I suppose I could build one of those CMOY dealies, but are they really THAT good?