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Re: Headphones
BlueJays1 #331492 12/14/10 04:53 PM
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Phil
Make sure you understand that headphones are like speakers. They have their own sound signatures and you have to figure out what suits your equipment and music tastes. Everyone has their own favorites, as you can see here. And as Peter mentioned, it will also depend on what your source equipment is. Portable players won't do justice to many 'high end' headphones and you might be wondering why $$ phones don't sound good.

Also, try to figure out if you really want headphones or IEMs (in ear monitors). In general, IEMs are easier to drive and there are LOTS of good options under $300. In fact, IMHO, some of the best values are under $100 for that stuff. IEMs also have their own signatures, probably the reason why I have 4 different sets...

Re: Headphones
oldskoolboarder #331495 12/14/10 05:02 PM
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Good point, I use my iems more than any other phones I have.


Rick


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Re: Headphones
Wid #331564 12/14/10 10:15 PM
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Thanks for all your good awnser. Well i have forget to mention that i actually own a very good DAC with a 1/4 jack out. Opera Consonance from Grant Fidelity. Here a link : http://grantfidelity.com/site/consonance_DLinear_8_Wireless_DAC
Yes i do love this DAC.
So after review yeah i hesitate between Grado SR325is or the AKG model i talked about. So i guess i might "try" a couple headphone at local dealer just to make sure. I do love my Axiom sound so i guess Grado wouldn't be a bad entry in headphones world

Last edited by Philippe; 12/14/10 10:15 PM.

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Re: Headphones
Philippe #331565 12/14/10 10:29 PM
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If you want to try the Grado sound and not spend a lot of money try the SR60s. These are one set I own and refuse to sell, to me they are a great bang for your buck when it comes to headphones.


Rick


"A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." Sigmund Freud

Re: Headphones
PeterChenoweth #331575 12/15/10 12:19 AM
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Philippe,

If you have a great DAC already, that is going to give you the biggest boost to your sound quality, so you have an excellent start! Headphones are unbelievably nuanced, and a superb DAC will provide the detail you need.

If you wanted to try out my Allesandro MS2's, I could lend them to you. I might even be in the market to sell them. It would be hard to part with them though...

To be honest, you'll lose very little (if any) money from buying a good pair of used headphones because you can sell them again for the same price, if not more. All of my equipment (except my amp) was purchased used.

Originally Posted By: PeterChenoweth
My at-the-office setup consists of Sennheiser HD650's and a LittleDot MKII Tube amp. They are fed a diet of lossless & 256kbs AAC and the occasional 192kb Pandora stream. In a word, heavenly.


Word. Senn 650's + Exellent DAC + Tube amp = Utter Bliss.

I just acquired a used Music Hall DAC 25.2 (with the highest level mods from affordable audio) and it just notched up my system to a whole 'nother level. I was lucky to find it. Has a tube in the output stage for the RCA outs, too. Here's a pic, because I know you guys love pictures. smile

Lights...ON!




Lights....off.







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Re: Headphones
danmagicman7 #331581 12/15/10 02:27 AM
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Look like i still have to read about it before a choice. Danm, your headphone seem interesting, i might take a look at some review. I let you know.


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Re: Headphones
Philippe #331590 12/15/10 03:23 AM
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IIRC the MS2's are based on the Grado 325i's. I LOVED my 325i's. I only sold them because I like the HF2 a bit better. Per Wid's rec a while back, I tried the Grados in order to find an Axiom-like sound.

I did try my friend's HD650 but it needs a proper amp (which he didn't have).

I haven't listened to AKG701's but from my research, the sound is different.

So yes, you'll want to demo to let your ears decide.

Re: Headphones
oldskoolboarder #331604 12/15/10 05:55 AM
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Also, a GREAT way to listen to a lot of awesome headphones, and ultra-expensive headphone equipment setups is by looking for the meetups on head-fi.org

Very friendly people and a whole lot of people that love audio. You'll come back home with a whole list of music suggestions and a plenty of new headphone knowledge smile



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Re: Headphones
danmagicman7 #331626 12/15/10 03:59 PM
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So today i could get a Sennheiser HD600 for 300$. Good review around he net but i would like to know if it seem a good price or not.


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Re: Headphones
danmagicman7 #331627 12/15/10 04:21 PM
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Originally Posted By: danmagicman7
Also, a GREAT way to listen to a lot of awesome headphones, and ultra-expensive headphone equipment setups is by looking for the meetups on head-fi.org

Very friendly people and a whole lot of people that love audio. You'll come back home with a whole list of music suggestions and a plenty of new headphone knowledge smile


I'll second that. We're a great group here, but our collective knowledge of headphones might not be as deep as the OP would like. The folks over at head-fi, well, they're on a whole different level when it comes to headphones and their accessories. smile

If there's one site to visit to learn about headphones, it's head-fi.

And buying used can save you money, no question. But I don't know if I would want used headphones. It would depend on the savings. Being worn, headphones are kind of personal. And especially IEM's. I don't think I'd be comfortable with using someone's used IEM's.

If you go the used route, you may want to pick up some replacement parts to freshen them up a bit. You'd definitely want fresh & new tips if you get IEM's. And with normal headphones, you may want new/fresh pads. Neither are very expensive. Just something to think about.


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