Headphone talk

FULMTL · *Last edited by FULMTL; 02-23-2013 at 09:27.*

Talking out loud here, but I been a member at Head-fi.org since last year, but I think I have to stop going there. The repeated threads in the full size headphone section are driving me nuts!

-Is X headphone worth it? It depends, are you single? Then yes, it is worth it.
-Best headphone for X music? There is no best headphone!
-Best headphone for X amount? For what kind of music? This is where I think it's best to have at least two headphones
-Money is no concern. X vs X? Then buy both!
-Headphone X (followed by a long overhyping thread title)
-First sentence: "I'm no audiophile..."
-First sentence: "Hi. I'm new to communication across a broadband network of computers...

I want to say something stupid in response because that is my natural behavior. I think if I continue going to that forum, I'd get banned.

Radical_53 · 02-23-2013, 10:37 | posts: 2,258 | Location: Germany

The best thing over there is the "current hyped product of the month/week"... too fascinating. You'd think someone re-invented the wheel going by what's written there.

FULMTL · 02-23-2013, 11:43 | posts: 6,151 | Location: Portland, Oregon

I happen to own a flavor of the month headphone because at the time I was impulse buying, and was one of the first people in an "Appreciation Thread" to own the AKG K167. The thing was the person who made the thread was hyping the **** out of these headphones. It's like he/she was just filling up the thread with smileys and incomplete sentences to give that thread more pages to make that headphone appear like a very talked about product and to bump their own his post count. Eventually it got closed because of the repetitive nonsense and that person was a "member of the trade".

Rebel975 · 02-23-2013, 18:01 | posts: 1,133 | Location: Oregon

Hey FULMTL- we're not that far from each other.

As for Head-Fi- I've been a member for quite a while, and I've learned to take everything with a dump truck of salt. That's what you have to do with everything in audio, though.

Radical_53 · 02-23-2013, 18:12 | posts: 2,258 | Location: Germany

I still remember that back when I bought my headphones (Ultrasone HFI 780) many people used to re-cable them.
One of the hyped mods was the "ALO" mod that had some incredibly huge and expensive cables. The phones are great but I can't imagine how someone looks while wearing one of the modded ones. I always liked to use large speaker cable (if it fits the speaker and the amp I'll use it) but that just seemed really silly, especially when considering the weight it adds.

Rebel975 · 02-23-2013, 20:32 | posts: 1,133 | Location: Oregon

Back when I was looking at buying my first pair of 'real' headphones I almost bought the ALO780's. The reviews were stating that it sounded almost as good as the Edition 8's or something. I ended up with PRO2900's instead.

FULMTL · 02-23-2013, 23:42 | posts: 6,151 | Location: Portland, Oregon

Most of my headphone research has already been done since I was in Japan, so I don't make anymore threads asking about headphones. The headphone stores there are amazing. Even though I have heard all the headphones I was interested in, I still don't have much of a budget to buy the ones I want at the moment heh.

Yodobashi Camera

E-Earphone

gridiron whirlw · 02-24-2013, 03:33 | posts: 3,183 | Location: Ohio

Holy Crap FULMTL

Headphone Heaven!

I spy some nice shiat

FULMTL · 02-24-2013, 04:11 | posts: 6,151 | Location: Portland, Oregon

Yep, my place was 30min walking distance from those stores. I would go there with a mostly full battery and leave when my battery ran out, which is usually a few hours at least. I would be there at least twice a week if I had no plans.
E-earphone is a better store though because they had only good to the highest end headphones and the staff knows their stuff. It's also better to test heaphones there in a quieter environment than a loud electronics store.

gridiron whirlw · 02-24-2013, 14:06 | posts: 3,183 | Location: Ohio

I wish I had something like that around where I live.

I live in a small town in Ohio, and I had to drive 90 miles to be able to listen to some headphones.

They had most of the major manufature's at that time, not all of them...but most of them.

I actually had my mind made up fairly fast as I just fell in love with the Grado sound signature....but I did listen to all of the headphones that I could while I was there.

It was alot of fun and if I had a place closer to my house, I would probably go every so often....probably a good thing that I don't as I am sure my wallett would be hurting much worse than it already is

FULMTL · *Last edited by FULMTL; 02-25-2013 at 10:17.*

Didn't feel like making a new thread, but here's my ghetto modded gaming headset using a free standing/omnidirectional Samsung mic I found in my brother in laws' shelf. From what my buddy tells me over ventrillo, it sounds great. The cable on the mic is extreamly long! haha probably 12ft. I can't even find a product page for it.

ROBSCIX · 02-25-2013, 14:37 | posts: 16,079 | Location: Guru3D Audio Lab

Had to move this discussion out of the previous thread, it had no relavence to that thread.

I opened a new thread for it so you guys can continue your discussion.

FULMTL · *Last edited by FULMTL; 02-25-2013 at 19:49.*

When is Guru3d going to have more (or any) audio gear reviews?...

Although I think it's dumb when people have a $100-200 soundcard and use a $30-50 headset. I wish more companies would make better headsets, but then again, I don't want companies to start ripping off everyone pretending their products are for audiophiles by slapping that word on the front of their box - COUGH CORSAIR COUGH.

Rebel975 · 02-25-2013, 20:06 | posts: 1,133 | Location: Oregon

Holy crap, that microphone setup looks terrible. lol.

Here's what I did when I had HE-500's:

Shrink wrapped/taped a nice Audio Technica mic to a round piece of metal, which then goes over one of the earpads. I also used a preamp to control the mics sensitivity.

I use speakers now, but I still need a stable/comfortable headset. I took a regular Xbox bluetooth headset and added a headband/more comfortable earpad to it. Previously it was a semi in-ear style, but now it rests on the outside of my ear.

Radical_53 · 02-25-2013, 20:32 | posts: 2,258 | Location: Germany

I'm only using one of the Logitech USB desktop microphones. Very nice quality, doesn't interefere with anything my soundcard has to do (I used to have trouble with mic-in regularly) and it has a nicely-lit button

N0sferatU · 02-25-2013, 20:55 | posts: 1,414 | Location: United States

I just stick to one or two threads over at head-fi. I've been a member there for several years and while I enjoy good audio some of them over there are just ridiculous. What I love are the adjectives people come up for with what they're perceiving as different in the sound based on a cable, power plug, dac, amp, etc.

I'll admit there are some sonic differences between equipment but to the extremes these people talk about is just laughable at best IMO.

There's a serious law of diminishing returns after a set dollar amount. I own 2 full size headphones, 2 ear buds, and a DAC/AMP. My most expensive purchase was the Denon-AH-D7000 and everything else each cost significantly less. I just laugh at the guys who pay thousands upon thousands for their setups.

There were only TWO headphones I heard that were insanely expensive that I thought were really good...one was the HiFiMan HE-6 and the other are the Stax 009. I live near the admin for the site (who's a really cool guy) so I've gotten the luxury of jamming some crazy setups.

Darkest · 02-25-2013, 21:12 | posts: 5,243

Quote:

Originally Posted by FULMTL

When is Guru3d going to have more (or any) audio gear reviews?...

Although I think it's dumb when people have a $100-200 soundcard and use a $30-50 headset. I wish more companies would make better headsets, but then again, I don't want companies to start ripping off everyone pretending their products are for audiophiles by slapping that word on the front of their box - COUGH CORSAIR COUGH.

I see this more often than I'd like. People buying the likes of an Essence ST for their Corsair HS1a's or something. They'd have been better off with a cheap Xonar DG and spending more money on the headphones.

I'm also making plans to move to Japan after seeing those photographs. I've seen similar stores for other products over there, retro games and the like. You just don't get anything like that here, which is a shame.

ROBSCIX · 02-25-2013, 23:31 | posts: 16,079 | Location: Guru3D Audio Lab

For those asking, we have a few great reviews of some nice products in the hopper right now...so they should be coming out very soon.

FULMTL · 02-25-2013, 23:43 | posts: 6,151 | Location: Portland, Oregon

You know what, wouldn't it be a great idea to make custom headsets from headphones and sell them as a modding service?
You could make superior $99 headsets easily.

gridiron whirlw · 02-25-2013, 23:58 | posts: 3,183 | Location: Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by N0sferatU

I just stick to one or two threads over at head-fi. I've been a member there for several years and while I enjoy good audio some of them over there are just ridiculous. What I love are the adjectives people come up for with what they're perceiving as different in the sound based on a cable, power plug, dac, amp, etc.

I'll admit there are some sonic differences between equipment but to the extremes these people talk about is just laughable at best IMO.

There's a serious law of diminishing returns after a set dollar amount. I own 2 full size headphones, 2 ear buds, and a DAC/AMP. My most expensive purchase was the Denon-AH-D7000 and everything else each cost significantly less. I just laugh at the guys who pay thousands upon thousands for their setups.

There were only TWO headphones I heard that were insanely expensive that I thought were really good...one was the HiFiMan HE-6 and the other are the Stax 009. I live near the admin for the site (who's a really cool guy) so I've gotten the luxury of jamming some crazy setups.

That Stax 009 better sound good for $5000....talk about overkill.

Rebel975 · 02-26-2013, 01:01 | posts: 1,133 | Location: Oregon

^With a "recommended minimum requirement" of a $5,000 amp and $5,000 DAC. lol.

N0sferatU · 02-26-2013, 02:31 | posts: 1,414 | Location: United States

Quote:

Originally Posted by gridiron whirlw

That Stax 009 better sound good for $5000....talk about overkill.

Oh no doubt I agree but I'm not going to lie those things sounded amazing. Now did they sound that many times better than my current arsenal? ABSOLUTELY NOT. Bang for your buck just isn't there. I got to jam some Armin and Massive Attack on the Stax (to a couple of blank stares because of the genre haha). Great soundstage and presence on them it's something everyone should hear at least once.

Since we're doing "headphone talk". Here's some of the toys at a "meet" I went to about a year ago. See if you audiophiles can identify these headphones!

First one I'll give away that's the Stax with it's "baby cousin". See if you can guess the rest...I had my Denon's posing with some other gear in a few of these shots.

Rebel975 · 02-26-2013, 03:13 | posts: 1,133 | Location: Oregon

In order they appear, from left to right:

SR-009 > SR-007, AH-D7000 > LCD-2 bamboo, AH-D7000 > RS-1(?), AH-D7000 > HD800 > DT880/990? > LCD2, HE90 (drool)

N0sferatU · 02-26-2013, 04:48 | posts: 1,414 | Location: United States

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rebel975

In order they appear, from left to right:

SR-009 > SR-007, AH-D7000 > LCD-2 bamboo, AH-D7000 > RS-1(?), AH-D7000 > HD800 > DT880/990? > LCD2, HE90 (drool)

damn pretty close on almost all. RS-1 was correct. The Second set of 4 ya goofed the first one and I'm blanking on the exact model but it's a JVC branded headphone that's similar to the Denon. The 3rd one is a Beyerdynamic model but was a T1.

GenClaymore · 02-26-2013, 06:56 | posts: 5,082 | Location: Michigan,usa

I been a member my self over head-fi for some years as well, I usually stay outta the sound sci form, As I know its all about people shoving there opinions down your throat. I usually sell my audio gear over their, or browse there headphone,computer audio or source section.

Used to go over there alot when I used to do op-amp swapping . Too bad we don't have a more refine audio section here.

As with them spending a lot of money on audio gear, its all in the eye of the beholder,If there happy with any improvements that they feel they hear. Then that's all it really matter's, nothing else. I surely wouldn't spend that much as I have limits on how much I would spend on any thing. Because the same thing can be said about what we spend on computer hardware in their or some one else eyes.