audio technica phones are some of the most comfortable you can buy imo
all the fiio amps are made for portable use, but the E10 can be used with a desktop
you usually only need a dedicated amp to power cans over 64 ohms (generally anything higher than 64 is a big step up, like more than twice the resistance) however some below 64 can benefit from an amp, the M50s however, do not
So, just that soundcard is all I need then?
Sorry, I'm not familiar with all this audio jargon. :v:
Going to type a review of the ATH-A-700s pretty soon here.
I WANT TO USE MY HTF 600 GODAMN.
BUT I CAN'T.
FUCK.
Just got TAD-500s. They're pretty good for the price I paid for them, but granted I bought them in Hong Kong.
They contrast pretty well with my TMA-1s and whatnot, and open Audio Technica headphones with the angled 53mm drivers don't get much cheaper.
Probably going to write up a review for them once I am back home to help out anyone else going through the fucking excruciating meatgrinder that is scouring the internet for information on them, seeing as all I could squeeze was two short, vague reviews in Japanese and the information from the back of the box.
[QUOTE=David Tennant;34404275]Why would you need IEMs to look good? No-one sees them.[/QUOTE]
[IMG]http://aloaudio.com/images/detailed/2/e-Q5-Side.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://lendmeurears.com/images/ebay-DN-11_clip_image002.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.gizbot.com/files/2012/01/meelectronics-s6-sport-fi1.jpg[/IMG]
[editline]27th January 2012[/editline]
[QUOTE=Odellus;34404296][url]http://www.amazon.co.uk/ViSang-VS-R03-Isolation-Ear-Buds-Earphones/dp/B005G7QMI6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327613126&sr=8-1[/url]
[url]http://www.amazon.co.uk/MEElectronics-Balanced-Armature-Headphone-Colour/dp/B004OBZ2XQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1327613297&sr=1-1[/url]
I highly recommend the 151s[/QUOTE]
CC51s are better with good treble extension.
[url]http://www.inearmatters.net/2009/01/list_01.html[/url]
But both, CC51 and A151 have recessed mids.
I already ordered 2 sets of CC51, gifted 1 extra set to my brother.
[editline]27th January 2012[/editline]
[QUOTE=Weltmeister;34410637]So, just that soundcard is all I need then?
Sorry, I'm not familiar with all this audio jargon. :v:[/QUOTE]
You will have to loosen your wallet more if you wish to trudge upon this hobby. Xonar DG is a good start to go with. Make sure your PC has proper earthing.
Perhaps later you can get something like Xonar STX (I got one) or ST.
Shift to a better source (Sansa Clip Zip or Clip+ for starters) first and go clambering the ladder of IEMs gradually without worrying about dedicated amp at the initial stages unless you buy earphones with impedance greater than 64 ohm. 16 ohm and 32 is pretty much the standard for IEMs today. Do not get anything lower than that, it would only add to the hissing noise due to high sensitivity.
However if you like to get a portable amp then start with Fiio E6.
I don't want to enter this hobby, I just the best sound I can get for a decent price. Inbetween gas, student loans, and basic survival needs you'll be surprised to know how much $150 bucks can be for a guy. :v:
e: Also I'm not going to be using these on the go, this is just for my room, since you seem to think otherwise (unless I'm reading you wrong). I just read the OP and saw that I needed an amp for the M50's, but, if I just need a good soundcard if I plan to use it on my PC only, then well, yea.
[QUOTE=Weltmeister;34417242]I don't want to enter this hobby, I just the best sound I can get for a decent price. Inbetween gas, student loans, and basic survival needs you'll be surprised to know how much $150 bucks can be for a guy. :v:
e: Also I'm not going to be using these on the go, this is just for my room, since you seem to think otherwise (unless I'm reading you wrong). I just read the OP and saw that I needed an amp for the M50's, but, if I just need a good soundcard if I plan to use it on my PC only, then well, yea.[/QUOTE]
M50's don't need amping. A bit of EQ can sort out the problem described in the OP (which I haven't noticed at all).
[QUOTE=Weltmeister;34417242]I don't want to enter this hobby, I just the best sound I can get for a decent price. Inbetween gas, student loans, and basic survival needs you'll be surprised to know how much $150 bucks can be for a guy. :v:
e: Also I'm not going to be using these on the go, this is just for my room, since you seem to think otherwise (unless I'm reading you wrong). I just read the OP and saw that I needed an amp for the M50's, but, if I just need a good soundcard if I plan to use it on my PC only, then well, yea.[/QUOTE]
Probably you are better off saving money.
Trying to help my friend get some nice headphones, does anyone know of a retailer that has the htf600's and will ship to Estonia?
went and got some M50's even though they were slightly outside of my budget.
I still need to wear them in ill give it another 3/4 weeks of use age before I make any serious judgmental opinion.
At the moment though I can hear people reload their gun on the other side of the map in css (Dust 2 to put it into perspective)
Music is great though, its good to hear flac files on a set of headphones rather than a 5.1 surround sound which shakes the room.
[QUOTE=fritzel;34416102]
CC51s are better with good treble extension.
[url]http://www.inearmatters.net/2009/01/list_01.html[/url]
But both, CC51 and A151 have recessed mids.
I already ordered 2 sets of CC51, gifted 1 extra set to my brother.
[/QUOTE]
the cc51s aren't in his budget which is why I didn't link them
Reasons to get a PCI soundcard:
>Global EQ
>Higher quality sound
>Any other sound improvements (X-Fi Crystallizer for best sounding EDM on HTF600s)
x-fi crystalizer is so good ogm
[QUOTE=Odellus;34424249]the cc51s aren't in his budget which is why I didn't link them[/QUOTE]
They do go on sale now and then @ <$40.
_________________________________________
A brief review of HiSound Audio Golden Crystal after listening to them for 1 month
[release]
It was an impulsive purchase but least did I know these would end up as my favorite IEM in 1 months of time. There's something very unique about Golden Crystal, starting from well textured bass, passing along with clean mids and culminating on sprakly highs. It's almost reinventing and rejoicing my music collection once again.
I'll start with the basics:
[B]Packaging:[/B] Nice Fancy leather box with a clamshell case ensconsced comfortably in upper compartment. Lift the compartment with the velvet strip and there lies 3 boxes. One of them contains 3 sets of single flange tips and 3 sets of tri flange tips. One ovoid single flange is already mounted on the nozzles of IEM. I settled for the medium sized non-prodruding-rear tri-flanges for their deeper insertion and perfect fit.
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/psygeist/6651943505/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7004/6651943505_c10348803d.jpg[/img][/url][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/psygeist/6651948423/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7169/6651948423_b7b428559e.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/psygeist/6651933667/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7173/6651933667_5a7ed0e40c.jpg[/img][/url][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/psygeist/6651953815/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/6651953815_8c9fe61ee9.jpg[/img][/url]
[B]Build Quality:[/B] Usual gold plated connectors. Surprisingly small form factor and smallest dynamic drivers @5mm. Shell feels sturdy enough but the plastic reliefs at rear gets me worried as these are not the typical limber strain reliefs. So far no problem at all. Cable ,definitely, is the most impressive of all the IEMs I have. It's braided internally and then sheathed with some kind of polymer. It's not easy to get the cable tangled, a plus point indeed. RE272's wire are close enough but feels a bit fragile.
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/psygeist/6651916045/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7168/6651916045_8bcc569d05.jpg[/img][/url][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/psygeist/6651922847/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7013/6651922847_777dc80f32.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/psygeist/6651918693/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7011/6651918693_cd8affa267.jpg[/img][/url][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/psygeist/6651917791/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7169/6651917791_6e1619fde6.jpg[/img][/url]
[B]Comfort and Isolation:[/B] Once you tuck them in, it's like you won't realize if you have something in your ears after some time. They just disappear owing to their light weight and small form factor. I can chew food without any perceptible seal issues. So far I found tri-flanges (medium) to be the best at providing isolation and for the maximum bass. No other IEM, I own, come any closer to that. It's accentuated by the fact that I was oblivious of the fact that on of my colleague was tooting behind me.
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/psygeist/6651956877/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6651956877_22720fe426.jpg[/img][/url]
[B]Sound[/B]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/psygeist/6651917391/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7028/6651917391_a294851e4f.jpg[/img][/url][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/psygeist/6651919021/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7153/6651919021_63874af48a.jpg[/img][/url]
[B]
Lows:[/B] More than enough for that extra fun you are looking for. Quantity, quality and texture is on par with RE272. Packs a good punch and control in comparison to feeble blows of RE272. Good extension at sub bass region (can feel the reasonably good rumble). Owing to the small driver size it's technically limited to match with one of the Xears (TD V III or XE200PRO) or bassier IEMs in sheer quantity. But the texture of bass renders me euphoric to no limit. It's enthralling to the auditory senses.
[B]Mids:[/B] Slightly recessed compared to RE272 but still forward to my taste. Clean and lean are the two words to describe it. RE 0 sounds, in comparison, way too thick and colored. RE272 manages to leap ahead of Golden Crystal but not by a fair margin. However on some bad recordings these can sound harsh and revealing.
[B]Highs:[/B] Piercingly awesome, crisp and clear ! Yep, that's exactly where these excels again by a fair margin above RE272. Treble extension will blow you away by the tremendous energy, it's like unleashed horse of war mauling relentlessly other beasts competing against it. A word of caution, highs can be way too much for some people.
[B]Presentation:[/B] Intimate and aggressive. Perfectly complements the music I listen to (mainly post-rock). RE272 is more laid back and lacks the aggressiveness.
[B]Soundstage:[/B] Comparatively narrow but with good depth. I wish it would be as much wider as RE272's but that doesn't limit the fun.
[B]Instrument Separation:[/B] RE272 wins by good margin but Golden Crystal is no slouch, although sounds a wee bit congested in complex passages.
[B]Imaging:[/B] Again not as good as RE272 but ranks gracefully a few notches down.
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/psygeist/6651935863/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7018/6651935863_2c4a129286.jpg[/img][/url]
Listening to same songs with RE272 and then Golden Crystal gives me a completely different experience. Both are kind of complementing each other. I do feel that these will benefit more from amping as the volume at normal level was way below compared to other IEMs I tested.
One thing I'd like to mention again is that bass magnitude and rumble increased appreciably when using tri-flanges.
Songs tested while reviewing:
1. Bowspirit - Balmorhea (versatile piece of music really shines through these)
2. Cavelight - Blockhead (bass segments are almost hauntingly beautiful followed by captivating sitar beats)
3. Take Care, Take Care, Take Care - Explosions in The Sky (never really liked this album much with RE272 but fell in love instantly with Golden Crystal)
4. The Kidnapper Bell - Mono (analytical nature of GC makes it much more enjoyable)
5. A Smaller God - Darling Violetta (bass texture is absolutely satisfying which was missing in RE272)
6. Teardrop - Massive Attack (never sounded so good)
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/psygeist/6651959445/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7170/6651959445_e3681e1c98.jpg[/img][/url]
[B]Cons:[/B] No chin slider, no modular cable(I like RE272's approach here)
[/release]
So I went with Tu-154M's advice (via pm) and just got myself a decent interface.
[url]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002QQC1ZI/ref=gno_cart_title_5[/url]
I ordered the M50's and also got myself these
[url]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004Z7G9/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER[/url]
I have some modding in mind. :getin:
[QUOTE=Weltmeister;34430906]So I went with Tu-154M's advice (via pm) and just got myself a decent interface.
[url]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002QQC1ZI/ref=gno_cart_title_5[/url]
I ordered the M50's and also got myself these
[url]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004Z7G9/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER[/url]
I have some modding in mind. :getin:[/QUOTE]
What are you going to do to those poor M50's?
No I'm going to mod the 4AA's you silly billy.
Going to build this microphone:
[img]http://www.shure.com/americas/idc/groups/public/documents/webcontent/us_pro_sm10_koss.jpg[/img]
Can you say Air Traffic Controller from the 70's? Whoop whoop
So I have a pair of Grado SR80i's right now which have been burned in for a while and they sound really good.
My problem is I'm using a laptop with the onboard Realtek HD sound card, and as we all know, the better the sound card the better the audio will sound overall, which was proven when I plugged my headphones into my fathers Asus Xonar sound card, which was much better.
In order to increase the sound quality I'm looking at a Fiio E10 which is both a DAC and an amp.
I know I don't really need an amp due to the headphones being easy to drive anyway, but I was wondering if the E10 would give me a big difference in sound for £60.
[QUOTE=hoot37;34431174]So I have a pair of Grado SR80i's right now which have been burned in for a while and they sound really good.
My problem is I'm using a laptop with the onboard Realtek HD sound card, and as we all know, the better the sound card the better the audio will sound overall, which was proven when I plugged my headphones into my fathers Asus Xonar sound card, which was much better.
In order to increase the sound quality I'm looking at a Fiio E10 which is both a DAC and an amp.
I know I don't really need an amp due to the headphones being easy to drive anyway, but I was wondering if the E10 would give me a big difference in sound for £60.[/QUOTE]
Very much so, and even headphones that aren't hard to drive do benefit from an amp, it'll tighten it up, for example, m50's are very efficient but add an amp and it really tightens the bass up.
Okay, it's just that some people have said that there's not much difference between the DAC/amp and their onboard sound card. Shall I assume they are using a cheap pair of headphones in that case?
Pretty much yes, either that or they have damaged hearing, you even said yourself plugging the Grados into the Xonar is better.
Just snagged a used set of this that doesn't come with ear padding for 30 bux
[url]http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/shure-512-headset-microphone[/url]
Fuck yes thank you eBay.
I cannot wait to get that mic off and put it on some Pro/4AA's... shits gonna be siiiick.
You're really spending your money today Welt, don't waste it mate.
[QUOTE=David Tennant;34433095]You're really spending your money today Welt, don't waste it mate.[/QUOTE]
If I get it right, I can probably sell it off somewhere for a pretty big gain, or I can just keep it because it'll be so beautiful whilst I play my flight sims.
Hell, the microphone was a total snag in the first place, 30 bucks for something that I would probably have paid 80 for. Huzzah for uninformed sellers.
Goodluck then.
ordered a fiio e5 w/ lod
can't wait to try it with my octaves
[editline]28th January 2012[/editline]
oh yeah I should mention, anyone buying any sort of portable amp for an iPod should always buy a line out dock cable so you can bypass the built in amp
I'm looking for something in the $300 range and I think I'm going to go for the Ultrasone Pro 750, though I would like to see if anyone has any recommendations or comments on them before I buy.
[url]http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?products_id=3047[/url]
[editline]29th January 2012[/editline]
if you want bass, dt880
if you want more clear mids and highs with nearly as good bass, a900x
If you look you may find Pro900s for that price too if you're willing to spend the full $300 and want emphasis on bass.
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