Headphone Buying Megathread/Guide V4 - Come here for all your audio needs! (New Threads are not need

[RustledJimmys]

Fucking stuck between M50X's and MDR100AP's, christ I hate making decisions. I tried the 100's today and they're fantastic but apparently M50X's are more 'dynamic'. I have to keep in mind I plan to use them for both music and gaming and I don't have an AMP or anything, just the Logitech dongle or the front 3.5mm port.

[Yeskey]

[QUOTE=Luxuria;49225730]Fucking stuck between M50X's and MDR100AP's, christ I hate making decisions. I tried the 100's today and they're fantastic but apparently M50X's are more 'dynamic'. I have to keep in mind I plan to use them for both music and gaming and I don't have an AMP or anything, just the Logitech dongle or the front 3.5mm port.[/QUOTE]

I wouldn't imagine either of them needing an amp to get them going seeing as they are both fine for "portable" use. Though an amp will usually bring out the best of any headphone.

[Slayer3032]

Has anyone here ever seen or used the V-Moda BoomPro mic? It seems like a cheaper alternative to the Modmic while maintaining a single cord as well.

[t]http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/images500x500/v_moda_c_bp_black_boom_pro_microphone_cable_1038778.jpg[/t]
[url]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BJ17WKK/[/url]

I was planning to take the locking cam out of my 518's and use one of these with an adapter, starting to get really tired of my clip on mic. I don't think I can use a fixed mic because of all the background noise in my room with tvs and what not though.

[patches]

[QUOTE=slayer3032;49226279]Has anyone here ever seen or used the V-Moda BoomPro mic? It seems like a cheaper alternative to the Modmic while maintaining a single cord as well.

[t]http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/images500x500/v_moda_c_bp_black_boom_pro_microphone_cable_1038778.jpg[/t]
[url]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BJ17WKK/[/url]

I was planning to take the locking cam out of my 518's and use one of these with an adapter, starting to get really tired of my clip on mic. I don't think I can use a fixed mic because of all the background noise in my room with tvs and what not though.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, my friend has one and it's pretty damn good. Just beware that you can only use it with headphones that have a 3.5mm detachable cable.

[editline]2nd December 2015[/editline]

I don't think this will work with the 518's even if you get rid of the locking connector because the 518 (I think) have a 2.5mm connector, not a 3.5mm

[paindoc]

[QUOTE=KangarooSteak;49226180]I wouldn't imagine either of them needing an amp to get them going seeing as they are both fine for "portable" use. Though an amp will usually bring out the best of any headphone.[/QUOTE]

I mean it really depends on the system you're using right now. I think it only really makes sense for headphones tat demand it or noisy systems.

Keep on mind that M50Xs are fairly accurate, but have boomy basses and so little stereo field that they effectively beam the music into your skull

[Revenge282]

[B]Budget:[/B] ~$40
[B]Country: [/B]US
[B]Isolation:[/B] In-ear
[B]Purpose:[/B] Listening to music from my phone while walking to/from class, gym, out-and-about activity
[B]Music Tastes:[/B] Electronic, pop, things with bassy beats
[B]Previous Experiences:[/B] Basic Apple headphones and some crappy Walmart-bought buds for working out

Just trying to find something that I can use daily with my phone, and preferably won't make my hurt my ears as much as the Apple buds do. If something is just an amazing bargain and is a little out of the price range, I would jump at it, but I would like to stay in the 30-40 range if possible. Hopefully going to buy another pair as well for my friend as a Christmas gift.

Was looking at these [URL="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001EZYMF4"]Sennheiser CX 300 II on Amazon[/URL], but was wondering if you all knew of anything that would be better for the price. Thanks!

[Slayer3032]

[QUOTE=Havolis;49227671]Yeah, my friend has one and it's pretty damn good. Just beware that you can only use it with headphones that have a 3.5mm detachable cable.

[editline]2nd December 2015[/editline]

I don't think this will work with the 518's even if you get rid of the locking connector because the 518 (I think) have a 2.5mm connector, not a 3.5mm[/QUOTE]

I've seen a few people just use an adapter like this on the 558's which is what I was planning.
[t]http://i.imgur.com/v4sepn1.jpg[/t]

[fpro]

After like 2 years of constant every day use my HARX700 headphones, they're still alive and kicking. I've stepped and sat on them a handful of times, yanked them, slept with them on, and a myriad of other things. Not even a crack.

10/10 would buy again.

[paindoc]

Also, so far the HD598s are Incredible. Playing the bank of orchestral and piano patches from the expansion card kb my synth was ridiculous. The new interface doesn't massacre the actual quality and no noise either. Combine that with top-notch stereo field usage on most of those patches and the stereo space on these things and it's incredible.

Admittedly, a bit flat and boring compared to my XB500s. But now when something sounds balanced and good on these, I know it's on point and my mastering work is working. Lastly the stupidly long cable is great when I'm the actual music Studio and setting up drum mics and shit or adjusting parameters on the racks down from the booth

[t]http://i.imgur.com/XOgYAMf.jpg[/t]

Solid choice, essentially. Well rounded, well built, and stupendously comfy. Only downside is sound leakage, but you should be aware of the tradeoffs with open backs.

[editline]2nd December 2015[/editline]

[QUOTE=false prophet;49232168]After like 2 years of constant every day use my HARX700 headphones, they're still alive and kicking. I've stepped and sat on them a handful of times, yanked them, slept with them on, and a myriad of other things. Not even a crack.

10/10 would buy again.[/QUOTE]

Oh god you should see my xb500s. Broken, moved around the country, stepped on, overdriven, subjected to feedback loops, and they're still kicking. New project is building a 3d printed case for them since those drivers are too much fun

[hl2poo]

[QUOTE=slayer3032;49231978]I've seen a few people just use an adapter like this on the 558's which is what I was planning.
[t]http://i.imgur.com/v4sepn1.jpg[/t][/QUOTE]

Warning: Don't buy these adapters:

[img]http://i01.i.aliimg.com/img/pb/484/472/984/984472484_377.jpg[/img]

[img]http://image.dhgate.com/albu_265575927_00-1.0x0/gold-plated-2-5mm-male-to-3-5mm-female-audio.jpg[/img]

They are shit. I bought two from different websites and they both caused crackling sounds whenever I moved my head around.

Instead, buy one of these adapters:

[url]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007R58NPK?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00[/url]

And remove the chrome plastic part where the cable goes into your headphones. Use fingernails to break the glue bond of the chrome plastic from the headphone housing and the chrome piece falls right out.

Here's a video I found on r/headphones:

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MvN-FI5I8c&list=LL2A_YAOfysl70Qu1zrYHXHg&index=2[/media]

[ryfry]

Got my 598's today and I'm loving them so far as a casual.

[patches]

I'm still waiting for my 598SE to arrive... :downs:

[Curls]

[url]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QPHW63G[/url]
[t]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61pJFFvgSML._SL1040_.jpg[/t]

bought these recently and they sound [B]amazing[/B] and just FEEL GOOD

[paindoc]

[QUOTE=Havolis;49234268]I'm still waiting for my 598SE to arrive... :downs:[/QUOTE]

Amazon Same Day <3

[Slayer3032]

[QUOTE=hl2poo;49232554]Warning: Don't buy these adapters:

[img]http://i01.i.aliimg.com/img/pb/484/472/984/984472484_377.jpg[/img][img]http://image.dhgate.com/albu_265575927_00-1.0x0/gold-plated-2-5mm-male-to-3-5mm-female-audio.jpg[/img]

They are shit. I bought two from different websites and they both caused crackling sounds whenever I moved my head around.

Instead, buy one of these adapters:

[url]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007R58NPK?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00[/url]

And remove the chrome plastic part where the cable goes into your headphones. Use fingernails to break the glue bond of the chrome plastic from the headphone housing and the chrome piece falls right out.

Here's a video I found on r/headphones:

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MvN-FI5I8c&list=LL2A_YAOfysl70Qu1zrYHXHg&index=2[/media][/QUOTE]

Thanks a bunch for the tips, that video was far more useful than the other I found which was pretty bad. Just bought that adapter off Amazon. I was afraid those cheap ones were shit quality but I haven't ordered the mic yet since my GF wants to get it for me for Christmas or something.

I think I'm going to need some sort of USB DAC or something since I'll have to retire my extension cable and $2 dealextreme mic from the back panel and headphones to my PC speakers. My front panel is worthless and has some serious shorting and interference issues which make it useless. I need something I can plug both the headphones and mic into. Is there anything cost effective out there? Maybe something I could fit in a drive bay?

[editline]3rd December 2015[/editline]

[QUOTE=paindoc;49234801]Amazon Same Day <3[/QUOTE]

It's far better with the free services, you know it's a quality service when Amazon waits 7 days to ship the item out and it's still in "Pre-Shipment" with USPS on the day of expected delivery! Nothing beats DHL ExpressPost/Fedex SurePost ether, I've seen stuff go between Hawaii, Alaska and Washington to get to Oregon. Currently my Newegg package shipped via DHL is stuck in Compton so I'm not sure of what to think.

[Del91]

I've had packages shipped via DHL from newegg in the past. It takes a few days for them to update it, then suddenly its out for delivery.

[editline]3rd December 2015[/editline]

I think they just transport it and give it to your local usps

[The Dovahneer]

opinions on the hyperx cloud vs cloud 2? they look pretty attractive considering i want to replace my shitty webcam mic with something better, i just dont know if i should spend the extra for the cloud 2

[Yeskey]

[QUOTE=The Dovahneer;49235302]opinions on the hyperx cloud vs cloud 2? they look pretty attractive considering i want to replace my shitty webcam mic with something better, i just dont know if i should spend the extra for the cloud 2[/QUOTE]

The HyperX 2 comes with a bunch of virtualization and 7.1 surround junk that you don't really need. HyperX 1 is good though. It's based off the takstar pro 80 which will cover all your bases. Get the first one unless you seriously need the active noise cancelling (ANC) on the hyper x 2.

[Cree8ive]

Bluebuds X died, contacted support, can get a new replacement or upgrade to the new X2 for $80.

Yay/nay?

[Levelog]

[QUOTE=Del91;49235163]I've had packages shipped via DHL from newegg in the past. It takes a few days for them to update it, then suddenly its out for delivery.

[editline]3rd December 2015[/editline]

I think they just transport it and give it to your local usps[/QUOTE]

In the US all they do for the most part is transporting stuff from origin to destination USPS facility. They somehow do this slower than USPS themself does.

[Slendermang]

Got my O2/ODAC hooked up to my D2000's now.

Sounds amazing, love these now.

[t]http://imgkk.com/i/y5fd.jpg[/t]

[TonyTheBean]

anybody here know why my earbuds sound weird when plugged into a 3.5mm to 1/4 stereo adapter? not sure how to explain it but it sounds like the same effect you would get when your aux cord is broken. for some reason holding in the play button on the earbud's remote fixes it but thats pretty annoying to do.

[aydin690]

[QUOTE=Lone Wolf807;49266651]Got my O2/ODAC hooked up to my D2000's now.

Sounds amazing, love these now.

[t]http://imgkk.com/i/y5fd.jpg[/t][/QUOTE]

Told you.

[QTom]

I want a decent pair of headphones to use in the office and maybe on car journeys and shit, I'm probably gonna buy the [url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50X-Monitor-Professional-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR86]Audio Technica ATH-M50x[/url].

I'm no audiophile, I just want decent sound for most genres, comfy, and doesn't leak sound. From what I've read these should fit that description but just thought I'd check here first and see if anyone had any input?

Only other one I was sort of considering was the [url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-MDR-1A-Prestige-Overhead-Headphones/dp/B00N3WWG4U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449618840&sr=8-1&keywords=sony+mdr-1a]Sony MDR-1A[/url], but they just seem more expensive and can't really be better reviewed than the M50x, also apparently the sony ones leak sound a bit.

Anyone used either of these? Any advice?

Thanks

[Cree8ive]

[QUOTE=tom1029;49275345]I want a decent pair of headphones to use in the office and maybe on car journeys and shit, I'm probably gonna buy the [url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50X-Monitor-Professional-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR86]Audio Technica ATH-M50x[/url].

I'm no audiophile, I just want decent sound for most genres, comfy, and doesn't leak sound. From what I've read these should fit that description but just thought I'd check here first and see if anyone had any input?

Only other one I was sort of considering was the [url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-MDR-1A-Prestige-Overhead-Headphones/dp/B00N3WWG4U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449618840&sr=8-1&keywords=sony+mdr-1a]Sony MDR-1A[/url], but they just seem more expensive and can't really be better reviewed than the M50x, also apparently the sony ones leak sound a bit.

Anyone used either of these? Any advice?

Thanks[/QUOTE]

I don't have any experience with the Sony MDR-1A but here are my two cents on the M50's (same as M50x without the cable detachments).

I've had the ATH-M50's for 3 years now, being the first proper headphones I got, and they're still going strong. I wanted something bass focused but still able to be well rounded for any type of music, which I feel they've been able to do for me.

People have mentioned they clamp very hard when you first get them but that's easily fixed by stretching them for a period of time (quick search should be helpful).

The pads are soft and comfortable when you first get them with good seal and minimal sound leak, but may get dry and harden over time leading to small cracks in the faux leather. Good thing they're so popular you can get replacement ones on ebay easily. Had mine for 3 years, yet to replace them once (I should really do that soon though).

You get a small pouch to store them in which isn't ideal for protection on the go but they do the job if you're careful. Hard cases exists, but you have to buy these separate.

Biggest annoyance for me is the awful 3 metre long cable which is a hassle to use on the go if situation arises, but that's been fixed with the coiled cable detachment you get with the M50x, (along with a straight cable you get in the box).

[redBadger]

I feel like I'm the only one who prefers good studio monitors over headphones. I never get bleed from my mic which is awesome

[Yeskey]

[QUOTE=redBadger;49276367]I feel like I'm the only one who prefers good studio monitors over headphones. I never get bleed from my mic which is awesome[/QUOTE]

It's usually an issue of whether or not you have conjoined walls with neighbors. I live in a townhouse and even though I have a 5.1 system, I barely use it ever because I don't want to disturb my neighbors. Plus, it's nice to have audio on the go.

At least that's what I keep telling myself coming onto my 7th pair of head/earphones.

[Sai]

Pioneers SE-A1000 are a spectacular headphone, this cable is abysmal though, hopefully I'll get at it with a soldering iron at some point and rectify that problem.

[QTom]

[QUOTE=Cree8ive;49276256]I don't have any experience with the Sony MDR-1A but here are my two cents on the M50's (same as M50x without the cable detachments).

I've had the ATH-M50's for 3 years now, being the first proper headphones I got, and they're still going strong. I wanted something bass focused but still able to be well rounded for any type of music, which I feel they've been able to do for me.

People have mentioned they clamp very hard when you first get them but that's easily fixed by stretching them for a period of time (quick search should be helpful).

The pads are soft and comfortable when you first get them with good seal and minimal sound leak, but may get dry and harden over time leading to small cracks in the faux leather. Good thing they're so popular you can get replacement ones on ebay easily. Had mine for 3 years, yet to replace them once (I should really do that soon though).

You get a small pouch to store them in which isn't ideal for protection on the go but they do the job if you're careful. Hard cases exists, but you have to buy these separate.

Biggest annoyance for me is the awful 3 metre long cable which is a hassle to use on the go if situation arises, but that's been fixed with the coiled cable detachment you get with the M50x, (along with a straight cable you get in the box).[/QUOTE]

Awesome, they're coming tomorrow. Also tbh I like headphones that grip my head solidly. I hate the feeling that my headphones are on the verge of slipping off.

[patches]

[QUOTE=Lone Wolf807;49266651]Got my O2/ODAC hooked up to my D2000's now.

Sounds amazing, love these now.

[t]http://imgkk.com/i/y5fd.jpg[/t][/QUOTE]

Good to know you're enjoying them now!