Headphone Buying Megathread/Guide V4 - Come here for all your audio needs! (New Threads are not need
4,875 replies, posted
Budget: $200
Country: USA
Isolation: closed
Purpose: music and gaming
Music Tastes: DnB and various other forms of electronic music
Previous Experiences: [URL="http://www.amazon.com/Skullcandy-Crusher-Headphones-Built-Amplifier/dp/B00E1CS8QG"]Skullcandy Crusher[/URL]
Comments: It sounded pretty good but what do I know about audio? I've got nothing to compare the sound to.
[QUOTE=Octopod;49528171]Budget: $200
Country: USA
Isolation: closed
Purpose: music and gaming
Music Tastes: DnB and various other forms of electronic music
Previous Experiences: [URL="http://www.amazon.com/Skullcandy-Crusher-Headphones-Built-Amplifier/dp/B00E1CS8QG"]Skullcandy Crusher[/URL]
Comments: It sounded pretty good but what do I know about audio? I've got nothing to compare the sound to.[/QUOTE]
Beyerdynamic DT770 80 ohm
Budget: ~$40 USD, $50 or $60 absolute maximum if I'm getting a tremendous boost in value.
eBay: No, thank you.
Country: USA
Isolation: None
Purpose: Gaming
Music Tastes: Eclectic
Previous Experiences: ATH-AD700
Comments: I've sadly destroyed my ATH-AD700 because I am irresponsible. Spare me the rant. I need a cheap measure to hold me over until I can afford a more-proper audio setup. Ideally something tough that can last me for a while. I'd like something with a large soundstage for gaming on standard integrated audio, no amps or DACs. I don't like sound isolation because I like to hear my surroundings in case of emergency or if somebody needs to get my attention. I understand that I will not be getting an amazing audio setup in this price range, I just need good enough.
[editline]14th January 2016[/editline]
[url]http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDRMA300-Over-the-Head-Headphones/dp/B007BY3PCI[/url]
Looking at these. Still don't quite grasp how impedance works.
[img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/7333627/ShareX/2016-01/14T124237.png[/img]
These are the specs for my mobo's sound chip.
Sennheiser HD 518's a great, I have a pair myself. They're open backed, so it's reasonably easy to hear stuff around you as long as it's at speaking volume or louder, plus they have a pretty great sound quality. They also work fine with my laptop's built-in audio, with no external amp or anything. When I got them they were about $65, and after listening to them I would have gladly paid closer to $100 for them.
Anyone have any experience with the Geekout V2? I'm looking for dacs with balanced outputs and this seems to fit the bill.
Actually, now that I'm looking into it, I know that my ATH AD700s work perfectly fine still, the damage is just cosmetic. The pink mesh on the headphones are impacted but that shouldn't affect sound quality because it's not actually touching the drivers. The broken ear pads and "3D wings" can be replaced for a total of about $20. I'm just gonna refurbish these and keep using them.
[QUOTE=SGTNAPALM;49531014]Actually, now that I'm looking into it, I know that my ATH AD700s work perfectly fine still, the damage is just cosmetic. The pink mesh on the headphones are impacted but that shouldn't affect sound quality because it's not actually touching the drivers. The broken ear pads and "3D wings" can be replaced for a total of about $20. I'm just gonna refurbish these and keep using them.[/QUOTE]
These should fit too, nice pads.
[url]http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00MFDX4YO/ref=pd_aw_sim_23_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=41RSWch-OBL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL100_SR100%2C63_&refRID=1C057E61TB24XB277Q4Y[/url]
[QUOTE=Levelog;49531046]These should fit too, nice pads.
[url]http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00MFDX4YO/ref=pd_aw_sim_23_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=41RSWch-OBL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL100_SR100%2C63_&refRID=1C057E61TB24XB277Q4Y[/url][/QUOTE]
What makes these so much better than, say, these?
[url]http://www.amazon.com/Bluecell-Replacement-Audio-Technica-ATH-AD700-Headphones/dp/B00KXU6QEG/[/url]
[editline]14th January 2016[/editline]
Actually, yeah. The foam on the Brainwavz looks a lot more pronounced, meaning better fit on the head and somewhat better isolation. Looks like it will last longer too. Went ahead and bought it after verifying they would fit on an AD700.
[QUOTE=SGTNAPALM;49531118]What makes these so much better than, say, these?
[url]http://www.amazon.com/Bluecell-Replacement-Audio-Technica-ATH-AD700-Headphones/dp/B00KXU6QEG/[/url]
[editline]14th January 2016[/editline]
Actually, yeah. The foam on the Brainwavz looks a lot more pronounced, meaning better fit on the head and somewhat better isolation. Looks like it will last longer too. Went ahead and bought it after verifying they would fit on an AD700.[/QUOTE]
Brainwavz are pretty much [I]the[/I] aftermarket headphone pad guys.
Just a quick question between some choices.
I'm looking to get either Superlux HD-330s or Supelux HD662s. Just looking for a solid headset that will work for everything from music to games and videos.
My budget is very limited (~40€), but any other recommendations would also be welcome. And no I can't get the panasonic headphones recommended in the OP.
Hmm, so thinking of getting myself some quality headphones as an upgrade on my HyperX headphones which are impressive for below £100.
My budget is £200 but I want headphones that are good for music and movies.
[QUOTE=Levelog;49531354]Brainwavz are pretty much [I]the[/I] aftermarket headphone pad guys.[/QUOTE]
I got a set of pleather pads from them the other day to swap my very worn out m50x pads, and they're amazing
It's much comfier with the added ear space, and imo the added distance between the speakers and your ears give it a roomier feeling
I also noticed that they smell pretty bad just after fitting them on my phones :cry:
[editline]15th January 2016[/editline]
I got the brown ones, and it gives the headphones a v. nice touch of color
[QUOTE=Mr. Agree;49532018]Hmm, so thinking of getting myself some quality headphones as an upgrade on my HyperX headphones which are impressive for below £100.
My budget is £200 but I want headphones that are good for music and movies.[/QUOTE]
[editline]when[/editline]
[url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-HD-600-Monitoring-Headphones/dp/B00004SY4H]Sennheiser Hd600[/url] at £219 as the benchmark of audiophilia or [url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00018MSNI/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=569136327&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00004SY4H&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=14223YAVE69DBZ1AC5EB]Sennheiser Hd650[/url] at £225 for super hifi-contender if you're cool modding them. They perform their best with a dedicated dac/amp. But you can't go wrong on either.
[QUOTE=KangarooSteak;49530738]Anyone have any experience with the Geekout V2? I'm looking for dacs with balanced outputs and this seems to fit the bill.[/QUOTE]
I've heard many good things about it's sound (rivaling desktop amp/DAC combos, maybe even beating them) but apparently the build quality sucks ass.
[QUOTE=Havolis;49534348]I've heard many good things about it's sound (rivaling desktop amp/DAC combos, maybe even beating them) but apparently the build quality sucks ass.[/QUOTE]
Alright, if I did pick it up, it'll be going under my desk and never moving ever again, so I'll keep it in consideration.
[QUOTE=KangarooSteak;49534384]Alright, if I did pick it up, it'll be going under my desk and never moving ever again, so I'll keep it in consideration.[/QUOTE]
If you can, use one of the 6-inch USB extenders. It's a bit safer.
Any recommendation on how I should put the pads on my fostex t50rp? I've been using double sided tape for over 2 years but after a few months the glue just kinda spreads out and gets lose and that's very annoying. I don't want to use stuff like superglue that some guy told me to do in one of /g/'s headphone threads, but I'm guessing it was just some shitposter.
[editline]15th January 2016[/editline]
Also what is in your opinion "too loud" when listening to music with headphones on? I usually crank mine up so much that the bass makes the headphones vibrate, it's an unusual feeling that I've only got using these headphones, modded Fostex obviously.
When it starts to be uncomfortable, or when I can't hear someone talking behind me. I generally keep it around normal speaking volume to that end.
So I wanted to start out these 558's a little different than the ghetto way most people do this. Instead of just removing the locking cam which also protects the jack/board from damage from jamming the connector into the board. I did the same to my 518's which I only took pictures of. The first time I did it I didn't drill/shave down the tabs as much and it actually puts a little pressure on the adapter which helps hold it snugly.
[t]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/5601782/Computer/2016-01-15%2015.21.22.jpg[/t][t]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/5601782/Computer/2016-01-15%2015.20.49.jpg[/t]
[t]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/5601782/Computer/2016-01-15%2015.40.32.jpg[/t][t]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/5601782/Computer/2016-01-15%2015.50.04.jpg[/t]
The ghetto way of doing it.
[t]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/5601782/Computer/2016-01-15%2015.55.51.jpg[/t]
[QUOTE=Plaster;49537891]Any recommendation on how I should put the pads on my fostex t50rp? I've been using double sided tape for over 2 years but after a few months the glue just kinda spreads out and gets lose and that's very annoying. I don't want to use stuff like superglue that some guy told me to do in one of /g/'s headphone threads, but I'm guessing it was just some shitposter.[/QUOTE]
Wrap the "end" parts of the pads over the headphone. What pads do you use?
[QUOTE=Plaster;49537891]Any recommendation on how I should put the pads on my fostex t50rp? I've been using double sided tape for over 2 years but after a few months the glue just kinda spreads out and gets lose and that's very annoying. I don't want to use stuff like superglue that some guy told me to do in one of /g/'s headphone threads, but I'm guessing it was just some shitposter.
[editline]15th January 2016[/editline]
Also what is in your opinion "too loud" when listening to music with headphones on? I usually crank mine up so much that the bass makes the headphones vibrate, it's an unusual feeling that I've only got using these headphones, modded Fostex obviously.[/QUOTE]
Can you take a picture of your headphones with the pads on them?
If they're are fatiguing after a decent period of time, they might be too loud. If they're rock concert loud, then they're too loud.
My dad has industrial deafness (steel hot strip mills will do that to you) and I'd rather avoid getting that if possible so the computer volume is usually at 15% and AIMP is at 15% of that but it's still plenty loud enough.
Embedded soundcloud is still loud as fuck at 15% computer volume but it doesn't have a volume slider and defaults to 100% ear rape instead of the ~25% it's set to on the full site. Finding a good balance is so hard because I still get YouTube videos that are inaudible unless I increase computer volume from 15 to 50+% and then if there's an error sound my ears explode.
[QUOTE=helifreak;49541707]My dad has industrial deafness (steel hot strip mills will do that to you) and I'd rather avoid getting that if possible so the computer volume is usually at 15% and AIMP is at 15% of that but it's still plenty loud enough.
Embedded soundcloud is still loud as fuck at 15% computer volume but it doesn't have a volume slider and defaults to 100% ear rape instead of the ~25% it's set to on the full site. Finding a good balance is so hard because I still get YouTube videos that are inaudible unless I increase computer volume from 15 to 50+% and then if there's an error sound my ears explode.[/QUOTE]
I find I can listen to my iphone at full volume and I still feel it could be a little louder. That's either my hyperx headphones or my ears
[QUOTE=helifreak;49541707]My dad has industrial deafness (steel hot strip mills will do that to you) and I'd rather avoid getting that if possible so the computer volume is usually at 15% and AIMP is at 15% of that but it's still plenty loud enough.
Embedded soundcloud is still loud as fuck at 15% computer volume but it doesn't have a volume slider and defaults to 100% ear rape instead of the ~25% it's set to on the full site. Finding a good balance is so hard because I still get YouTube videos that are inaudible unless I increase computer volume from 15 to 50+% and then if there's an error sound my ears explode.[/QUOTE]
An external amplifier with a gain knob allows you to set the digital volume to 100% and control gain with the knob. As long as you don't accidentally turn the knob, you don't need to worry about sound spikes.
-snip out of stock-
[QUOTE=Havolis;49540857]Wrap the "end" parts of the pads over the headphone. What pads do you use?[/QUOTE]
I use the default pads but because my ears are quite big I had to add that hard foam stuff on each side so I can't exactly wrap it around
beware of shit camera quality and a very ghetto modmic because money
[t]https://my.mixtape.moe/irtpew.jpg[/t]
[t]https://my.mixtape.moe/ejkojd.jpg[/t]
Before I added that foam there was some weird type of double sided glue behind the pads (was really strong even if it was just a tiny square holding it in place) so it's not relying alone on those parts that are wrapped around the cup. If there are any pads that any of you recommend me to use then please share them, even better if they are super soft like an old leather sofa.
[editline]16th January 2016[/editline]
[QUOTE=KangarooSteak;49541536]Can you take a picture of your headphones with the pads on them?
If they're are fatiguing after a decent period of time, they might be too loud. If they're rock concert loud, then they're too loud.[/QUOTE]
If I listen to music for like an hour then yes my hearing seems to get slightly "weaker", to me it sounds more like like I'm having a band-stop filter on my ears which doesn't surprise me that much since my headphones do have a lot of mids.
ive had these HD558's for over half a decade now and I have to admit that I've grown to hate open headphones
[QUOTE=POLOPOZOZO;49550814]ive had these HD558's for over half a decade now and I have to admit that I've grown to hate open headphones[/QUOTE] I feel the exact opposite. My old 515's were great then I went to closed for quite a while for some reason. It was awful.
[QUOTE=POLOPOZOZO;49550814]ive had these HD558's for over half a decade now and I have to admit that I've grown to hate open headphones[/QUOTE]
Care to explain why? Since I've gotten my HD598's I've been really liking open headphones.
0 privacy
can't listen to porn in them
[editline]17th January 2016[/editline]
I mean it sounds great
to everyone within 20 feet
I'm looking to get an open headphone with a budget of $150. Do you guys have any recommendation?
I'm thinking about getting hd598. Would I need a Dac for this? I'd prefer not to buy any.
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