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

Not a big room at all. I'm not so sure I really care about HDMI, normally I'd just plug optical from my board to the receiver.

honestly i feel like making this dive into audio gear has been one of the best decisions i've made in a long time. i have always listened to music big time, 6 to 10 hours a day minimum, and spending such a relatively small amount comparative to the amount of pleasure i've received as a result (~$550 so far on 2 headphones, 1 amp, 1 dac) is just crazy. this stuff makes my heart feel weird. i do a lot of research and am constantly looking for gear opinions but really i have yet to get too immersed to where i forget what this is all really about and that's just listening to music. anyway my end game is probably lcd-3 in terms of headphones

[QUOTE=ifaux;51349381]honestly i feel like making this dive into audio gear has been one of the best decisions i've made in a long time. i have always listened to music big time, 6 to 10 hours a day minimum, and spending such a relatively small amount comparative to the amount of pleasure i've received as a result (~$550 so far on 2 headphones, 1 amp, 1 dac) is just crazy. this stuff makes my heart feel weird. i do a lot of research and am constantly looking for gear opinions but really i have yet to get too immersed to where i forget what this is all really about and that's just listening to music. anyway my end game is probably lcd-3 in terms of headphones[/QUOTE] You can check SBAF or headfi for local headphone meets in your area so that you can demo cans before you buy them. I personally have a meet San Diego Dec 3rd to compare the Focal Utopia and Stax Sr 007 against my heavily modified Hd650's and ZMF Omni's. (Going to be fun)

How exactly would one mod their HD650's anyhow? I've got a while until mine gets here from MD with the Schiit stack, but if I'm jumping into the deep end with all this to start with, then I might as well take swimming lessons before then :v:

[QUOTE=Steven :D;51350988]How exactly would one mod their HD650's anyhow? I've got a while until mine gets here from MD with the Schiit stack, but if I'm jumping into the deep end with all this to start with, then I might as well take swimming lessons before then :v:[/QUOTE] A pen, scissors, exacto knife, flush cutters, and dynamat. Some mods void the warranty, which is why I prefer buying used. The mods in their entirety makes the Hd650 crisper, more dynamic and faster than stock, whilst tightening and increasing bass extension. Less over-damped and more lively pretty much. The ear pads can be removed and the foam padding will fall out, I cut a nickle-sized hole, but with the Jotun I'd do dime-sized if I get new pads. [t]http://i.imgur.com/2gEczD2.jpg[/t] I snipped the spider cage holding the foam disk and removed both of them (Cutting off spider voids warranty, foam disk can be removed w/o cutting spider off). This opens up the driver changing the sound significantly, adding breath and width to the sound stage. (Biggest change) Foil looking stuff is dynamat, a tar-like material used in cabinets and car doors to tighten bass and reduce bass mud. It cleans up lower bass extension and lets it dig much deeper than before. I removed the decorative piece at the bottom of each cup to reduce weight, as the dynamat adds a noticeable amount of heft to the finished product. [t]http://i.imgur.com/a0fkUMA.jpg[/t] Headphone cables are re-terminated to a balanced 4pin XLR into the Schiit Jotunheim. I'm still experimenting with mods and tweaks and this is subject to change frequently. But this current set-up is my baseline. Headphone measurements of a pair similar to mine vs stock: [url]http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/hd650-dynamat-mods-proof-that-its-not-bs.2098/[/url]

So I just bought a Backbeat Pro (to have on the move, got my trusty DT770 and Blue Snowball home) from a work colleague, he's barely used it at all and I got it fairly cheap. He wasn't dissatisfied but rather a tech junkie thats going to get the 2.0 version, now I got bluetooth on my laptop and I figured, how cool wouldn't be to get to use it as a complete headset when I only have my laptop; but here's the catch, the microphone doesn't seem to be showing up as a recording device (windows 10) and it's only counting the headset as a music player/media device. Anyone with a similar experience in Windows 10 know how to get this to work? I don't think it's on the headset/headphones but rather on windows side. Googling just comes up with shady things or not related to windows 10. I'm not sure if this is the right thread to post it in, if so my bad but I figured it didn't need it's own thread. Okay progress: I've successfully connected it to my laptop, but now comes a problem that seems impossible to fix. I want to use the stereo mode/A2DP profile and the mic at the same time, which windows 10 is refusing me to do. It has to be either, and if I'm using the mic that means the overall sound quality is on the level of your average phone call which sucks ass. Any ideas?

I want to buy some new headphones, so I thought I'd ask for recommendations here before I do. I want to get some decent on or over ear wireless headphones that I can use for my PS3, PS4, laptop and phone. I suppose it would have to be bluetooth but without a dongle to be able to wirelessly connect to all of those, and with a detachable 3.5mm cable for when the battery runs out? This is all just guesswork on my end though. It doesn't have to be high end, because I'm mostly just listening to mp3s and watching compressed videos, it's more important that it's comfortable, that others don't hear my music and that I don't hear the noise around me. Being a little sturdy is also a plus. I don't [i]need[/i] a mic, but it's nice to have as long as I can easily move it out of the way when I'm not using it. I currently have AKG K450. The sound is good, and they're portable and mostly comfortable, but being on ear headphones they press on my ears which hurts after wearing them for a long time. My main problem with them is the cable, or rather the fact that it uses a cable, because I'm sick of accidentally getting the cable stuck on everything and having it pulled out, which breaks the cable eventually and one of the ears get no sound and I have to buy a replacement. tl;dr im sick of cables recommend me wireless headphones pls

Are there any open back wireless headsets in existence?

[QUOTE=Talishmar;51354109]Are there any open back wireless headsets in existence?[/QUOTE] Not that I know of, wireless headphones are typically closed because they're designed to block out urban bustle while on-the-go. But some headphones can accept a blue tooth dongle (Philips Shp9500) or be modified to accept one (Sennheiser Hd5x8).

alright my next headphone purchase will be a pair of lcd-2s if i can get a decent deal on them i cannot resist anymore they are easily my favorite headphones in terms of appearance

[QUOTE=KangarooSteak;51357319]Not that I know of, wireless headphones are typically closed because they're designed to block out urban bustle while on-the-go. But some headphones can accept a blue tooth dongle (Philips Shp9500) or be modified to accept one (Sennheiser Hd5x8).[/QUOTE] Headphones won't do either, would have to be a headset or a wireless microhpone separately.

I hope this is the right thread for this, I need some help finding a suitable USB soundcard. What I want to do is being able to hear my own voice when I talk with headphones on without any delay. My onboard soundcard actually supports this (It's called "direct mode" I think), but A) my microphone's volume when using the onboard card is really low and B) boosting it makes interference noise from other components inside the case very audible. I heard a lot of Logitech USB headsets support this, but I'd rather just buy an USB soundcard which I can use with my existing headphones and headset. Shouldn't be anything fancy since I don't want to spend too much, just need to be able to plug my headphones and mic in while being able to hear my own mic with zero delay.

Earlier this week I bought the Aiaiai TMA-2 (Studio Preset) headphones. At first I thought they were a bit too heavy on the lower-mids, but now that I've gotten used to their sound I have to say they're really enjoyable and fun to listen to. Thinking of buying a shorter cable for when I'm on the go and some other speaker units for a less bass-heavy, more neutral sound... And design-wise, these are really pleasing. I'd take a nice picture of them, but then I'd have to take them off, haha.

The Shiit is here! [t]http://i.imgur.com/W3XybrX.jpg[/t] [t]http://i.imgur.com/HeWLQJx.jpg[/t] I don't want to post impressions because right now it would just be emotional gaggling but I'm enjoying myself right now. I cannot wait for my 7XX's either.

[QUOTE=Banned?;51371697]The Shiit is here! <Some Cool Schiit> I don't want to post impressions because right now it would just be emotional gaggling but I'm enjoying myself right now. I cannot wait for my 7XX's either.[/QUOTE] What a wonderful way to start the headphone game, I hope you really enjoy them. Also, if those white led's become too much of an issue, you can put a small square of red packing tape and they'll glow a sweet pink rather than bright white.

[QUOTE=KangarooSteak;51371877]What a wonderful way to start the headphone game, I hope you really enjoy them. Also, if those white led's become too much of an issue, you can put a small square of red packing tape and they'll glow a sweet pink rather than bright white.[/QUOTE] Yeah I'm about to desolder the LED on my FiiO

[QUOTE=KangarooSteak;51371877]What a wonderful way to start the headphone game[/QUOTE] I've been using an O2+ODAC for over two years now, plus started with Senn HD 555s to 598's, had AGK Q701's until one earphone crapped out. It's an upgrade for me. :v:

What's the current overall best option for IEMs <£100? Music taste is pretty varied, but good bass would be a plus. [editline]15th November 2016[/editline] I previous had a pair of SE215's but found the treble way too piercing, if that's any help.

[QUOTE=SataniX;51372929]What's the current overall best option for IEMs <£100? Music taste is pretty varied, but good bass would be a plus. [editline]15th November 2016[/editline] I previous had a pair of SE215's but found the treble way too piercing, if that's any help.[/QUOTE] I hear good things about the Zero Audio Carbo Tenores. Warm, but downward sloping signature. You need to baby them because of the poor strain relief on the capsule, so I'd recommend a small iem case to go with it.

[QUOTE=KangarooSteak;51375144]I hear good things about the Zero Audio Carbo Tenores. Warm, but downward sloping signature. You need to baby them because of the poor strain relief on the capsule, so I'd recommend a small iem case to go with it.[/QUOTE] I guess I'd rather avoid shipping from Japan - anything on UK Amazon Prime would be ideal. Are the Soundmagic E10s still considered good? I liked the overall style of them but they're at the low end of my budget, would there be a similar style upgrade around?

Budget: Not a concern eBay: I guess I'm okay with it. Country: 'Merica. Isolation: I guess closed? Purpose: Music listening in public places, video editing. Music Tastes: Hip hop, country, metalcore/technical metalcore Previous Experiences: Sony XB series Comments: I just need them to be wireless and have a good battery life, while also producing good audio.

[QUOTE=SataniX;51375448]I guess I'd rather avoid shipping from Japan - anything on UK Amazon Prime would be ideal. Are the Soundmagic E10s still considered good? I liked the overall style of them but they're at the low end of my budget, would there be a similar style upgrade around?[/QUOTE] Haven't heard the soundmagic E10's before, but I've tried their full-size headphones and they were nice for the price, I'd say give the E10's a test drive and return them if they don't suit you. From some accounts, they're an in-your-face bass that doesn't sacrifice mid-range and have a smoothed treble, so does hit a few points on your requirement list. I'm really hoping to try more budget IEM's in the future so that I can create more rounded recommendations, but for now, that's on the back burner until the holiday wallet purges are over. [editline]15th November 2016[/editline] [QUOTE=Dr. Deeps;51375556]Budget: Not a concern eBay: I guess I'm okay with it. Country: 'Merica. Isolation: I guess closed? Purpose: Music listening in public places, video editing. Music Tastes: Hip hop, country, metalcore/technical metalcore Previous Experiences: Sony XB series Comments: I just need them to be wireless and have a good battery life, while also producing good audio.[/QUOTE] I've heard some good things about the Mee Audio matrix2 if you wanted to look into that.

I got a new headset but the wire's too short, should I look for a specific brand of extender or something? I heard they can decrease quality?

Unless the cable is trash tier, it shouldn't have much effect on sound. Here's a link to a [url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/FosPower-Auxiliary-4-Conductor-Extension-Connectors-x/dp/B01552UGOM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1479309285&sr=8-2&keywords=3.5mm+trrs+extension] TRRS Extension[/url] and a [url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Splitter-Separate-Headphone-Microphone-Headphones-x/dp/B00Y4663GG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1479309198&sr=8-3&keywords=headset+y+adapter]headset Y adapter[/url] if you need it. And if your headset terminates into two TRS mono jacks, you can simply use 3.5mm TRS extensions on both cables to your source.

Looking at getting a pair of Sony MDR-ZX770BN, yay or nay?

Amazon's selling closed back Sennheiser hd598's for $99 on black friday [url]http://www.theverge.com/2016/11/16/13650462/amazon-black-friday-deals-2016-alexa-echo-dot-extended[/url]

K7XX's come next week Friday!

anyone have any info on "silver cables" and all that stuff? seeing a lot of it with lcd-2 postings and such and i'm curious

Anyone got that video of that nutjob with the silver cables, the interference absorbing rocks (also known as plaster of paris with sequins) that he had hanging on and covering fucking everything, the mains power cables coated in carpet and that recorded the video with the lights out because of the supposed interference from the lights being on? Think he had a slavic accent or something. [editline]17th November 2016[/editline] He also called power boards power distributors.

People's anecdotes are that silver cables offer a brighter sound, probably because it's a better electrical conductor than copper. But cable cores are the last thing on my mind when thinking about audio, just because that kind of stuff is uber expensive. You'd get more bang out of a new super dac. And the only solid reason to get new cables in my book is if you're going for a balanced setup, your cables are garbage/microphonic/too long/short, or you're so up in the audio chain that swapping cables might maybe make a difference. For Audeze cables, I'd just buy cables from ZMF, he can give you a balanced 9ft cable for $50, and that's a pretty solid deal considering it'd cost $22-25 in raw materials + time to hand-make your own set. (Price excludes soldering gear)