Headphone Buying Megathread/Guide V4 - Come here for all your audio needs! (New Threads are not need
4,875 replies, posted
I get the impression that cables are some of the most minuscule upgrades you can make regarding how headphones and audio gear sounds to the point that there could be no difference at all in the first place. The only actual reason I see to replace a cable is to change the connector on it, say if you don't want to use a converter, or if the cable is garbage in the first place (Fostex T50RP).
My only analog actual cable is my headphones
anyone have a pair of mee m6 pros?
ive been reading about them but people have been saying that they have harsh highs and weak lows while others say they are perfectly balanced
[QUOTE=Banned?;51383921]I get the impression that cables are some of the most minuscule upgrades you can make regarding how headphones and audio gear sounds to the point that there could be no difference at all in the first place. The only actual reason I see to replace a cable is to change the connector on it, say if you don't want to use a converter, or if the cable is garbage in the first place (Fostex T50RP).[/QUOTE]
One cable nightmare involved a severe hum from my Jotunheim, which I thought was a ground loop. And after further investigation, it turned out to be poorly shielded RCA interconnects between my DAC and amp (the kind of RCA's from a cheap dvd player). Throwing those out and replacing them with custom shielded interconnects removed the humming and now the background is blacker than ever. That's one of the few "night-and-day" differences I've had.
[editline]16th November 2016[/editline]
[QUOTE=Bbls;51384071]anyone have a pair of mee m6 pros?
ive been reading about them but people have been saying that they have harsh highs and weak lows while others say they are perfectly balanced[/QUOTE]
Haven't heard them personally, but if you decide on grabbing a pair, be sure to throw your impressions in for the rest of us.
someone is offering me a pair of bamboo lcd-2s with all the original stuff for $600 shipped and
the wallet gods are not happy with me right now
[QUOTE=KangarooSteak;51384187]One cable nightmare involved a severe hum from my Jotunheim, which I thought was a ground loop. And after further investigation, it turned out to be poorly shielded RCA interconnects between my DAC and amp (the kind of RCA's from a cheap dvd player). Throwing those out and replacing them with custom shielded interconnects removed the humming and now the background is blacker than ever. That's one of the few "night-and-day" differences I've had.[/QUOTE]
Well, if something broken/crappy/super cheap then replacing it is fine. 99% of the time though you could just buy Monoprice cables for whatever you need and be fine with it.
Alright lads, could use some advice. Not an audiophile but I'd love to get a really nice pair of headphones. Currently using the Audio Technica ATH-M30x headphones and while I like them, I think it's time to upgrade. The only thing about these I don't like is the comfort. After a few hours my ears really start to ache and it's a feeling a really do hate. Anything around £100 to £120 is fine, though I don't mind paying a bit more if it's worth it.
Also is it worth getting a sound card or anything? I'm only watching movies, TV shows and playing games so I'm curious if it's worth paying for something like that? Or is it an amp that I should be looking at?
So not necessarily related to my headphones but I bought a Focusrite preamp for recording and ended up using it as my soundcard because the driver is so good.
I used to have to juggle low-latency drivers and headphone jacks when using DAWs, and most of the time I would have to lose audio from windows depending on which programs I was using.
Not only does the preamp cooperate with everything, it has an additional volume control and I can turn around and start getting direct audio from my keyboard without changing a thing.
[QUOTE=madnath619;51389221]Alright lads, could use some advice. Not an audiophile but I'd love to get a really nice pair of headphones. Currently using the Audio Technica ATH-M30x headphones and while I like them, I think it's time to upgrade. The only thing about these I don't like is the comfort. After a few hours my ears really start to ache and it's a feeling a really do hate. Anything around £100 to £120 is fine, though I don't mind paying a bit more if it's worth it.
Also is it worth getting a sound card or anything? I'm only watching movies, TV shows and playing games so I'm curious if it's worth paying for something like that? Or is it an amp that I should be looking at?[/QUOTE]
Are you looking for another closed back or are you open to open-back headphones?
[editline]17th November 2016[/editline]
[QUOTE=Splarg!;51389389]So not necessarily related to my headphones but I bought a Focusrite preamp for recording and ended up using it as my soundcard because the driver is so good.
I used to have to juggle low-latency drivers and headphone jacks when using DAWs, and most of the time I would have to lose audio from windows depending on which programs I was using.
Not only does the preamp cooperate with everything, it has an additional volume control and I can turn around and start getting direct audio from my keyboard without changing a thing.[/QUOTE]
The sheer number of things I'm able to hook up to my 2i2 made it my command center up until I got a beefier preamp, it's a wonderful little box. Also, fake karaoke with direct feedback is fun.
[QUOTE=KangarooSteak;51389623]Are you looking for another closed back or are you open to open-back headphones?
[/QUOTE]
I'm open to trying open-back headphones, though closed might end up being a bit better for me
if anybody is interested I am selling my beyerdynamic dt 770s (as well as a pair of urbeats, lol)
Anyone got any recommendations for a decent clip on microphone? Been looking at stuff like the ModMic, but this was only from an old recommendation from a few years ago. Anyone with a more up to date recommendation would be pretty great!
How can you amass a variety of headphones on your desk sitting on makeshift stands if you sell them?
[QUOTE=madnath619;51389816]I'm open to trying open-back headphones, though closed might end up being a bit better for me[/QUOTE]
Well, if you decide open back, Argos is selling the hd558 half-off for for £80, I don't know Argos' rep since I'm american, but £80 hd558's is a good deal.
[url]http://www.argos.co.uk/product/6149422[/url]
Or the brainwavz HM5 for £75, but those are straight up closed monitor cans.
[url]https://www.amazon.co.uk/BRAINWAVZ-HM5-Studio-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B006MA9XXM[/url]
[editline]18th November 2016[/editline]
[QUOTE=Levelog;51391232]How can you amass a variety of headphones on your desk sitting on makeshift stands if you sell them?[/QUOTE]
Hey, we're a classier crowd than that, that's why I use [url=https://www.amazon.com/Spectrum-Banana-Holder-Satin-Nickel/dp/B000G66N2M]these[/url].
Oh jesus that's perfect, I actually just ordered 3. One of which will be for bananas, though.
[QUOTE=Levelog;51391232]How can you amass a variety of headphones on your desk sitting on makeshift stands if you sell them?[/QUOTE]
trying to get some cash together for my lcd-2s :(
[QUOTE=KangarooSteak;51391259]Well, if you decide open back, Argos is selling the hd558 half-off for for £80, I don't know Argos' rep since I'm american, but £80 hd558's is a good deal.
[url]http://www.argos.co.uk/product/6149422[/url][/QUOTE]
I'll be grabbing them for sure. Is it worth grabbing an amp or soundcard or anything?
[QUOTE=madnath619;51392010]I'll be grabbing them for sure. Is it worth grabbing an amp or soundcard or anything?[/QUOTE]
Only if they're not loud enough, you hear audible snow, or you just want to spend more money because maybe there [b]is[/b] something better out there. I chose column #3.
[editline]18th November 2016[/editline]
[QUOTE=Levelog;51391309]Oh jesus that's perfect, I actually just ordered 3. One of which will be for bananas, though.[/QUOTE]
I guess you can say you're absolutely [i]bananas[/i] over that stand! (ahaha I'll go back to my corner now)
[QUOTE=Zamorikan;51391178]Anyone got any recommendations for a decent clip on microphone? Been looking at stuff like the ModMic, but this was only from an old recommendation from a few years ago. Anyone with a more up to date recommendation would be pretty great![/QUOTE]
I've used the V2 and V4, and both have been really damn good - both in terms of build and audio quality.
just bought my lcd-2s, lol, RIP
[QUOTE=KangarooSteak;51378047]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.
[/QUOTE]
I ended up picking up a pair of RHA MA-350's for £20, pretty cheap and rather crap compared to what I was expecting, but they'll last me for a month or two then I'll probably come back with a higher budget.
Sennheiser momentum m2 or the blue micro mo fi premium over
The sennheiser is more bright but the blue is warmer. I dunno if the sennheisers were broke but i proffered the blues
am i hifi now guys
[QUOTE=redBadger;51402504]Sennheiser momentum m2 or the blue micro mo fi premium over
The sennheiser is more bright but the blue is warmer. I dunno if the sennheisers were broke but i proffered the blues[/QUOTE]
If you tried the blues already and liked it, I can't say it wouldn't hurt to get them. I personally think they look hella weird.
[editline]20th November 2016[/editline]
[QUOTE=ifaux;51401054]just bought my lcd-2s, lol, RIP[/QUOTE]
That escalated quickly
[editline]20th November 2016[/editline]
Bestbuy's selling the Sennheiser Hd558 for $80, fantasic open-back headphones for the price and you don't need an amp. [url]http://www.bestbuy.com/site/sennheiser-audiophile-over-the-ear-headphones-titan/1700513.p?loc=0&ref=8575135&acampID=5ac23430aefb11e6aff352dca6560a340INT&skuId=1700513[/url]
[QUOTE=KangarooSteak;51403237]If you tried the blues already and liked it, I can't say it wouldn't hurt to get them. I personally think they look hella weird.
[editline]20th November 2016[/editline]
That escalated quickly
[editline]20th November 2016[/editline]
Bestbuy's selling the Sennheiser Hd558 for $80, fantasic open-back headphones for the price and you don't need an amp. [url]http://www.bestbuy.com/site/sennheiser-audiophile-over-the-ear-headphones-titan/1700513.p?loc=0&ref=8575135&acampID=5ac23430aefb11e6aff352dca6560a340INT&skuId=1700513[/url][/QUOTE]
They look weird but snap to your head nicely and shapes really well.
so now that i have the lcd-2s on the way i'm kind of regretting not getting uber stack, any amp recommendations that aren't also $900?
i've seen audeze deckards on sale for like 500 which is totally ridiculous but my mind says it's a good idea
You can get the Schiit Jotunheim with the dual ak4490 balanced DAC and have a discreet, differential dac/amp/preamp that pumps out a head-crushing 7.5w > 16 ohms or 500mW > 600 ohms per channel into balanced mode. The unit itself is a little bright, so it's the perfect pairing for darker headphones like the Hd650, Audeze series, oppo series, zmf series, focal etc.. The only issue with that is that you'll need balanced cables for all of your headphones to fully utilize the jotunheim... and your brighter beyers might be a bad pairing.
[QUOTE=ifaux;51406674]so now that i have the lcd-2s on the way i'm kind of regretting not getting uber stack, any amp recommendations that aren't also $900?
i've seen audeze deckards on sale for like 500 which is totally ridiculous but my mind says it's a good idea[/QUOTE]
It's like watching Alice falling down the rabbit hole.
Except I'd totally do it too if I had the money.
[QUOTE=KangarooSteak;51406736]You can get the Schiit Jotunheim with the dual ak4490 balanced DAC and have a discreet, differential dac/amp/preamp that pumps out a head-crushing 7.5w > 16 ohms or 500mW > 600 ohms per channel into balanced mode. The unit itself is a little bright, so it's the perfect pairing for darker headphones like the Hd650, Audeze series, oppo series, zmf series, focal etc.. The only issue with that is that you'll need balanced cables for all of your headphones to fully utilize the jotunheim... and your brighter beyers might be a bad pairing.[/QUOTE]
of course the jotunheim
how could i forget
gg guys im broke
Talking about broke, I just ordered a pair of B-stock Campfire Audio Orions, an IEM that I've been looking forward to trying all year, along with the Oneplus 3t.. Whelp that's all my spending for 2016!
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