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

what's the consensus on bang & olufsen?

[QUOTE=Havolis;48595144]Just bought Philips SHP9500 because of this fucking bastard [media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aipXii-qWiQ&html5=1[/media][/QUOTE] God damn it I already have 6 pairs of headphones why do you do this to me Zeos [editline]5th September 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=crabsmack;48615715]Hey everyone, been researching a pair of headphones to buy for some time and I thought I'd consult you guys. I'm in a small dorm room and my roommate goes to bed very early so sound leaking out is my primary concern (all open headphones are out of course). Budget: <=$100 eBay: Rather not. Country: US Isolation: Circumaural Purpose: Primarily watching films/TV shows and gaming. Music Tastes: Don't listen to music much but a lot of soundtracks. Previous Experiences: Shitty gaming headset. Sound was still better than anything I had owned prior but they were very uncomfortable and would leave a big indent in my hair after even a short period of wearing them. Comfort is one of my primary concerns. Comments: Basically covered it above, but sound leakage, comfort, and not sitting too heavily on my head are my main concerns. Right now the main one I am considering is the Sony MDR7506 but I am still shopping around. Thank you![/QUOTE] NVX XPT100 are great, see if you can get them a little cheaper than what they are now. I also hear great things about the Takstar Pro80s but I never actually tried them.

[QUOTE=Rusty100;48618807]what's the consensus on bang & olufsen?[/QUOTE] A bit overpriced but still quite good. The only model that's worth buying from them is the H6.

I'm looking to buy some new headphones. I was looking at Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro and my main concern is their size. I've got a small-ish head so I'm a bit concerned that the cans would be sitting too low. Can anyone give me some info regarding my concerns? You can get the DT770 with different impedances (32, 80 or 250 Ω). I'd be using the M-Audio Fast Track Pro as my sound card, although I'd hook up the headphones to basically anything I'd need (could be a phone, could be a guitar amp, ...). Is 80 Ω the best choice?

Budget: $40 eBay: No. Country: Poland Isolation: Circumaural Purpose: Primarily gaming Music Tastes: Soundtracks/synth/classical Previous Experiences: Sennheiser HD201 - too shallow earcups. Sony Pulse Wireless Headset - too heavy, unsuitable for longer usage periods, causes indents and baldness. Comments: Right now I'm stuck with mono earbuds, which is certainly not good enough, especially for gaming. I've been thinking about either Creative Fatality headset or Sennheiser HD202 II (I'm using a laptop, so I don't mind the lack of the microphone or volume control). Both of these cost about $35, so they are my top picks. Thanks in advance for any advices.

Budget: $100 Ebay: yes Country :US Isolation: over ear preferred Purpose: mixing, mastering, music composition. Studio headphones, really Music tastes: Listen to everything I can for inspiration. Prefer electronic music but also country, classical, power metal, and indie pop stuff. Previous experiences: Sony MDR-XB500's. Broken and need to be replaced but drivers are fine. Great frequency response down into the lows that my other headphones don't get, but also have flat mids and over saturated lows. I've learned to compensate for this, but still might as well upgrade nkw that I've got a channel mixer with all the knobs and sliders and shit. Audio Technica M40's are the standard it seems, but anyhing else in my price range j should go for? Something with more comfort would be better, as long as I don't compromise sound too much. 1/4in Jacks also nice and perfectly okay

All of you are confusing isolation and headphone type/size :v: [editline]10th September 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=Puvleek;48651110]Budget: $40 eBay: No. Country: Poland Isolation: Circumaural Purpose: Primarily gaming Music Tastes: Soundtracks/synth/classical Previous Experiences: Sennheiser HD201 - too shallow earcups. Sony Pulse Wireless Headset - too heavy, unsuitable for longer usage periods, causes indents and baldness. Comments: Right now I'm stuck with mono earbuds, which is certainly not good enough, especially for gaming. I've been thinking about either Creative Fatality headset or Sennheiser HD202 II (I'm using a laptop, so I don't mind the lack of the microphone or volume control). Both of these cost about $35, so they are my top picks. Thanks in advance for any advices.[/QUOTE] Tascam TH-02 with Brainwavz HM5 earpads [editline]10th September 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=paindoc;48651555]Budget: $100 Ebay: yes Country :US Isolation: over ear preferred Purpose: mixing, mastering, music composition. Studio headphones, really Music tastes: Listen to everything I can for inspiration. Prefer electronic music but also country, classical, power metal, and indie pop stuff. Previous experiences: Sony MDR-XB500's. Broken and need to be replaced but drivers are fine. Great frequency response down into the lows that my other headphones don't get, but also have flat mids and over saturated lows. I've learned to compensate for this, but still might as well upgrade nkw that I've got a channel mixer with all the knobs and sliders and shit. Audio Technica M40's are the standard it seems, but anyhing else in my price range j should go for? Something with more comfort would be better, as long as I don't compromise sound too much. 1/4in Jacks also nice and perfectly okay[/QUOTE] M40x's are good, but Takstar Pro 80's are even better for slightly less money. If you can you can also buy the Brainwavz HM5 pads with them, which make them more comfortable.

[QUOTE=Havolis;48652443]Tascam TH-02 with Brainwavz HM5 earpads[/QUOTE] These earpads ($17) are way too expensive. With my budget I can only get the headphones ($35). Would they be still worth it? And are they really fit for gaming?

Just got my pair of Phillips SHP9500. They weren't kidding, this is insanely comfortable.

[QUOTE=Ganerumo;48653085]Just got my pair of Phillips SHP9500. They weren't kidding, this is insanely comfortable.[/QUOTE] How's the frequency range and response? Would you use them as monitors? If they have a specific or vague weakness in 6khz and up range or 100hz and down I can compensate for that, I usually roll off most of the highs and lows outside of that range in my final mix down anyways.

[QUOTE=Havolis;48627277]A bit overpriced but still quite good. The only model that's worth buying from them is the H6.[/QUOTE] i listened to these at a store, and they sounded very good. very comfortable also and good build quality shame i can't afford it at the moment

[QUOTE=paindoc;48654533]How's the frequency range and response? Would you use them as monitors? If they have a specific or vague weakness in 6khz and up range or 100hz and down I can compensate for that, I usually roll off most of the highs and lows outside of that range in my final mix down anyways.[/QUOTE] I tried playing one of these test audio files that go from 10hz to 200hz and another one that ranges from 22 kHz to 8 kHz and noticed no particular weakness or crackling. I was unable to hear anything until 30hz for bass extension (which I assume is normal, anything above that and it could be heard, all the way up to 200hz). Not sure how the treble extension test really works, I dunno if hearing the high pitched noise is supposed to be a good or bad thing.

[QUOTE=Ganerumo;48658933]I tried playing one of these test audio files that go from 10hz to 200hz and another one that ranges from 22 kHz to 8 kHz and noticed no particular weakness or crackling. I was unable to hear anything until 30hz for bass extension (which I assume is normal, anything above that and it could be heard, all the way up to 200hz). Not sure how the treble extension test really works, I dunno if hearing the high pitched noise is supposed to be a good or bad thing.[/QUOTE] That sounds perfect. Most of the time I assume below 30hz is inaudible for home systems and i cut it... I sometimes add a sub bass that reaches only there but it's sorta pointless since I'm not blasting my shit at clubs. And yeah most of the hard mixing work is in the midrange, so that should work. I'll look around a bit more but the comfort level of those is key [editline]11th September 2015[/editline] Of course, I could have just searched. [url]http://en.goldenears.net/31990[/url]

[QUOTE=Rusty100;48655208]i listened to these at a store, and they sounded very good. very comfortable also and good build quality shame i can't afford it at the moment[/QUOTE] Alright man, if you liked it, go for it. One thing to note too: I've heard that the H6 benefits from amping. Doesn't necessarily need it, but yeah. [editline]11th September 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=Puvleek;48652500]These earpads ($17) are way too expensive. With my budget I can only get the headphones ($35). Would they be still worth it? And are they really fit for gaming?[/QUOTE] The earpads improve sound and comfort. Without them the Tascam TH-02 is insanely uncomfortable. Yeah they are fine for gaming. [editline]11th September 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=paindoc;48654533]How's the frequency range and response? Would you use them as monitors? If they have a specific or vague weakness in 6khz and up range or 100hz and down I can compensate for that, I usually roll off most of the highs and lows outside of that range in my final mix down anyways.[/QUOTE] Oh shit, I just noticed that you said you wanted a monitor. Takstar Pro 80's won't cut it for that. Philips SHP9500 are more of a reference headphone but it's definitely possible to use them for mastering, but remember, it's an open headphone so zero isolation and sound will leak out of the headphone. If you want a headphone that was MADE for monitoring, you'll want to look at something like the AKG K271, these are closed and have a sound signature to match.

The SHP9500 is such a comfortable pair of headphones that I often outright forget I'm even wearing them. It's astonishing how good they are for the price. They're designed to be worn for extended periods of time and it works perfectly in that regard. The lack of sound isolation would likely not make them good monitors but as far as day to day use goes it's not really a problem - as far as I'm concerned it's more of an advantage since I really dislike not being able to hear myself when talking with people over skype or other types of voicechat, and I'm not in a noisy environment to begin with.

[QUOTE=Havolis;48661799]Without them the Tascam TH-02 is insanely uncomfortable. [/QUOTE] Is there any particular reason for that uncomfortableness? Since my budget is really tight, I may base my decision on that factor. I should also add that my head is rather small.

Budget: Im comfortable at spending up to 150€, 150-300€ is uncomfortable zone (they REALLY better be worth it) and anything over that is no. eBay: Yes..? I dont know how it works. Country: Finland Isolation: Semi-open preferably Purpose: Primarily watching media such as youtube. Also i play games. Music Tastes: All around, but mostly not very 'spritely' music. Previous Experiences: Sennheiser HDR 120 II (what i have right now) Comments: I use a desktop mic. I think the headphones can be as open-air as they want up until my desktop mic starts to really hear it. I think the fact that my current headphones are wireless makes them crap. I sing and record myself from time to time, i do game videos from time to time, so i think it's good that i hear my own voice. [editline]12th September 2015[/editline] Would Sennheiser HD 558 be golden? [editline]12th September 2015[/editline] Or maybe even HD598?

I really like my HD598's. The 558's and 598's use the same drivers, but I've heard the 598's are worth it if they're on a bit of a sale.

[QUOTE=Puvleek;48662286]Is there any particular reason for that uncomfortableness? Since my budget is really tight, I may base my decision on that factor. I should also add that my head is rather small.[/QUOTE] Very hard clamping force and the stock pads are extremely small and not really well made

[QUOTE=Havolis;48669222]Very hard clamping force and the stock pads are extremely small and not really well made[/QUOTE] I guess that rules them out. The suggestion itself definitely seems interesting, but with my budget it won't be possible for me to avoid that potential pain.

[QUOTE=Levelog;48666925]I really like my HD598's. The 558's and 598's use the same drivers, but I've heard the 598's are worth it if they're on a bit of a sale.[/QUOTE] i've had my 598's for about 6 years now, and they're still going strong. i've been pretty rough with them too. i've gone through 3 cables though.

shp9500 just went on sale on newegg for cdn$65 from cdn$99, god damnit I don't think I can refuse that

Greetings Facepunch audiophiles, Ok so sound has never been a big issue for me but recently a few influences are making me change my view on it. First, my cheapo "gaming" headset from Steelseries occasionally leaks sounds to the mic and is a bit irritating for my friends sometimes. Then there's the issue of my new roommate that I got for this year of school. He doesn't have headphones for his computer and listens to it and his television at max volume, I'm almost certain. There are times when I cannot hear what's going on in my own headset due to the combination of his television and his laughing. It's driving me fucking nuts. Finally, my interest in music creation has recently peaked and I am looking at starting to produce ambient and experimental music. I want to be able to hear moderately deep base without sacrificing the overall sound quality. I'd like to keep it in the $150 USD range but if it takes a little more to get comfort and quality, I'm fine with that. In short: decent sound quality(for inexperienced ears), completely closed, around the ear, noise cancellation (is it worth it?), comfort is not that important but still a factor, ~$150USD (or less is fine too)

The SHP9500's are great for the price (running through a bit of EQ). I find myself going back to my HD600s. I found the SHP 9500's absorbing my sweat and it was getting a bit uncomfortable, I cannot imagine how bad it would be on a super hot day. I haven't fully burned them in but they sound a little bit congested on the mids, the lows aren't strong enough but the highs sound okay. The Zreview guy seemed to over exaggerate the cans but for around $65 it was one hell of a deal. I would still recommend them.

Is there anything that I can plug into the headphone jack on my computer that can connect wirelessly to a receiver with a 3.5mm connect that you can plug into headphones like the SHP9500, where there is a jack on the headphones themselves? or even something you can plug headphones into, so that you just plug them into the bit, clip it on your shirt and then walk away from what's sending out the signal. I have wireless headphones, but they're pretty bulky and the big boxy charger is what you connect to the headphone jack on the computer, and it takes up a lot of desk space and isn't compatible with any other headphones.

[QUOTE=Schmaaa;48708660]Is there anything that I can plug into the headphone jack on my computer that can connect wirelessly to a receiver with a 3.5mm connect that you can plug into headphones like the SHP9500, where there is a jack on the headphones themselves? or even something you can plug headphones into, so that you just plug them into the bit, clip it on your shirt and then walk away from what's sending out the signal. I have wireless headphones, but they're pretty bulky and the big boxy charger is what you connect to the headphone jack on the computer, and it takes up a lot of desk space and isn't compatible with any other headphones.[/QUOTE] You can use this: [url]http://www.amazon.com/Mpow-Streambot-Bluetooth-Receiver-Streaming/dp/B00MJMV0GU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1434720823&sr=8-3&keywords=mpow&linkCode=sl1&tag=wwwpuresimula-20&linkId=YCMFGFUGBXS2KQ2M[/url] Review: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9zwNkTzqbs&html5=1[/media]

I know this is the headphone thread but I need some speakers to replace my z623's, Really not looking to pay more than $100 per speaker and no more than $150 for a subwoofer but I'll push to $120 and $200 if need be. Essentially a 2.1 system. I want something clear which still can put out some good bass, I don't really crank it up very loud but if I do, I would like some clarity compared to what I have now.

Not really related to headphones, but still related to audio! I picked up a 5.1 infinity surround sound kit at a garage sale for $20, the speakers are 4x Infinity Infinitesimal IV's, A center infinitesimal IV speaker, and an infinity SSW-10 subwoofer (foam on it is ripped, getting a kit off of amazon to repair it) Are these good, or should I resell them?

the headphone jack on my PC is basically fucked, so I'm looking for an external sound card (if that's the right phrase for it). Would something like [URL="http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-External-Adapter-Windows-AU-MMSA/dp/B00IRVQ0F8/ref=pd_sim_sbs_147_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1CJBKE8ZAAD8H4SBBQYC"]this[/URL] work fine, or do you guys know of anything better suited for the task? I want to make sure that something like this won't degrade my audio, because I like it when things sound nice.

[QUOTE=Schmaaa;48720898]the headphone jack on my PC is basically fucked, so I'm looking for an external sound card (if that's the right phrase for it). Would something like [URL="http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-External-Adapter-Windows-AU-MMSA/dp/B00IRVQ0F8/ref=pd_sim_sbs_147_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1CJBKE8ZAAD8H4SBBQYC"]this[/URL] work fine, or do you guys know of anything better suited for the task? I want to make sure that something like this won't degrade my audio, because I like it when things sound nice.[/QUOTE] If you want to go as cheap as possible but still have something nice: Hifimediy Sabre Mini If you want something nicer but is a bit more expensive: FiiO E10K, Schiit Fulla or Cozoy Astrapi