Headphones or speakers?

[bhodges]

It's interesting that you find the 580's so comfortable.  When I first purchased these, I felt like they had a vise grip on my head after about 30 minutes of a listening session.  I actually put them around a basketball for a few days to stretch out the headband -- and that worked very well, as they are now very comfortable for extended periods. 

No, no...I had "committed to purchase" the 580s, but haven't actually bought them yet, so there's still time to turn back!    I have been using a pair of 570s, which were about as comfortable as one could ask for, and thought I'd upgrade to the 580s after hearing and reading very complimentary reviews.  But having to stretch them around a basketball doesn't speak well for comfort!  And now I'm hearing more good comments about the 595s, so I'll definitely try them out as well.  Thanks for the comments.

--Bruce

[Mark]

Yes, I have the 601s. My father owns the classic 501s as well as the new 701s.

There is definately a bass problem on the K501s, and having listened to all three models, I can say with certainty that the problem is gone in the newer models. The difference between the 501s and 601s can't be overstated. It's not just the bass- overall response is better - warmer lows, more poignant highs.. it's worth the upgrade.

Glad to hear another AKGer on this forum. No Sennheiser for me. 

Thanks for that, Steve.

I have to confess that I'm starting to 'see the light' where Sennheiser are concerned. I've owned a few pairs of AKGs (the K501s being the most top-end of these), and while I like the laidback presentation and crystal clear highs, I do feel that these cans can be guilty of colouring sound a tad more than their Sennheiser counterparts. Of course, I've not tried every pair from both makers, so I'm just generalising based on limited experience. But I do think my next purchase will be the HD 280 Pros (64 oHm). Sorry if that disappoints. We can still be AKGers on GMG, though: I shan't be discarding my K501s anytime soon.

[Catison]

Well, right now HeadRoom is having a massive sale on the HD595 ($200) and HD 650 ($350).

I am a headphone man myself, but only out of necessity.  I live in an apartment and work in an office.  Both of these environments require a different headphone.  For home I have the HD590's, which do me fine, but with the price of the HD595's so low, I might take them up on the offer.  For work, I have the HD280 Pro cans which are some of the best closed headphones you can buy.  They are great because I can turn my music up pretty loud and no one can hear it.

[beclemund]

Those prices on the 595 and 650 are pretty amazing. You can't even find a decent set of used 595s for 200 clams... It may be time to add some more cans to the collection.

I guess Sennheiser is planning a new update to the Audiophile line soon as there have been more than a few rebate offers popping up lately.

[Steve]

Thanks for that, Steve.

I have to confess that I'm starting to 'see the light' where Sennheiser are concerned. I've owned a few pairs of AKGs (the K501s being the most top-end of these), and while I like the laidback presentation and crystal clear highs, I do feel that these cans can be guilty of colouring sound a tad more than their Sennheiser counterparts. Of course, I've not tried every pair from both makers, so I'm just generalising based on limited experience. But I do think my next purchase will be the HD 280 Pros (64 oHm). Sorry if that disappoints. We can still be AKGers on GMG, though: I shan't be discarding my K501s anytime soon.

I just finished listening to Mahler's 3rd on my father's kingly K701s. You must have a listen some time. 

As a side note, AKGers needn't be exclusive. Just make sure those K501 keep getting good use. 

[12tone.]

$4,000 for this if you apparently want the best sound ever. 








"Sony MDR-R10 (half way down the page) for just $4,000. When buying...say the magic words "king of headphones" and haggle it down to $3999.99."


More information

[beclemund]

$4,000 for this if you apparently want the best sound ever.

Finding a set of those R10s would be the tricky part, of course.

You could certainly best that price--and some would probably argue performance--with Stax Omega or Sennheiser Orpheus electrostatics since they are paired with a required Amp. But then, who really wants to spend upwards of $10K on cans when you can come close to that quality of sound reproduction with a judicious combination of headphone amp + HD600, CD3000, ER4S, K701, DT990, RS1 etc. for around $2K.

[Harry]

Your english is not the problem, the fact that your claim violates the laws of physics is the crux of it.

He, back off, its not my claim, go on the internet and find out about electro statics instead of falling over me dude!

[bhodges]

Well, right now HeadRoom is having a massive sale on the HD595 ($200) and HD 650 ($350).

Brett, a big thank-you for posting this.  I was going to venture down to a store here, but instead, ordered the HD595s from HeadRoom -- that's a pretty amazing price.

--Bruce

[beclemund]

He, back off, its not my claim, go on the internet and find out about electro statics instead of falling over me dude!

I did some searching through the internet and through some journal indexes and I could not find any study that stated an advantage (or even tested) in ear safety with electrostatic over electromagnetic (dynamic) headphones. Almost universally, studies focus on the appropriate volume level (regardless of headphone type) and time. Most recommend steady listening at 10-50% maximum volume and no more than a few minutes at volume levels higher than that to insure ear health. Most headphone resellers (and product information if my Grados are any indication) suggest the same.

Though just because I am coming up blank does not mean there might be some information out there that does confirm Harry's claim. It is just proving very difficult to find. Fortunately, I work in a major academic library, so I can spend a little time investigating still. I will certainly post if anything comes up. But so far, aside from using different methods to vibrate a diaphragm, electrostatic and dynamic headphones appear to have the same impact on ear health. Do yourself a favor and keep the volume on the lower half of the knob when listening by headphones--and do you neighbors a favor by doing the same with your loudspeakers.

[Bunny]

He, back off, its not my claim, go on the internet and find out about electro statics instead of falling over me dude!

Harry, how does an electro static headphone preserve hearing?  I can't find very much about it on the internet and I can't understand why high volume sound reproduced by an electro magnetic headphone will be less harmful to the ears than any other high volume sound produced any other way.  Isn't it the actual sound wave that does the damage, not the instrument producing the sound?  Does it really matter if the wave is produced by an electro magnetic headphone, a conventional headphone or a speaker that is too close to your ear played at too high a volume?  For that matter, I went to a brass band concert in a hall with excellent accoustics and the sound was so loud that I had to keep my fingers in my ears for most of the time.  Afterwards I was afraid that my ears had been damaged because they were ringing for hours afterwards.

[Harry]

Harry, how does an electro static headphone preserve hearing?  I can't find very much about it on the internet and I can't understand why high volume sound reproduced by an electro magnetic headphone will be less harmful to the ears than any other high volume sound produced any other way.  Isn't it the actual sound wave that does the damage, not the instrument producing the sound?  Does it really matter if the wave is produced by an electro magnetic headphone, a conventional headphone or a speaker that is too close to your ear played at too high a volume?  For that matter, I went to a brass band concert in a hall with excellent accoustics and the sound was so loud that I had to keep my fingers in my ears for most of the time.  Afterwards I was afraid that my ears had been damaged because they were ringing for hours afterwards.

I am busy finding this article back, but you know if you badly want it...............
What I can remember is that it came from a engineer from BIS. He is using Stax as their recording and edit headphones. These headphones, and that is my experience also, because in the past I used the same headgear, produce less dynamic pressure.
Had something to do with the membrane, and the way the music is push out of it.
It was a printed article, but I can find it right now, and internet does not help. But I am on to it. Give me some time.
All will be well!

[Bogey]

95% of the time it is through speakers.  The other 5% through my BOSE noise reduction headphones.  I know they are not the preferred here, but they work very nicely for me.....especially with the kiddos running amok from time to time.  

[Bunny]

I am busy finding this article back, but you know if you badly want it...............
What I can remember is that it came from a engineer from BIS. He is using Stax as their recording and edit headphones. These headphones, and that is my experience also, because in the past I used the same headgear, produce less dynamic pressure.
Had something to do with the membrane, and the way the music is push out of it.
It was a printed article, but I can find it right no, and internet does not help. But I am on to it. Give me some time.
All will be well!

Thanks!  I wouldn't even know where to start looking.

[Bunny]

95% of the time it is through speakers.  The other 5% through my BOSE noise reduction headphones.  I know they are not the preferred here, but they work very nicely for me.....especially with the kiddos running amok from time to time. 

Lucky you!  My chicks have grown and flown so I do get nostalgic for the days when they were constantly underfoot.

[Bogey]

Lucky you!  My chicks have grown and flown so I do get nostalgic for the days when they were constantly underfoot.

[Mark]

Just listened to this CD through my AKG K501s:



I'd forgotten that a) it's a superb disc (the Invocation for Cello & Orchestra is particularly fine); and b) the K501s have a superbly natural quality to them. Nothing felt forced, delicate textures were pin-sharp, and I really felt as though I was sat in a concert hall. A tweak of the tone controls on my hifi (such as it is) brought out a touch more bass response, rounding out the sound nicely. A very enjoyable hour spent.

[Steve]

Just listened to this CD through my AKG K501s:



I'd forgotten that a) it's a superb disc (the Invocation for Cello & Orchestra is particularly fine); and b) the K501s have a superbly natural quality to them. Nothing felt forced, delicate textures were pin-sharp, and I really felt as though I was sat in a concert hall. A tweak of the tone controls on my hifi (such as it is) brought out a touch more bass response, rounding out the sound nicely. A very enjoyable hour spent.

Another Naxos reccomendation. 

[Mark]

Don't knock it till you've heard it, Steve.

[Henk]

I am forced to use headphones now, because my neighbours hear the music. For me speakers are really preferable. I try to listen with headphones now, but I really enjoy the music less. When I listen to speakers I always imagine my room is a lot bigger, like a concert hall, which makes it even more natural and big.
I really feel I need that space to enjoy music. Hopefully I get used to headphones and will enjoy music as much as I enjoy it with using speakers and having the space. Otherwise I have a problem and am forced to listen music much less. I just bought some better headphones I have now, hopefully that will work better.