Headphones

Started by Bonehelm, June 10, 2007, 02:50:21 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Wanderer

I've had the Sennheiser HD570's for several years now and can recommend them (or their successor model:-) without the slightest of reservations. Excellent, detailed, full-bodied sound and very comfortable to listen to even for long periods (this coming from a guy who can't usually stand headphones, is extravagant praise).

Papageno

#101
I recently got the Sennheiser HD 280 Professional, they're nothing extraordinary in my opinion.


Holden

Quote from: Papageno on November 15, 2008, 05:20:25 PM
I recently got the Sennheiser HD 280 Professional, they're nothing extraordinary in my opinion.



Try amplifying them - they take a bit of driving. It made all the difference for me.

Anyway, what do you think is missing in the 280s?
Cheers

Holden

Papageno

How do I amplify them?  Do I adjust the equalizer in iTunes or something?

drogulus



    I think it's likely that the problem is not the 'phones, which are good enough for most purposes and are highly rated. If you're plugging directly into your laptop that's where the problem is. And I wouldn't just connect a headphone amp to the audio out, because if the source is bad you can't fix it downstream.

     
Quote from: drogulus on October 10, 2008, 04:25:59 PM

    Don't buy expensive headphones for your Mac unless you know the SQ is very good. All that will do is make it easier to hear how bad the sound is. So, how good is the sound on your Mac? If you get something like a Total Bithead, a combination USB sound card and headphone amp, then you can get any headphones you want and enjoy them to the fullest.

    So, given your budget, I'd say get the Bit Head and use your present headphones until you can afford good ones. Just how bad are your current 'phones?

     I know I'm repeating myself here but it's important. Good sound starts at the source, so a USB card (it doesn't have to be a Bithead) designed to be used with laptops is most likely what you need.
Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:123.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/123.0
      
Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:109.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/115.0

Papageno

I see... a USB amplifier, I'll have to look for one of those, does Amazon sell them?

DavidW

Quote from: bhodges on October 10, 2008, 12:12:59 PM
Sennheiser's are great.  If your budget can stand just a little more, the 595's can be had for just under £120 here.

--Bruce

I have the 595's little brother the 555 and the sound is (I used to own the 595) nearly the same for a fraction of the price.  And the 555 is the easiest of all of the 5xx series to drive.  I can listen to them unamped with my mp3 player without having too crank up the volume at all.  It's more comfy too, the 595 was always bonking into my ear, too uncomfy.

PerfectWagnerite

Most of my listening over the past year have been on these:



Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7 QuietPoint Active Noise-Cancelling Headphones.

In my opinion they totally outclass anything by Bose, makes the QC2 sound like an expensive toy. The sound is very natural and with it's own power on 1 AA battery you don't even need an external preamp to drive it. Not sure how they compare to Sennheiser since I only have the 515 (which is an excellent pair of headphones BTW for about $80).

Catison

Quote from: PerfectWagnerite on November 16, 2008, 11:23:38 AM
Most of my listening over the past year have been on these:



Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7 QuietPoint Active Noise-Cancelling Headphones.

In my opinion they totally outclass anything by Bose, makes the QC2 sound like an expensive toy. The sound is very natural and with it's own power on 1 AA battery you don't even need an external preamp to drive it. Not sure how they compare to Sennheiser since I only have the 515 (which is an excellent pair of headphones BTW for about $80).

What is your judgment on active vs. passive noise-canceling?
-Brett

Holden

Quote from: Papageno on November 16, 2008, 02:59:04 AM
How do I amplify them?  Do I adjust the equalizer in iTunes or something?

You can buy a little headphone amp - portable would be good in your case. The PA2V2 would make a huge difference to your listening with any headphones but particularly these Sennheisers.

http://www.electric-avenues.com/amplifiers.html

There are other inexpensive portable amps available like the CMOY, and Boostaroo.

Or you could try FiiO E3

I don't have a portable amp but use this with my PC (and also directly out of my CD player)

http://www.venuemusic.com.au/Products.asp?ProdID=8028


..and that's the Australian price. It works brilliantly and is so simple.
Cheers

Holden

PerfectWagnerite

Quote from: Catison on November 16, 2008, 03:59:37 PM
What is your judgment on active vs. passive noise-canceling?
Passive as in like the Senheiser 280? In general I like active noise cenceling, since the distortions caused by the noise canceling mechanism is small compared to the amount of noise it blocks out. In the case of the ATH-ANC7 you can be doing dishes and run the faucet on high and not hear it much. And it does it in such a non-intrusive manner. I also have the BOSE QC2 and it literally pressurizes your ears like you are in an airplane 40000 feet in the air. Sometimes I listen with Bose Triports and they are actually quite good, much mucn better than the QC2 but not as good as the 515.

drogulus

Quote from: Papageno on November 16, 2008, 08:35:50 AM
I see... a USB amplifier, I'll have to look for one of those, does Amazon sell them?

     Audiophile Products Fubar III USB DAC / Headphone Amplifier $229.99

     

     You don't want a headphone amp, you don't want a sound card, you want this or the less expensive ($159.00) and more portable Bithead:

     
Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:123.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/123.0
      
Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:109.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/115.0

PerfectWagnerite

Or you can spend $20 and just get  thisone:




which you can also get at Shitty Shack (or Radio Shack).

DavidW

I want to throw in something nifty about headroom which you might not get when you buy other amps-- two year warranty, any problem and they'll replace it.  I know because mine is not working right and when I contacted support they're just like send it in and we'll take care of it. :)  I just have the total airhead.

Kullervo

My Bose Triports finally died. Does anyone have any experience with the Etymotic brand; specifically their ear canal headphones?

These are the ones I'm considering.

Daverz

#115
Quote from: Corey on November 17, 2008, 05:16:43 PM
My Bose Triports finally died. Does anyone have any experience with the Etymotic brand; specifically their ear canal headphones?

These are the ones I'm considering.

I've used the Etymotics 4s heavily when I was restricted to 'phone listening in a sometimes noisy environment.  I enjoyed them a lot.  I wouldn't bother with the rubber inserts, the foam inserts are much more comfortable, keep out more noise, and don't make your ears get hot.  I did go through a lot of the inserts because they don't seal very well once they get waxy.

However, do be careful with potential "volume accidents" with these, particularly when they are hooked up to a computer.

Siedler

My old (over 6 years) Sennheiser headphones died yesterday and today I bought these babies:

There's not a huge upgrade in sound but I think it might be more detailed. Anyhow I'm still just using my Macbook, I might be more impressed with an amp.

Renfield

#117
Quote from: Papageno on November 15, 2008, 05:20:25 PM
I recently got the Sennheiser HD 280 Professional, they're nothing extraordinary in my opinion.



Slight time-machine posting, but these are my main listening headphones, and I love their sheer precision to bits, for comparative listening.

Though for "straight" listening, I've always felt I needed to amp them, but since I've never gotten around to buying that headphone amp, I mainly compensate for it through listening effort on my part. Good practice. ;)

DavidRoss

Quote from: Corey on November 17, 2008, 05:16:43 PM
My Bose Triports finally died. Does anyone have any experience with the Etymotic brand; specifically their ear canal headphones?

These are the ones I'm considering.
I know this is a bit late to respond to your query, Corey, but still:  I have enjoyed using the Etymnotic 6is with my iPod for the past couple of years and are completely satisfied with them for that purpose.

In addition to the Ety 6is, I currently have the Senn HD280s, the Senn HD590s, and the AKG 701s.  The latter are exceptionally good and I use them with the main hi fi system when I wish to listen critically without disturbing others in the home.  I use the 590s with my PC under the same circumstances and the 280s when the situation is reversed--namely, when others are making noise that I wish to block out. 

Quote from: drogulus on November 16, 2008, 08:12:21 AM
I know I'm repeating myself here but it's important. Good sound starts at the source...
Some things DO change!  What a pleasant surprise to find that Ernie now recognizes the virtue of this fundamental principle instead of arguing against it.  How nice to know that it's never too late for even the stubbornest of old dogs to learn new tricks!

"Maybe the problem most of you have ... is that you're not listening to Barbirolli." ~Sarge

"The problem with socialism is that sooner or later you run out of other people's money." ~Margaret Thatcher

drogulus



     No change is involved. I've never had a CD player that was a bad source. I have had computers that were bad sources. All of them were bad sources from the analog outs.

     Last night the headband on my my old Senns broke, so I'll need some new ones right away. Since they must be closed the 280s are going to be it, I think. I'd like to have something with an iPod-friendly short cord but all of them are unsuitable in one way or another. Either they are the tiny ones that go in your ear or they rest on top. So I'll have to live with a long cord.

     I just ordered the 280s. If they turn out to be too cumbersome for road use they'll stay at home and I'll get something else.

     
Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:123.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/123.0
      
Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:109.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/115.0