uh...headphones?
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Other music related lounges
Forum Name: Tech Talk
Forum Description: Discuss musical instruments, equipment, hi-fi, speakers, vinyl, gadgets,etc.
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3794
Printed Date: January 30 2025 at 19:32
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: uh...headphones?
Posted By: James Lee
Subject: uh...headphones?
Date Posted: February 21 2005 at 06:31
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inspired by the 'speakers' discussion, I wanted to get everyone's feedback (har har) on my listening situation of choice: headphones. Personally, I prefer headphones over good speakers. I do miss the heart-shaking bass frequencies a little, but it's worth it to me to have such an intimate and controllable experience. I've heard that stereo reproduction in headphones is misleading...yet I get a better stereo image with absolutely no concern for placement (I don't have to worry about my relation to the speakers, the speakers' relation to each other, or phenomena like standing waves and reflections). And it goes without saying that a decent pair of headphones is much cheaper than a decent pair of speakers. So please tell me what I'm not taking into account! Plus, if you have any recommendations for high quality headphones, I'm all ears (sorry, couldn't resist). ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/sollipsist/?chartstyle=kaonashi"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: mirco
Date Posted: February 21 2005 at 07:39
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I can't use headphones for long time, after a while they becomes uncomfortable. But I find the listening experience with headphones richful than with external speakers; with headphones I'm able to distinguish sounds and stereo effects that cannot hear with speakers. ------------- Please forgive me for my crappy english! |
Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: February 21 2005 at 07:57
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Actually most albums are mixed for speakers and headphones (especially true for Floyd albums but 70's prog in general), so this thing about misleading stereo reproduction is a myth , IMO. My idea of what is good headphones is very important to me because of three things. The confort of the cushion and the weight of the headset. If I am to wear them frequently, they must be confortable and have a possibility to replace the cushions , if not then your sweat (we all do ) in the long terms will destroy the fabric and will eventually stink up the pads. Avoid those cordless infra-red stuff because of parasitic noises.....And the transmitter, same debate as the cell phone stuck in the proximity of the brain area. The sound quality is sh*t (or I have yet to hear a good one). The cord should not be a coil (like a telephone handset cord) as this creates problems in the long term. I would advise you to avoid japanese headphones (as for speakers) because they color the sound of the music. I play my cds on the CD direct button on because all these frequency analysers are pure BS (every single filter or resistor creates its own noise especially in between the source and the speaker). Generally, for headphones, I will choose something in the line of Sennheiser or AKG. Specialized brandnames into speakers/headphones are naturally the better options but the prices are sometimes ridiculous. I have derogated only twice to the third rule taking a Sony headphone but have not had to complaint about it. When in my teens I took some excellent Pioneer phones but they started getting loaded in static after four or five years because of two reasons: the coil-like cord was distorted, and the volume control on the set getting dust inside the potentiometer. So never again a volume control on the phones itself. Hope this was the kind of advise you were hoping for..... |
Posted By: Certif1ed
Date Posted: February 21 2005 at 15:26
| Sennheisers make other headphones redundant! Once you've tried a pair, there's no going back - built for comfort AND great sound. I've been told that adding a headphone amp to the chain is the step after graduating to Senns, but I haven't gone that far in my quest for audio nirvana... yet! |
Posted By: Reed Lover
Date Posted: February 21 2005 at 18:20
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My first pair of decent phones were Audio Technica Ath-1 about 25 yrs ago (?), I have tried Sennheisers-which are very good. However about 6 or 7 years ago i auditioned a pair of Grado Phones and I love them.Managed to buy a pair of second-hand Grado 325's for £100 and they are the best.
About £250 brand new,but worth every penny!!!!! BTW the reference headphone they do has won awards all over USA and Europe http://www.stoneaudio.co.uk/stoneaudio/products/details.asp?product=648"> Set you back about £400 for the RA1's Cert! ------------- 
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Posted By: bluetailfly
Date Posted: February 21 2005 at 18:28
| Actually the most jaw-droppingly awesome headphones I've ever used are the Bose noise-canceling headphones. Once you've used them for a while, nothing compares to them. Give them a try. Bose will send you a pair free for 30 days. It's worth the try. They are expensive, but imo well worth every cent. I use them all the time and have heard subtle instrumentation for the first time (on CDs I've heard hundreds of times, like "Wish You Were Here") that I've never heard before. |
Posted By: oliverstoned
Date Posted: February 22 2005 at 06:22
| Sennheiser HD-600 is the "cheap" one which works |
Posted By: L.V.X.
Date Posted: February 22 2005 at 16:17
| Another alternative is http://www.headphone.com/layout.php?topicID=3&subTopicID=26&productID=0020121000 - AKG K 1000 , but cost twice as much. |
Posted By: James Lee
Date Posted: February 24 2005 at 16:10
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funny you mention Grados, Reed...after careful consideration, I decided to buy a pair! I can't decide between the SR-60s and the SR-80s, though. Apparently the 80s have a slightly better bass response for a few extra bucks...but both come in under $100, so I really can't go wrong. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/sollipsist/?chartstyle=kaonashi">
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Posted By: Reed Lover
Date Posted: February 24 2005 at 16:13
You cant go wrong with any of the Grado line. You Yanks have to be good at making something other than war,you know! Sr-80's:
Very popular amongst hi-fi buffs in Blighty! -------------
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James Lee wrote:
Posted By: L.V.X.
Date Posted: February 26 2005 at 05:16
I would definitely go for the 80's, have spent the last month re-ripping most of my cd collection because I wanted better bass response and overall better dynamic.  ------------- Tired of typing the same search parameters on Gemm, MusicStack, eBay etc. -> http://www.musicsearcher.com/search/index.php?firstgo=2&goartist=&gotitle=&golabel= - Link |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: April 18 2005 at 12:57
| I have a pair of panasonic monitoring headphones that I use for recording and listening. They do me fine, and they were only $20 at Fred Meyer. |
Posted By: haas
Date Posted: April 18 2005 at 13:37
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Ask TBWART, he is an expert! ------------- "the attraction of the virtuoso for the public is very like that of the circus for the crowd. there is always the hope that something dangerous may happen" - Claude Debussy |
Posted By: oliverstoned
Date Posted: April 19 2005 at 01:57
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Sennheiser HD 600 is a reference
And you have Stax high end headphones with separate tube amplifier. 
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Posted By: TBWART
Date Posted: April 19 2005 at 07:03
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TRUE!! I have the HDR 65 series, wireless so I can take a dump while enjoying beautiful music ------------- ''progression is trying to eliminate boundries'' |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: April 23 2005 at 19:37
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Suprise Suprise...I bet there as good as you walkmans phones too |
Posted By: oliverstoned
Date Posted: April 24 2005 at 09:00
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There are simply the best ever, but expensive
(11.500 € for the pair with the tube amp) If you want a budget headphones pair, turn on HD600. |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: April 24 2005 at 17:47
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What you don't have a pair of Stax?I'm well shocked I prefer the Grado to Sennheiser |
Posted By: oliverstoned
Date Posted: April 25 2005 at 01:50
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As i already told you, i'm young and have a low budget.
And i have no headphones. And you? I don't know the Grado |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: April 25 2005 at 08:43
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Do yourself a favour & listern to some then. You will most definatly realise the STAX are not the best
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Posted By: oliverstoned
Date Posted: April 25 2005 at 08:44
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When i'm talking about stax, i talkabout their biggest model, and only.
And it's the onli inthispricerange. Maybe in another price range, grado is the best. |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: April 25 2005 at 15:11
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What i notice oliver is everything comes down to price at the end of the day with you...You must realise in a lot of cases dearest is not best...& STAX for one regardless of what model are a bit long in the tooth now as are Jeklin floats too.They have always been over priced per performace pound.
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Posted By: oliverstoned
Date Posted: April 27 2005 at 05:19
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I think that price tells nothing.
There are good and bad products in every price range. But if you want the top: there are much chances that it will be in the higher price range. That's all... 
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: April 28 2005 at 12:04
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Oliver my dear friend what you are paying for there is the carbon fibre construction...minus the carbon fibre a far cheaper price tag that has be attached...Show off alert
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Posted By: oliverstoned
Date Posted: April 28 2005 at 12:09
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Transparent cables are simply the best cables ever.
Expensive, yes... But the best! 
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: April 28 2005 at 12:15
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Posted By: oliverstoned
Date Posted: April 28 2005 at 13:12
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Hav eyou everlisten to a transparent opus reference?
And a Shunyata king cobra power cord? Me , yes, i had this chance and it's extraordinary! (it costs very expensive, but beats cables 3 times more expensive!) 
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: April 28 2005 at 13:31
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Snake about sums you up. Go away Gong man im not intrested in dream boys.
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Posted By: oliverstoned
Date Posted: April 28 2005 at 14:10
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I don't understand your last answer
Why did you get red? Are you drunk again? |
Posted By: oliverstoned
Date Posted: April 28 2005 at 14:22
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True!
I'm snake ascendant snake in chinese astrology! 
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Posted By: oliverstoned
Date Posted: April 28 2005 at 14:31
| You can prepare your new goodbye speech! |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: April 28 2005 at 17:57
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BORING OLIVERSTONED
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Posted By: oliverstoned
Date Posted: April 29 2005 at 02:22
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Explain us the reason of that speches
And why you come back after? |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: April 29 2005 at 09:23
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Posted By: pakish
Date Posted: April 30 2005 at 23:22
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James Lee. I promise you if you get some BOSE headphones you wont miss bass or anything else. It's almost orgasmic
------------- TOEFL in latin america = neolanguage |