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Topic: Can you recommend me some headphones? Posted: June 26 2017 at 03:04
progbethyname wrote:
Just want to say that I've enjoyed reading the comments in this thread. All of you guys here are really starting to 'get it' when it comes grabbing hold of some different audio gear to make light of your music.
Ummmm? Dare I say it? Could you all be turning into audiophile progheads? I think so and it's a company that I'd be happy to camp out in. Maybe we should start a thread by talking about how our audio gear discoveries have pulled the veil out from some of our favourite recordings. I think it would be a lot of fun. Maybe subjective in some ways, but it would still be really interesting to hear about others experiences. :) I suggest this idea because I really know how a lot of you feel. It's an awesome discovery to allow crafty audio gear to grab every little nuanced detail out of your music, especially Prog no less. :)
Enjoy the music fellas.
Yeah I've been thinking about doing a designated can thread where folks can share their various experiences.
I'm not sure I'd ever call myself an audiophile. I just care about the way music reaches my ears
“The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”
Hey no problem Hubert. Be sure to report back after Miles rearranges your brain. I recently had my first 'wow I can hear STUFF now' moment as well and have since then gone completely overboard. I went the weong direction though. First I bought the Sony mdr 7506 because of something I'd read....then I talked myself into actually trying out some cans in real life and ended up at various "can jams" (I believe they're called?) where I had the chance to try out a whole smorgasbord of goods. But by some strange coincidence I still managed to get the best sounding cans for my personal tastes. Sure I then found out I needed more because I also absolutely needed an open pair plus of course some portable ones and aaaasrrrgghhh!!! Be careful with your dough because this will iterally bleed you dry. The most treacherous slope though regarding all of this hi fi business is when people start listening to their equipment over the music. Trust me I've met a couple of those dudes and they have no lives outside their frequency responses and assorted snake oil artifacts.
“The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”
Just want to say that I've enjoyed reading the comments in this thread. All of you guys here are really starting to 'get it' when it comes grabbing hold of some different audio gear to make light of your music.
Ummmm? Dare I say it? Could you all be turning into audiophile progheads? I think so and it's a company that I'd be happy to camp out in. Maybe we should start a thread by talking about how our audio gear discoveries have pulled the veil out from some of our favourite recordings. I think it would be a lot of fun. Maybe subjective in some ways, but it would still be really interesting to hear about others experiences. :) I suggest this idea because I really know how a lot of you feel. It's an awesome discovery to allow crafty audio gear to grab every little nuanced detail out of your music, especially Prog no less. :)
The M40X is officially coming my way. I haven't listened to Bitches Brew in a while and that's the album I'll be testing them with first, should be pretty interesting.
Thanks a lot for the advice David! I much appreciate the help, I would probably have ended up buying the AKG K240 otherwise and I don't think they would have suited my needs. Happy to see the captchas haven't driven you away from PA's by the way (not yet anyways).
"Larks' tongues. Wrens' livers. Chaffinch brains. Jaguars' earlobes. Wolf nipple chips. Get 'em while they're hot. They're lovely. Dromedary pretzels, only half a denar."
Joined: April 02 2016
Location: Greece
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Points: 170
Posted: June 24 2017 at 01:33
I like the sound of the m40x although they are the only "music" headphones I have ever tried. They sounded a little harsh on the high notes on my phone and I had to fiddle with the equaliser to get acceptable sound but they are fine on pc so I guess it was my phone's problem. The worst thing about them is the downright atrocious pleather earpads. Use them until they start to wear out and have a good material spare (search online) to replace them immediately. The same problem occurs with the headband but it took way longer in my case. Overall I'm satisfied but next time I'm going for audiophile headphones just to see what all the fuss is about.
Just remembered some other closed cans that both come with detachable cable and sound amazing:
Arrhh what's it's name?!? Damn those silly digit number names that no-one can remember!!! Hell I'll just give you a link to amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Status-Audio-Closed-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B01BDX1IVW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1478579399&sr=8-1&keywords=status+cb1&linkCode=sl1&tag=zeos-20&linkId=befa4b6310caf93469eca38907b6bf68
The Brainwavz HM5 are another pair I recommend highly. Also happens to be one of the most comfortable cans I've ever had on my head. My uncle has a pair and he absolutely adores them.
I realise most of these are studio level headphones but then again that is my taste shining through. I love being able to hear everything in clarity. Besides that you will have trouble finding a genuine neutral headphone under 200 dollars. I certainly haven't heard one yet. The Sony's I own fx are generally heralded as neutral but they're really not. I am pretty sure that most professional musicians use monitor speakers to mix on anyway... Good luck buddy! I hope you find something to your liking
“The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”
Not intended for enjoying music? That's bs. They are the bee's knees. Though if you are coming from Beats or similar bass heavy headphones, in-ears you may want to look into fx the Sony MDR-1A. But trust me if this is your first pair of 'serious' cans you will just be going 'wow!" most of the time suddenly hearing new nuances and sounds on recordings you already know by heart. The Audio Technicas will most definitely do that - moreso than their pricier big brother imho.
Edited by Guldbamsen - June 23 2017 at 13:12
“The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”
Anyway if you had your eyes set on those 240s I would probably go for the k553s. They don't bleed and they have some of the same 'magic' as the 240s without being allergic to bass (still not a bassy headphone at all, sound nicely balanced compared to say the m50x).
I think I'm settling for the M40X right now. I checked out the K553s but the undetachable cable is an issue (it will be torn eventually by a door knob or something like that as it often happens to me with wire devices).
My only interrogation concerning the M40X is about the neutrality of the sound. I never had hi-fi headphones and I'm not planning to become a studio producer or anything of the sort so I don't know if the flat sound will please me. I'll use them at home just for music and I've read that they are "not intended to use for enjoying music'' but rather to be able to easily discern nuances in mixing. From what I understand there is basically no sound alteration at all; you get exactly what's in the audio source. For what purposes are you guys using the M40X? Despite what I read I still think I could really like these but the "not intended to use for enjoying music" bugs me.
"Larks' tongues. Wrens' livers. Chaffinch brains. Jaguars' earlobes. Wolf nipple chips. Get 'em while they're hot. They're lovely. Dromedary pretzels, only half a denar."
Joined: August 11 2012
Location: Toadstool
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Points: 1787
Posted: June 23 2017 at 12:30
^^I have the ATH-M40X and they have a natural or neutral sound signature, not tuned more towards the bass like the big brother M50X. I love mine and yes about $50 bucks cheaper!
I do have a portable open on ear headphones that are great for casual listening and portable (fold up), but as David mentioned, they do bleed some and you can hear surrounding noise, but if you are on the go and walking, etc. you may want to hear that bus coming before you walk out in front of it :)
Anyway, they sound very good to me and are somewhat inexpensive (around $70), they are the Sennheiser PX100-II. I find myself listening to these almost as much as the M40X at home.
Anyway if you had your eyes set on those 240s I would probably go for the k553s. They don't bleed and they have some of the same 'magic' as the 240s without being allergic to bass (still not a bassy headphone at all, sound nicely balanced compared to say the m50x).
“The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”
I have yet to discover a pair of open headphones that works in public. What you get in airyness and soundstage you pay for by a) bleeding music to your surroundings and b) you can hear everything around you including tv, chatter, dog barking etc etc. I find it easier to pick up tiny details on a closed headphone whereas an open pair needs a quiet room. But in short: if you go for the 240s you can be sure the old mamacita next to you on the bus will be able to hear you blasting weird tunes.
“The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”
I don't get the wide appraisal of the m50x. The bass is muddy compared to most other models I've tried in that price bracket and the highs became way too bright when I turned up the volume. Personally I much prefer the m40x.Far more detail and clarity imo.
Happy to hear that since the M40X is 50 bucks cheaper.
Guldbamsen wrote:
The AKGs were very nice indeed but a) they're open so your music will be playing for everyone around you
Is it really that bad?
"Larks' tongues. Wrens' livers. Chaffinch brains. Jaguars' earlobes. Wolf nipple chips. Get 'em while they're hot. They're lovely. Dromedary pretzels, only half a denar."
I have recently tried on at least a hundred different headphones - some only for a couple of minutes though but I did try both of those models you mention, and I must say that I don't get the wide appraisal of the m50x. The bass is muddy compared to most other models I've tried in that price bracket and the highs became way too bright when I turned up the volume. Personally I much prefer the m40x.Far more detail and clarity imo.
The AKGs were very nice indeed but a) they're open so your music will be playing for everyone around you and b) if you're a bass lover you may want to look elsewhere. That being said there is something there that I really dig about these headphones - a zing a musicality whatever kind of bs you care to insert be my guest.
Personal recs from me:
Open: Superlux 668 (30-40$!), Philips Fidelio X2 (I regret not buying these for half the price! They're still a steal at the current price though (200-250$) Soooo good.)
Closed: AKG K553 (My friend bought a pair and I have been jealous ever since. AKG sound signature but with a bit of bass), Sony MDR-1A (reminds me of my MDR 7506s but way cooler looking and a more "relaxed" sound.)
In-ears? I am rocking a pair of Sony MDR-EX650 AP and they're absolutely brilliant and cheap plus widely regarded as one of the best bargains for the price. I'd recommend them to just about anyone.
Also: don't trust me - trust your ears as much as possible.
Edited by Guldbamsen - June 23 2017 at 10:15
“The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”
OK so I've read through the entire thread and my (very) limited budget brings me down to these 2 main options. AKG K 240 or ATH-M50X. I'd like sound isolation which the M50X seems to offer but comfort is also a priority and the consensus seems to go towards the K240 in this field. I'm tempted to go with the M50X but if anyone who knows both brands well could give me a few clarifications that would be much appreciated. For twice the price of the K240, I'd expect the M50X to be significantly better. Any other models around below $200 I should check out?
I'm also looking for good earbuds as I've gone through 20+ pairs in the last 5 years. Anyone familiar with the VE Monk? I just read they are sold at $5 and are allegedly better than most other earbuds.
"Larks' tongues. Wrens' livers. Chaffinch brains. Jaguars' earlobes. Wolf nipple chips. Get 'em while they're hot. They're lovely. Dromedary pretzels, only half a denar."
I found the Stax L300 review I was on about earlier in the thread if anyone's interested:
Incidentally, this Z fella keeps recommending cheap(ish) headphones that don't retail in Europe I've been looking high and low for Philips HD9500s and Pioneer SE1000s and found nothing (except for US deals that ask for 50-60$ on shipment).
“The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”
My daughter bought me some JVC bluetooth SBT5s for Xmas and I mostly use those because I don't like being tethered. They're not bad considering.
I was actually looking at a pair before I purchased my Sonys but didn't want to go the wireless route (too much of a hassle to have two separate entities to charge before I can listen to music).
Then again the freedom of movement one gets with a pair of wireless HP sounds enticing to say the least.
I just ordered a pair of wireless in-ears for my sis. She's been moaning about her old ones especially since she started working out like a possessed, so I thought I'd surprise her with a new pair. Oh my word though and I thought the cans market was a jungle I must've surfed around for at least 4 hours before settling on my first choice, Creative Outlier Sport in neon green (no less!).
Upon ordering them I couldn't help noticing the 50% off on AKG's answer to the growing Beats market, the Y50s. Now while I'm still over the moon about my Sonys and the terrific sound they produce, they are still equipped with 3 metres worth of nondetachable chord and they're about as handy on the go as a comfy fruit-basket.
Long story short I'm waiting for these puppies to turn up on my doorstep (and yes I did indeed opt for the American taxi cab yellow)
“The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”
That just makes me even more curious, thanks I just received my new Sony headphones today and am really breaking them in - as well as listening to a ton of new vinyl that I haven't yet had the opportunity to listen to. Holy shickels though!! Just by plugging these things into my iPod I noticed a gigantic difference to my usual in-ears. I felt I could hear every little detail - even the bass had layers to it. When I then popped on the big jack and started listening to my records an even bigger world opened up. I may just spend the rest of the year right here on my bed. Electronic music in particular has revealed a whole new side to it that reminded me of the time I first started listening to music. "Wow this is music"
What kind of headphones do you use nowadays Dean?
“The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”
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Can you recommend me some headphones?
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progbethyname wrote:
That's bs. They are the bee's knees. Though if you are coming from Beats or similar bass heavy headphones, in-ears you may want to look into fx the Sony MDR-1A. But trust me if this is your first pair of 'serious' cans you will just be going 'wow!" most of the time suddenly hearing new nuances and sounds on recordings you already know by heart. The Audio Technicas will most definitely do that - moreso than their pricier big brother imho. 
I've been looking high and low for Philips HD9500s and Pioneer SE1000s and found nothing (except for US deals that ask for 50-60$ on shipment
).
