Better CD player/headphones

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   So far I've been using this CD player with the attached headphones (I paid about $40 for it; it has since been removed for some reason to a "remanufactured" version), and I have always been satisfied with it. The sound is always clear (as far as I can tell), and although the headphones become uncomfortable after too much listening (around 3 or 4 albums), the only time I've ever thought "this would sound better if I had better headphones" is on the guitar solo on Willie the Pimp, but I think that's just a weird mixing thing Zappa did. Sometimes I hear static on a few Pink Floyd records, but I think that's the mixing (like on the end of SOYCD pt 2). Don't worry about MP3; I buy everything CD.
However, the tech discussions have set me wondering: can I do better? Now I'm no audiophile; the thought of anyone dropping $4000 on a vinyl system horrifies me. I can't imagine how whatever difference there may be could possibly be worth that much. It's still the same music; I just can't hear with crystal clarity, say, the synth drip on SOYCD pt 1 that starts 6 seconds in or "seperate the ambience around the tinkling glasses." Whatever that means (I know what part he's talking about). I think that it would be much better to get 300-400 new albums and listen to them on my cheap system than to really hear all the nuances of very few CDs. 
Anyway, for an appreciably better listening experience I would spend some money on better headphones or CD player if you guys really think that what I have is holding me back. But I'm not going overboard.

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
Ghandi 2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: February 17 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1494	Topic: Better CD player/headphones Posted: April 08 2006 at 01:01
	So far I've been using this CD player with the attached headphones (I paid about $40 for it; it has since been removed for some reason to a "remanufactured" version), and I have always been satisfied with it. The sound is always clear (as far as I can tell), and although the headphones become uncomfortable after too much listening (around 3 or 4 albums), the only time I've ever thought "this would sound better if I had better headphones" is on the guitar solo on Willie the Pimp, but I think that's just a weird mixing thing Zappa did. Sometimes I hear static on a few Pink Floyd records, but I think that's the mixing (like on the end of SOYCD pt 2). Don't worry about MP3; I buy everything CD. However, the tech discussions have set me wondering: can I do better? Now I'm no audiophile; the thought of anyone dropping $4000 on a vinyl system horrifies me. I can't imagine how whatever difference there may be could possibly be worth that much. It's still the same music; I just can't hear with crystal clarity, say, the synth drip on SOYCD pt 1 that starts 6 seconds in or "seperate the ambience around the tinkling glasses." Whatever that means (I know what part he's talking about). I think that it would be much better to get 300-400 new albums and listen to them on my cheap system than to really hear all the nuances of very few CDs. Anyway, for an appreciably better listening experience I would spend some money on better headphones or CD player if you guys really think that what I have is holding me back. But I'm not going overboard.

NotAProghead Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Errors & Omissions Team Joined: October 22 2005 Location: Russia Status: Offline Points: 7852	Posted: April 08 2006 at 12:14
	In my opinion, headphones Koss KSC-35, Koss Porta Pro and Koss Porta Pro Jr (all 3 models have the same speakers) are very good for portable audio. They are not too expensive ($30 - $50), quite comfortable, sound good (in low frequences too). As I know, it is worth to check some Sennheiser headphones of similar price. Anyway the price for good headphones is $20 - $80.
	Who are you and who am I to say we know the reason why... (D. Gilmour)

Mikerinos Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: August 11 2005 Location: Planet Gong Status: Offline Points: 8890	Posted: April 08 2006 at 14:07
	I have a pair of Sennheiser HD202s and they sound very good considering I only payed $20 for them. Much better than the generic headphones that come with CD Playeres. I'm looking to buy some better headphones (probably Grado SR60) along with a better sound card (Creative X-Fi) sometime when I get the money.


VanderGraafKommandöh Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: July 04 2005 Location: Malaria Status: Offline Points: 89372	Posted: April 08 2006 at 14:32
	Maybe you can send me your HD 202s! I think I shall be investing in some Sennheiser HD 150s. I don't want to spend a fortune on headphones, but I also don't want cheap ones, so for around £20 or so (I believe, I've yet to look up the price), these are about right for my needs. It means I can listen to a lot more prog and in private too, which suits me perfectly.