It's all in your head. Or how about a decent headphone thread? [Archive]

twelvebears

29-10-2011, 17:19

Now come on chaps, I can't be the only one and I don't really want to have to resort to that faceless bunch over at Head-Fi.

While the listening room and main system are great, I'm quite frequently finding myself sticking on a set of 'phones for some convient tunes and wondered what other AOSers experiences and equipment are.

With my growing collection of 24bit files, I've recently added one of these little beauties to drive my AKG K701s from my laptop:

http://headfonics.com/2011/10/fiio-e10-review-a-lot-of-boxes-have-been-ticked/

For £60 it's bloody great!

I'm now looking around for some alternative 'phones to give me some other 'flavours' just for fun, which is not something that can easily be done with speakers!

Anyone out there who is a regular headphone user who may have some recommendations for another good pair?

Reid Malenfant

29-10-2011, 17:26

I have an idea how to make a set of headphones produce sound like you are listening to a pair of speakers, IE front left & right if you are interested ;)

It's just a thought at the moment, however I wouldn't mind it being de-bunked if it indeed can be :)

I know there is at least one headphone amp that can do this, from what i have seen though it's kind of expensive :rolleyes:

StanleyB

29-10-2011, 18:42

Anyone out there who is a regular headphone user who may have some recommendations for another good pair?
You are only 30 minutes or so away from me, so why not pop by with your headamp and DAC one day to try out my selection of headphones? Options to choose from are:
Sony MDR-F1, SA-5000
Senheiser HD-650, HD800
Denon AD-7000
AKG K-701 (which you have already)

Labarum

30-10-2011, 05:22

my selection of headphones?

Sony MDR-F1, SA-5000
Senheiser HD-650, HD800
Denon AD-7000
AKG K-701

Do you have a clear favourite, Stan?

Or do you prefer different phones for different circumstances.

You recommended the MDR-F1 to me and I ave been very pleased. When it's hot in Cyprus my ears have some ventilation!

Ali Tait

30-10-2011, 09:06

Working away a lot, I use a pair of Ultimate Audio triple fi 10's, usually fed from a Glow Audio amp one, a nice little SE EL84 amp. I find the 10's superb, certainly the best phones I've heard.

twelvebears

30-10-2011, 09:27

You are only 30 minutes or so away from me, so why not pop by with your headamp and DAC one day to try out my selection of headphones? Options to choose from are:
Sony MDR-F1, SA-5000
Senheiser HD-650, HD800
Denon AD-7000
AKG K-701 (which you have already)

Cheers Stan, that would be excellent, plus it would be nice to meet you anyway.

I had guessed that you were probably a bit of a headphones fan from the fact that your DACs have such a good headphone amp built in.

In fact if I just wanted a headphone amp for a digital source and didn't need to be free of a power source, I would just buy one. :)

I'm PM you an sort out a suitable day/time

twelvebears

30-10-2011, 09:37

Do you have a clear favourite, Stan?

Or do you prefer different phones for different circumstances.

You recommended the MDR-F1 to me and I ave been very pleased. When it's hot in Cyprus my ears have some ventilation!

Yes I'd be interested to know which one you prefer.

I'd really love my K701s and there's not really anything I don't like, apart from the way the lumps on the underside of the headband put dents in my bald noggin and get a bit uncomfortable after a while.

I just fancy a different pair with a different presentation 'style' for fun, and perhaps so I can pick a pair that suits a particular style of music best.

Natural inclination is to get a pair of HD600s or HD650s but it would be good to hear a left-field option.

I'd actually really like either a pair of closed-back phones or good IEMs for situations where I don't want 'sound leakage' (either way) to be a problem.

I want something to block out the sound of Mrs G when she's watching Come Dine With Me on TV! :lolsign:

Covenant

30-10-2011, 10:05

alan47

30-10-2011, 14:37

Hi,here's a few suggestions for you to mull over,
For closed back phones the first one's that come to mind are Sennheiser HD25-1 II.Comfy and won't disturb her indoors.
If you want a bit of fun their are always a pair of Grado SR60 or 80's on ebay as people upgrade.Your E10 will make them sing,but will struggle to get the best out of a pair of HD650's.
My favourites these days are Grado SR325is's,very detailed with just a few modifications.
I use a pair of Beyer DT770 Pro's if i don't want to hear what the wife is telling me to do.:lol:
Good Luck, you are very wise to keep off Head-fi.

Reid Malenfant

30-10-2011, 17:32

Is this a confidential idea or is it something you can share with us Mark?
I wouldn't have mentioned it if I wasn't willing to spill the beans so to speak :)

I'd listen to headphones if it didn't sound like the music was coming from inside my head, if it sounded like I was listening to a pair of loudspeakers in front of me then the only objection I'd really have would be out of the window ;)

If anyone is interested then I'll go into detail, not that there is that much to give away in all honesty :eyebrows:

Welder

30-10-2011, 18:43

I’m growing rather fond of a set of Beyerdynamic DT880 600 ohm I acquired a while back.
The 600 ohm bit may give some headphone amps problems but World Audio HD 83 copes with them well. Not quite as comfortable as my Sen 595’s but overall I’m getting to prefer the sound of the 880’s.

I’ve heard the Beyerdynamic T1 600 ohm and they make a very pleasant sound but I’m not convinced they’re worth the price.

Pete The Cat

30-10-2011, 18:52

twelvebears

30-10-2011, 18:55

My main cans are HD600s, their analytical and detailed approach makes them great on vocals, acoustic, piano and strings, however rock can be surprisingly polite and unexciting at times and I'm thinking of straying to Grados next time...

Pete

Have a crack a a pair pf AKG K701s, probably have a different presentation to the HD600s

Personally I love my K701s but just fancy having 'another pair of shoes' for different occasions.

Really what I want is a quality set of closed-back phones for listening loud-ish when Susy is reading or watching TV. So far the only closed phones I've been impressed with are the high-end Denon's that Alex and Dave C used to use on their stand, but I don't have £900 to spend!!

One tempting option which will be available in a while are the AKG K550s

bobbasrah

31-10-2011, 05:47

Having gone through various cans, I am only left with the Beyer 990Pro's now. I tried closed cans but they never quite gave the atmosphere open ones did.

StanleyB

31-10-2011, 13:06

Do you have a clear favourite, Stan?

Or do you prefer different phones for different circumstances.

You recommended the MDR-F1 to me and I ave been very pleased. When it's hot in Cyprus my ears have some ventilation!
My wife has taken a liking to the MDR-F1 with its comfortable headband light weight and spatial expression, so I hardly get to listen to it these days.
The Denon AD-7000 is my favourite for head banging listening, especially under influence :eyebrows:.
But I can grab any of them and listen to it for hours on end without getting fed up. I do however get a bit annoyed with the K701 inability to maintain an undistorted bass when the volume level is increased. It's 100mW handling seems to be a bit of a limiter.

twelvebears

31-10-2011, 15:09

I do however get a bit annoyed with the K701 inability to maintain an undistorted bass when the volume level is increased. It's 100mW handling seems to be a bit of a limiter.

All I can say is Stan, ya must be a bit deaf by now... :lolsign:

Really? You find it distorts? Can honestly say I've not noticed this.

StanleyB

31-10-2011, 16:12

All I can say is Stan, ya must be a bit deaf by now... :lolsign:
I might have to get you to sign a non-disclosure form when you come to visit me :eyebrows:.

Bonky

31-10-2011, 22:14

Ive owned both Senheiser HD-650 & AKG K-701, i would never ever in a million years give up my headphones & go back to them.
... Sorry, go back to what...?

Bw

Bonky

Covenant

31-10-2011, 22:26

I wouldn't have mentioned it if I wasn't willing to spill the beans so to speak :)

I'd listen to headphones if it didn't sound like the music was coming from inside my head, if it sounded like I was listening to a pair of loudspeakers in front of me then the only objection I'd really have would be out of the window ;)

If anyone is interested then I'll go into detail, not that there is that much to give away in all honesty :eyebrows:

Yes please, I am interested!

Reid Malenfant

31-10-2011, 22:35

Yes please, I am interested!
I'll PM you Jerry, obviously no-one else is :eyebrows:

I should get round to it tomorrow some time ;)

twelvebears

01-11-2011, 17:32

... Sorry, go back to what...?

Bw

Bonky

Yes, my question exactly.

twelvebears

01-11-2011, 18:02

I'll PM you Jerry, obviously no-one else is :eyebrows:

I should get round to it tomorrow some time ;)

No, I'm interested too.

Stop being so cryptic! :lolsign:

Reid Malenfant

01-11-2011, 20:52

Yes please, I am interested!

No, I'm interested too.

Stop being so cryptic! :lolsign:
Ok, for you interested people :)

I'm sure you all know that the reason you can pinpoint where a sound is coming from is because there are delays in the sound to each of our ears. In the case of headphones this simply doesn't happen as both ear speakers (headphones) are isolated & as a consequence we get no stereo information. Simply put it sounds like the sound is inside your head. I'm not keen on it at all & I'd like that stereo information back ;)

As i mentioned previously there is at least one headphone amp on the market though I can't for the life of me remember what it's called, but I remember The very nice guy on here with the bear avatar posting a picture of it (sorry i can't remember your name or online monika :o). This got me thinking...

It appeared that what this headphone amp does is mix some of the left & right audio but also incorporate a variable delay into the proceedings. The effect of this would be just like listening to a pair of speakers where there is also a slight difference in volume & a delay in what your left ear would hear from the right speaker & vice versa...

The simple answer is this. Feed the audio into a digital crossover like a Behringer DC2496 & set the crossover to two way stereo so it passes all frequencies... With each channel passing all frequencies & two left channels as well as two right channels you can set the gain & delay for the second of the left & right channels.

Thus you now have a left & right channel output with standard gain settings & no delay, but you also have another output of left & right with a slightly lower & adjustable volume & an adjustable delay. Feed these outputs into a mixer & the output of the mixer to your headphone amplifier....

The result will sound like you are sitting in front of a pair of loudspeakers :cool:

StanleyB

01-11-2011, 20:57

I'm sure you all know that the reason you can pinpoint where a sound is coming from is because there are delays in the sound to each of our ears. In the case of headphones this simply doesn't happen as both ear speakers (headphones) are isolated & as a consequence we get no stereo information. Simply put it sounds like the sound is inside your head.
Have you ever listened to a Sony MDR-F1 or SA-5000, or the Sennheiser HD800? If you haven't then I suggest that you do. They sound nothing like what you describe.

Reid Malenfant

01-11-2011, 21:00

No matter what you say Stan they still don't sound like listening to a pair of loudspeakers :lol: I'm not on about feeling the music either, I'm on about spacial positioning or if you like a stereo image!

Ali Tait

01-11-2011, 21:26

Have you tried it Mark?

Reid Malenfant

01-11-2011, 21:32

Have you tried it Mark?
No Ali, but the DCX2496 can be set to pass all frequencies even if it's set as a two way crossover, that is each channel can be. I Know having fiddled with the ones i have here, each channel has variable delay & gain/cut etc so I guess there is no reason why it shouldn't work...

Put it like this, I keep looking on fleabay for a secondhand DCX & I'll bet the £170 that a decent one might cost & a reasonable mixer that it'll work ;) After all, it's exactly the same effect that you'd get listening to properly positioned pair of stereo speakers :)

E2A:- I now have the DCX2496 schematics Ali, i can see which resistors on the input & output need changing to make use the full 24 bits of the ADC :) The output from the DAC can be configured like the Beresford Caiman & use a capacitor for passive modification...

StanleyB

01-11-2011, 21:55

The output from the DAC can be configured like the Beresford Caiman & use a capacitor for passive modification...
Wouldn't it be great if even the cap was made redundant :eyebrows:?

Reid Malenfant

01-11-2011, 22:01

It might be possible to do it with a transformer, I think I'd prefer a capacitor though ;)

Unfortunately we do have to get to the minimum compromise & I guess a capacitor is it...

I don't know whether I could get away with it in the case of my active system as I'm feeding 7 - 10M of cable between the xover & power amps.

I'll think on this :)

StanleyB

01-11-2011, 22:15

It might be possible to do it with a transformer, I think I'd prefer a capacitor though ;)

Unfortunately we do have to get to the minimum compromise & I guess a capacitor is it...
Mark your words :).

twelvebears

02-11-2011, 17:41

Stan.

I meant to ask you how you rate the Sony SA-5000s?

Looks like an interesting set and quite a lot of folks seem to really like them.

Bit of a bugger to get hold of in this country though....

StanleyB

02-11-2011, 20:07

Stan.

I meant to ask you how you rate the Sony SA-5000s?

It's very neutral in the bass and mids, with a minor amount of lift in the tops. Similar sounding to the K701, but far richer in audio content and better soundstage.

Ali Tait

02-11-2011, 20:57

No Ali, but the DCX2496 can be set to pass all frequencies even if it's set as a two way crossover, that is each channel can be. I Know having fiddled with the ones i have here, each channel has variable delay & gain/cut etc so I guess there is no reason why it shouldn't work...

Put it like this, I keep looking on fleabay for a secondhand DCX & I'll bet the £170 that a decent one might cost & a reasonable mixer that it'll work ;) After all, it's exactly the same effect that you'd get listening to properly positioned pair of stereo speakers :)

E2A:- I now have the DCX2496 schematics Ali, i can see which resistors on the input & output need changing to make use the full 24 bits of the ADC :) The output from the DAC can be configured like the Beresford Caiman & use a capacitor for passive modification...

Sounds interesting Mark, if you try it, let us know how it goes. Can you send a link to the circuit please?

I think someone posted some links on another thread somewhere.

Reid Malenfant

02-11-2011, 21:03

I grabbed the images but I also have the complete circuit of the DCX2496 via PDF, took some finding but I was spurred on by people selling it on ebay & linking to it - cheeky buggers :rolleyes:

Let me look up the links again as I don't want to thread crap ;) Alternatively I could post the screen grabs elsewhere on here :smoking:

Ali Tait

02-11-2011, 21:17

Cheers mate.

Reid Malenfant

03-11-2011, 19:06

Hi Ali, click on this link (http://www.schematicsunlimited.com/?z=behringer) & then click on the DCX2496 PDF link... Fill the box with the correct number & you can download the entire circuit diagram via PDF :)

I know it works as that's where I got the complete schematic from...

Now I can give myself a pat on the back for remembering :eyebrows:

technobear

03-11-2011, 20:28

As i mentioned previously there is at least one headphone amp on the market though I can't for the life of me remember what it's called, but I remember The very nice guy on here with the bear avatar posting a picture of it (sorry i can't remember your name or online monika :o).

That sounds like me :)

The amp in question is the SPL Phonitor. It designed to make the studio headphone monitoring experience more like using speakers.

I'm currently experimenting with a plug-in for foobar which does the same thing but using DSP. It's call TB-Isone and comes from Tone Boosters:

http://www.toneboosters.com/tb-isone/

You also need the VST wrapper plug-in to make it work. Instructions are out there somewhere. I think there's a primer on Head-Fi.

To be honest, the sound is still a bit in the head but it does stop that annoying thing where certain sounds have been mixed totally to one side or the other which can sound very odd on headphones.

Reid Malenfant

03-11-2011, 20:36

That sounds like me :)
Indeed it was Chris :) My apologies for having a memory wipe ;)

Good to see you about again & cheers for the link to what looks like an interesting bit of kit...

Looks like you have also put some flesh on the bones of my idea of using a DCX2496 & a mixer :cool:

twelvebears

05-11-2011, 08:50

The amp in question is the SPL Phonitor.

Damn you Chris! It's £1300!!!

What are your Tesla T1s like btw?

twelvebears

05-11-2011, 09:01

It's very neutral in the bass and mids, with a minor amount of lift in the tops. Similar sounding to the K701, but far richer in audio content and better soundstage.

They sound like my kind of phones because I generally like the K701's overall, so 'more of the same' sounds good.

I'll have to PM you and sort out a suitable time for a visit. :)

technobear

05-11-2011, 09:03

Damn you Chris! It's £1300!!!

What are your Tesla T1s like btw?

:lolsign:

...which is why I won't be buying one anytime soon :(

The T1's are magnificent. Yes, they cost far too much but they sound much better than anything I've heard for less so...

jostber

05-11-2011, 09:34

Anyone tried the Carot One Ernestolo? That has a mighty output for headphones:

http://www.audioevo.org/manufacturers/locus-design/220-carot-one-ernestolo-class-d/tube-amplifier-in-stock.html

Ali Tait

05-11-2011, 10:39

jostber

05-11-2011, 19:05

Anyone tried the Carot One Ernestolo? That has a mighty output for headphones:

http://www.audioevo.org/manufacturers/locus-design/220-carot-one-ernestolo-class-d/tube-amplifier-in-stock.html

Or this little fella?

http://www.raysamuelsaudio.com/assets/2007/2/8/DSC_0010.jpg

SJC_81

10-11-2011, 23:59

I've actually been spending the night looking for a new set of headphones, I have some sennheiser hd25sp that I use for dj'ing but have fancied a set of grados for a while now just not sure what model to go for I think possibly the 225i are a minimum to better my sennheisers but not sure!

StanleyB

11-11-2011, 09:46

twelvebears

12-11-2011, 17:45

Before you decide which one to go for, identify what is missing in your current set, and what you want more or less of. I got more than £3000 worth of headphones, but only my Denon D7000 has just about the right balance to cover most bases and musical taste. It took a lot of time and money to come to that conclusion, so learn from my mistakes ;).

Stan.

Am I right in assuming you do all your headphone listening from a Gatorized Caiman?

Feels like this is going to be my best option for a good VFM 'phone amp, especially as it will need to be use a digital rather than analogue signal.

StanleyB

12-11-2011, 18:25

Stan. Am I right in assuming you do all your headphone listening from a Gatorized Caiman?
I used to, but I have now switched to using the Bushmaster prototype for numerous reasons. One of them is that my HD800 are now finally a lot more of a pleasure to listen to.

twelvebears

12-11-2011, 19:19

I used to, but I have now switched to using the Bushmaster prototype for numerous reasons. One of them is that my HD800 are now finally a lot more of a pleasure to listen to.

I which case it sounds like the Bushmaster could be just the thing for me....

StanleyB

12-11-2011, 21:45

I which case it sounds like the Bushmaster could be just the thing for me....
I'll let you play with one when you drop by :).

Covenant

14-11-2011, 21:26

Ok, for you interested people :)

I'm sure you all know that the reason you can pinpoint where a sound is coming from is because there are delays in the sound to each of our ears. In the case of headphones this simply doesn't happen as both ear speakers (headphones) are isolated & as a consequence we get no stereo information. Simply put it sounds like the sound is inside your head. I'm not keen on it at all & I'd like that stereo information back ;)

As i mentioned previously there is at least one headphone amp on the market though I can't for the life of me remember what it's called, but I remember The very nice guy on here with the bear avatar posting a picture of it (sorry i can't remember your name or online monika :o). This got me thinking...

It appeared that what this headphone amp does is mix some of the left & right audio but also incorporate a variable delay into the proceedings. The effect of this would be just like listening to a pair of speakers where there is also a slight difference in volume & a delay in what your left ear would hear from the right speaker & vice versa...

The simple answer is this. Feed the audio into a digital crossover like a Behringer DC2496 & set the crossover to two way stereo so it passes all frequencies... With each channel passing all frequencies & two left channels as well as two right channels you can set the gain & delay for the second of the left & right channels.

Thus you now have a left & right channel output with standard gain settings & no delay, but you also have another output of left & right with a slightly lower & adjustable volume & an adjustable delay. Feed these outputs into a mixer & the output of the mixer to your headphone amplifier....

The result will sound like you are sitting in front of a pair of loudspeakers :cool:

Have a look at this:http://www.smyth-research.com/

Reid Malenfant

15-11-2011, 17:09

Have a look at this:http://www.smyth-research.com/
Ah, there you go :) When there is no mention of money you just know it's going to be expensive, definately with a free pair of Stax headphones :eyebrows:

Covenant

15-11-2011, 18:59

Only $3700! You could make a fortune Mark if you make your version and stick it in a little box that you can plug your cans into.

Reid Malenfant

15-11-2011, 19:07

Jerry, I'm not interested in making money m8 :eyebrows: I'm happy to share my ideas with anyone that would be willing to listen, besides which the DCX2496 may well be slim top to bottom (1U) but it's not exactly small & then there is a mixer on top...

Besides which I'm only venturing a stereo offering, not full surround sound & there are no free Stax headphones :lolsign:

Trust me, when I get hold of a cheap DCX I'll try it out, but I expect it to work in all honesty or I wouldn't think of investing in the DCX in the first place...

Reid Malenfant

16-11-2011, 18:38

Tim

16-11-2011, 23:12

Simply put it sounds like the sound is inside your head.
They may not be to your liking Mark, as speakers are hard to beat for my personal tastes as well - but if you ever get a chance, try some Sennheiser HD800's, as they for sure don't sound like the sound is inside your head ;)

I reckon you could be surprised.

Reid Malenfant

16-11-2011, 23:16

Last Sennheisers I listened to & loved them were HD414, yes I'm an old git :eyebrows:

The newer stuff should be superior, if my little idea works out I'll be investing in some of the more expensive variety ;)

Covenant

17-11-2011, 11:06

They may not be to your liking Mark, as speakers are hard to beat for my personal tastes as well - but if you ever get a chance, try some Sennheiser HD800's, as they for sure don't sound like the sound is inside your head ;)

I reckon you could be surprised.

Interesting Tim. Is there any technical reason you are aware of that makes them
better at the 'out of head' experience? :)

StanleyB

17-11-2011, 12:07

The HD800 has slanted ear cups, just like the Sony Sa-5000 and MDR-F1. Sony used that configuration to create a binaural effect and reduce the 'inside your head' musical experience. I have all three of those headphones and use them in the R&D of the headphone section of my DACs ;).

Werner Berghofer

17-11-2011, 12:48

Stan,

The HD800 has slanted ear cups

Beyerdynamic uses a similar method of placing the drivers in their T1 headphones, but unlike the Sennheiser HD800 this has no visible influence on the outside design.

Werner.

RochaCullen

17-11-2011, 15:38

I've not heard anyone mention the Audeze headphones yet:

https://audeze.com/audeze-lcd-3

Has anyone had a chance to try these.

If I get a chance I was thinking of picking up a pair of AKG 701s, just to try an open back headphone. I use a pair of closed back sony monitor headphones in the office. And with a 9 month old in the house, a pair of headphones might just be the ticket.

Nathan

Werner Berghofer

17-11-2011, 15:56

Nathan,

I've not heard anyone mention the Audeze headphones yet

I know Audeze has been the talk of town during the last months, but being a very happy Beyerdynamic customer I see no need for me to try this brand.

If I get a chance I was thinking of picking up a pair of AKG 701s

If there’s any chance for you doing so I strongly recommend that you try them personally before making a purchase. You might like their sound, but you should pay attention to the headband. Due to the silly bumps in the headband I couldn’t wear them longer for 30 minutes, and also the sound didn’t make me exactly happy. You might also check out if your headphone amplifier (or the headphone out of your amplifier) makes a good match with the AKG K70x.

Living most of my time in Vienna (AKG’s originating town) I was a happy, long-time user of AKG headphones, but nowadays to my ears Beyerdynamic sounds better and also feels much more comfortable on my head.

Werner.

twelvebears

19-11-2011, 16:56

I own a pair of K701s and actually really like the sound (especially now I've got a Fiio E10 driving them) but will agree that the bumps on the headband are a pain (literally). Especially if you've a bald noggin like me!

twelvebears

19-11-2011, 17:01

So the legendary HD600s and HD650s Excellent phones, but seemingly commanding very high s/h prices - up to £190 for HD650s and £150-ish for HD600s (which seems silly given you can get them new for not much more).

I however would suggest nabbing a pair of HD580s from eBay.de (as there are a few and hardly any in the UK) and then replace the grills (£20) and cables (£12) with those from the HD600 and HD650.

I've just got a set for £70 and I now have a great set of phones for £100 :cool:

Reid Malenfant

20-11-2011, 17:49

Just picked up a decent priced DCX2496, so it looks like the experiment is going to go ahead fairly shortly ;) Time to look for a reasonably priced two channel mixer :eyebrows:

I have a use for the DCX anyway other than trying this out.. I want to mod both of mine at some stage, so purchasing this one allows me to do at least one at once :cool:
Just picked up a two channel mixer cheap :) Apparently the main output from the unit is distorted, but the headphone output is working fine which is all I need :eyebrows:

When both bits of kit get here I'll knock together some XLR to phono leads, plumb it all up & give it a wizz :cool:

This is where Mark hopes he has a working set of headphones :D

jandl100

21-11-2011, 07:23

:hmm: I never could get on with Sennheisers. Or perhaps I never heard a pair with an amp that was up to the job of driving them? The Orpheus electrostats with the gorgeous valve amp/driver being the honourable exception - I recall hearing a pair at a Show - must be 10-15 years ago and they were £10000 even then, iirc. Very nice, though. http://www.stereophile.com/headphones/sennheiser_orpheus_he_90_headphones/index.html
Cor! :eek::drool:
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii114/jandl100/SennheiserOrpheus.jpg

I don't do much headphone listening - mainly sometimes in the morning when the missus is still a-bed. For that I have an old pair of STAX Lambda Nova Basics stats with a not-very-fancy-at-all pre-amp/driver. Does the job, though. :)

I heard a few of the processor boxes that were said to give a 'speaker-like effect' back when they were all the rage in the old analog-era. They never sounded very convincing to me, very artificial and phasey - it will be interesting to hear what a digital-based approach will yield. Go on, Mark, get on with it! ;)

The Grand Wazoo

21-11-2011, 08:01

I recall hearing a pair at a Show - must be 10-15 years ago

Probably more like 20 years ago Jerry!

jandl100

21-11-2011, 08:06

Yeah, could well be Chris! Tempest Fuggit and all that. :)

The Stereophile review is dated 1994 ...

Reid Malenfant

21-11-2011, 17:26

I heard a few of the processor boxes that were said to give a 'speaker-like effect' back when they were all the rage in the old analog-era. They never sounded very convincing to me, very artificial and phasey - it will be interesting to hear what a digital-based approach will yield. Go on, Mark, get on with it! ;)
Attempting to do the same via analogue circuitry would be quite difficult ;) Left & right need to be mixed but with a delay & a slightly lower output to the adjacent channel. On top of that I reckon I'll need to gradually lower the treble output as frequency increases in the delayed channel to make things realistic :scratch:

DCX is here, tested & working. Apparently the Mixer has just been dispatched so hopefully it wont be too long before things get interesting Jerry :)

apmusson

22-11-2011, 11:32

Hi,

I tried the LCD2s (on loan) last weekend. They have a deep sound and need a powerful amp to drive them. My musical fidelity XCAN V2 & V3 amps couldnt do them justice and they sounded kind of dark (lots of good bass but lacking in treble and extension)..... The Lehmann Black Cube linear that my friend brought over sounded similar.

However, with the WAD HD3S (DIY amp) that my friend brought over they were just incredible. Better than the Beyer T1s and AKG K701s by quite a degree (we compared amps and headphones).

My friend says that they are the best Headphones he has heard (we have tried quite a few over the years). I liked the WAD amp so much with all the tested headphones that I ordered one and am waiting for delivery. Here is a bad picture....

Saturday WAD HD3S & LCD2s (http://www.flickr.com/photos/16068105@N07/6382512355/)

Reid Malenfant

03-12-2011, 20:59

Attempting to do the same via analogue circuitry would be quite difficult ;) Left & right need to be mixed but with a delay & a slightly lower output to the adjacent channel. On top of that I reckon I'll need to gradually lower the treble output as frequency increases in the delayed channel to make things realistic :scratch:

DCX is here, tested & working. Apparently the Mixer has just been dispatched so hopefully it wont be too long before things get interesting Jerry :)
Mixer here & an old pair of MB Quart headphones found ;) I'll have to test them on my pioneer cassette deck as I have nothing else with a headphone output :rolleyes:

Just need to find some male XLRs (got some here somewhere) & I'm good to go. I can confirm that each channel of the DCX can be set to full range sound as I have tried it by setting no crossover rolloff value, you can set it to zero, 6, 12, 18, 24 (maybe 36) & 48Db/octave & with different filter characteristics. On zero though it's flat, full frequency response :)

I have a feeling this is going to work :cool:

technobear

03-12-2011, 23:32

I have a feeling this is going to work :cool:

http://www.technobear.btinternet.co.uk/emoticons/popcorn.gif

Reid Malenfant

09-12-2011, 16:22

http://www.technobear.btinternet.co.uk/emoticons/popcorn.gif
Sorry Chris It'll be early next week at the earliest :rolleyes: However I do have a fully working pair of Beyer Dynamic headphones, the mixer has now been tested & will do the job. I was going to try it today, got as far as that & then went digging in a box where I knew there would be XLRs..

What I didn't realise is that I only have female free plugs & not a single damn male plug in the house :doh: So I have bought a couple & as soon as they get here I'll get the soldering iron rocking & get to work on the cabling.

Then it'll be trying it out :cool:

Reid Malenfant

14-12-2011, 17:05

Well I received the male XLR plugs today so set about getting this test done. While I was putting the XLR plugs & sockets onto the relevant cables I discovered I actually did have a couple of male plugs :doh:

In plain english it simply doesn't work :eyebrows: While it certainly does have an interesting effect with the sound, there was at no point any out of the head sounds :scratch:

I tried everything I could think of but I have given up on the idea :D

Which has kind of hacked me off as I'd love to know how it's done by a certain manufacturer.

Oh well, I can't say I didn't try it :lolsign:

Covenant

14-12-2011, 17:13

Full marks for trying Mark :hifives:

Reid Malenfant

14-12-2011, 17:18

Full marks for trying Mark :hifives:
:) Well I have only lost out on the mixer, the DCX will eventually get used so it wasn't too costly an experiment, just a disappointing outcome..

Shame really as I'd have been chuffed to bits if it had worked ;)

Thing Fish

21-12-2011, 22:36

Anybody have any thoughts on the Fiio E11...? Its now discounted on Amazon and going for £41. Which seems quite good.

I would be using it with an iphone 4s and a pair of AKG 480's.

Any feedback would be cool.

wee tee cee

22-12-2011, 08:08

Dave ,
I had a fiio e7 and currently have a fiio e10. Both disappointed sonically. Both sounded inferior to what comes out of my lap top or cowon player. They go plenty loud though, if thats what you need.
Tony.

Thing Fish

22-12-2011, 08:19

Thanks for that Tony.

Well failing that the other one I have been looking at is this one. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DUAL-AMP-portable-headphone-amplifier-V-2-/140647465505?_trksid=p5197.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D5%26po%3D LVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D5065841371474169018

Although a bit more expensive it may be better. I won't be ordering until after the new year in any case...

Canetoad

22-12-2011, 08:40

I have the earlier incarnation of this amp without the screen printing. The circuit board appears to be slightly different too. I'm very happy with the quality of sound I get with mine. I connect it to my iPod classic (line) and use it most days. Great little product! :)

I think AlexUK has one too.

Thing Fish

22-12-2011, 08:43

Thanks Bernie. As I'm a little bit hard of hearing (years playing in a band) does it add much to the overall volume...?

Canetoad

22-12-2011, 09:35

Yes mate, it does. It removes the rediculous EU volume restriction by using the line out rather than headphone out socket on the iPod. Plenty of volume is available. :)

An extra bonus for me is that I can throw it in my backpack each day and not worry about anything breaking off. It is extremely robust. :eyebrows:

Alex_UK

22-12-2011, 09:44

'tis a great little amp - highly recommended imo.

Canetoad

22-12-2011, 10:45

Looks nice with the screen printing on the facia and back plate. :)

I really do like mine!

Alex_UK

22-12-2011, 11:41

Looks nice with the screen printing on the facia and back plate. :)

Yes it does - mine's plain, from before they became popular! ;) I use it all the time, and it really does sound super for the money (gone up a bit since I bought one though - must be the screen-printing! ;))

wee tee cee

22-12-2011, 13:07

That looks a crackin wee bit of kit.....might invest in one in the new year.

Thing Fish

22-12-2011, 16:33

Thanks guys.

Cans

26-12-2011, 14:09

I've not heard anyone mention the Audeze headphones yet:

https://audeze.com/audeze-lcd-3

Has anyone had a chance to try these.
The write ups I've heard don't give a lot away of any difference in the SQ, only that it seemed a lot of money for the differences Audeze had incorporated. So I'm peaking on hearsay, and can only speak about the pair I am fortunate enough to own.

If I get a chance I was thinking of picking up a pair of AKG 701s, just to try an open back headphone. I use a pair of closed back sony monitor headphones in the office. And with a 9 month old in the house, a pair of headphones might just be the ticket.

Nathan

Those Quincy Jones ones look amazing don't they? I would have loved to have tried them , the Grado Rs1i's, G1000's, any Stax, The HD800's and the Tesla T1's.
But you can't. So there it is.

Hi Nathan,
have had my Audeze LCD2's now for 6 weeks. Had no way of auditioning them or any other high end headphone. So it was a case , like for many others, of trawling through and reading about others' experiences.
The LCD2's sounded like they might be the right ones for me.
They are beautiful to look at and to listen to. If you've got a good set up they'll shine. I'll bet they won't add much of a particular sonic signature in their own right.
They aren't the most comfortable headphones to wear , but the leather gets a bit softer as the weeks go by.
Interestingly enough, I went into HMV in Oxford St a couple of weeks back, and they came up to me while I was looking at those Beats by Dr Dre. The chap told me to plug in my phone put on a piece of music and be AMAZED.... Just think, that's how most stuff in this country is auditioned.
For anyone wondering, it was a vile sound. I told the sales chap so, and he was the guy who was amazed then.

The Beresford Caiman when used with the DacMagic Plus gave a superbly detailed sound, the DacMagic Plus has gone back now and that leaves me listening to my christmas presents through the Caiman Gatorised. And that's hardly slumming it........:):):):):):):):)
The M-Dac is on it's way, reduced til the 28th down to £539. Will tell you how it sounds through that:bag:

StanleyB

26-12-2011, 20:58

The Beresford Caiman when used with the DacMagic Plus gave a superbly detailed sound, the DacMagic Plus has gone back now and that leaves me listening to my christmas presents through the Caiman Gatorised. And that's hardly slumming it........:):):):):):):):)
Can you remember how the DMP sounded on the headphone side of things compared to the Caiman?

Cans

27-12-2011, 09:12

Can you remember how the DMP sounded on the headphone side of things compared to the Caiman?

You have nothing to worry about on that side Stan,
the headphone socket was lacklustre; it was chalk and cheese compared to yours. There were separation , soundstage , detail issues when compared with the Beresford, it was so obvious after listening to 5 tracks and cross comparing. My girlfriend , (who was determined that I was to do no more searching and I had arrived at the right choice) even had to agree.
The DMP was amazing through the amp and speakers but was not in the same league as the Caiman when listened through the headphone. I ended up going from the Dig Out of the DMP into the Caiman to achieve the best result.
Which was very satisfying, but too many boxes for me unfortunately:):):)

StanleyB

27-12-2011, 09:30

Cans

27-12-2011, 10:07

Thanks for that Trev. I was however wondering if your power generator needs a bit of noise filtering in the feed to the Caiman. Mark Grant gave me a filter to try out on the Caiman, which did wonders on a very noisy power supply that I deliberately use to test for PSU generated noise. That filter lowers the noise floor a bit, which makes the Caiman sound that more detailed compared to stock.
It might be worth a call to him to see if he does stock that filter now. Mine is hardwired, otherwise I would send it to you to try out.

Stan,
in this day of poor, if not(in my experience), crap service, you are a shining star.
To have this sort of contact with the designer of a product that you bought, I mean, how many other people would put their head above the parapet in such a way?
It's pretty obvious why so many people on this forum are buying your stuff and are waiting with baited breath to see what you next come up with.

technobear

27-12-2011, 15:39

Trev,

Did you order you Audeze's from the States or are they available from someone over here now?

Cans

28-12-2011, 14:34

They are a UK dealer they do a next day service if ordered before 2 , the number is 01642 267012 I think they also trade as 2nd hand hi fi. The service was v good :):):)

twelvebears

30-12-2011, 14:26

This is bit of a tangent to recent posts, but I didn't want to start a new thread for the hell of it.

So as part of my recent search for a way to listen in private at home (my AKG K701 and Sennheiser HD580/600s being rather to 'open' for that), I recently got hold of a pair of Shure SE420 IEMs

In and of themselves, these 2-way (they use twin balances armatures) IEMs are an extremely good listen, being very nicely balanced across the whole audio band and managing to totally avoid the 'boom and tizz' frequency extreme excesses of any other in-ear 'phone that I have heard.

The REAL eye-opener (or should that be ear-opener?), was investing in a pair of custom moulded sleeves for the Shures. It involved £90, a trip to an audiologist and a 2 week wait, but it was well worth it.

The level of improvement to sound quality, comfort and noise isolation (both ways) is something that you really have to experience to fully appreciate. The result is so good that I've stopped looking for a decent closed-back phone and use my IEMs for private home listening via my headphone amp as well as when on the move. :cool: