Vintage Headphones: Are they a thing of the past?

[Mr Kipling]

Perhaps it's the masochist in me, but now and again I have an urge for some skullcrushers from the '70s/'80s. The first pair of headphones I had were such using transistor radio drivers. They didn't sound that hot, weighed a ton and hurt my ears after about 20 minutes use.

For years I've used in-ear types as I like the "nothingness" about them. I keep wondering though, about Pioneer's old SE range and Sharp's HP 400s. Are they worth trying?

Kind Regards,
Stephen

[technobear]

I wouldn't bother personally.

If you really want your skull crushed then try a pair of planar magnetics (orthos) from Audeze or HifiMan.

Me, I'll stick to my T1's http://www.technobear.btinternet.co.uk/emoticons/phones_banging.gif

[Rare Bird]

You can keep modern earphones ;) wouldnt swap my vintage cans for the world.

[YNWaN]

History, is it yesterday's news......

[Marco]

You can keep modern earphones ;) wouldnt swap my vintage cans for the world.

Ross vs. Koss! :eyebrows:

;)

Marco.

[icehockeyboy]

To really squeeze your brain out, try Koss Red Devils, great cans but ouch!

[Rare Bird]

History, is it yesterday's news......

Please eeelaborate!


Ross vs. Koss! :eyebrows:

;)

Marco.

:eyebrows:

[alan47]

To really squeeze your brain out, try Koss Red Devils, great cans but ouch!

Just finally binned mine,couldn't stand the ouch any more.Prefer being caressed by my KRK 8400's instead.I figured thirty years was enough.:lol:

[Mr Kipling]

Well, I've given in to temptation - and bought some: Pioneer SE 3-5s for £18. Should be here for the weekend. I "convinced" myself it was the right thing to do after reading this article:

http://soundandvisionmag.com/article/review-dusting-some-vintage-headphones

[Mr Kipling]

Well, I got my very own time machine. The Pioneer headphones came - and I'm back in the 70s, livin' the dream:

Amstrad. Flares. Old Spice. Jobs. Hadcocks under £50. Classic tv. Lotus UK owned. Platforms. Denim. Tank Tops. Amstrad. Hot summers. Strikes. Vesta packet meals. Harp larger. Power cuts. Classic Formula 1. Chart music ranging from Black Sabbath to Arthur Mullard & Hilda Baker. Writing to Hi-Fi Answers for cassette advice and being told what you really need is another LP12. (I jest!)Affordable (relatively) hi-end gear. UK with a manufacturing base. Amstrad. Robertsons Jam with a Gollywog (can I say that?). Genuine tv/film STARS. Personalities on Radio 1. Weekend tv being looked forward to. 301s/401s/old valve amps going into landfill. UK having a car industry. Affordable energy. Affordable housing. Hi-Fi accessories for a fiver. Amstrad. Yes, those were the days. . .

The 'phones are mint! Tried them with a Sony 725 DVD player. Expected a sharper sound with more wallop. Preferred my in-ear ones from my Archos 48, which aren't that hot to be honest. The Pioneers are an 8 ohm load though and might work better with an amp. Surprisingly comfortable.

[Rare Bird]

If you don't want em :eyebrows:

[synsei]

I'm worried Stephen, you seem to have an Amstrad fetish... :D

[Mr Kipling]

Hi Andre,

I'll try them with an amp first to see what happens. I think it was the Sharp 400s that I read about needing some volts to get them going and maybe the same with the Pioneers, although they do just have a single driver.

Hi Dave,

No. It's ok; I don't have an Amstrad fetish. Could anyone? But they were a part of my past. One channel of my EX 330 took out a Castle Richmond, for no reason whatsoever. B-----d!

[bobbasrah]

No. It's ok; I don't have an Amstrad fetish. Could anyone? But they were a part of my past. One channel of my EX 330 took out a Castle Richmond, for no reason whatsoever. B-----d!

Bamstrad ?:scratch:

[Macca]

Bastardstrad.