View Full Version : Dipping my toes into headphones...advice please!
Not really a headphone guy so these arent for the main system, but for the computer.
Nothing too exotic, looking for a set of cans for late night PC use.
Will be looking for a cheap but good dac/headamp to drive them too.
Initial thoughts are a set from the Superlux range, seem to get great write-ups around the web.
Thinking of the HD-668B's or the 681's, both highly thought of for not a lot of dosh.
Like a balanced sound, open mids good bass but with an open but not too harsh or overpowering top end.
Hear the 681's were bad for that but the new Evo versions cured that?
So 681 Evo's or 668B's....anything better in the Superlux range?
Dac headphone amp...
again cheap as chips but with good quality if possible.
2nd hand Standac maybe, USB from PC into headphones.
That kind of thing.
Any experience, advice appreciated. :)
I like my AKG 450, now 451 I think.
Got mine for 50 notes from richers a few years ago and they are comfortable, on ear style, been my travelling companion for the last 2 years and get daily use when working or using the tablet in bed.
Theres no reason why these wouldn't be hifi enough for home use. I do have a pair of Grado S60i which don't get used as they're too crisp for tastes. I might be interested in parting with them at mates rates if you wanted a try.
Well there's always Head-Fi.org if you spend a week checking things out. I've had AKG 701 Sennheiser 550, 595, 650, and a pile of Ultrasones (I have 5 PCs set up for Lan Gaming). The only ones I did not like were the AKGs. To me comfort is the most important - you wont enjoy the music otherwise. The Sennheiser 595s were the most comfy - I think they are now superseded by the 598.
Pete The Cat
11-02-2015, 20:28
Beyer DT990Pro are good allrounders and punch above their weight at £110-ish. They're more upfront and alive than my HD600s, for less.
Pete
Hi Gary,
Here's what I use: http://www.amazon.com/Koss-Pro-4AA-Studio-Quality-Headphones/dp/B00004Z7G9#customerReviews
If you can handle their weight, the SPPV value is second to none! They have a very clear, punchy, extremely insightful and weighty sound - but totally non-fatiguing - and when you're wearing them, they COMPLETELY shut out the outside world, leaving you totally immersed in wonderful sounding music :cool:
Marco.
Good shout Marco, cheers.
I see there's a newer "titanium" version of these headphones...
Any thoughts on those compared to the old timers?
They're excellent Gary, trust me. I haven't tried the titanium ones, but from what I've read, they get a pretty decent rep, too :)
The Pro-4AAs certainly allow superb insight into recordings (every little detail is laid bare for inspection, but in a musically addictive fashion) - you can hear exactly why they've been used in radio stations and recording studios for the last 30-odd years!
Marco.
Here's what I wrote about the Pro-4AAs in 2011, after I'd got them:
What I'm hearing at the moment from the PRO-4 AAs is, sonically, a pair of £200-250 headphones with a £69-00 price tag (finished to an impressively high standard for their bargain basement cost), which is really quite remarkable..... They're certainly in my opinion sonically superior to the Sennheiser and Beyer Dynamic price equivalents I've heard (and I mean the £200-250 ones!) I also love their 70s retro looks!
Weight-wise, they're heavier than is the norm with headphones these days, but being quite a big bloke, I didn't find it a problem. I suspect that most people wouldn't either, unless they were merely girly-men who couldn't cope with using anything but featherweight headphones(!) I feel therefore that their apparent 'excessive weight' is somewhat overplayed (although they do tend to 'clamp' your head in an almost vice-like grip), as is the 'sweat factor'. The latter, however, may be an issue in the summer months.
The PRO-4 AAs also shut out external noise extremely effectively (probably the most effectively with any headphones I've used to date), which certainly aids detail retrieval, as one's ears are immersed in total inky-black silence, from which music then emerges rather spookily. Crucially, they are also as effective at keeping noise out the other way, so that only the user is aware of any music being played, making these headphones ideal for use late at night where the slightest noise may disturb others sleeping.
In terms of absolute sound quality, they don't quite have the overall finesse, airy spaciousness, and that 'out of the box' sensation of AKG K701s or top-notch open-backed headphones, and certainly the top-of-the-range Denons. However, the level of detail retrieval and insight into the musical programme listened to, no matter the genre of music, quite frankly, is astonishing at this, or indeed any price. If you enjoy forensically examining the minutiae of information in recordings, then these are the cans for you!
There is also a real sense of cohesion, with voices and instruments taking their correct place within the acoustic space, creating a sense of realism, and giving their overall presentation an addictive musicality that encourages lengthy listening sessions. In terms of tonality, there is plenty of extension and sparkle at the top end, superb midrange clarity, and tight but 'articulate' bass. One can certainly hear why these were/are used for monitoring purposes in broadcasting studios.
Koss, IMO, have used their huge experience and no doubt unique access to specialist in-house materials, employed successfully for well over 30 years in the same design, to keep costs down, and carefully updated key components, whilst very cleverly voicing the PRO-4 AAs sympathetically to the originals, but at the same time also adding a more modern and incisive sound.
It's an incredible achievement for £69-00, and ably demonstrates that with some of the 'fancier' looking headphones on the market, most of what you're paying for is aesthetic frippery... Now where have I discovered that before??
:cool:
Marco.
walpurgis
11-02-2015, 22:27
I vaguely recollect you 'telling me off' for making rude comments about these (or was it my pair?) a couple of years ago Marco. :lol:
I don't use 'phones much these days, but still have a pair or two of the classic isodynamic Yamaha HP-1 headphones.
Rare now and they sound lovely.
http://i62.tinypic.com/1zbtl50.jpg
Sounds a great set of headphones Marco, but been reading up on the weight of the blighters...ooft!
Comforts a factor and as they are just for the PC that needs to be factored quite high too.
Ordered a set of Superlux cans based on good write ups here on the forum, so will see how I get on.
Thanks all for the help. :)
I vaguely recollect you 'telling me off' for making rude comments about these (or was it my pair?) a couple of years ago Marco. :lol:
Shoreee... Me no remember ;)
Marco.
Sounds a great set of headphones Marco, but been reading up on the weight of the blighters...ooft!
Comforts a factor and as they are just for the PC that needs to be factored quite high too.
Ordered a set of Superlux cans based on good write ups here on the forum, so will see how I get on.
Thanks all for the help.
No worries, Gaz. I totally get that. Weight isn't an issue for me, as I have a reasonably large bonce, and also do most of my headphone listening lying down on the sofa, where the weight of the phones is supported by the cushions my head's sat on :)
Marco.
Heh :)
I've a wee heed.
Thanks for the help mate.
walpurgis
11-02-2015, 23:13
No worries, Gaz. I totally get that. Weight isn't an issue for me, as I have a reasonably large bonce, and also do most of my headphone listening lying down on the sofa, where the weight of the phones is supported by the cushions my head's sat on :)
Marco.
That was the main issue for me. The weight. Also, I found the 'clamping' effect of the stiff headband a bit uncomfortable, but as you say Marco the sound is pretty decent and they have to be amongst the most robust headphones about.
Mrs B uses some Koss ones for work I got her one Christmas.
She seems to like them but they werent my cup of tea. I do really rate some of AKGs budget offerings and they are pretty sturdy and reliable too. They did take a while to run in though, and I mean weeks!
Audio Advent
12-02-2015, 01:00
A sound guy I know waxed lyrical about his Sony 7506 headphone monitors although, it's amazing how so many who work in sound settle for poor hifi..
http://www.dv247.com/headphones/sony-mdr-7506-professional-monitor-headphones--9005
The BeyerDynamic DT990s I noticed is what people use at the BBC on televised/streamed sessions for Radio etc.
Yup, Sony do make some very nice headphones. I had ones very similar to that and they sounded superb :)
I'm also a fan of Beyer Dynamic headphones, much preferring them to the more popular Sennheisers.
However, if I were investing in a pair of 'high-end' headphones now, I'd probably go for these Audio Technicas: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audio-Technica-ATH-AD2000X-Open-Air-Dynamic-Headphone-Black-Brand-New/111420657021?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%2 6asc%3D20140107083358%26meid%3D93aa814433524196840 60882c193a489%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D2%26 sd%3D251788562023
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1024x768q90/540/72ZerR.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/f072ZerRj)
Check out the size of those bad boys!! For me, they look awesome, and most likely are super-comfy, too!
I've always liked open-backed headphones, as they tend to produce a more open and 'airy' sound than their closed-back counterparts, although they wouldn't be my first choice for noise cancellation. Largely unrecognised for headphones outside of Japan, Audio Technica do make some very good designs indeed!
I reckon that those ATH-AD2000X would perform as well as almost anything else that's available for much more dosh...
Let's also not forget Paul's business (Hi-Fi Lounge), as he probably sells more different types of headphones than anyone else on the planet: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?33672-Highend-Headphones-All-Our-Latest-News-amp-Reviews!
Marco.
That was the main issue for me. The weight. Also, I found the 'clamping' effect of the stiff headband a bit uncomfortable, but as you say Marco the sound is pretty decent and they have to be amongst the most robust headphones about.
Indeed, and I'd say that the sound was better than pretty decent. Just like partnering external loudspeakers with the right amplifier is mandatory, in order to achieve the best sound and hear the speakers at their best, so is using the right headphone amp with headphones. You have to match the impedance of the headphones properly to the amp, otherwise the results will be poor.
Therefore, if you haven't used a particular pair of headphones you *think* you don't like, with a dedicated high-quality headphone amplifier, (and have just been listening through some cheap headphone output, designed as an 'afterthought', on a budget amplifier or a computer), then you really haven't heard those headphones at all! ;)
Match the Koss Pro-4AAs to the right headphone amplifier, and the results are sublime - as good as you'll get from headphones costing up to £300, but for a mere £70, as long as yer delicate wee noggin can handle the weight... :eyebrows:
Marco.
walpurgis
12-02-2015, 10:18
Quite agree about Beyer and Audio Technica, both make good 'phones. I have a pair of ATs which sound excellent. The old Sony electrostatics were very nice too, had a couple of pairs. Sennheiser have to be my favourite really, just for sheer value for money. Sound per pound is high with these and they are always comfortable.
had a nice set of at's myself and were huge yet light and comfy . sounded pretty good and were better than my sennys
walpurgis
12-02-2015, 10:34
had a nice set of at's myself and were huge yet light and comfy . sounded pretty good and were better than my sennys
That's what my ATs are like. Big but comfortable to wear. Can't remember the model though and the badges fell off years ago.
Quite agree about Beyer and Audio Technica, both make good 'phones. I have a pair of ATs which sound excellent. The old Sony electrostatics were very nice too, had a couple of pairs. Sennheiser have to be my favourite really, just for sheer value for money. Sound per pound is high with these and they are always comfortable.
I agree, although ultimately they're a bit too 'mainsteam' for me... I prefer the more oddball, 'left-field' choices out there! ;)
Marco.
Mark Grant
12-02-2015, 18:52
Dac headphone amp...
again cheap as chips but with good quality if possible.
2nd hand Standac maybe, USB from PC into headphones.
That kind of thing.
Any experience, advice appreciated. :)
Does it have to be USB?
Does the PC have a firewire output?
If so then the 'old school' Maudio firewire 410 was a good one and they go cheap these days.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw=maudio+410&LH_PrefLoc=1&_sop=15&LH_Complete=1&_from=R40&LH_Sold=1&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313&_nkw=maudio+firewire+410&_sacat=0
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40|R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=maudio+firewire+410&LH_PrefLoc=1&_sop=12
There is an ibasso D12 dac/headphone amp on ebay now.I had an earlier model for years.It worked very well with all my phones,just plug in to pc and play.
If you don't mind a bit of modding then Fostex T50RP headphones can be made to sound very good.
I got some of these recently....
http://enigmaticaudio.com/product/paradox/
They are very very good, but probably require an amp if you haven't got one, being planars.
walpurgis
14-02-2015, 13:20
If you don't mind a bit of modding then Fostex T50RP headphones can be made to sound very good.
For that kind of money they damn well ought to sound good without modding!
For that kind of money they damn well ought to sound good without modding!
Just to make it clear, the ones in the link are the LFF modified ones, they don't require additional modding, but they are an example of what can be done with the t50RP's which are much cheaper in stock version.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.