Headphones

Cutting to the chase: it seems I’m in a headphone identity crisis of sorts. I’ll try to be as brief as possible, and I would dearly appreciate some help. I hope this is the place for it, and I apologize in advance if it isn't! I’ve recently found audio bliss with an O2 MKI, and right now my K1000s don’t get much head time. I got a Little Dot MKVI to use with it, and to be honest I’m not quite enjoying the result as much as I wanted, but I think to some short extent it could be solved with better tubes. The issue is that, with everything I’ve heard with it so far (nothing high end except for a Marantz PM-11S2), the AKG's midrange is harsh and dry sounding and the hi…

Oh Noes, where will I get my Rapper endorsed headphones now? Sleek Audio and G-Unit Brands, Inc, 50 Cent's Licensing Company, Cancel Plans to Develop Products Under the "Sleek by 50" Brand Palmetto, Fl. May 6th, 2011 – Sleek Audio today announced the termination of the Brand License Agreement between Sleek Audio LLC ("Sleek") and G-Unit Brands, Inc. ("G-Unit"), 50 Cent's licensing company. In addition, the Brand License Agreement, including video production, between TV Goods, Inc, Sleek and G-Unit has also been terminated. "We will be re-evaluating our Wireless Hybrid over-the-ear headphones at a later date. Currently we are working to bring our new, U.S.-made…

Cycle World magazine has a review of JH Audio JH-5Ms in its latest issue (June 2011, pg 100). CW loved the sound quality at low to mid- speeds, but felt that wind noise overpowered the iems at high speeds. They also said that the JH-5M didn't block sound as well as ear plugs. I thought it quite fair from the viewpoint of being used while motorcycling. Then I noticed that they referenced www.hearingdynamics.net as the source of the JH-5Ms. It seems that Jerry and Beth Orliss have built a partnership to produce and sell a custom JHA iem for motorcycling and other sporting applications. I don't see many people spending $500 for this application, especially after th…

Having too many phones can push one or more aside. When gear or mood or lifestyle changes allows it to reenter, it can be great to rediscover. What have you rediscovered lately? Wanted to give the CD3000s a listen before selling. Been a year and rarely a listen a year before that. Currently listening to Anouar Brahem with a Pico DAC + Slim. Damn, they're pretty nice.

Ok, I need help buying some headphones as I am undecided on which ones I should buy. I would like some headphones (pref.) under ~$400 USD. I will be listening to music (mostly) from my iPhone 4 or Mac. But I also have a high-end Vinyl player, and a Les Paul (which I can plug in my headphones). Those two might be considered audiophile but that is not the primary use (though I will use them) of my headphones, so I don't know if I should get audiophile headphones. I will be listening mostly to Classic Rock/Rock. Pink Floyd (Dark Side of the Moon), Led Zep, etc. I really like listening to high quality music, but not sure if the headphones would make a big difference sin…

EDIT 4/23: If you're just finding this thread, I've substantially revised my published blog review of the DT 770's after living with them a while, receiving comments from others, and comparing them to additional headphones. Many of my initial impressions still apply, but the DT 770's are less accurate than I first believed. Beyer has done a decent job of spicing up the sound to appeal to a broader range of customers while leaving much of the frequency spectrum relatively unscathed. But after living with them for a while, and comparing them to more accurate reference cans, I better understand their weaknesses. All closed cans I've experienced involve significant compromise…

Looking to make a decision on either the Phiaton ms 400's or the Sennheiser hd 518's what is better for the price? I want a pair i can take on the go and listen to at home and be impressed.

So I went with a friend see some speakers at the Hi.fi store and while doing our listening session the owner was always talking about this simulator device that he got but we continued to say "yeah yeah lets hear the speakers". At the end he convinced us to have a go and I could see how all smiley he was. I put the stax 202 on the ears and I keep waiting for him to turn off the speakers and boot the headphones but when I take off the headphones I realized the speakers weren't playing and that was when my jaw dropped The sound was in fact coming from the headphones, it sounded exactly like the speaker but better, you know with stax speed detail etc.. so he best of bot…

I'm curious what cans some of you consider to be the most revealing of the signal chain and still have a 3 figure price tag? I'm not looking for your favorite headphones for listening, but which ones you'd choose if you were evaluating say sources and wanted to hear the smallest of details? I'm hoping "most revealing" is less of a wide open question than "favorite" and there might be some reasonable consensus on at least a few choices?

We've created this tool called a Piki to help people find the headphones that are right for them, based on their preferences and priorities. We're trying to make the tool comprehensive so that people seeking info on headphones can get all the facts about the things they're looking into. You can check out lists already made by contributors or customize your own settings to get things just right. Check out our headphones Piki here: http://headphones.pikimal.com/ We'd really like it if any of the regulars here could check out our tool and let us know if you have any ideas to make it better. We know using the right pair of headphones is essential to a good listening exp…

I'm working on something I've been promising for a long time: measureing the effects pf various pads on Grado cans. But I need some help identifying them properly. Here's a pic of the stock pads I could round up (thanks to HeadRoom and Todd), Left to right I think they are: small flats from old SR80; comfy pads from SR60; standard flats from Todd; bowl pads; and big bowl (what do people call these) from GS1000 PS1000. First, is there common names people use for these pads? Second, what are the other after market pads? I know of the Senn 414 yellow pads and the Headphile C-Pads. Anything else? Last, what are the mods? I know of the "hole mod" to the comfy…

Well hello Head-Cases. It's been quite a while since I've been in the audio scene, and this post probably belongs with much of the other unread drivel "what should I buy with $XXX" posts on another forum... but I like you guys much better. I am getting ready to go to one of the sandy places America is currently occupying, and I'm wanting to build a somewhat portable rig to take with me. My sources at home are mediocre at best (budget turntable, laptop, iPhone), and with the exception of vinyl, I am not sure what I am going to take with me. My ears have been battered to death by car stereos and some Polk Audio home speakers, so I don't need the best - just looking …

HiFiMan RE-262 Denon AH-D7000 Phonak Audéo PFE 122 Stax Sr-007 II & SRM-007tII Koss KDX 300 Small news announcement regarding release of 2 AKG wireless headphones

Hey guys I'm new here so I'll post a little intro if you don't want to read skip this paragraph ! Well I'm 18 years old from Canada looking for a good pair of headphones I'm new to the whole audio world and was ironically introduced to it by gaming.... Any way I'm here looking for my first quality headphones to start I don't want anything to expensive but something with quality. I will be using the headphones at home a lot where I do have an Amp for my pc and xbox however it will have to be able to play off of my Ipod at a decent quality ( doesn't have to be its best) I've been looking at several models my friends all have beats and I personally hate them i find they'…

Hello, greetings to all, I wonder if anyone has been able to compare these electrostatic headphones. Thanks

I just contacted the Stax distributor about replacement foam for the earpad side of my Lambda Pros. The response was that now they offer either foam or cloth, and that each is integral to the earpad. $35 and $55, respectively. That raises a couple questions. Foam or cloth? Cloth would seem more practical. Has anybody tried the cloth? Is there a sonic difference? For that matter, what's the difference between foam and nothing at all? The earpds on my headphones seem fine. I guess one could make the argument that they could be replaced based on age alone. What should I make of the bundling of the pads and foam/cloth? Is there any performance or design difference betwe…

http://ces.cnet.com/8301-32254_1-20027892-283.html Anyone hear of these guys? http://sonomax.com/ http://sculptedeers.com/

was just told by my audiophile friend whom borrowed my stats setup - kgss + o2mk2 that during low level listening sometimes a very faint static appear. Try it myself today and yes, it does randomly appear. Only on low level listening and the static was very faint and very short but still my ear can catch it.....anyone knows whats wrong ?? thanks

I only just discovered the ATH-ES10, and it looks to be fairly high grade. Anyone heard both this and the ESW10 and want to compare? Or have other things to say about the ES10 (that's the shiny titanium one)?

Android-powered touchscreen Wi-Fi headphones offered ? The Register The Admiral Touch features a 2.4-inch touchscreen display that you can poke and stroke to use the Android OS to access the wireless headset's different modes, adjust volume, and switch tracks. The prototype shown at last week's Consumer Electronics Show was running Android 2.1, but who knows what version it'll be running when

There isn't much talk about HE-4 but at this price point it should be a great choice for those trying headphone other than dynamic. It is less demanding on amp IIRC. Has anyone heard it? What do you think?

Ahoi, I've been searching for quite a while now. What I want is a comfortable, good sounding headphone which offers a bit isolation. First, let me sum up what I already heard: Shure SRH840 (good overall but not good enough in the end) Audio Technica ATH-W5000 (very nice overall but the strange coloration can be a problem, I really loved the bass and highs) AKG K-271 (I liked the bass and the mids but overall I found it to be a bit too boring) Compact Monitors Stage 3 (custom inears from Germany, almost perfect but my anatomy has problems with inears so I left that path completely) Westone UM3x (before the Stage 3, also nice but in absolute terms a bit lacking) …

Hey everyone! I have a major question! First thing is that I can not go above $80 I have decided between the the Klipsch S4/S4i($3 more) or the JBuds J4. Amazon.com: Klipsch Image S4i Premium Noise-Isolating Headset with 3-Button Apple Control: Electronics Amazon.com: JBuds J4 Rugged Metal In-Ear Earbuds Style Headphones with Travel Case (Obsidian Black): Electronics The J4 looks good and has good reviews. But, it is pretty new and I do not know if that is good or bad. Good because it is more advance I guess, and bad because it is new and not much reviews and comparisons about it. The S4 is pretty old so there are a lot of reviews around the web and they a…

Today, I had an opportunity to listen to the new Stax flagship prototype (referred as C32 below) at Fujiva Avic store in Tokyo. They had it for demo during the holidays and I took the opportunity to spend about 1 hour and a half switching back and forth between the C32 and the current Omega 2 (referred as 007A below). The background to this headphone was discussed here ( http://www.head-case.org/forums/headphones/8990-holy-crap-new-stax-omega-looks-fierce.html ). For me, it is the second time I have a chance to listen to the C32, see here for the previous encounter ( http://www.head-case.org/forums/headphones/8990-holy-crap-new-stax-omega-looks-fierce-2.html#post400121…

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