Headphones

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…

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?

I was out horse trading some gear and came out of it with a set of JBL L100's and a set of these. Sound md-401b quad headphones. This is a stock photo, but my set looks almost new. I haven't had a chance to fire them up yet. It's going to take some thought as to best do it. I could try using two amps, and reverse the two rear channels, which is supposed to sound ok. I unfortunately no longer have the Marantz quad receiver or other gear around to do this right.

I've often promised to write reviews, but have never followed through. This, then, represents my first-ever attempt to write a full review of an audio product. Setup: I'm at Todd's in Three Forks MT. The T50's are plugged into an awesome system consisting of a Meridian G08.2 CD player, APEX Peak and Volcano headphone amp and power supply, with Cardas Golden Reference cables. Summary: Worst headphones ever. Really bad. Nothing good at all, and I really tried to like something, anything, about them. Shrill, hollow, muffled, tinny sounding like you have pillows over your ears. Thing is, this particular pair is well broken in with over 100 hours on them. The…

Here is a rather unique & rare planar headphone : Rotel RH-930 back-electret headphones. This is an OEM version of Toshiba ?HR-910.? The wikiphonia entry suggests 910 but the pics on this japanese site are suggest hat it is OEM version of HR-810. The transformer is built into the TRS plug & so it can be used with usual dynamic amplifiers. The transformer plug has three settings- H, M & L The driver is 65 mm. No backwave damping here. Most electrets are considered infereior to the 'electrostats' but back-electrets are a bit different. Check this wikiphonia link for electret driver principle: About the Sound : The first thi…

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

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…

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…

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.

What do you guys think about these?

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…

Link Modeled after the T1... $1295 MSRP... Closed... Designed to be driven "straight"... Hmmm...I'm a gonna need to hear these...(strokes chin)...

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…

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?

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…

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.

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

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…

From what I can tell there are two main competing companies when it comes to in-ear monitors: Sennheiser and Shure. I'm looking to drop between $200 and $400 on some nice in-ear monitors and wanted to make sure I get the best bang for my buck. I've checked out a few local music stores for information on in-ear monitors but none of their audio experts have too much experience with them and referred me to some online sources. My main use for the monitors at the moment would be for listening to music; however I do have an electric drum kit and plan to do some recording (with the kit and other instruments) in the near future. I was talking to a friend of mine who is a drum…

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

Recently I borrowed HD580 (NOS) from my friend. I hook it up to the meager Glite and Pico DAC. The more I listen to it, the more I prefer it to my KGSS/O2 Mk2+Stello. I have to admit that I'm the stat mafia ever since I left dynamic. I have HF2 which is gathering dust now, I sold my K701 but this is something I absolutely can live with albeit not as great as stats...... Does anyone here thinks that these measly HD580 is up to notch with the big boys ? Or my taste in SQ has taken a step backwards? I mean as of now and switching back between the O2, there's not way of differences there. :palm: Edit : I used to borrow HD650 from the same guy. boring. didn't like it. I…

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