Headphones

I just happened to get some nice headphones because I needed something for my new PC. I got the Headroom Balanced Desktop/Senn HD650 combo. As someone who used to have a pretty sweet stereo system (until my drug habit caused it to go away, but that problem is, thank god, way in the past) I was expecting to be happy with the sound of a nice set of headphones. Instead, I was blown away. This actually sounded better than my old high-end setup. Music was, for a long time, something that caused the neighbors to knock at my door and tell me to quiet down (apartment living sucks). I rarely listened to it other than in the car. However, I was so impressed with the sound that I li…

Just curious what people are using in place of the OEM cable for the 650.

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…

Inspired by this thread: The Best Senn Below the HD800 - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio and what started out as an intentionally silly response on my part: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/6266249-post84.html, I'm now putting my theory to the test! As I mentioned in that post, I'd pick the HE90 over the HD800 if I could only keep one pair of Senns, but both are world class headphones IMO. I'd place the HE60 third, I think, but I haven't had enough time with them to know exactly how they might compare. Yet, they're probably close enough to the HE90 that they might edge out the HD800 as well, for the same sorts of reasons I suggested in t…

The Stax Sigma series panoramic earspeakers. 1. Models and nomenclature The Stax SR-Sigma panoramic earspeaker was introduced in 1977. There have been 3 versions officially released and 1 after-market version commissioned. The original low bias, grey grilled 1977 Sigma model (bias voltage of this model being 230V or “Normal”). The driver used was later recycled in the very successful Stax Lambda Semi-Panoramic earspeaker. The first release Sigma had a fabric coated, round bodied cord that connected the earspeaker to its amplifier/transformer. Later versions of the normal bias Sigma (1987) used a lower capacitance, flat black cable that was recycled back from the (then…

When I heard these were being released I just had to get a set to see if they matched the supreme crap that the original was. Now after some delays I picked the set up from the postoffice. This first post will focus mostly on the amp, the headphones will be taken apart at a later date. I have been listening to them for a few hours now so some quick impressions are in order though. Same build quality as we've come to expect from Hifiman...i.e. absolute fucking trash. First off, the phones stink badly. These are 1500$ on their own so much like the Shangri-La JR... everything is nasty synthetic crap. Same cable as the Shangri-La and Jr. use which is c…

We all knew this was going to happen but I've taken the SR-507 I got less than 24 hours ago apart. Stax does warn about any and all tampering voiding the warranty so don't try this at home kids. First off, lets remove those driver housings from the arc assembly (they just pull out like on the two other Lambda designs). Here are the 507 name plates: Now lest lift up the four corners of the earpads and remove the screws which fix the baffle to the back grill. The baffle just pulls out and we are greeted with this: Now this is very different from the other Lambdas, gone is the aluminum baffle with the driver glued onto it and now we have a mol…

HD650 used to be the headphone to get. Everyone seem to have one at one point or another. I have heard on various occassion and I am quite familiar with the sound signature. However I have not own one, I had always planned to get one, however throughout all these time, I never got around to do it for one reason or another. Recently, I considered getting it again. However again I ended up with something else, the HE-500. I compared them, along with LCD-2, the two orthos sounded better by a significant margin to me, which made sense considering they also cost more. There is something that I have always been wondering all these years, I kept hearing people saying these…

This seems like it's perfect for Head-Case—an electrostatic headphone tuned like the HD650: https://www.audeze.com/products/crbn

Anyone know how much Stax 4070's are in the US? I'm just wondering how much of a difference there is between the US price and getting a pair imported through PriceJapan.

Huhumm, I thought I would never say that but I guess it's time I'd expand my vision. I am, at times, getting tired of the sucked out midrange which makes me feel like eq-ing buy I don't want that. When I walked home today I listened to Paranoid Android of Radiohead and I got scared of the hollownesss to the sound. I can't seem to listen around it anymore. I noticed the sucked out midrange long before and got the hollowness at times too but it was not noticable with all music and mood depending so I thought it was more me or the recording than the hps. I know some people described those same issues with the 750s but I rather tend to wait till I find it out myself. The …

I currently have two R10's which sound a bit different from each other. I'm trying to decide which one to send to SinglePower for a balanced recable. Mikhail told me he has recabled several R10's before, while I've never read about any other companies who have done so. Actually, there isn't much info about balanced R10's at all. I intend to keep one stock so I can compare it with the balanced recabled one. One has less bass but a better midrange and larger soundstage. Which one should be recabled, the one with less bass or the one with more bass? No poll option, or am I stupid again?

My new PS 1000's just arrived. They sound promising, but seem to need some serious break in time. Anyone out there been through this? If so, how long did it take?

So Oppo are following up the release of their PM1 & PM2 planar's with the 2015 release of the PM3 which is a closed back portable planar with high sensitivity that Oppo claim will run directly from your DAP. I'm not totally sure, but this maybe the first portable planar ever or if not maybe for a long time. TYLL Hertsens has a video interview with a guy from Oppo on his innerfidelity site that you may like to check, but looks like planar manufacturers are really looking to push the envelope with this type of driver technology.

Buggeration, I want if these graphs are to be believed.

This is really getting out of hand. http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/k701s-here-294171/ <-- Check Post #10 I think K701s need almost 700 hours to be fully burned in...I'm at around 800 hours and it's a huge change of soundstage + impact + smoothness + detail compared to 200 hours or so... Some said they need more like 1200 hrs for it to be fully burned in - I can see why, it just keeps improving and improving. I just need to improve my source from iAudio X5L 30G FLAC (shudder).

This is a shaky quest. I received lots of great feedback in my L3000 thread and most of it was very good advice and I'm thrilled with my purchase. Feedback from those that own/have owned/heard the R10 would be appreciated. I would especially like detailed or lengthy descriptions. Thanks. (As for my own thoughts on the R10 my two encounters with them were polar opposites)

I came into some money recently and I'm considering the purchase of a pair of RS1's. My currently favorite headphone is the MS2i. I live in a town where I can't audition them with out traveling around an hour and a half which I don't want to do. In your opinion do you think I'll benefit from this upgrade?

What current production Audio Technica headphones are closest in sonic signature to the leatherhead? Basically: a nice extended frequency response in both bass and high frequencies, no weird humps or lumps (at least, not extremely so); closed; smooth in the midrange, really smoov. ATH-W5000? I missed the boat on the leatherhead, and am regretting it. Yes, I could buy used, but in the meantime...

Well I finally got my system complete with the M^3 and I just don't like/find my system to sound anything special. Right now I have an Northstar 192 MKI and the M^3 using the laptop as a transport. I had the HF2 but it looks I'm not a grado person and for the reasons stated I sold it. Since I just got the M^3 I'm willing to give the system another try with a new headphone before I sell everything. I'm open to your suggestions.

Followed both topics where these headphones are trashed. So given that, what would be a good pair of portable (as in not massive sized), reasonably isolating bass emphasised phones around that same price range? The only other phone I've stumbled upon that fits into that category is the ATH-ESW9s and they don't supposedly isolate well, and cost a fortune. The MS2s/325is are said to be more balanced but still with loads of bass, yet they're not closed either and have an even more narrow soundstage than the Denons or Ultrasones supposedly ... ^^ (this is all based on hear-say of course ... )

so this is just a rebranded HF-2 right? MSRP $595

Hey, does anyone know where I can get a Stax Pro cable so I can recable my ESP-950's? Also, I have tried to find detailed info on the process of doing the mod. Does anyone have any links to info on this? Thanks.

I know some of you guys are very happy with your UE 10's and 11's, but those are well beyond my budget, and I don't think I'll ever be willing to spend that much. So I've been thinking these days about giving a custom pair of IEMs a shot. I don't know what kind of exposure HC has compared to HF, but I figured I'd ask here first. Of the customs that are moderately priced, I only know of the LiveWires and the FreqShow (their highest model??). I know there's the UE 5 also, but I don't remember hearing much talk about them as everyone seems to just get the 10/11's. hMm.. I listen to everything, so I'm looking for a good all arounder. As for headphones, I own a pair …

I'm primarily a Senn guy, though I enjoy my SR225 from time to time, kind of like a fun diversion. I'm listening to Depeche Mode's "I Want You Now" right now, the fun, upfront sound is just cool, puts a smile on my face . I've especially enjoyed them since I got my PPX3 Slam, they benefit a lot from warmer amplification. What I want is to hear the Grado sound with more clarity and bass extension. Will I get this from the RS-1? Yeah I know the price is outrageous, but there is a beater user grade pair for sale over at Head-Fi right now for under 500, and it has me thinking. So whats the real story here? Is the RS-1 a decent enough can or is it kind of... well... ma…