Headphones

I like my HF-1. Running balanced has given them some additional smoothness and horizontal extension. But I'm not in love with them. What do you folks think about the move to the RS-2 or RS-1? Would you consider those a significant step up?

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I was wondering what headphone cable length would be ideal for a home setup. My logic tells me that shorter is better, since it will limit the total cable capacitance. Of course it needs to be long enough to not be inconvenient and flexibility also plays an important role. Let's just assume that I'd use a balanced version of Alex' V3 cable. Assuming an audio rack setup next to a medium sized desk I would think that a 6' cable would be enough for regular use, and then an extension cable could be used for when you want to sit in the couch and use your cans for nighttime TV watching. I might've missed some common usage scenarios, but this is what I could think of o…

I'm listening to the Qualia 010 for the first time (thanks darkless!). I'm amazed by its details and resolution. I thought that dynamics were generally inferior to electrostatics in this category. The recabled L3000, recabled W5000, recabled PS-1 and SA5000 are very good, but I didn't think they were competitive vs. the HE90, HE60, SR-Omega, SR-007 and 4070. The R10 is the only one that can compete, but even so I don't think it matches the electrostats' speed and microdetails. I'm hopeful better amplification will help the R10 and other dynamics. The Qualia 010 sounds like an electrostatic. I'm only driving it with the AT-HA5000 for now. It is already one of my top fav…

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/2261243-post1.html edit: scroll down to where it says "Part II" for the new part/comparison review a year and a half in the making. I think it is a great read, and everyone should take the time to look over it. Thanks Zanth for a superb write up, if you are every back around here.

OK my previous thread rambling about HD650/580 was in essence about burning out a bit and cynicism creeping in with respect to this hobby (ie, is it worth it...). I snagged a K1000 finally after a long period of hesitation -- and while I've only had it days and and running from an old Bryston integrated amp -- it's like a shot of newfound entusiasm for headphones (or new 'fro-age O0 ). This is my last significant acquisition, I have no money now. The Bryston will have to do for awhile in terms of amp. Will be playing with my current portfolio longterm to see what stays/what goes. I know many of you have already been there, but this K1000 has fired me up again. My current…

Anyone heard these? The place I work at received a couple of these as loaners. Was curious if anyone has any opinion on them. Don't know if I'll get a chance to "borrow" them for a little bit.

Pick these up from a fine gent from head-fi. I had a similar set previously that I had to sell to raise some emergency funds. I felt guilty as soon as I did, and luckily was able to find another set. This pair is different, one being the black grado wooden box, and the slightly gold lettering on the L and R (the picture does a bad job of showing it). The cups are absolutely beautiful, and the font is really classy looking. Sound, for some reason these babies sound not only tolerable, but really nice with bowls. I could never listen to the bowls with RS-1's even my last vintage set, but these with bowls they still have great bass with nice smooth highs, and absolutely no h…

I received my APureSound ER4P cable yesterday from Alex. Ever since the cable on my ER4P began cutting in and out, I had been thinking about whether I should go for [AK]Zip's cable (costs about the same as the Ety itself) or send it to Etymotic for repair (said to be $50). After hearing APureSound recabled KSC75 at a recent meet, I became convinced that it was worth it. I had no question about the workmanship as Alex is well regarded. My trepidation was about the degree of improvements that would be achieved. My only complaint about the ER4P/S sound was that it can sound a tad thin at times, and it seemed that Alex's cable would address this. Enough blabbering, on with…

I have had the oppritunity to audition these cans twice. Once unamped out of ipod and once with an iBasso P1. Was dissapointed both times. Knew I would be with them unamped. Not quite as dissapointed with them out of the P-1 but something was still lacking. Have since upgraded to AE-2 and was wondering if this amp would be more suited for them (no longer have cans avilable for auditioning). Have found a couple of really good deals on used ones (around 120 USD shipped). Not much to loose and could always resell if I didn't like results. Would be used mostly for Blues or older Rock (no metal).

HD650s - the Rodney Dangerfield of headphones?? When I first borrowed them earlier this year, I was underwhelmed (compared to PS-1 (sold) and L3000, etc). I bought a pair to putz around with my Lisa IIIXP and DAC1, but these phones have grown on me...to the point I'm reaching for them half the time. OK I've recabled them with RAL and defoamed them and rubbed them with barbecue sauce. If I were to cut objectively - no BS - to THE SOUND - these HD650s would hold their own, certainly be tops for 'bang-for-buck'. Running them out of my DHA3000 and LIIIXP/LLP for reference. So what's my point...nothing. maybe I could easily be happy without blowing my wad on silly expensiv…

Pictures taken by Alex: http://apuresound.com/images/cables/v3/rs1/ This is set #2 of RS-1s for me, the are serial number 3279. I am really looking forward to comparing them with my serial number-less stock cable RS-1. I've the cans on my head as we speak; I've listened to the standard Genesis track, some Johnny Griffin, and now trey band on vinyl, and all impressions are positive. Its possible the cans are brighter then the older RS-1, as is popularly alleged, but I'll need to do a direct comparison before I can officially claim that (old RS-1 is away getting retermed). But honestly it seems the midrange is a bit richer, and the soundstage a tad deeper; there is ze…

So my mom really likes the K1000, but someone told her -- and I agree -- that she'd probably have better luck with closed headphones (she's essentially deaf -- but it's not attenuated deafness, it's more like tinnitus deafness -- high noise-floor and distortion that gets accentuated by bass notes). So, criteria are: closed, clean, airy, bass-light (I know, K1000's aren't bass-light, but she doesn't have anything special in the way of ampage...and it's still a criteria). Any suggestions? I'm thinking Sony MDR-V6...? At low volumes, it would seem bass-light, since the treble is so high in proportion. EDIT: Most of this has been superceded here.

Hey all, So, a friend of mine needs some headphones that he will be plugging in to the 1/8" jack on his TV for quiet listening at night. Requirements: Must cost around $40 CDN. Closed 1/8" jack preferable circumaural preferable not complete shit That is about it. If anyone has any recommendations, let me know. Thanks, Jay

Of course there's the obvious "I want $$$$" answer, but realisticly speaking, what should I tell her? She's familiar with the cost/nature of the hobby, but I don't want to completely stray her away from ever buying me anything audio related ever again with some extravagant want. So what should I tell her I want? It would be for something primarily used at home or when on the putor like now. But I would occasionally take it out wherever. Again, not expensive. So I was thinking along the lines of lower end Grados, K240, HD555, K81DJ, RP21, RP22,etc. Something lower end that doesn't give you sticker shock but is a good call. Basically, sub $100. Oh, it'll be dr…

my favorite headphone is the hd650, properly amped. i've not extensively heard the hd595 before today, but i just grabbed a pair from a local shop and have been listening to them straight out of my macbook headphone out, and i gotta say, these are a fantastic hd650 low power compliment! they have a very similar flavor... i think they actually sound better than the 650's straight from the hp out. i think i've finally found my ksc75 replacement. anyway, that's all i wanted to say.... mjb

I love to listen to popular jazz, particular to acoustic guitar (Earl Klugh is the man), and classical music (non rock). I have a pocketamp2 headamp which I like, usually I use it with my Grado SR60. I am considering another headphone, AKG, Senneheiser etc. But my budget is <$101. Can someone suggest a model, and perhaps where to get it. HD515 so far seems likely and will have to watch when they go onsale somewhere. gychang

So I went over to HeadRoom site to look for few things, and I can across blue Ety ER4 tips - http://www.headphone.com/products/accessories/headphone-replacement-parts/etymotic-er-4-small-blue-rubber-tips.php I may end up ordering them when I call them on Monday to order couple of things, but has anyone here tried them yet?

Results for anyone to see. Asking because I know that not a lot of people listen to music as quietly as I do. I find it essential to listen at this volume however otherwise I get fatigue. I know the o'clock ratings are fairly arbitary since there's no accounting for source, amp or headphone and is thus merely a rough guide. Cheers!

I've just recieved a pair of lightly modded (bass heavy) K340's in the post today and after 7+ hours with the sound still improving I am wondering how long yours usually take to warm-up and in particular whether getting them modded by headphile shortens this time ? As these continue to play they are becoming better balanced, much more detailed and far more responsive to the music. It's becoming quite addictive to listen to The K340's have had the 'screen mod' done and I've added some dampening to the outside rear face of the cups but are otherwise as stock. I am driving them from the 1/4" of apogee mini-dac, all components in my signal chain are past 600+ of bur…

hi, i'm kind of an amateur at this, though i have been lurking for quite some time. i'm looking for closed cans that i can use in public places. up until now i've used iem's, but they get uncomfortable and my ears get all stuffed up wearing them for long periods of time. so i'm thinking closed are the way to go with me. another thing i'm looking for is a warm, non-fatiguing sound! i have ety er-6i, and koss ksc-75, and while i appreciate the detail and neutrality they give, they are both somewhat fatiguing. so i'm looking for phones that i can wear for a long period of time without getting fatigued...and i'm thinking a warm sound would be good for that. yester…

I just snagged myself an Electret combo of Sennheiser Unipolar 2002 / HER 2000. They sound pretty good, but sadly they are imbalanced (left needs about one third boost...). I took the headphones apart, but could not find any problem, but I wonder about the control box. Does anyone have any technical information on the control box HER2000? Or does anyone know if the speakers can be run any other way, without the control box or with an adaptor to a Stax amp / energiser?

Do you think I will be dissapointed or ? I really, really wanted to try them

The SR-80 was originally bundled with the SRD-4 (Electret Adaptor). Can the Electret phones only be connected to a SRD-4 or to any adaptor/amp? The reason I ask is because I have a SRD 6 / SR-5 combo and and would like to add a SR-80 to it.

I've been loving my dt-250's at the office (and growing to despise the dt-990's treble. It's all hunky-dory until you get a bad recording. yikes), and while moving some boxes around at home I found my old Koss A-250 headphones from circa 2000. The headband clip for the right phone is finicky and the leatherette cups are starting to peel, but they really do have a sweet midrange (if not as warm as I prefer, see the beyer dt-250's). Their bass sort of sucks imho though - I have to boost them quite a bit to get a natural sounding bass quantity. A quick search or two reveals they were a FOTM a while back on HF, but I was too busy futzing with Stata to read about headphones at…