Headphones

Hi everyone, I don't know if there is anyone around here who likes SA5k over the HD650, but if there is, I was wondering if I could get some tips. So basically, I currently own the HD650 and the SA5k. My mom uses the HD650 back at home, and my parents want me to give my SA5k to my cousin as a gift (strange, I know. Don't ask. ). So that leaves me with no headphone at college pretty soon. I've never heard the K701, but I've begun considering it. I personally don't like the HD650's dark signature and the "veil" (ya, I notice it) doesn't work too well with my most of my music. (It works great with classical, but not so great with industrial, rock such as Tool, pop and el…

The most important thing to ever happen in audio, ever, Apple seems to have slightly changed/updated their standard iBuds! Hoorah! Bring on that quality sound.

I'm finding more and more that the profile of the Etys is interfering with my enjoyment of them. Allow me to explain a bit. I primarily use these headphones for listening while I'm doing yardwork (mowing), riding the motorcycle (at low levels so I can still hear the world) and while reading. The fact that the Etys protrude quite a bit outside my actual ear when properly inserted is causing some discomfort and annoyance. So what I'm wondering is what would be the cheapest route to custom-insert IEMs? The least-expensive commercial product that I've found is the UE-5c's and at $550 they are well beyond what I'm willing to spend. Anyone have any other suggestions?

Talk about timing...USPS and FedEx both arrive at exactly the same time with Mr. USPS carrying my new Pint amp and Mr. FedEx carries my E500 and Cardas mini-mini! Fired thing up and to say I'm impressed is an understatement. Most definitely THE most comfortable IEM's I've ever worn. First impressions on the sonics is also very positive. Yummmm!!! If anyone wants more pics of the E500's, let me know. I was at the office and so was the camera!!

I have been thinking about trying some new headphones out. I tend to like the senns, particularly the hd600. I have Reks modded grado sr-80's and I am very happy with that sound, especially the non-sibilant treble. I also very much like the senn 595/ 120 ohm for its grado like speed and dynamics. The one I am wondering about is the MS2i but I have never liked the sr-325 this headphone is based on. But in a short listen I definitely liked the MS2. I really like the grado sound from the mids down. But the treble can often be to harsh and sometimes sibilant as well. I am open to suggestions for headphones, in general .... and also, modding suggestions for the current grado l…

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/why-custom-earphones-cost-so-much-inside-ultimate-ears-labs/ Just a neat article about UE.

Lately I've been thinking if a home rig is really even worth it. I haven't used my home rig intensively for about 5 months. I really only use it when I am programming on my computer for school. I listen to music non-stop, but I've been using my portable setup the most. I guess I'm just at the point where I wonder if its worth all this. I have: Cardas cabled (balanced) k340, balanced 325i, my custom tube amp, Zhaolu, monster hts2500mkII. I figure I could sell it all and upgrade the weak link in my portable setup (e2c) to (e500). My portable consists of Zen Vision:m, pint, e2 and k81dj. I know this decision is really best answered myself, but I'm hoping for some w…

Well my new woody SR-200's arrived today (thanks again Juan). So far I'm pleasantly surprised, they have a pretty warm sonic signature and have much more bass than I was expecting. Here's a few pics (note these do not have hp1000 drivers):

Does anyone know (a) the part number for the Beyer pad that fits on the Sony headphone, and ( either the URL, or how to order it from Beyer? I can't seem to find it, now that they've revamped their site. I know it's the pad to the DT-250, but that's all I know.

So this rather strange headphone just arrived from HeadRoom. What is even stranger, is that after I ordered it, both it and the 2200ULE disappeared from the HeadRoom site alltogether and have yet to return. Is it something I said? This headphone is pretty weird, and I have to say that without any burn in it sounds like rubbish for $400. More later!

Calling Reks, calling Reks ..... where did you get the grado cable and the screen mod done to those sr-80's. I love em! I added a headphone pad and they even fit well with good comfort. I might get another pair of sr-80's .... or maybe even a 225 .... and get them modded like these.

Anyone heard these? How do they compare to the Stax? At US$600, I'm almost tempted to try them, but I should save up for the 4070's that I'm going to get...

I've been thinking about this quite a bit since the Hamilton meet a week ago. I heard the K501, K1000, K701, RS-1, PS-1, and GS1000 among others, and I came away somewhat saddened and disappointed. To me, the new flagship headphones from AKG and Grado failed to capture the magic of their predecessors. They were arguably more even all-round performers, but it was the evenness of mediocrity and plainness. Simply put, these headphones try to be everything to everyone, and in doing so end up being boring, bland, and lacking in magic. Sure the K701 has a flatter more extended frequency response than the K501 or K1000, and is more detailed than the former, but it comes at an…

(This is the same thread as the one I started on that other forum. For the record, the Krell Evolution 505 was definitely better than my Esoteric DV-60. The Grand Utopias were not set up properly yet, but sounded nice nonetheless, though the Krell 402 Evo amp probably wasn't good enough for them.) So there I was listening to Cecilia Bartoli?s Opera Proibita, auditioning the Omega 2s with the SRM-007t tube amp at my friendly local high end audio shop. On track 3, Handel?s Un pensiero nemico di pace: Aria della Bellezza, her voice broke up in places, basically whenever her voice was ?vibrating?. Not the most technical term but can?t explain it any better than that. Th…

http://playlistmag.com/news/2006/07/20/grado/index.php Those fucking suck.

O.K, so almost ampless(using my PA2v2) and with not a very decent source (X5L DAP) after getting the suitable adatpter (1/4"->1/8") from radioshcak, I finally set down and listen to my new fresh out of the box W5000 First strike: Dream Theatre, Album=Awake Track=#1 (6:00) HOLY COW !!! the drums !!! so clear, so tight, so so.... real !!! Amazing ! I repeated that part 3 times in a row just to make sure I wasn't dreaming or my mind dosen't playing tricks on me ! Detail is by far more than what I have expected ! noise level is very low, the upper extension is moderate and very balanced with no harsh, coloration or what so ever artifact ! Me Like sound is very o…

So I ran home during my lunch break to let the dog out and there on the doorstep was a little package....whatever could it be?!?!?!? Got the E500PTH today from SHURE....I'll post impressions in a month or so Cheers, thrice

When I was llving in NYC, I used my Etys all the time. They were great in the subway and walking to work. There was only one time that I almost got hit by bus. My other senses eventually compensated and everything was grand. Here in Ohio I don't have as much use for them, so I haven't been listening as much. I even experimented with a couple of close headphones, thinking that I would benefit from the easy of being able to take them on and off. I settled on the A900. Anyway, I tried the Etys again for a first time in a while and remembered how much they kick the A900's ass. Frankly, it's not even close. I've always been happy with the Etys, but my question to cur…

sonic result is very positive, now lets see if i can woodify them for further improvement.

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?p=2171543#post2171543

Well my pair of gs1000s arrived today. One of my largest complaints with Grados has always been comfort or for me total lack of comfort. I don't think I've ever been able wear Grados before without my ears starting to hurt after an hour. The GS-1000's solve this problem and are the first Grados I've been able to wear for extended periods of time without any discomfort. So for me the comfort is a big plus, I wonder what took them so long but at least they figured it out. Few observations about their sound so far... Soundstage is big for Grados I'm not convinced its that big compared to other headphones though. I think what might be giving people that impression is th…

So I've been hearing some interesting (some of which are believable) guesses and predictions regarding headphones that might be around the corner. Anyone want to chime in on what they think might be coming up? I'm predicting a lot of people will actually try to avoid this thread since it is based on nothing but guesses and rumors. But let's make sure once and for all. The comments in this thread will be pure speculation unless otherwise noted. New Stax? New Sennheiser dynamic headphone? 45th anniversary A-T woodie? Etc.? Just predictions. Just for fun. I hope nothing will be taken too seriously here.

Have read repeatedly the HD650 shows one of the largest gains in going balanced. Just curious what cable (DIY, Mobius, Blacksilver, etc.) people are going with when moving balanced? Especially curious if you have any thoughts of synergy direct from DA10. Thanks.

I'll post sonic impressions after some burn-in. Maybe a few months or so...