Headphone Options
Posted by: Bov on 25 January 2004
LP12/cd3.5/flatcap/32.5/HiCap/160/kans
soon to add snaps/headline
Hello there,
I'd be grateful if anyone could give their ideas for a choice of headphones. Sennheisers & Grados seem to get mentioned in these pages a bit, but which models? I'm looking for something 'in balance' with my system - ie nothing too flash, but a reasonable sound. As I would only be using them when someone else in the family has commandeered the tv remote they also need to be reasonably leakproof. Presumably this rules out open types with the obligatory tsssssssk tssssssk that we all love from nearby walkman users on the tube!
As always, any help and advice is sincerely appreciated.
Thanks, Pete
soon to add snaps/headline
Hello there,
I'd be grateful if anyone could give their ideas for a choice of headphones. Sennheisers & Grados seem to get mentioned in these pages a bit, but which models? I'm looking for something 'in balance' with my system - ie nothing too flash, but a reasonable sound. As I would only be using them when someone else in the family has commandeered the tv remote they also need to be reasonably leakproof. Presumably this rules out open types with the obligatory tsssssssk tssssssk that we all love from nearby walkman users on the tube!
As always, any help and advice is sincerely appreciated.
Thanks, Pete
Posted on: 25 January 2004 by kuma
quote:
Originally posted by Bov:
Sennheisers & Grados seem to get mentioned in these pages a bit, but which models? I'm looking for something 'in balance' with my system - ie nothing too flash, but a reasonable sound. As I would only be using them when someone else in the family has commandeered the tv remote they also need to be reasonably leakproof. Presumably this rules out open types with the obligatory tsssssssk tssssssk that we all love from nearby walkman users on the tube!
As always, any help and advice is sincerely appreciated.
Thanks, Pete
Beyer DT931 is a nice alternative as it sounds like a cross between Grado and Senn.
It is not a sealed type 'fones and you'll hear some leak.
I've heard the pair with Headline2/NAPSC and whilst it did not have the midbass snap of Grado, the top end does not get incissive and has a very nice balance to it.
I see why Senns. are popular with Naim. Its recessed top end somewhat complements forward sounding Naim gear.
That said, I still prefer my RS1.
Posted on: 25 January 2004 by prowla
If/when I go for a headphone setup, my question will be: What is better than a Headline + Sennheiser HD 650?
Paul Rowlands
Paul Rowlands
Posted on: 25 January 2004 by undertone
Try the top 3 or 4 models from Beyerdynamic. Always preferred them to the opposite numbers at Sennheiser. Seem to be more comfortable and less fatiguing. I think their quality is better overall.
Posted on: 25 January 2004 by Mr_Sukebe
Assuming you have the cash, Stax all the way.
Posted on: 25 January 2004 by Mitch
The Beyerdynamic DT831's are a closed headphone.
Grados are all open and would probably leak too much sound.
Mitch
Grados are all open and would probably leak too much sound.
Mitch
Posted on: 25 January 2004 by Mekon
HD600's are very, very leaky. My missus was playing SSX3 with the HD600's on whilst I was listening to the new Savath & Savalas album this afternoon, it was like she had plugged PC speakers into the TV.
Posted on: 25 January 2004 by glevethan
Start following the headfi.com forums and you will lose your mind as to which headphone to purchase. It is an extremely informative forum
Gregg
PS I have a pair of Etymotic 4P's for my iPod and a new pair of Sennheiser 650's for my at home use.
Gregg
PS I have a pair of Etymotic 4P's for my iPod and a new pair of Sennheiser 650's for my at home use.
Posted on: 25 January 2004 by bazz
quote:
Assuming you have the cash, Stax all the way.
I just ordered Stax 303/313 from EIFL in Japan. Even with freight, insurance & Paypal fees they're still only a little over half the retail price here.
Posted on: 26 January 2004 by Mekon
quote:
Originally posted by alexgerrard:
OT:
Is SSX3 any good?
ag
SSX3 is epic, they've really gone to town on the different routes down the mountain, and the manual feature means you can waste ages trying to do a whole run in one combo. However, I only bought the first SSX, so if you bought Tricky, YMMV.
Also, go listen to the Diplo EP on the Big Dada site, and lament your 'NO VINYL' door policy.
Posted on: 27 January 2004 by Jack911
<J. A. Toon>
if you then replace the stock cable (I use Zu Mobius), their performance becomes absolutely stunning
</J. A. Toon>
John
Did you try any other cables; for example, Cardas?
I am very interested in hearing opinions on after-market cables for the HD600s.
if you then replace the stock cable (I use Zu Mobius), their performance becomes absolutely stunning
</J. A. Toon>
John
Did you try any other cables; for example, Cardas?
I am very interested in hearing opinions on after-market cables for the HD600s.
Posted on: 27 January 2004 by Top Cat
I have the Cardas on HD600s, powered by a very heavily modified MF X-Can v2 (NOS Mullard valves, Elna Cerafine caps, vents, uprated volume control, custom PSU etc.) and I'm very happy with the sound - perhaps a tad too much bass but that's usually the fault of the recording.
The Cardas is an improvement over the stock cable but it's fairly subtle in many ways, more detail and a bit more extension in both directions, but perhaps (being obtuse) I'd say it's a tad overpriced for its improvements - all of the X-Can v2 mod work provided much more significant gains for less than the price of the Cardas.
John
The Cardas is an improvement over the stock cable but it's fairly subtle in many ways, more detail and a bit more extension in both directions, but perhaps (being obtuse) I'd say it's a tad overpriced for its improvements - all of the X-Can v2 mod work provided much more significant gains for less than the price of the Cardas.
John
Posted on: 27 January 2004 by Top Cat
Hi John, I bought my Cardas cable in the UK - can't recall the outfit, will look it up - but I'd still stick by my 'subtle' statement - at least, subtle compared to the improvement wrought by a PinkFloyd Heavy Breathe upon my HD600 (if you're a HeadFi regular you'll know what I mean).
Also, I thoroughly recommend his X-Feed - it makes Beatles wild-panned mid-sixties stuff much easier to listen to with headphones. And so inexpensive too...
John
Also, I thoroughly recommend his X-Feed - it makes Beatles wild-panned mid-sixties stuff much easier to listen to with headphones. And so inexpensive too...
John
Posted on: 27 January 2004 by Paul B
Andrew:
Interesting comment regarding the Etymotic ER-4S which I had not heard of before... Do they work well with a Headline? Are they available other than on-line from Etymotic? Performance difference between 4S and 4P?
Paul
Interesting comment regarding the Etymotic ER-4S which I had not heard of before... Do they work well with a Headline? Are they available other than on-line from Etymotic? Performance difference between 4S and 4P?
Paul
Posted on: 27 January 2004 by kuma
quote:
Originally posted by Paul B:
Interesting comment regarding the Etymotic ER-4S which I had not heard of before... Do they work well with a Headline? Are they available other than on-line from Etymotic? Performance difference between 4S and 4P?
Paul,
Ety is an earcanal 'fones, so if you don't like any foreign objects stuck to your ears, you might feel uncomfortable. ( I only use for air travel )
I've tried the 4S with Headline. Not bad. Not great.
Moreover, if you have to use an extension cord ( I used Grado 15ft. footer ), the sound quality further degrades. Note that Ety only comes with 4ft. cord.
4S is the better ones out of two as 4P bumps up bass and slower. ( 4P is for portable purpose desigened to driven with less power )
4S are excelent amongst other canal 'fones. But no match for regular 'fones.
Posted on: 28 January 2004 by bazz
quote:
I hope you're not forgetting that as soon as they enter the UK you will have to pay an additional 17.5% VAT and import duty fees (probably about 3%) on top of the overall cost (+ shipping).
I'm not in the UK. Fortunately they just squeak in under the tax limit for postal items where I am (Australia) so I won't be paying any tax or duty.
Posted on: 28 January 2004 by Rockingdoc
My findings differ from kuma on the Etymotics.
As suggested the 4S is for a headphone amp and the 4P for portables. The Etymotics significantly outperform my Senn. HD600s in both situations, but only when using original cables. Etymotic have just brought out a new, much improved cable. The Etymotics are seriously degraded with any cable extension..
I have used Stax extensively and believe which Stax amp/driver used is more important than the headphone, so put your money there first if going that route.
p.s. If the imported headphones need service or repair, the handling and import duties become punishing
As suggested the 4S is for a headphone amp and the 4P for portables. The Etymotics significantly outperform my Senn. HD600s in both situations, but only when using original cables. Etymotic have just brought out a new, much improved cable. The Etymotics are seriously degraded with any cable extension..
I have used Stax extensively and believe which Stax amp/driver used is more important than the headphone, so put your money there first if going that route.
p.s. If the imported headphones need service or repair, the handling and import duties become punishing
Posted on: 28 January 2004 by Andrew Randle
Audio Technica tend to produce the most tuneful dynamic headphones on the market, their Japanese models are very good too.
Andrew
Andrew Randle
Linn Binn Sinner
Andrew
Andrew Randle
Linn Binn Sinner