Buying $550 headphones

[yhelothar]

Originally posted by: AMDUALY

Originally posted by: virtualgames0

Originally posted by: AMDUALY

Originally posted by: SLCentral
Okay guys, here's what I've decided after a lot of thinking:

I'm def. eventually going to invest in a amp for the home. Probably set it up right by my bed, so I can lie down and relax and listen to music with amazing quality. Maybe I'll have it by my computer instead. That's not important.

But, for portable use, I just think that it doesn't make sense to use an amp at this point. It's too much to carry, and the one amp that's built around the design of the iPod (so it clips in) has gotten poor reviews, especially for use with the Ultimate Ears custom line. I'd rather sacrifice some sound quality while on the go in order to keep it portable.

:thumbsup:
and very true.

I hardly use my headphone amp. I usually care for quality when I'm at home relaxing.

I wouldn't bother with an amp with a cheapo E2C either.

I guess. You'd be suprised that it does help with these "cheapo" headphones. Almost all portable players underpower headphones.

I like how you assume things without trying any of it. (ie. FLAC, grado, e2c, amp with all of the above) Btw, i did not make an assumption about lossless sounding better than lossy files. It is just straight up fact that the two will not be the same. Whether it is noticeable to some people is a different story. If you listen to a lossy source over and over and over, your ears will be able to pick up minute differences the next time you listen with a lossless source. (simply. ear gets used to hearing a certain pattern, small changes will become apparent)

Yeah, I don't doubt you if you claim you can pass blind tests. Some people have trained ears to hear the difference. Most people don't.
I had an E2C for a while. I thought that would be all I needed. I was wrong.
BTW, check out the kramer mod on head-fi for the E2C. It'll make it have less of the tunnel syndrome.

 

[kevinthenerd]

not my cup of tea, but once I spend tens of thousands on car modifications when I finally get a real job, your headphones won't seem so crazy

 

[NaOH]

Originally posted by: virtualgames0

Originally posted by: AMDUALY

Originally posted by: virtualgames0

Originally posted by: AMDUALY

Originally posted by: SLCentral
Okay guys, here's what I've decided after a lot of thinking:

I'm def. eventually going to invest in a amp for the home. Probably set it up right by my bed, so I can lie down and relax and listen to music with amazing quality. Maybe I'll have it by my computer instead. That's not important.

But, for portable use, I just think that it doesn't make sense to use an amp at this point. It's too much to carry, and the one amp that's built around the design of the iPod (so it clips in) has gotten poor reviews, especially for use with the Ultimate Ears custom line. I'd rather sacrifice some sound quality while on the go in order to keep it portable.

:thumbsup:
and very true.

I hardly use my headphone amp. I usually care for quality when I'm at home relaxing.

I wouldn't bother with an amp with a cheapo E2C either.

I guess. You'd be suprised that it does help with these "cheapo" headphones. Almost all portable players underpower headphones.

I like how you assume things without trying any of it. (ie. FLAC, grado, e2c, amp with all of the above) Btw, i did not make an assumption about lossless sounding better than lossy files. It is just straight up fact that the two will not be the same. Whether it is noticeable to some people is a different story. If you listen to a lossy source over and over and over, your ears will be able to pick up minute differences the next time you listen with a lossless source. (simply. ear gets used to hearing a certain pattern, small changes will become apparent)

Yeah, I don't doubt you if you claim you can pass blind tests. Some people have trained ears to hear the difference. Most people don't.
I had an E2C for a while. I thought that would be all I needed. I was wrong.
BTW, check out the kramer mod on head-fi for the E2C. It'll make it have less of the tunnel syndrome.

I will :thumbsup:, these have been a regret since I've bought them.

 

[touchmyichi]

I'd rather get something like an AKG K701 or a Senn HD650 w/ a high quality DAC and amp.

 

[Eeezee]

I've heard there are some high-tech headphones that are able to play 5.1 to the point that it sounds like you have 5 speakers surrounding you. I'd like a pair of those.

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: Eeezee
I've heard there are some high-tech headphones that are able to play 5.1 to the point that it sounds like you have 5 speakers surrounding you. I'd like a pair of those.

Ewwww!

Nope you only need two channels for full bodied audio. There are binaural recordings out there that will let you realize events just as they happened - in all planes.

I've heard some amazing recordings of simple everyday things - from the roar of a storm outside of a truck cab. You close your eyes and you hear the wind all around you, the rain pelting the roof. Another recording made in an amusement park - close your eyes and you hear the screams of riders high above you looping in some contraption of a roller coaster. Then a buzzer goes off from behind with some carnieboy yelling number about - probably some kind of game.

Recordings made with just two microphones stuck in a dummy head to simulate a real person's head and run straight to a digital audio tape recorder. No tricks. And you know if you play them back on speakers they sound nearly monophonic!

Most camcorders have their left and right mics set up so they'll image nearly as good as a well planned binaural recording. The key to getting a good recording is (always) turning off the auto mic gain (AGC) if the camera supports this feature as well as any electronic wind screens (bass rolloff) and do your best to avoid wind noise which with both AGC and WSM disabled - will sound like Hubbard Glacier at calving peak. :Q

 

[SLCentral]

Originally posted by: MS Dawn

Originally posted by: Eeezee
I've heard there are some high-tech headphones that are able to play 5.1 to the point that it sounds like you have 5 speakers surrounding you. I'd like a pair of those.

Ewwww!

Nope you only need two channels for full bodied audio. There are binaural recordings out there that will let you realize events just as they happened - in all planes.

I've heard some amazing recordings of simple everyday things - from the roar of a storm outside of a truck cab. You close your eyes and you hear the wind all around you, the rain pelting the roof. Another recording made in an amusement park - close your eyes and you hear the screams of riders high above you looping in some contraption of a roller coaster. Then a buzzer goes off from behind with some carnieboy yelling number about - probably some kind of game.

Recordings made with just two microphones stuck in a dummy head to simulate a real person's head and run straight to a digital audio tape recorder. No tricks. And you know if you play them back on speakers they sound nearly monophonic!

Most camcorders have their left and right mics set up so they'll image nearly as good as a well planned binaural recording. The key to getting a good recording is (always) turning off the auto mic gain (AGC) if the camera supports this feature as well as any electronic wind screens (bass rolloff) and do your best to avoid wind noise which with both AGC and WSM disabled - will sound like Hubbard Glacier at calving peak. :Q

I just listened to a few binaural recordings yesterday, and even though I was using my e2c's, they sounded amazing. Crazy stuff, I'd love to be able to hear actual music recorded like that. I found a few CD's, but I wouldn't pay for my curiosity.

 

[IAteYourMother]

a couple of notes:

the E2C sucks, but the sony streetstyles are worse

xin amps are really nice since they're so freaking small, but I think the DIY route would be better in the portable amp realm, more bang for the buck (portable amps are pretty much the simplest, priciest toys ever made)

I never understood ATOT's fascination with IEMs and thinking IEMs like the E2C and E3C are supposedly high-end audio. It's mid-fi at best. They will never compare with full-sized cans at 2/3 of the cost.

 

[SLCentral]

I'm looking for suggestions for home, desktop amps, if anyone has any. Not looking to spend over $300, if possible.

 

[NaOH]

Originally posted by: IAteYourMother
a couple of notes:

the E2C sucks, but the sony streetstyles are worse

xin amps are really nice since they're so freaking small, but I think the DIY route would be better in the portable amp realm, more bang for the buck (portable amps are pretty much the simplest, priciest toys ever made)

I never understood ATOT's fascination with IEMs and thinking IEMs like the E2C and E3C are supposedly high-end audio. It's mid-fi at best. They will never compare with full-sized cans at 2/3 of the cost.

Note, he is using this for his portable player. I would'nt be caught dead wearing a pair of grados to the library (since they ugly and are aren't sealed)

 

[IAteYourMother]

Originally posted by: SLCentral
I'm looking for suggestions for home, desktop amps, if anyone has any. Not looking to spend over $300, if possible.

I would normally tell you to try some yourself, but if you have to buy without trying, I wouldn't bother with a few hundred dollar desktop amp, especially if you've established that you just don't find yourself listenig to music at home so much. But if you have to, try scoring a PPA w/TREAD or STEPS power supply. They' been going around 300 for a pretty sweet setup.

EDIT: 200 w/o STEPS power supply

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: AMDUALY

Note, he is using this for his portable player. I would'nt be caught dead wearing a pair of grados to the library (since they ugly and are aren't sealed)

Haha it would look nerdy as hell too! :Q

 

[Philippine Mango]

Chiming in..

I own a pair of E4Cs and I absolutely love them, got them off ebay for $150 I listent to them on my phone primarily since I don't want to carry around and MP3 player. Even though I have these headphones, I listen to compressed audio despite being able to definately tell the difference between non compressed and compressed audio. I use compressed audio when required, otherwise I'll try to use flac (all my CDRIPS are flac). If you're using an ipod, I don't see why you can't use uncompressed as it's definately worth it. If I can tell the difference between flac and high end OGG coming from my laptop amp on $150 'phones, I don't see how you can't with $600 'phones.

 

[SLCentral]

Originally posted by: Philippine Mango
Chiming in..

I own a pair of E4Cs and I absolutely love them, got them off ebay for $150 I listent to them on my phone primarily since I don't want to carry around and MP3 player. Even though I have these headphones, I listen to compressed audio despite being able to definately tell the difference between non compressed and compressed audio. I use compressed audio when required, otherwise I'll try to use flac (all my CDRIPS are flac). If you're using an ipod, I don't see why you can't use uncompressed as it's definately worth it. If I can tell the difference between flac and high end OGG coming from my laptop amp, I don't see how you can't with $600 'phones.

Everyone's different with regard to hearing. On my Super.Fi 5 Pros, I can't tell the difference. Who knows if I'll be able to with my 5c's. If I can, then I'll re-rip evrything. Problem is that I have a 4GB iPod, which doesn't hold much to begin with.

 

[SLCentral]

Originally posted by: SLCentral
I'm looking for suggestions for home, desktop amps, if anyone has any. Not looking to spend over $300, if possible.

Bump

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: SLCentral

Originally posted by: SLCentral
I'm looking for suggestions for home, desktop amps, if anyone has any. Not looking to spend over $300, if possible.

Bump

I've heard the M^3 (little, superscript 3) is a superb amp. You can DIY it, but unless you have DIY experience, I wouldn't recommend it. You can order it from some place, I forgot where.......

FOUND IT! http://www.amb.org/audio/mmm/

ooh, looks like they don't sell complete amps. I DO know someplace sells pre-assembled M3s, though...

 

[SLCentral]

Originally posted by: Aflac

Originally posted by: SLCentral

Originally posted by: SLCentral
I'm looking for suggestions for home, desktop amps, if anyone has any. Not looking to spend over $300, if possible.

Bump

I've heard the M^3 (little, superscript 3) is a superb amp. You can DIY it, but unless you have DIY experience, I wouldn't recommend it. You can order it from some place, I forgot where.......

FOUND IT! http://www.amb.org/audio/mmm/

ooh, looks like they don't sell complete amps. I DO know someplace sells pre-assembled M3s, though...

I'm liking it, but I can't find a place that sells them pre-assembled either . I def. do not want to DIY this...I really don't have the experience.

 

[yhelothar]

Originally posted by: IAteYourMother
a couple of notes:

the E2C sucks, but the sony streetstyles are worse

xin amps are really nice since they're so freaking small, but I think the DIY route would be better in the portable amp realm, more bang for the buck (portable amps are pretty much the simplest, priciest toys ever made)

I never understood ATOT's fascination with IEMs and thinking IEMs like the E2C and E3C are supposedly high-end audio. It's mid-fi at best. They will never compare with full-sized cans at 2/3 of the cost.

My Etymotic ER-4P that I got for $160 new would easily rival cost-equivalent full size cans.
It's portable and unobstrusive too. It also has superior sound isolation to any full size can out there.

 

[yhelothar]

Originally posted by: SLCentral

Originally posted by: SLCentral
I'm looking for suggestions for home, desktop amps, if anyone has any. Not looking to spend over $300, if possible.

Bump

Check out the little dot amps. You can get a high quality tube amp for $99. They seem pretty well regarded on head-fi. However, you should probably ask on head-fi though, most people will know more than anyone here.

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: SLCentral

Originally posted by: Aflac

Originally posted by: SLCentral

Originally posted by: SLCentral
I'm looking for suggestions for home, desktop amps, if anyone has any. Not looking to spend over $300, if possible.

Bump

I've heard the M^3 (little, superscript 3) is a superb amp. You can DIY it, but unless you have DIY experience, I wouldn't recommend it. You can order it from some place, I forgot where.......

FOUND IT! http://www.amb.org/audio/mmm/

ooh, looks like they don't sell complete amps. I DO know someplace sells pre-assembled M3s, though...

I'm liking it, but I can't find a place that sells them pre-assembled either . I def. do not want to DIY this...I really don't have the experience.

oh sh**

I found that Rockhopper [is selling one] m3 amp.... but the going price is $700

AHH!!

Rockhopper's doors are closed, though.

 

[Born2bwire]

I'm liking it, but I can't find a place that sells them pre-assembled either . I def. do not want to DIY this...I really don't have the experience.

I know there are people that are selling assembled M^3's. I heard one out at a Oregon Head-fi meet last year. I would suggest checking around on Head-fi to see who's building them right now. I'm sure that MisterX would be building these but I don't know if they are going to be in your price range. But for the <$300 range, my recommendation is to look at some of the more DIY fair or used amps. Something like the PPA, M^3, or Headroom's new Micro line. Considering that you are using one of the UE line canalphones, I think that the portable Micro amp would be more in line with your cans. The only thing that I do not like about the Micro is that it lacks RCA inputs.

 

[SLCentral]

Originally posted by: Born2bwire

I'm liking it, but I can't find a place that sells them pre-assembled either . I def. do not want to DIY this...I really don't have the experience.

I know there are people that are selling assembled M^3's. I heard one out at a Oregon Head-fi meet last year. I would suggest checking around on Head-fi to see who's building them right now. I'm sure that MisterX would be building these but I don't know if they are going to be in your price range. But for the <$300 range, my recommendation is to look at some of the more DIY fair or used amps. Something like the PPA, M^3, or Headroom's new Micro line. Considering that you are using one of the UE line canalphones, I think that the portable Micro amp would be more in line with your cans. The only thing that I do not like about the Micro is that it lacks RCA inputs.

I think I'll go with the Micro amp, then. I've heard good things about them, and I'd rather get something new with a warranty then used and without.

Thanks everyone!

 

[SLCentral]

Bump for Update #2 .

 

[Thraxen]

Thanks for the update. Probably more money and trouble than I'd go to, but I hope you enjoy them. I'll be interested to read your impressions after you get them.

 

[SLCentral]

Originally posted by: Thraxen
Thanks for the update. Probably more money and trouble than I'd go to, but I hope you enjoy them. I'll be interested to read your impressions after you get them.

:thumbsup:, I'll definitely be posting them!