HD595 or iFi 2.1?

[paulw86]

I'm leaning towards the iFi, simply because I can't stand wearing headphones all day long.

 

[rstrohkirch]

If you "can't stand" something, then why would you even comptemplate it?

 

[evident]

i've owned the hd-595 for over a year now, i wear it about 8-15 hours everyday. these ( and most other hi-fi headphones) feel like you arent wearing any at all, and these would probably sound way better than the iFi. about 4 months after owning the 595's i decided to sell my logitech z5500s lol. but anyways, the headphones are extremely comfortable, before getting them i "couldn't stand" wearing headphones all day either, but these definately changed my perspective on headphones and high quality audio

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: evident
i've owned the hd-595 for over a year now, i wear it about 8-15 hours everyday. these ( and most other hi-fi headphones) feel like you arent wearing any at all, and these would probably sound way better than the iFi. about 4 months after owning the 595's i decided to sell my logitech z5500s lol. but anyways, the headphones are extremely comfortable, before getting them i "couldn't stand" wearing headphones all day either, but these definately changed my perspective on headphones and high quality audio

agreed. high-end headphones are in a completely different class from regular consumer headphones. For supreme comfort, check out the Audiotechnica ATH-A900s. They're HUGE, but they are the most comfortable headphones I've ever worn, period.

 

[paulw86]

Originally posted by: Aflac

Originally posted by: evident
i've owned the hd-595 for over a year now, i wear it about 8-15 hours everyday. these ( and most other hi-fi headphones) feel like you arent wearing any at all, and these would probably sound way better than the iFi. about 4 months after owning the 595's i decided to sell my logitech z5500s lol. but anyways, the headphones are extremely comfortable, before getting them i "couldn't stand" wearing headphones all day either, but these definately changed my perspective on headphones and high quality audio

agreed. high-end headphones are in a completely different class from regular consumer headphones. For supreme comfort, check out the Audiotechnica ATH-A900s. They're HUGE, but they are the most comfortable headphones I've ever worn, period.

Wow, thanks a lot guys. I'll definitely check those out.

 

[Appledrop]

i would definately recommend the 595!

 

[alcoholbob]

I cant stand wearing headphones all either either, even with Sennheiser HD595s. So, I got a pair of bookshelves for music the rest of the 95% of the time I listen to music. Thankfully, they are even more accurate and dynamic than my headphones =D

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Originally posted by: Aflac

Originally posted by: evident
i've owned the hd-595 for over a year now, i wear it about 8-15 hours everyday. these ( and most other hi-fi headphones) feel like you arent wearing any at all, and these would probably sound way better than the iFi. about 4 months after owning the 595's i decided to sell my logitech z5500s lol. but anyways, the headphones are extremely comfortable, before getting them i "couldn't stand" wearing headphones all day either, but these definately changed my perspective on headphones and high quality audio

agreed. high-end headphones are in a completely different class from regular consumer headphones. For supreme comfort, check out the Audiotechnica ATH-A900s. They're HUGE, but they are the most comfortable headphones I've ever worn, period.

Doesn't matter how big or padded they are, unless you've got your thermostat set to frigid, you're probably going to get hot after a couple of hours.

I think the 595s would be plenty comfortable unless you're planning on never taking them off.


Just think about the pros and cons.

595s:
1. superior sound
2. privacy/freedom (can listen to what you want, whenever you want)

iFi:
1. still really good sound
2. can share the music/movie/whatever
3. not restricted by a cord (you can lay down far from the source of sound)

 

[alcoholbob]

Not to mention the bass. For a multimedia speaker set, the bass is really phenomenal on the iFi.

Also Sennheisers are open-aire, so in reality anyone in the room can hear what you are listening to anyway. Though in terms of neighbors, yeah it'll be inaudible.

 

[yosuke188]

It's really what you want... speakers or a headphone

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: Astrallite
Not to mention the bass. For a multimedia speaker set, the bass is really phenomenal on the iFi.

Also Sennheisers are open-aire, so in reality anyone in the room can hear what you are listening to anyway. Though in terms of neighbors, yeah it'll be inaudible.

the HD595s are open air, but they're not open air to that extent - unless you blast music loud enough to blow your eardrum out in a week. Sure, people in the same room might hear sound coming from your headphones, but it won't be very clear, nor will it sound good.

Anyway, my personal opinion of headphones vs. sound system is this - do you want to have full, body-shaking bass? get a system with a subwoofer. headphones sound all-around better, but they won't "feel" as good as having a subwoofer rocking your guts will.

 

[alcoholbob]

Originally posted by: Aflac

Originally posted by: Astrallite
Not to mention the bass. For a multimedia speaker set, the bass is really phenomenal on the iFi.

Also Sennheisers are open-aire, so in reality anyone in the room can hear what you are listening to anyway. Though in terms of neighbors, yeah it'll be inaudible.

the HD595s are open air, but they're not open air to that extent - unless you blast music loud enough to blow your eardrum out in a week. Sure, people in the same room might hear sound coming from your headphones, but it won't be very clear, nor will it sound good.

Anyway, my personal opinion of headphones vs. sound system is this - do you want to have full, body-shaking bass? get a system with a subwoofer. headphones sound all-around better, but they won't "feel" as good as having a subwoofer rocking your guts will.

Who said anything about sounding good or clear? It doesn't change the fact that you wont get privacy, nor will anyone in the room who wants it quiet. It's not different than having speakers on very low volume.

 

[paulw86]

I've decided to buy the iFi 2.1
I already have a pair of pc150 and they can offer me the privacy when I need it. I feel sad when imagining that I'll be wearing speakers all day for a home theatre set up. I'm really grateful for your inputs, guys. Thanks so much.

 

[alcoholbob]

Don't overpay for the iFi! $199 at Costco/Sam's Club, and $180 refurbed from Klipsch.

 

[paulw86]

Originally posted by: Astrallite
Don't overpay for the iFi! $199 at Costco/Sam's Club, and $180 refurbed from Klipsch.

Sadly, given that my location is in Canada, there's no possible way to avoid overpaying. However, if anyone here is kind enough to order them for me, I can save a lot. (Of course I'll add a little more to express my appreciation )

 

[alcoholbob]

eBay Klipschstore and ship to Canada? (I don't know if they do, but you can always ask them or ebay sellers. You can get the iFi used for $140 on Ebay now, even with shipping it should--hopefully will be--still a reasonable final cost).

 

[paulw86]

Originally posted by: Astrallite
eBay Klipschstore and ship to Canada? (I don't know if they do, but you can always ask them or ebay sellers. You can get the iFi used for $140 on Ebay now, even with shipping it should--hopefully will be--still a reasonable final cost).

Well I asked like 6 sellers if they would ship to Canada and 5 of them said no. The other one haven't replied me yet. There's two guys selling iFis on ebay.ca, which means they will ship to Canada to boot. One of them is out of the question though..$275 for refurbished, what a rip off. I hate Canada when it comes to buying electronic stuff.

 

[alcoholbob]

In that case, you might be better off getting bookshelves and an amp. On ebay.ca for CA$44.51 Buy It Now you can get the Sonic T-amp + AC Adaptor (that's your amp). And there are plenty of great bookshelves that would smoke the iFis. For example, the Athena AS-B1.2, which is CA$190, Paradigm Titans ~CA$200, Infinity Primus 150 ~CA$160 shipped.

These are all good alternatives. Goto speakermeasurements.com to see how some of these fair in measurements (or stereophile.com for what is missing). Google for Soundstage, Stereophile, Audioreview, and Audioholics for reviews and more measurements.

You'll need an RCA to stereo mini cable ($7 at Ratshack) to connect your computer to your amp, and some decent speaker cable, like a reel of 16 gauge from Radioshack, or even lamp cord from Home Depot, to connect your speakers to your amp.

Just a start =D

 

[paulw86]

Originally posted by: Astrallite
In that case, you might be better off getting bookshelves and an amp. On ebay.ca for CA$44.51 Buy It Now you can get the Sonic T-amp + AC Adaptor (that's your amp). And there are plenty of great bookshelves that would smoke the iFis. For example, the Athena AS-B1.2, which is CA$190, Paradigm Titans ~CA$200, Infinity Primus 150 ~CA$160 shipped.

These are all good alternatives. Goto speakermeasurements.com to see how some of these fair in measurements (or stereophile.com for what is missing). Google for Soundstage, Stereophile, Audioreview, and Audioholics for reviews and more measurements.

You'll need an RCA to stereo mini cable ($7 at Ratshack) to connect your computer to your amp, and some decent speaker cable, like a reel of 16 gauge from Radioshack, or even lamp cord from Home Depot, to connect your speakers to your amp.

Just a start =D

Thank you so much, I really appreciate this. Yea I suppose that's a good option too. Then maybe when I need 5.1, I can just add to my existing set up, which is a good thing.

 

[paulw86]

I ended up buying the Altec Lansing MX5021. I have no regrets at all, it's a great set. Now I should have some mercy for my poor, poor neighbors :X