favorite headphone

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favorite headphone

Reply #25 – 2002-02-05 00:57:45

Portable: Radio Shack Pro-35 Titanium (Koss KTX-Pro)
Larger: Denon AH-D550
In-Ear: They suck (at least the usual painful style)

As you can see, I go for price/performance in headphones. Performance has to be 'there' but so does price. Etymotic for moi? Nah :-). Too good for the MP3 format anyhoo.

Review of KTX-Pro:

http://www.epinions.com/511826_Koss_KTX_Pro_Headphones

Review of Denon AH-D550:

http://www.epinions.com/elec_Audio-Headpho...D-Denon_AHD-550

favorite headphone

Reply #26 – 2002-02-05 10:18:39

Quote

Originally posted by Beast1979
I have the Sony CD3000s and I think they sounded better than any Grado and Seinheisser ones I listened to. Yes they run about 0 but they are the best sounding headphones and most comfortable I have ever heard..

-Grant

I've always felt the problem with Sony cans is that they are way to bright in the highs.

favorite headphone

Reply #27 – 2002-02-05 13:56:22

My younger brother has the Beyerdynamic DT 250 (I think they should be mine though ). They sound sooo nice! It's a European company and here you can get them for around 150 Euro. They are probably somewhat more pricey in the US. From what I've heard, get those Sony MDR-V6's or go for some of the better Grados.

favorite headphone

Reply #28 – 2002-02-08 08:19:32

I own a pair of the rare Sony CD1000, that I bought in Austria, many years ago. The same store had a pair of the MDR-R1O, I listened to them for a couple hours. I had a couple thousand to spend, but not enough, obviously. Yes the MDR-R10 sound heavenly, but the CD1000 are heaven - 1%, which was perfectly acceptable to me at that time
Later that year, I wanted to change to Sennheiser but they are so friggin' fragile, and there were the "two-wires-that-remind-you-to-stay-still-and-feel-uncomfortable" and "need-an-expensive-amplifier-to-sound-decent" issues, that kept me from spending more money than it was necessary.

A month ago, I saw the MDR-V700DJ on the Sony side, and as an impulse buyer, I spent $110 on them. Luckily, I could return them to the store, and exchange them for something else.... that was a nightmare, I did not hear a more crappy pair of cans in my life.

I exchanged the desaster aquisition against a pair of MDR-F1, since I needed them mainly for the office. Even if the quality is not the same as my CD1000, I can tell that they are by far the most comfortable cans I ever had on my head.

When I arrive in the office I put the MDR-F1 on, and after 9 hours I take them off. If you use an equalizer to compensate for the rather light bass, they can be very addictive, since you can hear everything in the room, and still have a decent sound.

favorite headphone

Reply #29 – 2002-02-18 23:49:57

Only 1 penny inside your price range, but Sony MDR-V700DJ hands down:

http://www.sonystyle.com/electronics/prd.j...&pid=207&type=p

Read on and drool:

SPECIFICATIONS:
- Studio Monitor Series Headphones incorporate high-end materials and advanced engineering; critically clean, exceptionally clear sound for professional and high fidelity applications
- Swivel earcups for DJ and remix applications enable single-sided monitoring. DJs can listen to house sound with one ear while they cue up the next track with the other. Convenient for on-shoulder use.
- Reversible earcups for even greater monitoring flexibility
- Auto return swivel mechanism brings the earcups back to standard listening position -- another nice touch from Sony
- 50 mm diameter drive units for reference-grade sound; enable superior power handling; deeper bass, lower distortion and wider dynamic range; frequency response extends from 30,000 Hz down to an extraordinary 5 Hz
- 3000 mW power handling for the most stringent professional applications; stands up to day-in, day-out use at very high output levels
- Neodymium magnets for maximum energy and minimum size; Neodymium packs more magnetic energy per ounce than conventional Ferrite, Samarium Cobalt or Aluminum magnets; help produce ample sound output -- 107 dB/mW sensitivity
- Oxygen-free copper cord for maximum conductivity, minimum noise; conducts electricity better than conventional copper
- Folding design makes for easy storage and easy portability in a briefcase or equipment bag
- Supra-aural design rests lightly on the ear; creates a controlled environment for better sound; driver is positioned the correct distance from the ear canal
- Wide, molded headband distributes the headphone's weight over a wide area; reduced pressure means comfortable listening for hours on end
- Headphone rest -- serrated area on the plug acts as a "hanger;" plugged into a rack of equipment, the headphones can hang on the plug when not in use
- Gold-plated plugs resist corrosion for high conductivity, low noise
- Silver finish for a sleek, professional look
- Sony UniMatch plug systemwith fixed stereo miniplug for use with portable equipment; detachable phone plug for use with studio and home audio equipment
- Type Closed supra-aural, Dynamic
- Drive Unit 50 mm
- Diaphragm PET
- Magnet Neodymium
- Impedance 24 ohms
- Sensitivity 107 dB/mW
- Power Handling Capacity 3000 mW
- Frequency Response 5 - 30,000 Hz
- Headband wide, adjustable single headband with folding earcups
- Earcups swivel and reversible for single-sided monitoring; auto-return mechanism
- Cord Oxygen-free copper; Single-sided, 10 feet (3 m)
- Plug Straight, Gold-plated, stereo UniMatch plug with fixed miniplug and detachable phone plug

For an extra $11.25 you can have them overnight by FedEx, direct from Sony, like I did. In this price range, they rule!

Regards,
Madrigal

favorite headphone

Reply #30 – 2002-02-19 00:47:20

Many audiophiles regard the Sony mdr-v700-dj as very bad headphones. They have muddy, overemphasized midbass and very little low bass. This might be somewhat good for DJing (although I wouldn't be so sure) but they are definitely not made for HiFi playback.

Yet, many (DJs) who actually use them are quite fond of their sound and their "coolness factor". Beware of the easily breakable plastic joints. Never drop these headphones!

favorite headphone

Reply #31 – 2002-02-19 00:54:15

I have the now affordable Sennheiser HD600 headphones. Thanks to eBay they've gone down from the original $449 list to an amazing $219 today. I love them for their endlessly listenable quality. Yes they can be relatively laid-back and have a somewhat prominent midrange, but they feature just blissful listening with fantastic resolving abilities and I suppose that is my criteria for a good headphone.

favorite headphone

Reply #32 – 2002-02-19 05:15:22

Seems to me price isn't an automatic indication of "good" (or "bad") when it comes to headphones. I've listened to some very decent, inexpensive headphones (under $75.00)... and some rather poor quality, expensive ones.

It helps to be able to audition a pair of headphones before buying. The frequency range covered doesn't mean much, sensitivity is a more important factor. And that can't really be determined by published specs, since headphones can have excellent highs & midrange, but poor bass... and etc.

Sometimes it's just a matter of preference too... for example, some headphones "overemphasize" bass, but if you like a lot of bass (or don't care) then it isn't a problem.

Edit -- and comfort factors count big too... another good reason to audition a pair before buying, especially if expensive ones.

favorite headphone

Reply #33 – 2002-02-19 08:02:56

mithrandir,

Are you using a headphone amp with you HD600's?

I've heard that an amp is necessary to get the best sound out of them due to their high (300 Ohms) impedance. I also like Sennheiser headphones and was thinking of buying the HD600's but I am not quite ready to shell out another 200 something dollars for a dedicated headphone amp.

favorite headphone

Reply #34 – 2002-02-19 08:16:19

Quote

Originally posted by Tes
mithrandir,

Are you using a headphone amp with you HD600's?

I've heard that an amp is necessary to get the best sound out of them due to their high (300 Ohms) impedance. I also like Sennheiser headphones and was thinking of buying the HD600's but I am not quite ready to shell out another 200 something dollars for a dedicated headphone amp.

I owned the Sennheiser 580´s. I think they have the same drivers like the 600´s and I had no problem driving them with my sony 720 QS Amp. (on the Headphone jack - not on the speaker output )

They already sounded absolutely great with my amp.
I can´t imagine in what way they should sound better with a dedicated amp.

favorite headphone

Reply #35 – 2002-02-19 13:13:51

Quote

Originally posted by Gecko
Many audiophiles regard the Sony mdr-v700-dj as very bad headphones. They have muddy, overemphasized midbass and very little low bass. This might be somewhat good for DJing (although I wouldn't be so sure) but they are definitely not made for HiFi playback.
Yet, many (DJs) who actually use them are quite fond of their sound and their "coolness factor". Beware of the easily breakable plastic joints. Never drop these headphones!

The word audiophile means "sound lover". There is no built-in connotation of expertise. As simply a lover of music, I believe I qualify for the term, and in my listening I strive for objectivity regardless of any coolness factor.

To my ears, the V700's sound absolutely great, even when heard through a mere SB Live! Value card, pumped by an RCA SA-155 mini stereo amp. I have not noted any of the muddiness or bass imbalance you describe. The bass and midrange are distinct, clear and solid, with no discernible dropouts, and the highs are equal to or better than Sony's usual high standard. The sensitivity is incredible! As far as Fi is concerned, the 700's are definitely Hi enough for me.

Just curious, have you ever actually listened through a set of these phones?

Thanks very much for the tip about the breakable joints. I'll be careful. Sure don't wanna lose 'em now.

Regards,
Madrigal

favorite headphone

Reply #36 – 2002-02-19 18:57:51

Quote

Originally posted by Madrigal
The word audiophile means "sound lover". There is no built-in connotation of expertise.

Sorry for my inexact phrasing. What I meant, were people who know what they are talking about. "They" have listened to many headphones on high end systems and compared them. My judgement of those headphones relies solely on what "they" say. Namely I'm talking about the "elders" of the www.headwize.com forum.

Quote

Just curious, have you ever actually listened through a set of these phones?
Thanks very much for the tip about the breakable joints.

I have not listened to them - you're welcome.
I wasn't saying they suck. It's just that (according to headwize people) in the same pricerange there are better headphones (popular example: Sony mdr-v6). To tell you the truth, most people who I ever heard talking about the v700 phones like them very much, but imho they never really had any reference to compare them too. It's like upgrading from 100MHz to 500, sure, that's fast, but 1500 is just faster. (Please don't spank me cuz I know that MHz is by far not the only thing that matters )

Have you listened to any other phones (in about the same price range)? Anyway, if you like 'em, then good for you, don't let me talk you out of liking them!

favorite headphone

Reply #37 – 2002-02-19 19:46:18

Headphones are intensely personal. Something one person may like may be ho-hum to somebody else. Even when a lot of people agree that a headphone delivers high quality sound, that doesn't mean everybody will find that to be true too.

Filburt, a guy whose listening opinions I trust implicitly, favors Sony MDR 268 earbuds over the many other headphones he's tried, including higher-end Sennheisers and Grados. I personally don't like the 268's, even after I've let them "burn in" and after many different attempts to reposition them in my ears.

I really like the Grado SR 325's I have now, but I can tell that they aren't neutral. Solo piano sounds too bright. On the other hand, Sony MDR V6's are known for their neutrality and good low bass. But I just don't find them to have the exciting presence / dynamic quality I like so much in the Grado's. They sound flat (not in the good way) to me.

I haven't tried the Sennheiser HD 580's or 600's. But I've seen opinions on both sides of the fence there too.

People don't typically share headphones with somebody else (unlike perhaps mp3's), so the bottom line is that people have to please themselves.

ff123

favorite headphone

Reply #38 – 2002-02-19 20:47:31

Quote

Originally posted by Madrigal
Only 1 penny inside your price range, but Sony MDR-V700DJ hands down:

Madrigal

I highly recommend the Sony V6. Better than V600 by far (and I hear the 700's, though I haven't tested those myself), for $55 from etronics.

I have the V6 and V600. The V6 are very good.

favorite headphone

Reply #39 – 2002-02-20 16:17:41

Quote

Originally posted by Tes
mithrandir,

Are you using a headphone amp with you HD600's?

I've heard that an amp is necessary to get the best sound out of them due to their high (300 Ohms) impedance. I also like Sennheiser headphones and was thinking of buying the HD600's but I am not quite ready to shell out another 200 something dollars for a dedicated headphone amp.

Nope, I don't have a headphone amp. I'm a little put off by the cost (nothing under $200 is any good) and since I drag my headphones just about everywhere, a dedicated amp is not practical.

I plug the HD-600s directly into my Panasonic SL-CT570 portable, my Sony XA-3ES CD player, my home PC's TB Santa Cruz 5.1 sound card and my work PC's AC '97 sound out. The portable's weak internal amp can't drive the HD-600s with conviction and the volume is lower than I'd like, but there's no nasty distortion. The Sony's amp should be sufficient and I doubt a dedicated amp would improve the slightly-degraded output of the PC sound cards. I guess I have yet to hear the HD-600s in their full glory, but I haven't lost much sleep over it.

I could have gotten Grados, but I find them uncomfortable and don't like their sound character.