Headphone Audiophiles - Page 5

Cute. (NOT!)






The key ref (above) is an interesting read: "...Perfect surround sound over headphones"

And FWIW, I'm not all that interested in headphones; but have good value in having both Sennheiser HD650 as my high-end headphone (which I occasionally use), and Sennheiser PX100 as my extreme light-weight/fold-able/portable headphone.


Cheers

The Realiser comes with the Stax 202 headphones and a Stax Amp.
However after talking to the folks at SVS and explaining what my headphone system is, they agreed to remove the Stax system. SVS wants to make sure you have headphones/amp that are better than the Stax. In my case I use the Sennheiser HD800 and a very high end headphone amp.
That said I did try a pair of Sennheiser HD650's using the 1/4" headphone Jack in the Realiser for a very short time and I was surprised how well the Realiser handled the Sennheiser HD650 without using a external Amp.

The biggest surprise I have gotten from the Realiser is all the pro sub settings it offers and how and why to use them for M/C analog. Basically you have the controls to become a DIY M/C analog calibrator.

ss

You've done a nice job of milking this thread that you started.

I'll give you that.

With regard to my recent experience with headphones, I have none.

While my new Sennheiser HD650 headphones are OK, I'm left wondering why they can't be lighter.



I have no clue about the PX200 versions vs the very light PX100 that I have.


Cheers

I have an all Audio-gd setup for my headphone and speaker rig. People over on Head-fi are gaga over their products for good reason. Give them a look. They are based in China and sell direct.
And before anyone jumps to conclusions about direct from China gear, read up on them and their owner Kingwa. Doubt you'll find better response and service.
Yes, I'm a fanboy (no boy at 42 though).

Late arrival but I thought I'd ask these questions here rather than starting up an account on a headphone forum. I've been looking for some good, full-bodied headphones to run out of my Emotiva USP-1. I just got the Denon AHD2000s and am not finding the spectacular (some say overblown) bass I was expecting. Is it me, the headphones, or do I need a headphone amp? Currently thinking about the Little Dot I+ as I don't want to spend much and it is a good match for low impedence headphones. I also have a set of BD 770 32 ohm on the way for comparison, which are supposed to be REALLY easy to drive. I liked the sound of the Denons but they just didn't have enough bass impact or weight for my liking. I don't think I'm a bass freak but I want full frequency sound. I tried them with different sources, via the headphone outs on my Onkyo AVR, a crappy little Onkyo all-on-one system, and my iPod. Trying to figure out my best course of action before the 30 day return window closes.

Thanks for your input. I should probably just calm down...

I think my problem is that I really WANT to like the Denons, and I do like them quite a bit, they're just not EXACTLY what I wanted. So I'm trying to figure out if I can live with them, maybe with tweaking, or if I really need to try something else out. Based on your list the HD600s look like the best compromise between quantity and quality but I really, really hate the way they look. I've seen so many positive comments on the AKGs but I'm not sure they're for me and a little past my price range.

I think what pleased me the most about the D2000 is that the treble really feels like a step up from what I've heard through my Sony 7506s and Senn PX100s. My Monitor Audio speakers have spoiled me a bit in terms of my ability to enjoy other speakers, and I wanted to capture that feeling in my new headphones, as well. The level of detail I'm hearing through the USP-1/Denon combo is fairly amazing. I definitely had a "hi-fi" moment listening to "Amator Silenti" by the Dave Holland Quintet, during Steve Nelson's marimba intro I could hear people shifting their weight and shuffling about. It wasn't a loud, distracting sound, just an interesting quiet background detail.

I had just a short time with the DT770s this morning and they didn't do much for me. No significant increase in bass over the D2000s and the treble/mids were definitely a step down, at least out of the box (although the little blue ring around the earcup matches nicely with my phono cartridge). I might actually try those Sonys out since they're so cheap (I'm reading the "Bass IMPACT!!!!!!" thread at head-fi), and maybe the Little Dot with the D2000 and go from there. Interested in sampling some more cans (Grado, AKG, AT, Shure, etc.) but based on my picks so far I don't think I'm going to get what I'm looking for, at least not without an external amp. Also don't want to lose track of the returns and end up broke...

If I where you I would just save up and in the mean time do your home work, read, read, read.

Your D2000 is a bass headphone and if they are anything like my D7000 the bass is over blown. If you want bass a closed headphone is were you start, if you want it all then a high end open headphone plus a higher end amp and source.

LD is a good amp but don't forget you get what you pay for, and that's why the LD1 is the cheapest in there line.

Also don't forget there are three key components of a good headphone system. And these are just for starters.
1. Source player/DAC
2. Amp.
3. Headphones.

Also beware of used HP amps especially tube amps.

ss

I just got into headphones recently and picked up a really nice pair of AKG 702's.
I really like these for the sound quality and comfort level.
Was able to find a pair on Audiogon for a super good price which made buying the 702's even better.
Will next work on getting a nice replacement cable which is a snap since they are detachable.
Haven't quite decided on if I will get a Blue Dragon V3, Cardas, or Stefan Audioart Endorphin.
I can pickup a 10" Blue Dragon V3 for less than 2 bills right now, (20% off) which makes this cable the best deal price wise.
Any suggestions for the replacement cable?

Sid you are missing my point, and that is he already has a AMP all be it a AVR. Maybe if he goes to a LD IV he will get some improvement, probably not night and day but some.
I have heard some good things about (I think its) the LD VII but he would have to check that out and see if the sound of the LD VII is what he wants and what he uses it for.

JJHXBR
As far as a new Cable for the 702 goes that may change the tone of the 702's a little but imo there are many more things that will give a lot more bang for the buck, if you are just starting out with HP.

Fantastic, now that I have been to AIX studio's (9 hour round trip flight). I have there reference 5.1/7.1 sound system and room acoustics plus there new certified THX 5.1 system captured (RPIR). So now I have about 95% of what there sound systems and room acoustics sound like in my man cave. Plus I have there sound stage so it sounds as if I am hearing there speaker systems not headphones, but all the sound and placement of the speakers and of course the distance of the speakers are coming from my headphones (amazing).
I have also added a Level 2 Shadow Stereo Motion System: A300b Amplifier with two TES100SS (works with Xbox also) so I can have pretty much the same SW impact of AIX's huge SW.

I also switched BD players, I was using my BD-83SE Nuforce Edition but found for 5.1/7.1 analog my BD-09 is better for MC analog from BD movies. However I will still be using my BD-83 for 2ch analog stereo CD's and SACD's.
Also after I did a full ISF calibration on my BD-09 and 141FD the picture is also better (haven't used the BD-09 in about a year).

ss

Believe me, I am reading, but while there are some generalizations people tend to agree on, there are also wildly differing opinions on individual products (such as people who favorably compare the $80 XB700 to HD650s). I started asking questions here because I got the D2000s which are known for being "bass headphones" and was surprised at how un-bass-y they seemed to me in my system. I'm still considering ordering another pair just to see if it's an oddity in the specific pair I recieved.

I am running them out of my Emotiva USP-1 analog preamp (not an AVR, that was just for a few minutes to compare) with the following sources: Emotiva ERC-1 CD player, Pro-Ject 2Xperience turntable w. Sumiko Blue Point No. 2 cartridge via Musical Fidelity X-LPSv3/X-10v3/X-PSUv3 phono stage, and a Sony hybrid digital AM/FM tuner.

Last night I tried listening to "Got Your Money" by Ol' Dirty Bastard (not an audiophile classic) as a last ditch effort to see how much these cans could "plumb the depths" and was still not met with the powerful bass I know from playing it through my Monitor Audio Silver RS6s -- certainly not overblown, loose, flabby, boomy bass. So in my chain the Denons are absolutely not bass monsters. This is what surprised me so much.

The LDI+ is cheap but it is also designed for low-impedence 'phones, and frankly I'm looking for cheap. If it really does bring out the recessed midrange in the Denons I think I'd be happy with that combo. The LDIV is not designed for 25ohm headphones, I would look at something with higher impedence to pair with that.

I only need decent headphones for occasional listening which is why I'm not saving up for $1500 headphones/amps/etc. The Denons aren't bad, not to me, certainly better than my 7506 and PX100. The DT770s do sax, voice, cello better than the D2000 but are not so engaging to my ears in the treble and bass. Both are ~$200 closed headphones which is why I started with them. I have briefly heard the open HD650s and 595s but under less than ideal conditions (@ J&R playing live Barry Manilow at low volume). I would try the AKG 701s or similar but based on what I've read I don't think they'll satisfy me in terms of low-end. Since the main point of this, also, is not to keep my partner up when she's trying to sleep, I don't think open is the way to go, here.

It's clear to me that all of this is highly subjective, so I'm going to trust my ears, but it's helpful to know what people think. Thanks, all.

Thanks for the offer, I'll probably just return them if I decide not to keep them (I've still got a few weeks) but I'll keep you in mind if anything changes. Checking out the head-fi threads now. I still need to spend some more time with both of these, especially the DT770s. They're lighter but they seem to clamp my head a bit too tightly. I want to see how they do for an extended listening session. The Denons were comfortable and good sounding enough that they tricked me into listening to most of the Shostakovich Cello Concerto (No. 1, Wispelwey/Australian Chamber Orchestra on Channel Classics) one night when I should've been in bed. This suggests that I probably have a winner on my hands.

Still considering trying some other stuff just to get a solid idea of what my options are...I'll try not to take up any more space here until I actually do.

In the end that is what it is all about.
Thanks, all.[/quote]

OK, I'm going for it!

Ordered the LDI+ to see how that mates with the Denons, and I expect to try some Grado 225s sometime soon, as well.

I ordered a 2nd pair of D2000s to see if there's any significant deviation within the product line, but I doubt it'll be noticeable. I've also got the Shure SRH840s on the way and the dreaded XB700s, which should answer my bass question once and for all.

As much as I appreciate the midrange fullness of the DT770s, I've decided those are definitely going back. Listening to some tracks from Guided By Voices' "Isolation Drills" just drove home that they're not for me. They clamped my head too tightly for my comfort, too. A good friend of mine has the 80ohm model that I can borrow in the future for comparisons if needed.

Hoping to give the K70X a listen sometime soon as well, and possibly the 600/650, but I don't want to get too far ahead of myself. I never got to do any serious auditioning when I bought speakers in the past, so I figure I might as well do it right for headphones (easier to accomplish, certainly).

I guess this will be my new place to discuss headphones since I had my Headfi account deleted. My request. I could only take so much.. When Jude takes it upon himself to delete my posts' critizing Best Buy as a sponsor I knew it was my time to leave. SWZ is really transforming my DT480 into a super beast.. What a birthday/Christmas gift it will be. I will give full details. I know I will be totally pleased, & thank Hector for being so accomidating to my request.

Had a little time with the Shure and Sony headphones before real life intervened by way of a death in the family. Initial impressions were that the Sonys really are a bloated mess and that the Shures were *okay* to my ears but not mind-blowing. They are somewhat similar to the Denons but less spacious. The Denons also remain the most comfortable of the bunch.

Next step (after I get these returned) will be to try some Grados to find out for myself what I think of the infamous Grado house sound, and then some open-backed cans from AKG and possibly Senn. Might even try the open Beyer Dynamics but I am suspicious that I won't like them based on my experience with the DT770.

Somewhat interestingly, the second set of D2000s I got do sound slightly different than the first, but that may be due to the difference in break in. I can't decide which pair to keep! Still waiting on the Little Dot. They only just shipped it today despite sending me a reference number on September 28.

I still havent had the opportunity to hear a set of dt48. One of these days...

Be careful with the gaming can addiction. I started off being just a hard core gamer trying to get an advantage by getting a good headphone setup, then I found headfi. I am just starting to find some cash for my gaming rig again. I still have a lot of upgrades left like upgrading to a imac and a better usb/spdif converter as the next things to tackle, but here is my main rig as of right now.