Headphones???

[Geobmx4life]

Re: Headphones???

Dre beats are AMAZING...no hype, but IMHO...very overpriced

Was it maybe a demo MADE for these, that I listened to...I really thought they were impressive...but I'm no headphone conniseur.

[flipstah]

Re: Headphones???

If you're listening to an iPod, the entry level Grado's are very good (SR125).

In order to enjoy a good set of headphones, you really need an amp to power those up.

I see you're looking for a good set of IEM (in-ear monitors). Klipsch or Ultimate Ears are very good but a bit pricey. I find Shure's have the same illness of failing at the headphone jack. Klipsch are the same with the thin wiring.

For ~$100, Etymotic's are pretty good bang for your buck.

http://www.etymotic.com/

EDIT: I use Harman/Kardon BT for my phone (Nokia Lumia 920) at the moment. Very good quality for a Bluetooth stereo headset.

http://reviews.cnet.com/headsets/har...-35645547.html

[Kor]

Re: Headphones???

If you're listening to an iPod, the entry level Grado's are very good (SR125).

In order to enjoy a good set of headphones, you really need an amp to power those up.

I'm a bit of a headphone-o-phile and have owned quite a few cans including some rare and expensive cans like Grado RS1's and some rare imported Audio Technica and Sony cans from Japan. Also have a couple of headphone amps and some other gear.

That being said, with respect, some polite responses to that last post

1. SR60's are the entry level grados not SR125's.

2. Grados are awesome, but open cans leak so much sound that the people around you can hear your music even at moderate volumes. So I rarely recommend them. They are also not super durable.

3. Headphone amplifiers are largely (not 100% of the time, but mostly) snake oil. Like monster cables.

You do NOT need an amp for 99% of headphones including 99% of "good" and "high end" headphones.

IMHO the ONLY reason to get an amp is if the nominal impedance for the headphones as listend in the specs is over about 50 Ohms. That is almost NEVER the case, because higher output impedance usually means inconsitency in frequency response and more distortion. Some pro gear made for use in studios is high impedance, but consumer headphones are not.

I have a pair of 80 ohm imedance DT-770's that sound better with a nice amp, but Grado SR125's for example have a 32 Ohm impedance and I think you would be hard pressed to prove that they sound better with most headphone amps.

Some portable sources have really shitty output compared to say a home stereo, but on the other hand you can't really take a good amp with you on the go anyway. Which leads me to my last point:

4. In many cases, especially with cheaper headphone amps and little portable cmoy / diy / opamp amps I would say that they negatively color and distort the sound.You won't see any improvement from all but the best amps.

[flipstah]

Re: Headphones???

I'm a bit of a headphone-o-phile and have owned quite a few cans including some rare and expensive cans like Grado RS1's and some rare imported Audio Technica and Sony cans from Japan. Also have a couple of headphone amps and some other gear.

That being said, with respect, some polite responses to that last post

1. SR60's are the entry level grados not SR125's.

2. Grados are awesome, but open cans leak so much sound that the people around you can hear your music even at moderate volumes. So I rarely recommend them. They are also not super durable.

3. Headphone amplifiers are largely (not 100% of the time, but mostly) snake oil. Like monster cables.

You do NOT need an amp for 99% of headphones including 99% of "good" and "high end" headphones.

IMHO the ONLY reason to get an amp is if the nominal impedance for the headphones as listend in the specs is over about 50 Ohms. That is almost NEVER the case, because higher output impedance usually means inconsitency in frequency response and more distortion. Some pro gear made for use in studios is high impedance, but consumer headphones are not.

I have a pair of 80 ohm imedance DT-770's that sound better with a nice amp, but Grado SR125's for example have a 32 Ohm impedance and I think you would be hard pressed to prove that they sound better with most headphone amps.

Some portable sources have really shitty output compared to say a home stereo, but on the other hand you can't really take a good amp with you on the go anyway. Which leads me to my last point:

4. In many cases, especially with cheaper headphone amps and little portable cmoy / diy / opamp amps I would say that they negatively color and distort the sound.You won't see any improvement from all but the best amps.

Thanks, Kor! I still swear by my Grado's though and the packaging is crude because most of the budget is on R&D. Also, I haven't had issues with mine so I'll stick with the quality with it being a (+). They do leak and aren't great for traveling on a plane but they're fine on the C-Train.

To get the best out of anything, you have to do your due diligence and research, including amps.

Side-note: Monster cables are a joke haha.

[18TWolf]

Re: Headphones???

I like my Etymotic Buds. They come with a few different ear "adapter" options so pick the one that fits the best and if you really want you get get custom fitted "adapters".

[Wildfire]

Re: Headphones???

Ive used Sennheiser and Koss. Both I'd recommend both, not sure if Koss do in ear style. But do a search online Blair, from I recall the selection on your side is immense. I bought mine mostly online.

[danno]

Re: Headphones???

What about a wireless head phone for jogging? I hate pulling on my ears with the cable and trying to control the dog leash and phone at the same time is annoying. Price wise I'd say less than 100

[Circa1990]

Re: Headphones???

For $70 Ultimate Ears UE400's are quite good and fairly balanced with a decently wide soundstage. The fit is really nice with the Comply foam tips as well.