Ah, I take it as you’re more of a Hi-Fi enthusiast, glancing at your gear list. I’d like to get into that but unfortunately room space is an issue for me ergo I stick to headphones and earphones.
Ah, I take it as you’re more of a Hi-Fi enthusiast, glancing at your gear list.
I’d like to get into that but unfortunately room space is an issue for me ergo I stick to headphones and earphones.
If you don't mind going the DIY route, the 6DJ8-based headphone amp that's sometimes known as the "Super Simple": https://www.head-fi.org/threads/a-super-simple-6dj8-headphone-amp.402067/ ...is...
If you don't mind going the DIY route, the 6DJ8-based headphone amp that's sometimes known as the "Super Simple":
...is still available, nine years on, as e.g. eBay 273383386048.
With a suitable choice of part for C103, that design has amazing bass response, better than any headphone amp I (or indeed many others - read the ginormous head-fi thread) have ever used. It also puts out enough current to drive basically any non-electrostatic headphones, including Grados, with authority. It also works rather nicely as a bookshelf speaker amp, lol.
My collection isn't huge, but I love each of these headphones for different reasons: Sennheiser HD 579 Philips SHP9500S Audio-Technica ATH-M40x They all sound really nice, but comfort and grip are...
My collection isn't huge, but I love each of these headphones for different reasons:
Sennheiser HD 579
Philips SHP9500S
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
They all sound really nice, but comfort and grip are important for me. The first two both sound similar to me, with the HD 579s having a tiny advantage; though, I prefer the comfort of the SHP9500S. The ATH-M40x is a solid contender, but it doesn't feel nearly as comfortable as the other two.
Yeah, they're not really impressive in my opinion but they don't sound bad by any stretch of the imagination either. While the HD 579s are obviously better given their price, I was surprised that...
Yeah, they're not really impressive in my opinion but they don't sound bad by any stretch of the imagination either. While the HD 579s are obviously better given their price, I was surprised that the SHP9500S were better for nearly half the cost. Definitely made me more concerned about the price-to-performance ratio of what I'm buying.
I'm pretty much an audiophile compared to the 'normal' person but I wouldn't call myself a hardcore I have two hifi setups: Goodmans speakers I got for 20 quid at the charity shop, surprisingly...
I'm pretty much an audiophile compared to the 'normal' person but I wouldn't call myself a hardcore
I have two hifi setups:
Goodmans speakers I got for 20 quid at the charity shop, surprisingly good reproduction for 70's speakers
Yamaha A/V amp / video receiver (only use the amp)
the other:
Cambridge Audio Topaz
Heybrook Solo 2
some tekniks tape deck
some yamaha cd player
pro-ject essential 2
In essence I put all this together for very little money and it still sound pretty good. Recently I setup a Monitor Audio (Bronze??) floorstanding speaker with a mid-range amp and an AT LP5 and it's almost comparable to the 2nd setup (still a bit better) but cost like 3x the price
(raises hand) For decades I've been a professional in audio for film/tv/games. Many are mentioning the ATH-M50 which I prefer for my personal and everyday use but I also have grado, sennheiser,...
(raises hand) For decades I've been a professional in audio for film/tv/games.
Many are mentioning the ATH-M50 which I prefer for my personal and everyday use but I also have grado, sennheiser, sony. I use a Denon DN-A7100 with balanced outputs to my JBL monitors
Just posted my own thread because I somehow missed this one, but here we go! Headphones: HD-598 (Sennheiser. My first decent pair of headphones, I use these now primarily for gaming or...
Just posted my own thread because I somehow missed this one, but here we go!
Headphones:
HD-598 (Sennheiser. My first decent pair of headphones, I use these now primarily for gaming or jazz/classical. Amazing sound stage and crystal clear notes. Almost no bass though. Open back.)
HE-400i (Hifiman. My daily driver, until the gf want's some sleep. Open back and beautiful planar sound. Kills it with vocals and keeps up with the bass on the fastest of songs)
DT 700 Pro (I just got these because of said gf wanting sleep, I also use them at the office as well. Great pair of headphones for being closed.)
IEM:
EPH-100SL (Yamaha. Ive had these for almost 10 years now and they still work like the day I got them. Great bass and pretty much great sound all around. Ive washed these twice on accident, taken them throughout europe for 20 days and more and they still shine.)
AMP/DAC:
Magni 2 AMP (Schitt. Amazing amp for the price, hasn't failed to power anything i've thrown at it, and loudly at that. Built tough and looks nice. Big fan of this brand.)
Modi Multibit DAC (Schitt. This was a bit more expensive, but worth every penny to me. I use my macbook for most music and the DAC clears up any static and just puts out pleasant sound from any source. Lots of debate on the usefulness of a DAC, but I like it.)
Headphones: Sennheiser HD600. I wear these 8-10 hours a day sometimes. Pretty much set the baseline for me - comfortable, sound decent and have held up well so far. I've had thousands of hours of...
Headphones:
Sennheiser HD600. I wear these 8-10 hours a day sometimes. Pretty much set the baseline for me - comfortable, sound decent and have held up well so far. I've had thousands of hours of listening put into these, and the still satisfy.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50. My first 'real' headphones. Going back to these, I just hate them; I gave them to a family member because I'll never use them again. In my opinion, they sound worse than my $10 Panasonic IEMs. I have no idea why these are recommended so much. The HD589s are so much better for the price.
Speakers:
Monitor Audio Bronze 2s. Man, these blow me away every time I listen to them! So much better than the HD600s (not really a fair comparison, I know). The look great as well!
Equipment:
Sansui AU-D33. Decent amp, does the job powering the MA B2s.
Monoprice desktop amp/DAC. Again, decent and has no problem powering the 300Ω HD600s.
Timeline:
M50s -> HD600s -> Bronze 2s.
I might have a look into getting some decent closed backs in the future (Oppo PM-3s?), but for now, I'm happy with my current setup.
I don't have much, but I have a pair of Fostex T50RP MK3's with memory foam pads which I drive with a cheap SMSL SD 793II. It's not a lot, but it's all I need (for now :D.)
I don't have much, but I have a pair of Fostex T50RP MK3's with memory foam pads which I drive with a cheap SMSL SD 793II. It's not a lot, but it's all I need (for now :D.)
They're clear, neutral and hard to drive xP They're also supposed to be very good for modding, but all I've changed out so far are the pads, haha, the stock ones were a bit thin.
They're clear, neutral and hard to drive xP They're also supposed to be very good for modding, but all I've changed out so far are the pads, haha, the stock ones were a bit thin.
I like to think that I'm rather picky with sound and want high quality while listening to music. Headphones: Sennheiser PXC 550 for most listening when home and out and about. The active noise...
I like to think that I'm rather picky with sound and want high quality while listening to music.
Headphones:
Sennheiser PXC 550 for most listening when home and out and about. The active noise cancelling is great when commuting.
ATH-M50x for critical listening
I used my M50x's exclusively for about 4 years before getting the PCX 550's. Really love the sound you get for the price. The higher you crank the volume, the better they sound. Can't recommend them enough.
Speakers:
Audioengine A5+
XTZ 99 W10.16 subwoofer
Used together with a 100" screen & Benq W1350, and a computer with Kodi for a good cinema-like experience in my not very big apartment.
The M50xs are quite flat. The treble is soft but very present. It's never sharp, which is why I'm able to play them at deafening volumes without feeling like it is hurting my ears (though it isn't...
The M50xs are quite flat. The treble is soft but very present. It's never sharp, which is why I'm able to play them at deafening volumes without feeling like it is hurting my ears (though it isn't very good for the ears, I know).
Nothing special about the mid-range really. Doesn't stand out, but it's not bad in any way.
The bass is punchy and controlled. Focus on the lower part of the register, like 100hz and lower. A "fun" bass.
The PXC 550s on the other hand are more opinionated. The treble is a bit sharper, but also clearer. I noticed some things in songs that I had missed with the M50xs. The mid is more pronounced. The bass is more focused on the higher range, but that's not to say they can't play the really low as well. I'd say overall the sound is clearer, the separation between instruments is better.
The noice cancellation is great. Very close to Bose's level, not enough of a difference to really talk about it I'd say. Though I've noticed the nc seems stronger on the right earcup which have the controls, but I'm not sure if it's because of the seal around my ears are a bit different or if the nc actually is weaker on the left. Either way it makes the sound feel a tiny bit lopsided, but it's not bad enough that I've bothered to try to get a new pair.
If the noise around you is very inconsistent, like sitting next to the engine on a bus, the sound takes a hit because when it tries to keep up with the noise. Not that big of a deal really, I just turn off nc if it gets in the way.
I mostly listen to rock and metal, so my experience with the two is coloured by that.
In its price range, the M50xs seem pretty much unbeatable. I'm very happy with both purchases.
Hm. Unfortunately, I don’t share the same impressions with you M50x wise. I find the M50x’s bass to be muddy at best. Mid-range is completely dead to me and I find the treble to be shrill. In it’s...
Hm. Unfortunately, I don’t share the same impressions with you M50x wise.
I find the M50x’s bass to be muddy at best. Mid-range is completely dead to me and I find the treble to be shrill.
In it’s price range, may I recommend the Sony CD900ST? It blows the M50x outta the water easily when bass is concerned, the response on them are easily one of the best I’ve heard. Unfortunately, as with the M50x, the treble is shrill. I heard the international version - the MD-7506 - to be darker but I’ve yet to try it out.
I found the 900ST to be picky source-wise. Well, not exactly picky but it’ll pinpoint the characteristics of the source.
That and the stock ear-pads it comes with is simply too thin for me.
It might be my choice of music where mid-range is plenty. I'd say the mid-range is boring, but also "correct". I do not agree with your impression of the treble at all, I've never felt it to be...
I find the M50x’s bass to be muddy at best. Mid-range is completely dead to me and I find the treble to be shrill.
It might be my choice of music where mid-range is plenty. I'd say the mid-range is boring, but also "correct". I do not agree with your impression of the treble at all, I've never felt it to be shrill.
In it’s price range, may I recommend the Sony CD900ST?
Oh yeah, I think a friend of mine had a (very battered) pair of those. I only listened to them once or twice, but I agree with you there on the bass if i remember correctly.
That and the stock ear-pads it comes with is simply too thin for me.
Are you referring to the 900STs or the M50xs? I've worn my M50xs hours on end without discomfort. My PXC 550s are definitely better in that regard though.
Ah sorry about that. I was referring to the CD900ST where they were just paper thin. True, I don’t remember Anime music to be anything else other than V-shaped though if memory served me right, I...
Are you referring to the 900STs or the M50xs? I've worn my M50xs hours on end without discomfort. My PXC 550s are definitely better in that regard though.
Ah sorry about that. I was referring to the CD900ST where they were just paper thin.
It might be my choice of music where mid-range is plenty. I'd say the mid-range is boring, but also "correct". I do not agree with your impression of the treble at all, I've never felt it to be shrill.
True, I don’t remember Anime music to be anything else other than V-shaped though if memory served me right, I was listening to JoJo’s openings. God I love Tommy - his voice is powerful.
As for shrill, honestly I am very sensitive to the 7-8k range so I’ll find everything to be shrill. I’m currently looking to get something dark.
I could say I am. I normally use a pair of AKG 240 semi-open studio headphones along with a hand built headphone amp for personal listening and some hand built speakers (2.1) and an old McIntosh...
I could say I am. I normally use a pair of AKG 240 semi-open studio headphones along with a hand built headphone amp for personal listening and some hand built speakers (2.1) and an old McIntosh amp to drive them. Forget the model number there.
I also have a Aperion Audio 5.1 system up for sale now after hitting some health issue that landed me in the hospital. Bills need to be paid, so unfortunately they have to go. If you or another audiophile wants a screaming deal on some speaker, drop me a line.
Ah, MacInTosh amps. I’ve heard the 275 before through the Stax SR-009 and SR-L300. Both sounded amazing through it, the 009’s treble was very, very sweet.
Ah, MacInTosh amps. I’ve heard the 275 before through the Stax SR-009 and SR-L300. Both sounded amazing through it, the 009’s treble was very, very sweet.
Ah. Funny thing about how I got to experiece the 275. Apparently my associate managed to get his dad to plop 3-4k onto the table to buy it. I was near the usual hang-out (which is an audio cafe)...
Ah. Funny thing about how I got to experiece the 275.
Apparently my associate managed to get his dad to plop 3-4k onto the table to buy it. I was near the usual hang-out (which is an audio cafe) at that time when he called me up and asked if I could move something to the cafe.
So I waited in-front of the mall for him and minutes later, he showed up his dad in a Mercedes Benz with the amp in the trunk. Fun-fact, it was raining that time so we had to use my umbrella (since I was the only one who showed up with one) to protect it while we drenched ourselves.
We placed it on-top of a trolley and we pushed it into a store to get it fixed since some of the tubes were dead. I think the damage was around $200.
So we then finally pushed it into the store, hooked it up to a Woozy as pre-amp and his Onkyo DPX1 as the source.
We hooked up the headphones, he played some Tibetan Monastrey music and we basically grabbed one of the cans and listened, switching every 10s so we were just handing each other the cans back and forth, without any sort of verbal cue.
I was into DIY head-fi for a while, does that count? I have: ATH-M50s fed from a SOHA (the original one from long, long ago...) with a fancy stepped attenuator and the buffer stage replaced by a...
I was into DIY head-fi for a while, does that count?
I have:
ATH-M50s fed from a SOHA (the original one from long, long ago...) with a fancy stepped attenuator and the buffer stage replaced by a JISBOS, fed by an AlienDAC; I use this setup for playing video games mainly, lol. Also Skype. :/
On the other computer, I have a BantamDAC feeding a Pimeta with LMH6321s and AD806n opamps, which sometimes drives various headphones or sometimes drives a small pair of bookshelf speakers.
I also have a couple other DACs I built, and at least four other headphone amps, including another Pimeta, a Mini^3, and another tube amp that used 6DJ8s. Well, and two or three CMoy-esque things I built on breadboard, and a homebrew variant of the Pimeta with a high-power discrete diamond buffer output stage... and probably a few other things I'm forgetting...
I know it iusnt much but she does me well, have had her over a year now: shure 150s. God damned best earbdus I've ever had. I always want to dabble in this field some more, but lack of funds has...
I know it iusnt much but she does me well, have had her over a year now: shure 150s. God damned best earbdus I've ever had. I always want to dabble in this field some more, but lack of funds has prevented that from happening
I record/mix music regularly so I only have boring reference gear. But I still appreciate a quality frequency response. Most notable piece is my 18-in 20-out Focusrite interface.
I record/mix music regularly so I only have boring reference gear. But I still appreciate a quality frequency response. Most notable piece is my 18-in 20-out Focusrite interface.
I'd consider a 24-bit, 192KHz device to be audiophile-grade. I didn't name my amp/speakers because they're mundane reference gear (flat frequency response, not hi-fi). I got a Marantz 2220B I...
I'd consider a 24-bit, 192KHz device to be audiophile-grade. I didn't name my amp/speakers because they're mundane reference gear (flat frequency response, not hi-fi).
I got a Marantz 2220B I still need to setup for my turntable, though. Does that count?
Not an audiophile really, but I have a set of speakers that do everything I need them to do and continue to really impress me, even compared to much higher-end setups I've experienced. Back in...
Not an audiophile really, but I have a set of speakers that do everything I need them to do and continue to really impress me, even compared to much higher-end setups I've experienced. Back in 2009 I read a review of a set of speakers that intrigued me because I had just moved into my new house, and during the move I'd given away my old 15" woofer-bearing Pioneer stereo speakers–the kind that came with older all-in-one receiver/turntable combos, except huge. I checked out the retailer's site later in the year and they were having what seemed to be a clearance sale. I got the speakers from the review (tSc TST2), a 12" subwoofer, and a gigantic center speaker for just over $500 shipped. It turned out they were out of business shortly thereafter.
No fancy amps or anything, just an old Onkyo receiver circa 2007. Monoprice headphone amp as input and DAC from my laptop. My music collection is mostly FLAC, with some mp3 for rare stuff.
Well, I did recently buy the Sony WH-1000XM2 for their noise cancellation. And I've been wanting to test how they're different from my usual $20 headphones but I don't really know where to start....
Well, I did recently buy the Sony WH-1000XM2 for their noise cancellation. And I've been wanting to test how they're different from my usual $20 headphones but I don't really know where to start.
Any advice? (preferably not involving subscription services).
Define advice? Track choice? Ideally you’d want something with great dynamic range (the lows are low and the highs are high) and well mastered but go with whatever you listen to most. Oh and...
Define advice? Track choice?
Ideally you’d want something with great dynamic range (the lows are low and the highs are high) and well mastered but go with whatever you listen to most. Oh and listen to more than one song, you can’t judge bass based on a Woodwind track you know.
If you listen to music with earbuds that you want to feel, then the Sony XB90EX is perfect. I bought them from Japan years ago before they became popular and they have held up perfectly. Need to...
If you listen to music with earbuds that you want to feel, then the Sony XB90EX is perfect. I bought them from Japan years ago before they became popular and they have held up perfectly. Need to drive them with something when you're on the go, but amps aren't too expensive these days.
Amazing. Probably dangerous for for eardrums, but it just defies imagination as to the bass it can produce. Mind you it sounds good beyond bass due to the design of the driver and tunnel.
Amazing. Probably dangerous for for eardrums, but it just defies imagination as to the bass it can produce. Mind you it sounds good beyond bass due to the design of the driver and tunnel.
I’m a bit of an audiophile. I don’t believe in magic cables or anything, but I do have some decent equipment. Headphones: Sennheiser HD6XX. I bought these last year and really love how they sound...
I’m a bit of an audiophile. I don’t believe in magic cables or anything, but I do have some decent equipment.
Headphones: Sennheiser HD6XX. I bought these last year and really love how they sound a lot like speakers around my head.
IEMs: Etymotic ER4XR. These are far and beyond the most flawlessly transparent headphones I’ve ever heard. It reproduces the music very accurately. Some people may hate that but I love it.
Hi-Fi: Polk Audio SDA2, Polk Audio Monitor 7, Polk Monitor 10 (well... I guess I have a type...) with a Marantz 4270 quad receiver.
But unfortunately I don’t live in a home where I can use any of those right now, because I live in a small apartment. So, I’ve switched to modern consumer speakers... I have some Sonos speakers throughout my home and stereo Homepods in my bedroom. They’re pricy, but I’m very happy with them! The Etys are my commuting speakers and the Senns mostly don’t get used anymore.
Haha holy shit, you are not exaggerating. Those are... quite some canal-fillers. I just read about them and, wow, 7 balanced armature drivers per channel is pretty intense. So is the price. I...
Haha holy shit, you are not exaggerating. Those are... quite some canal-fillers. I just read about them and, wow, 7 balanced armature drivers per channel is pretty intense. So is the price. I wonder how they sound...
I would say that I would get into the audiophile world very easily if I wasn't so frugal/poor. Earbuds: Sennheiser CX-300B Honestly, the sound quality from these has been astounding, especially...
I would say that I would get into the audiophile world very easily if I wasn't so frugal/poor.
Earbuds: Sennheiser CX-300B Honestly, the sound quality from these has been astounding, especially considering their price point.
Headphones: Off the top of my head, I don't remember exactly, but they're an older version, slightly lesser quality than ATH-A990z. I remember getting them on sale for $110 probably 8 years ago. They sound amazing, but they can get really uncomfortable on my head after listening for more than an hour and a half or so.
Headphones: Philips Fidelio X2 I've had these for about 2.5 years now. I got lucky and got the batch with removable earpads. It took me a year before I was able to listen to them without...
Headphones: Philips Fidelio X2
I've had these for about 2.5 years now. I got lucky and got the batch with removable earpads. It took me a year before I was able to listen to them without crossfeed, but I love them now.
These are a recent addition. The speakers sound incredible but the size of my room doesn't do them proper justice. Before I got the Yamaha I had an AudioQuest Dragonfly v1.2 to drive my headphones.
Cassette Deck: Technics RS-BX606
Wanted to get a tapedeck for the nostalgia. I used to listen to tapes on a portable cassette player when I was younger and I was surprised to find that my old tapes sounded much better than I don't remember.
How do you like the X2? Also, Cassette Deck? Damn, we’re going Retro huh? Only thing in modern times right now that resembles a Deck’s this and that’s just a cover.
How do you like the X2? Also, Cassette Deck? Damn, we’re going Retro huh? Only thing in modern times right now that resembles a Deck’s this and that’s just a cover.
Ah. Unfortunately, I don’t share the same impressions as you. I find the bass to be terribly muddy, the mids to be boring (especially the upper-mids) and the treble. Oh, I found it to be...
Ah. Unfortunately, I don’t share the same impressions as you.
I find the bass to be terribly muddy, the mids to be boring (especially the upper-mids) and the treble. Oh, I found it to be completely gone. Poof, just like that.
Well, if I’ll give it a point, they are one of the most comfortable earphones I’ve worn, shame that I find their sound completely actrocious.
At least it is barely coherent unlike the 315 535 where it’s Indian traffic personified into a sound sig.
May I recommend the VSonic GR07cs? In my opinion, it is what the SE215 wanted to be - decent bass response, energetic upper-mids, bright treble but not to the point of shrill.
I wouldn't consider myself an audiophile per se, but I have an appreciation for good sound. My PC gaming setup is: Beyerdynamics 880 Pro Mayflower O2 amp+DAC Creative Omni for CMSS (some games...
I wouldn't consider myself an audiophile per se, but I have an appreciation for good sound. My PC gaming setup is:
Beyerdynamics 880 Pro
Mayflower O2 amp+DAC
Creative Omni for CMSS (some games don't mix stereo right)
I bought all this for when I was huge into Counter-Strike. It did not make me better, heh.
I bought them because they were apparently the reference neutral between the bass-heavy 990s and the airy 770s (I might have those reversed). Love 'em! They're replacing some old Sennheiser...
I bought them because they were apparently the reference neutral between the bass-heavy 990s and the airy 770s (I might have those reversed). Love 'em! They're replacing some old Sennheiser HD280's and the overall sound is much better. They're semi-open so they have a bigger soundstage but can still pack a kick with the bass. I like adding a little bit of bass to them through my Omni's EQ and it feels just right.
I feel like I can hear everything through these, from some real jazzy music where I can hear all the instruments to some pounding battlefield noises in, well, Battlefield.
My maggies or my life! Rocking a Schitt + Magnepan setup at my house, I listen to mostly indie folk and it's been incredible. Tight, responsive, and just gosh danged beautiful to look at.
My maggies or my life! Rocking a Schitt + Magnepan setup at my house, I listen to mostly indie folk and it's been incredible. Tight, responsive, and just gosh danged beautiful to look at.
Yeah, I am fortunate enough to have neighbors that don't mind when I crank it up (I blew my amp once playing Cymbals Eat Guitars, it's in an unfortunately small area with not-much ventilation)
Yeah, I am fortunate enough to have neighbors that don't mind when I crank it up (I blew my amp once playing Cymbals Eat Guitars, it's in an unfortunately small area with not-much ventilation)
I use some older AKG Q701s driven by a Fiio E17, with the source being an iPod Mini into which I shoved a 128GB SD card. My setup is a little peculiar since I do a lot of listening at night,...
I use some older AKG Q701s driven by a Fiio E17, with the source being an iPod Mini into which I shoved a 128GB SD card. My setup is a little peculiar since I do a lot of listening at night, whether indoors or outdoors, so I ended up with the iPod because, after coating the screen with Rubylith film, it's awesome for using in the dark without causing a lot of eye strain. The AKGs sound great with the music I listen to (a lot of folky stuff, or similar), but I'd love to get my hands on a set of HD650s and the little Schiit dac/tube amp combo.
The particular downside of that iPod is that streaming is obviously not an option, so for that I tend to just use my phone and WH1000XM2s.
It's the second-generation one, since that added the ability to play lossless audio (well, ALAC only, but that's status quo for the Apple ecosystem and transcoding's no biggie).
It's the second-generation one, since that added the ability to play lossless audio (well, ALAC only, but that's status quo for the Apple ecosystem and transcoding's no biggie).
Ah, I take it as you’re more of a Hi-Fi enthusiast, glancing at your gear list.
I’d like to get into that but unfortunately room space is an issue for me ergo I stick to headphones and earphones.
If you don't mind going the DIY route, the 6DJ8-based headphone amp that's sometimes known as the "Super Simple":
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/a-super-simple-6dj8-headphone-amp.402067/
...is still available, nine years on, as e.g. eBay 273383386048.
With a suitable choice of part for C103, that design has amazing bass response, better than any headphone amp I (or indeed many others - read the ginormous head-fi thread) have ever used. It also puts out enough current to drive basically any non-electrostatic headphones, including Grados, with authority. It also works rather nicely as a bookshelf speaker amp, lol.
My collection isn't huge, but I love each of these headphones for different reasons:
They all sound really nice, but comfort and grip are important for me. The first two both sound similar to me, with the HD 579s having a tiny advantage; though, I prefer the comfort of the SHP9500S. The ATH-M40x is a solid contender, but it doesn't feel nearly as comfortable as the other two.
I’ve heard the M40x, very flat. How spot on is my impression in your opinion?
Yeah, they're not really impressive in my opinion but they don't sound bad by any stretch of the imagination either. While the HD 579s are obviously better given their price, I was surprised that the SHP9500S were better for nearly half the cost. Definitely made me more concerned about the price-to-performance ratio of what I'm buying.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50 through an Universal Audio Apollo for use at home. AirPods for on the go.
Ah yes, the M50. I’ve only heard the M50x and I didn’t like it to say the least, how do you find the 50s?
They're good for critical listening. For anything else I find them maybe a bit too flat, honestly.
They're the only decent headphones I've ever listened to, so for me they're amazing.
I'm pretty much an audiophile compared to the 'normal' person but I wouldn't call myself a hardcore
I have two hifi setups:
the other:
In essence I put all this together for very little money and it still sound pretty good. Recently I setup a Monitor Audio (Bronze??) floorstanding speaker with a mid-range amp and an AT LP5 and it's almost comparable to the 2nd setup (still a bit better) but cost like 3x the price
Ah. Another Hi-Fi enthusiast. I'd jump on the train too but space is an issue from where I'm from.
(raises hand) For decades I've been a professional in audio for film/tv/games.
Many are mentioning the ATH-M50 which I prefer for my personal and everyday use but I also have grado, sennheiser, sony. I use a Denon DN-A7100 with balanced outputs to my JBL monitors
Just posted my own thread because I somehow missed this one, but here we go!
Headphones:
HD-598 (Sennheiser. My first decent pair of headphones, I use these now primarily for gaming or jazz/classical. Amazing sound stage and crystal clear notes. Almost no bass though. Open back.)
HE-400i (Hifiman. My daily driver, until the gf want's some sleep. Open back and beautiful planar sound. Kills it with vocals and keeps up with the bass on the fastest of songs)
DT 700 Pro (I just got these because of said gf wanting sleep, I also use them at the office as well. Great pair of headphones for being closed.)
IEM:
EPH-100SL (Yamaha. Ive had these for almost 10 years now and they still work like the day I got them. Great bass and pretty much great sound all around. Ive washed these twice on accident, taken them throughout europe for 20 days and more and they still shine.)
AMP/DAC:
Magni 2 AMP (Schitt. Amazing amp for the price, hasn't failed to power anything i've thrown at it, and loudly at that. Built tough and looks nice. Big fan of this brand.)
Modi Multibit DAC (Schitt. This was a bit more expensive, but worth every penny to me. I use my macbook for most music and the DAC clears up any static and just puts out pleasant sound from any source. Lots of debate on the usefulness of a DAC, but I like it.)
Can't forget the sound porn either:
https://imgur.com/a/nCbgxeS
Ah, nice Schiit Stack. I’d get one but the price is Schiit here.
Headphones:
Sennheiser HD600. I wear these 8-10 hours a day sometimes. Pretty much set the baseline for me - comfortable, sound decent and have held up well so far. I've had thousands of hours of listening put into these, and the still satisfy.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50. My first 'real' headphones. Going back to these, I just hate them; I gave them to a family member because I'll never use them again. In my opinion, they sound worse than my $10 Panasonic IEMs. I have no idea why these are recommended so much. The HD589s are so much better for the price.
Speakers:
Equipment:
Timeline:
M50s -> HD600s -> Bronze 2s.
I might have a look into getting some decent closed backs in the future (Oppo PM-3s?), but for now, I'm happy with my current setup.
Ah yes, the HD600s. Along with the 650s everybody loves them from Head-Fi to SBAF.
I don't have much, but I have a pair of Fostex T50RP MK3's with memory foam pads which I drive with a cheap SMSL SD 793II. It's not a lot, but it's all I need (for now :D.)
Never heard the T50RPs, how are they?
They're clear, neutral and hard to drive xP They're also supposed to be very good for modding, but all I've changed out so far are the pads, haha, the stock ones were a bit thin.
I like to think that I'm rather picky with sound and want high quality while listening to music.
Headphones:
I used my M50x's exclusively for about 4 years before getting the PCX 550's. Really love the sound you get for the price. The higher you crank the volume, the better they sound. Can't recommend them enough.
Speakers:
Used together with a 100" screen & Benq W1350, and a computer with Kodi for a good cinema-like experience in my not very big apartment.
How do you find the M50x and PCX 550 exactly?
The M50xs are quite flat. The treble is soft but very present. It's never sharp, which is why I'm able to play them at deafening volumes without feeling like it is hurting my ears (though it isn't very good for the ears, I know).
Nothing special about the mid-range really. Doesn't stand out, but it's not bad in any way.
The bass is punchy and controlled. Focus on the lower part of the register, like 100hz and lower. A "fun" bass.
The PXC 550s on the other hand are more opinionated. The treble is a bit sharper, but also clearer. I noticed some things in songs that I had missed with the M50xs. The mid is more pronounced. The bass is more focused on the higher range, but that's not to say they can't play the really low as well. I'd say overall the sound is clearer, the separation between instruments is better.
The noice cancellation is great. Very close to Bose's level, not enough of a difference to really talk about it I'd say. Though I've noticed the nc seems stronger on the right earcup which have the controls, but I'm not sure if it's because of the seal around my ears are a bit different or if the nc actually is weaker on the left. Either way it makes the sound feel a tiny bit lopsided, but it's not bad enough that I've bothered to try to get a new pair.
If the noise around you is very inconsistent, like sitting next to the engine on a bus, the sound takes a hit because when it tries to keep up with the noise. Not that big of a deal really, I just turn off nc if it gets in the way.
I mostly listen to rock and metal, so my experience with the two is coloured by that.
In its price range, the M50xs seem pretty much unbeatable. I'm very happy with both purchases.
Hm. Unfortunately, I don’t share the same impressions with you M50x wise.
I find the M50x’s bass to be muddy at best. Mid-range is completely dead to me and I find the treble to be shrill.
In it’s price range, may I recommend the Sony CD900ST? It blows the M50x outta the water easily when bass is concerned, the response on them are easily one of the best I’ve heard. Unfortunately, as with the M50x, the treble is shrill. I heard the international version - the MD-7506 - to be darker but I’ve yet to try it out.
I found the 900ST to be picky source-wise. Well, not exactly picky but it’ll pinpoint the characteristics of the source.
That and the stock ear-pads it comes with is simply too thin for me.
It might be my choice of music where mid-range is plenty. I'd say the mid-range is boring, but also "correct". I do not agree with your impression of the treble at all, I've never felt it to be shrill.
Oh yeah, I think a friend of mine had a (very battered) pair of those. I only listened to them once or twice, but I agree with you there on the bass if i remember correctly.
Are you referring to the 900STs or the M50xs? I've worn my M50xs hours on end without discomfort. My PXC 550s are definitely better in that regard though.
Ah sorry about that. I was referring to the CD900ST where they were just paper thin.
True, I don’t remember Anime music to be anything else other than V-shaped though if memory served me right, I was listening to JoJo’s openings. God I love Tommy - his voice is powerful.
As for shrill, honestly I am very sensitive to the 7-8k range so I’ll find everything to be shrill. I’m currently looking to get something dark.
I could say I am. I normally use a pair of AKG 240 semi-open studio headphones along with a hand built headphone amp for personal listening and some hand built speakers (2.1) and an old McIntosh amp to drive them. Forget the model number there.
I also have a Aperion Audio 5.1 system up for sale now after hitting some health issue that landed me in the hospital. Bills need to be paid, so unfortunately they have to go. If you or another audiophile wants a screaming deal on some speaker, drop me a line.
Ah, MacInTosh amps. I’ve heard the 275 before through the Stax SR-009 and SR-L300. Both sounded amazing through it, the 009’s treble was very, very sweet.
Oh it's not quite as fancy as a 275. It's just an old MC series. It's at least 20 years old now. Still sounds great though.
Ah. Funny thing about how I got to experiece the 275.
Apparently my associate managed to get his dad to plop 3-4k onto the table to buy it. I was near the usual hang-out (which is an audio cafe) at that time when he called me up and asked if I could move something to the cafe.
So I waited in-front of the mall for him and minutes later, he showed up his dad in a Mercedes Benz with the amp in the trunk. Fun-fact, it was raining that time so we had to use my umbrella (since I was the only one who showed up with one) to protect it while we drenched ourselves.
We placed it on-top of a trolley and we pushed it into a store to get it fixed since some of the tubes were dead. I think the damage was around $200.
So we then finally pushed it into the store, hooked it up to a Woozy as pre-amp and his Onkyo DPX1 as the source.
We hooked up the headphones, he played some Tibetan Monastrey music and we basically grabbed one of the cans and listened, switching every 10s so we were just handing each other the cans back and forth, without any sort of verbal cue.
I was into DIY head-fi for a while, does that count?
I have:
ATH-M50s fed from a SOHA (the original one from long, long ago...) with a fancy stepped attenuator and the buffer stage replaced by a JISBOS, fed by an AlienDAC; I use this setup for playing video games mainly, lol. Also Skype. :/
On the other computer, I have a BantamDAC feeding a Pimeta with LMH6321s and AD806n opamps, which sometimes drives various headphones or sometimes drives a small pair of bookshelf speakers.
I also have a couple other DACs I built, and at least four other headphone amps, including another Pimeta, a Mini^3, and another tube amp that used 6DJ8s. Well, and two or three CMoy-esque things I built on breadboard, and a homebrew variant of the Pimeta with a high-power discrete diamond buffer output stage... and probably a few other things I'm forgetting...
Nice to see someone who isn’t afraid to get their hands dirty here.
Question, are you interested in building cables in the near future?
No, cables have never really been my thing. Sorry. I've made a few over the years, just enough to learn I'm terrible at it and don't enjoy it, lol.
I know it iusnt much but she does me well, have had her over a year now: shure 150s. God damned best earbdus I've ever had. I always want to dabble in this field some more, but lack of funds has prevented that from happening
Shure 150s? As in the Lav mic?
Ah, now we’ve broken into hi-fi terrirtory.
How do you find the TH-900?
I record/mix music regularly so I only have boring reference gear. But I still appreciate a quality frequency response. Most notable piece is my 18-in 20-out Focusrite interface.
Audio interface? Eh uh... I think you’re lost bud.
I'd consider a 24-bit, 192KHz device to be audiophile-grade. I didn't name my amp/speakers because they're mundane reference gear (flat frequency response, not hi-fi).
I got a Marantz 2220B I still need to setup for my turntable, though. Does that count?
Uh. I’ll get back to you on that.
Not an audiophile really, but I have a set of speakers that do everything I need them to do and continue to really impress me, even compared to much higher-end setups I've experienced. Back in 2009 I read a review of a set of speakers that intrigued me because I had just moved into my new house, and during the move I'd given away my old 15" woofer-bearing Pioneer stereo speakers–the kind that came with older all-in-one receiver/turntable combos, except huge. I checked out the retailer's site later in the year and they were having what seemed to be a clearance sale. I got the speakers from the review (tSc TST2), a 12" subwoofer, and a gigantic center speaker for just over $500 shipped. It turned out they were out of business shortly thereafter.
No fancy amps or anything, just an old Onkyo receiver circa 2007. Monoprice headphone amp as input and DAC from my laptop. My music collection is mostly FLAC, with some mp3 for rare stuff.
Speakers? Hot damn. Another Hi-Fi enthusiast.
Well, I did recently buy the Sony WH-1000XM2 for their noise cancellation. And I've been wanting to test how they're different from my usual $20 headphones but I don't really know where to start.
Any advice? (preferably not involving subscription services).
Define advice? Track choice?
Ideally you’d want something with great dynamic range (the lows are low and the highs are high) and well mastered but go with whatever you listen to most. Oh and listen to more than one song, you can’t judge bass based on a Woodwind track you know.
If you listen to music with earbuds that you want to feel, then the Sony XB90EX is perfect. I bought them from Japan years ago before they became popular and they have held up perfectly. Need to drive them with something when you're on the go, but amps aren't too expensive these days.
Ah. The XB90EX, I’ve heard of it but never heard it. How is it?
Amazing. Probably dangerous for for eardrums, but it just defies imagination as to the bass it can produce. Mind you it sounds good beyond bass due to the design of the driver and tunnel.
I’m a bit of an audiophile. I don’t believe in magic cables or anything, but I do have some decent equipment.
Headphones: Sennheiser HD6XX. I bought these last year and really love how they sound a lot like speakers around my head.
IEMs: Etymotic ER4XR. These are far and beyond the most flawlessly transparent headphones I’ve ever heard. It reproduces the music very accurately. Some people may hate that but I love it.
Hi-Fi: Polk Audio SDA2, Polk Audio Monitor 7, Polk Monitor 10 (well... I guess I have a type...) with a Marantz 4270 quad receiver.
But unfortunately I don’t live in a home where I can use any of those right now, because I live in a small apartment. So, I’ve switched to modern consumer speakers... I have some Sonos speakers throughout my home and stereo Homepods in my bedroom. They’re pricy, but I’m very happy with them! The Etys are my commuting speakers and the Senns mostly don’t get used anymore.
Finally! I see the so called “ear-dildos” though I’d one-up that with Stereo Pravda’s IEMs line-up.
Haha holy shit, you are not exaggerating. Those are... quite some canal-fillers. I just read about them and, wow, 7 balanced armature drivers per channel is pretty intense. So is the price. I wonder how they sound...
I would say that I would get into the audiophile world very easily if I wasn't so frugal/poor.
Earbuds: Sennheiser CX-300B Honestly, the sound quality from these has been astounding, especially considering their price point.
Headphones: Off the top of my head, I don't remember exactly, but they're an older version, slightly lesser quality than ATH-A990z. I remember getting them on sale for $110 probably 8 years ago. They sound amazing, but they can get really uncomfortable on my head after listening for more than an hour and a half or so.
Hey, no worries. Everyone’s gotta start somewhere.
Headphones: Philips Fidelio X2
I've had these for about 2.5 years now. I got lucky and got the batch with removable earpads. It took me a year before I was able to listen to them without crossfeed, but I love them now.
Speakers: Dynaudio Emit M20
Amplifier: Yamaha A-S701
These are a recent addition. The speakers sound incredible but the size of my room doesn't do them proper justice. Before I got the Yamaha I had an AudioQuest Dragonfly v1.2 to drive my headphones.
Cassette Deck: Technics RS-BX606
Wanted to get a tapedeck for the nostalgia. I used to listen to tapes on a portable cassette player when I was younger and I was surprised to find that my old tapes sounded much better than I don't remember.
How do you like the X2? Also, Cassette Deck? Damn, we’re going Retro huh? Only thing in modern times right now that resembles a Deck’s this and that’s just a cover.
I was wondering when the SE215’s will show up. What’s your impression of it?
Ah. Unfortunately, I don’t share the same impressions as you.
I find the bass to be terribly muddy, the mids to be boring (especially the upper-mids) and the treble. Oh, I found it to be completely gone. Poof, just like that.
Well, if I’ll give it a point, they are one of the most comfortable earphones I’ve worn, shame that I find their sound completely actrocious.
At least it is barely coherent unlike the
315535 where it’s Indian traffic personified into a sound sig.May I recommend the VSonic GR07cs? In my opinion, it is what the SE215 wanted to be - decent bass response, energetic upper-mids, bright treble but not to the point of shrill.
I wouldn't consider myself an audiophile per se, but I have an appreciation for good sound. My PC gaming setup is:
I bought all this for when I was huge into Counter-Strike. It did not make me better, heh.
880s? That’s uncommon, usually people would go either give or take 110. How do you find it?
I bought them because they were apparently the reference neutral between the bass-heavy 990s and the airy 770s (I might have those reversed). Love 'em! They're replacing some old Sennheiser HD280's and the overall sound is much better. They're semi-open so they have a bigger soundstage but can still pack a kick with the bass. I like adding a little bit of bass to them through my Omni's EQ and it feels just right.
I feel like I can hear everything through these, from some real jazzy music where I can hear all the instruments to some pounding battlefield noises in, well, Battlefield.
My maggies or my life! Rocking a Schitt + Magnepan setup at my house, I listen to mostly indie folk and it's been incredible. Tight, responsive, and just gosh danged beautiful to look at.
Floorstand speakers? That’s new.
Yeah, I am fortunate enough to have neighbors that don't mind when I crank it up (I blew my amp once playing Cymbals Eat Guitars, it's in an unfortunately small area with not-much ventilation)
I use some older AKG Q701s driven by a Fiio E17, with the source being an iPod Mini into which I shoved a 128GB SD card. My setup is a little peculiar since I do a lot of listening at night, whether indoors or outdoors, so I ended up with the iPod because, after coating the screen with Rubylith film, it's awesome for using in the dark without causing a lot of eye strain. The AKGs sound great with the music I listen to (a lot of folky stuff, or similar), but I'd love to get my hands on a set of HD650s and the little Schiit dac/tube amp combo.
The particular downside of that iPod is that streaming is obviously not an option, so for that I tend to just use my phone and WH1000XM2s.
iPod Mini? First gen?
It's the second-generation one, since that added the ability to play lossless audio (well, ALAC only, but that's status quo for the Apple ecosystem and transcoding's no biggie).