Sennheiser HD555 vs Speedlink Medusa NX 5.1 (Uriel HELP!)

Uriel said:
The Medusas are partially open aren't they? The DR150s don't leak much more than my Medusas.
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Hmm I was wondering that. My Medusas do have vent-looks on the outside of the earcups, and they don't really block out much outside noise... I guess they're open then? :O

I thnk I'll go for the DR150's then... and use my Medusas when I need to talk on Skype or something.
 
The only problem with the NS100 is their impedance of 300ohms when a lot of other quality headphones are only 30 to 60.

This will cause problems unless you have a headphone amplifier or a soundcard with one built it.

At best you won't get the best sound out of them and other headphones, albeit lesser quality, would send better.

At worst, you'll hate them.

Anybody on here running them straight from a xonar d2x?
 
Oh oh oh... on second thoughts... I just saw this post (from another site)

Referring to the Goldring NS1000's
After putting a few hundred hours more on these things, I'm absolutely astounded by them. They just keep getting better and better as I put more time on them. Great throughout the frequency range. They're one of the few headphones I've heard that can render convincingly distant bass in the soundstage. Treble in active mode is rather 'hot' though. It needs quite a warm amp to tame it a little.

Superb for Dolby Headphone use with the SU-DH1 (which drives them very well). Add Auzentech Prelude to the list of sources that doesn't produce enough juice in passive mode though.

Having had them both a while, I now rate them higher than the Goldring DR150s (I know -Open vs closed and all that). There's a clear step up in detail and better note decay.

Their only real flaw is that hiss with noise reduction on. Easily avoided if you use an adequate amp in passive mode and they make a fantastic set of standard closed headphones for the money.
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This guy rates them higher than the DR150 after some hours of use... and they're also noise cancelling which suits me. Hmm... I think the pendulum is swinging to the NS1000 side now...
 
Head Fi? ear8dmg?

That would be me, so the advice here and there only counts for half ;)

Edit: On impedance - they're 300 ohm in noise cancelling mode - which also uses the battery powered built-in amp. They're actually very easily driven.

It's the 100 ohm, current hungry, passive mode that causes problems.
 
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No with nose reduction you still get some hiss even with an amp.

Edit: It's not bad though. I'd rather have NC hiss than the computer fan noise than it stops.
 
Will you hear the hiss with music playing?

And one last question: If someone came into your room and put a gun to your head and told you to choose between DR150 and NS1000 to save your life, which would you pick? :D
 
First question: not usually. Only in very quiet passages do you hear any hiss.

Second question: NS1000s without hesitation. I bought my NS1000s at more than double what I paid for DR150s and don't regret it at all.
 
Uriel said:
First question: not usually. Only in very quiet passages do you hear any hiss.

Second question: NS1000s without hesitation. I bought my NS1000s at more than double what I paid for DR150s and don't regret it at all.
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Because you prefer closed-cup?

And do you still reccommend a FiiO-E5 amp, or have you found something better for near the same price?
 
Uriel said:
First question: not usually. Only in very quiet passages do you hear any hiss.

Second question: NS1000s without hesitation. I bought my NS1000s at more than double what I paid for DR150s and don't regret it at all.
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I can relate to that somewhat. I connected the front case audio to my Xonar DS, plugged in my phones to have a listen, see if the quality was any worse than the rear, albeit different phones. There was a hiss, but I only heard it when the music went quiet, otherwise it couldn't be heard. Think it might be more of an issue for films, as quiet thoughtful moment in a film could be ruined by hiss!

Is the hiss a constant level of volume, or does it get louder if the volume is turned up?
 
Uriel, what are the NS1000 like on a soundcard (in particular the xonar d2x) with and without NC please (if you know?)

If you sure they will be fine driven stright from the soundcard I think I'll send back the DR150 which i only bought this morning :( And I thought I had got a bargain getting them for £41 as well!
 
I don't really prefer closed cup. The NS1000s are more detailed and I've heard stuff on them that I miss with DR150s. Synergy with Dolby Headphone is better too.

For the money, I'd recommend an e5. There are better amps out there but you have to pay more. Have heard several more expensive amps that don't sound as good with the NS1000s. As I said they're current hungry in passive mode and it seems to supply the juice they need.

Edit: With both a Xonar D2 and Auzentech X-Fi Prelude the NS1000s are uncontrolled and boomy in passive mode with recessed / veiled mids and treble. They really do need an amp for passive mode. With Noise cancelling on they're fine but there is hiss.

I'm sure you could get better closed phones than the NS1000s but you'd have to pay more. They're a flawed gem. The hiss could be a deal breaker for some.
 
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Just a thought Star, best choose quick. You will be miffed if you decide on the NS1000 and the price goes up. The free postage site has quite often in the past put the price up and down of the NS1000's looking at different forums.
 
Yes the NS1000 price has gone up and down like a YoYo.

At £50 it's a no brainer. They fetch that second hand. No way would I pay the full £150 RRP though. Would probably look at Beyerdynamic or AudioTechnica closed headphones for that price.
 
Done. Bought and on it's way. I will try them and the Dr150 to see which I like the most.

Time to perhaps buy that amp as well.
 
If I needed some closed phones, I would go with the NS1000. As Uriel said, it's a no brainer really. If one required a pricey amp to drive them in passive mode, then that could be a different story, depending if one can put up with the hiss. But as the FiiO E5 is so damn cheap, £65 for phone and amp. = :D

Edit: I need open though, as I will use them for gaming aswell as music. I don't like not being able to hear my own voice, I can't judge how loud I am talking if my ears are full of sound effects and people talking with closed phones on. Talking too loud will wake others, and I won't be popular. :p So likely I will go for the 150's

If I needed phones for just music, the NS1000 would be my choice I think.
 
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Done. Ordered NS1000's.

They bloody well better be better then my Speed Link Medusas...! I hate returning things.

@ Greebo, they come with all the leads... here, watch this-
<- Unboxing of FiiO E5. :)
 
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