Yeah I've got it all up and running and I'd say it's loud enough but could go louder, just want to make sure I'm not missing out on getting more out of these if there is a margin to improve in a £300-400 price range of equipment.
what headphones do you own thread - i own dt150's :)
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Everyone will have a different opinion since its audio but I think as long as you can get it loud enough and you can feel the bass slam on them without it clipping those frequencies, then you wont get much difference. Personal choice though if you want to spend the money to try anyway and decide for yourself.
It could very well be! I've never tried planar headphones.
Current ownerships are : SHP9500, Fidelio X2 HR, Beyer T1 Gen2, DT990, Tygr 300R, AKG K702, Senn 58X, Senn HD560s. Didn't realise I owned that many to be honest...
Powered by Schiit Asguard 3 and a modius.
Some historical similarities there for sure, seems like your taste may align similar to the direction mine went.
I bought (not in order):
Technics RP-F200
Sony MDR-C580/C380
Sennheiser HD555
Sennheiser HD595
Sennheiser HD650
Sennheiser HD660 S2
AKG Q701
AKG K7XX
Philips Fidelio X1
Philips Fidelio X2
Grado SR60
Grado-SR80
Koss Porta Pro
Hifiman Ananda Nano
Hifiman Sundara
Hifiman Arya Stealth
Hifiman HE1000se
Maybe a couple more that i forgot about.
Along with a similar range of integrated amps until the last 2 years when dedicated DAC/amp setup stack came into the picture.
Apart from the SHP9500 and T1 Gen 2 I've owned the others. Still have the TYGR 300R and 58X.
Two years ago I really tried to embrace the less is more and sold everything apart from the PC38X and 650. And then before you know you start picking up more headphones. Although some of that is catch-22 in that you kinda need to experience different models to work out what you like.
One of the things that's occurred to me in the recent heatwaves is that I don't like wearing headphones when it gets too hot. And I've been reading up about these two. The Porta Pros with Yaxi pads aren't particularly expensive and might potentially be a nice cheap solution for when I can't be bothered with full size headphones. But then I started to read about Grado's. Seems to be loads of polarising opinions about these. Obviously weight more than the Porta Pros, but arguably better build. It is intriguing how some people talk about their width and how 'speaker'-like they can sound.
I remember you didn't like the Porta Pros, but what was your opinion on the Grado SR60/80, if you don't mind me asking?
Caporegime
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Koss Porta Pro - This comes up everytime and everywhere I go to for people getting into headphones. Every single time I go and google it, thinking I must have got it wrong last time and every single time i am reminded of it is something from the 70's and looking a bit silly these days.
I had some Sennheiser 495 from years ago, on ear pads like the Porta Pro, with a foam pad just like it. Cost me £50 in 2000 and at the time to me was a lot of money. I regret buying it and didn't like the sound. I stuck it at the bottom of my drawer and about 5 years ago I found it again, all the foam had deteriated and instead of replacving the foam, I just threw it out because I didn't want to even see it again.
As for the Grado, they always get lots of rave reviews on HeadFi, but again, seen them in real life and I look at it and think....these do not look like they worth the money.
I guess I am not a fan of on ear pads headphones that are small.
I had some Sennheiser 495 from years ago, on ear pads like the Porta Pro, with a foam pad just like it. Cost me £50 in 2000 and at the time to me was a lot of money. I regret buying it and didn't like the sound. I stuck it at the bottom of my drawer and about 5 years ago I found it again, all the foam had deteriated and instead of replacving the foam, I just threw it out because I didn't want to even see it again.
As for the Grado, they always get lots of rave reviews on HeadFi, but again, seen them in real life and I look at it and think....these do not look like they worth the money.
I guess I am not a fan of on ear pads headphones that are small.
Yea it's been a long time since I've had on-ear headphones. Sennheiser PX200-II were the last pair I can remember owning. I kind of wish I still had them to try. This is where liking IEMs would be simpler; much easier to handle in the heat.
I think both the Koss and Grado appeal to modders, but that's not what I'd be buying them for. That said I think the Grados would be more about trying for their house sound.
So my headphone journey has been relatvely small. Had cheapo stuff all the way up to getting my first real job. From those funds, bought a top of the line PC (Pentium 3!), and eventually got into hifi in 2002. Started with some B&W 602 S3, A Rotel RA-02 amp (the same one mrk had) and a NAD cd player. The CD player was replaced with an Arcam DVD/CD player, as it had a great DAC in it. Eventually decided I needed some mobile headphones, so got some Shure E2C. I didn't really like them, they were a little bright, and painful to have in for a couple of hours. Gave them to my brother, who bought me some AKG over ear, which I thought were wonderful. Used those for a long time, probably still have them in a box somewhere. Used some Cambridge Audio pc speakers, until 3 months ago, and various budget versions of headphones... wanna say cloud hyper x? something like that anyway. Then got some of the Sennheiser earlier versions of the PC38x, stereo headphones with a mic. And had them until the mic died. Now it gets intereting. I'd moved to ireland and upped my salary in doing so, so went and bought an original Mojo and some Beyer Amiron Homes. Had them all the way up to recently as my everyday setup (with a small upgrade to the Mojo 2), until recently, when I redid everything. So, now have an X9 and some DCA Noire XOs.
So that's:
Lots of cheapo stuff
Shure E2C
AKG... something. earlier versions of the K451 or K450
Cheapo surround sound gaming Headphone
Sennheiser Gaming headset, not sure model number
Beyer Amiron Home (still have them, my modmic is attached to them)
DCA Noire XO
Have some Truhear Pure arriving next week, so will see if my original issues with iems, has been fixed. Only really need them to take out on walks though.
I'm also going to try and be good. and not buy any more though. I may not make it.
So that's:
Lots of cheapo stuff
Shure E2C
AKG... something. earlier versions of the K451 or K450
Cheapo surround sound gaming Headphone
Sennheiser Gaming headset, not sure model number
Beyer Amiron Home (still have them, my modmic is attached to them)
DCA Noire XO
Have some Truhear Pure arriving next week, so will see if my original issues with iems, has been fixed. Only really need them to take out on walks though.
I'm also going to try and be good. and not buy any more though. I may not make it.
I've found myself keeping the headphones on my desk more often lately, often opting to listen for hours then switch to the speakers, not because of fatigue or anything, just a general appreciation for changing things around mid-session. I think it helps that my speakers are low volume detailed bass capable so retains the dynamics that I hear with headphones on without disturbing anyone else but I can still enjoy some airflow around my ears in these muggy nights.
The Grados were interesting, amazing sound, my first experience with proper open and wide sounding headphones that escaped sound out the back making them reasonable small speakers in the room at the same time. The issue I had again was the awkward cable which was fixed and the headband clamp and the earpads being uncomfy for long sessions.
Leather pads in hot weather would be an issue yeah, even the soft supple LCD-5 can be an experience during humid conditions. I find the velour contact of the memory foam pads on the Hifimans (or if you have Dekoni hybrids on whatever cans) to be much better for this though so have had no issue with any of the Hifimans I've had the Voarmaks pads on. Velour is also much simpler to keep clean with antibac wipes whereas I use dedicated leather cleaning wipes on the LCD-5.
Though have been listening to the LCD-5 less often now, only putting them on to see what a new track sounds like, then flip over to the HE1000se and realise that it's just a more musical experience so more enjoyable, especially that detail retrieval.
Speaking of which, someone commented on one of my reviews after their HE1000se turned up saying:
Meanwhile, another person transitioned to planar having had HD6XX and they had this to say:
Oh I like the Porta Pros, great sound given the size and been in production since the 80s, so clearly doing something right and they have lifetime warranty, just they sit on your ears rather than around, so they'd only get limited use for me. An ingenious headband system made them very comfy as well which was cool, but ultimately I had the HD650 at the same time so the Koss got very little use after the initial period. I later bought my brother a pair for his birthday and he ended up breaking them with his big head, never again.
The Grados were interesting, amazing sound, my first experience with proper open and wide sounding headphones that escaped sound out the back making them reasonable small speakers in the room at the same time. The issue I had again was the awkward cable which was fixed and the headband clamp and the earpads being uncomfy for long sessions.
Leather pads in hot weather would be an issue yeah, even the soft supple LCD-5 can be an experience during humid conditions. I find the velour contact of the memory foam pads on the Hifimans (or if you have Dekoni hybrids on whatever cans) to be much better for this though so have had no issue with any of the Hifimans I've had the Voarmaks pads on. Velour is also much simpler to keep clean with antibac wipes whereas I use dedicated leather cleaning wipes on the LCD-5.
Though have been listening to the LCD-5 less often now, only putting them on to see what a new track sounds like, then flip over to the HE1000se and realise that it's just a more musical experience so more enjoyable, especially that detail retrieval.
Speaking of which, someone commented on one of my reviews after their HE1000se turned up saying:
So yeah it is kind of special for sure!
Meanwhile, another person transitioned to planar having had HD6XX and they had this to say:
Said it before, but it would be impossible to go back to dynamics after these sorts of planars, there just isn't any comparison for the fullness and depth of sound possible with planars. Edit* Just to add that there are obviously more neutral/transparent or whatever headphones out there, but they don't matter to me as they don't make music naturally "musical" to my ears, I want my ears to be tickled and and my mind float away into the distance where music is playing, clinical/neutral/analytical doesn't provide that feeling for me. The LCD-5 may well be frequency mid-range monsters in neutrality, but even with EQ they don't do the same level tickling.
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Thank you - useful to read. Tbh there is probably a case for trying both at some point, although again not really a 'less is more' approach.
I think for me there a threshold for temperature similar to weight. I tried using the HD 6XX last night and even those stock Sennheiser pads weren't nice to wear (and noticed that even one of my new 3M connected Custom Cans copper weight mods had become loose again - so had to redo one of them again lol). Although the house has been hitting 28/29 degrees where the thermostat is and that has put me off using any tech all week. The earpads that worked best were the Wicked Cushion gel cooling ones on the Epos H6pro (although I only really use this headphone for calls now).
I've been in conversations with someone on eBay about a marble top 600, although I'm leaning more towards just getting a new pair. So I don't think it's going to be long until I purchase something. But having a lighter pair is always going to be useful for situations where I'm on the Steam Deck, or Switches etc.
To be honest, a lot of my purchases were for gaming. Now I don't game so much and enjoying just sitting with a beer when everyone is in bed listening to music after a long week.
I love the T1 gen2. I got them as new for £300 on another forum. Apparently 95% of the HD800/s.
Oh and I'm really loving the XM4 wireless headset that I just bought. Such a comfy set of cans.
I love the T1 gen2. I got them as new for £300 on another forum. Apparently 95% of the HD800/s.
Oh and I'm really loving the XM4 wireless headset that I just bought. Such a comfy set of cans.
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Cartoon children box arrival day.
Only had a quick listen so far, as I got some work to do today from home. Sound pretty good, mostly neutral - maybe slight v shape. Healthy base, nice mids. maybe slightly forward in the highs, but with not as much detail as my other (and also way more expensive) headphones. Will try different tips, as I uinderstand they can have an effect on the highs.
VERY listenable to, will do great for on the go, when I don't want to take my actual headphones outside.
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Caporegime
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fell asleep listening to Gracie Abrams wearing the i5 last night on the sofa at 10:30, woke up like 3hrs later lol
Caporegime
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Start with Chu2, its only £20 and has USB-C version. Even a metal enclosure.
I don't like it though, because of the V-shape but others love it.
Thanks, I just checked it on Amazon and had 2 mins left for same day delivery today so just bit the bullet, worth a punt for that price.