Hello everyone.
My names Ryan, I found this forum through browsing the internet and was happy to see a sound section.
Quick background about myself. I'm originally a long term gamer who fell in love with audio quite a few years back. My journey started wit basically trying headphones that people consider "flavour of the month" and since then I've learnt that this hobby is not only stressful but extremely expensive!
I've spent time, money and sweat searching for the perfect sound for me and something I can enjoy without looking for my next upgrade.
Now what's the purpose of this guide? well it's to help anyone who's heading into this boat and setting off on their audio journey. My goal is to make this less stressful and easy to understand.
Here's some terms you will find I'll use.
Lush /Thick = Fullness to the sound
Grainy = Dry Sharpness to the sound
Treble = High frequencies
Mids = Most of the music is in the midrange!
Low's = Bass!
Dark = Lower frequencies higher then the rest.
Liquid= Smooth, Not much texture it's just flows!
Thin = Opposite to thick not much weight.
Bright = Extended treble, s usually sharp, harsh.
Soundstage = Perception of depth and width i.e do the headphones create a sound like an open space? If so they have a decent soundstage.
Efficiency = What it takes to drive, I.e do they require an amp to run or not.
Let's get started!
Right so you've got yourself some funds to burn and you want good sound! where do you start.
Now the obvious is forums, you can learn a lot on there but it also can be risky. One thing you must always remember is our ears and sound preferences are different. Just because someone recommends one thing doesn't mean you will like it.
What I usually recommend is not thinking about a budget just yet. Instead go out and demo absolutely everything you can. When demoing try to see if the store will let you sit in a quiet place, some high end Hifi stores will let you do this. If not then spend as much time as possible just listening.
Now the things you want to look out for is finding a sound that is right for you.
For example I like a dark, liquid sound that has beautiful mids! powerful bass, relaxed treble and a nice soundstage.
It took me 4 years to find out this was my ideal sound! and lot's of cash later!
There could be two headphones that have the same sound signature but could have differences like a bright treble, grain while the other could be smooth and more relaxed.
Don't rush into this otherwise you could find yourself in the same situation as many selling and buying all different headphones. It's so common to buy a headphone then hear another then decide you prefer that one.
Once you've put in time to find your preferred sound now look at your budget. If you have only a certain amount then start listening for your type of sound in lower cost headphones. What I would do differently is pick a preferred headphone no matter the cost and just save up for that one! then depending on the efficiency work on what you will use to drive it.
It's a common thing in the audio community for new buyers to say I want a good cheap headphone and someone recommends one straight away. It's just not that simple!
If someone comes to me and says right, I want an open or closed headphone that doesn't hurt my ears and has strong bass, comfortable that does vocals well under £350.
I can then say try
Sennheiser HD650
Sony MA900
Mrspeakers Mad Dog
Audio Technica A900X
Shure SRH840
they could try them and not like them because their ears are unique to them. All I can do is ask why not, what didn't you like and then advise other headphones or up the budget with saving and try something else! it would be a case of them searching for it.
For some of you, sound might not be as important as it was to me and many others! In that case it could be the case of buying what looks to you and you may not care or listen for the different dynamics and flavours etc.
Again the purpose of the guide is to help potential audiophiles/enthusiast in how to either save money or stress buying and selling to get that sound.
I started out as a basshead. I then had appreciation for gorgeous mids
and a wide soundstage. Now I love an intimate sound that sounds lovely and haunting and lifelike.
If you are looking for something like say a pit stop to an end game headphone. I can list some safe bets that a lot of people and myself usually like.
Shure SRH840 - £135
Shure being a microphone maker know vocals very well. The result was headphones that had gorgeous mids that sounded fantastic! This headphone has that but also has a bump in the bass area to make music more fun but at the same time detailed. This is a very safe headphone to buy because it has quite a universal type of sound.
ATHM50 - £100
Although a dated headphone. It has a very likeable sund signature and is an entry level headphone that can teach you a lot about what to expect moving on. It's lively, a bit bright but it sounds musical with powerful bass. It's also super durable!
Brainwavz HM5 - £75
Super comfy, detailed, balanced with great bass potential! it has a good soundstage also which is a bonus for you gamers on a budget.
Skull Candy Aviator - £60
Since the design team changed. Skullcandy really has upped their game creating some excellent headphones. Sadly reputation stick around and not many give them a 2nd look. I have given them a chance and found an excellent bargain. Vocals are beautiful, warm and quite airy. Not the best build but not awful either.
I'll leave it here because this is mostly your journey! I hope you have found this helpful! you do not have to take this route this is just something I've learnt on the way. I'm a big headphone enthusiast that try's and buy headphones as a hobby to learn as much as I can. My goal is to be a headphone/audio advisor so learning is important!
Good luck! I also want some of you to chip in aswell about your experience if you have the time to help potential buyers!
Peace!
My names Ryan, I found this forum through browsing the internet and was happy to see a sound section.
Quick background about myself. I'm originally a long term gamer who fell in love with audio quite a few years back. My journey started wit basically trying headphones that people consider "flavour of the month" and since then I've learnt that this hobby is not only stressful but extremely expensive!
I've spent time, money and sweat searching for the perfect sound for me and something I can enjoy without looking for my next upgrade.
Now what's the purpose of this guide? well it's to help anyone who's heading into this boat and setting off on their audio journey. My goal is to make this less stressful and easy to understand.
Here's some terms you will find I'll use.
Lush /Thick = Fullness to the sound
Grainy = Dry Sharpness to the sound
Treble = High frequencies
Mids = Most of the music is in the midrange!
Low's = Bass!
Dark = Lower frequencies higher then the rest.
Liquid= Smooth, Not much texture it's just flows!
Thin = Opposite to thick not much weight.
Bright = Extended treble, s usually sharp, harsh.
Soundstage = Perception of depth and width i.e do the headphones create a sound like an open space? If so they have a decent soundstage.
Efficiency = What it takes to drive, I.e do they require an amp to run or not.
Let's get started!
Right so you've got yourself some funds to burn and you want good sound! where do you start.
Now the obvious is forums, you can learn a lot on there but it also can be risky. One thing you must always remember is our ears and sound preferences are different. Just because someone recommends one thing doesn't mean you will like it.
What I usually recommend is not thinking about a budget just yet. Instead go out and demo absolutely everything you can. When demoing try to see if the store will let you sit in a quiet place, some high end Hifi stores will let you do this. If not then spend as much time as possible just listening.
Now the things you want to look out for is finding a sound that is right for you.
For example I like a dark, liquid sound that has beautiful mids! powerful bass, relaxed treble and a nice soundstage.
It took me 4 years to find out this was my ideal sound! and lot's of cash later!
There could be two headphones that have the same sound signature but could have differences like a bright treble, grain while the other could be smooth and more relaxed.
Don't rush into this otherwise you could find yourself in the same situation as many selling and buying all different headphones. It's so common to buy a headphone then hear another then decide you prefer that one.
Once you've put in time to find your preferred sound now look at your budget. If you have only a certain amount then start listening for your type of sound in lower cost headphones. What I would do differently is pick a preferred headphone no matter the cost and just save up for that one! then depending on the efficiency work on what you will use to drive it.
It's a common thing in the audio community for new buyers to say I want a good cheap headphone and someone recommends one straight away. It's just not that simple!
If someone comes to me and says right, I want an open or closed headphone that doesn't hurt my ears and has strong bass, comfortable that does vocals well under £350.
I can then say try
Sennheiser HD650
Sony MA900
Mrspeakers Mad Dog
Audio Technica A900X
Shure SRH840
they could try them and not like them because their ears are unique to them. All I can do is ask why not, what didn't you like and then advise other headphones or up the budget with saving and try something else! it would be a case of them searching for it.
For some of you, sound might not be as important as it was to me and many others! In that case it could be the case of buying what looks to you and you may not care or listen for the different dynamics and flavours etc.
Again the purpose of the guide is to help potential audiophiles/enthusiast in how to either save money or stress buying and selling to get that sound.
I started out as a basshead. I then had appreciation for gorgeous mids
and a wide soundstage. Now I love an intimate sound that sounds lovely and haunting and lifelike.
If you are looking for something like say a pit stop to an end game headphone. I can list some safe bets that a lot of people and myself usually like.
Shure SRH840 - £135
Shure being a microphone maker know vocals very well. The result was headphones that had gorgeous mids that sounded fantastic! This headphone has that but also has a bump in the bass area to make music more fun but at the same time detailed. This is a very safe headphone to buy because it has quite a universal type of sound.
ATHM50 - £100
Although a dated headphone. It has a very likeable sund signature and is an entry level headphone that can teach you a lot about what to expect moving on. It's lively, a bit bright but it sounds musical with powerful bass. It's also super durable!
Brainwavz HM5 - £75
Super comfy, detailed, balanced with great bass potential! it has a good soundstage also which is a bonus for you gamers on a budget.
Skull Candy Aviator - £60
Since the design team changed. Skullcandy really has upped their game creating some excellent headphones. Sadly reputation stick around and not many give them a 2nd look. I have given them a chance and found an excellent bargain. Vocals are beautiful, warm and quite airy. Not the best build but not awful either.
I'll leave it here because this is mostly your journey! I hope you have found this helpful! you do not have to take this route this is just something I've learnt on the way. I'm a big headphone enthusiast that try's and buy headphones as a hobby to learn as much as I can. My goal is to be a headphone/audio advisor so learning is important!
Good luck! I also want some of you to chip in aswell about your experience if you have the time to help potential buyers!
Peace!