General Headphone Audio
- Thread starter garyfl
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Straight from the headphone show mouth, most headphones, just listen to them instead of paying too much attention to measurements because there is a good chance what the measurements show will not be what a human head hears as explained in the MDR MV1 take in the below vid from a few days ago. He also points out that he has seen people online disregard a headphones solely from measurements that show potentially unwanted dips etc without ever even listening to them first.
And that is why I've always said to be aware of measurements to a degree, but your ears should be the ultimate judge, not a graph.
And that is why I've always said to be aware of measurements to a degree, but your ears should be the ultimate judge, not a graph.
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It looks like I'm on the lookout for another pair of cans.
The FiiO FT1 headphones have been excellent in terms of comfort and performance, though not so much for general build quality.
The cable that comes with it is very poor, though, as suggested, I did pick up a very good replacement on AliExpress.
Unfortunately, the right ear pad keeps coming off, so it's time to start looking once again!
Shame, as I only bought them in September.
The FiiO FT1 headphones have been excellent in terms of comfort and performance, though not so much for general build quality.
The cable that comes with it is very poor, though, as suggested, I did pick up a very good replacement on AliExpress.
Unfortunately, the right ear pad keeps coming off, so it's time to start looking once again!
Shame, as I only bought them in September.
That sucks. Remember you ordering these and the cable having to be replaced. So you mean the earpad just keeps coming loose, or something more structural? From the reviews it looks like the pads just slide into the slots, rather than magnets, or clips.
The FT1 is THE recommended closed-back below a certain amount so durability issues isn't great news.
It took me a long-time to comprehend measurement graphs and understand them although I think they are much more in use with Youtube reviewers than we used 15 years ago (although for a long-time I didn't care, I'm not an audiophile, but gamer first). It wasn't until finally trying the HD 650 that I started to work out what sound signature I actually liked. And other headphones like the K702 that don't measure as well, but in use I like. So I think both are true and for sure a FR can flag, or confirm the performance of a headphone, i.e. why the PC38X is so good for gaming - it FR is nearly spot-on.
I do wonder about this video, like conceptually it's a good idea. However you need much more research to grade 'under/over rated'. Here they are talking about a very well reviewed £350 open-back headphone from a long-standing audio company which is known for its good headphones. That sort of doesn't really match the criteria the video tries to define. I wonder if a more apt title for the video might be 'my favourite headphones'. I also would debate he's explanation of the review cycle, particularly having seen that very show wax lyrical about a headphone at release, but then years later be more honest with their opinions (cough...HD 560S). But then I am of the opinion The Headphone Show is missing DMS badly. I like Resolve, but not really bothered about the other two (GS and Listener). I think I've said this before so it's probably getting boring.
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I want a par of close back for the office too (don’t want to carry my Bokeh back and forth nor want to leave it there), tempted by the Fiio but the build quality is what puts me off.
It also needs to be comfortable, I tried using my XS last week but after about an hour I go back to my cheap apple in ear white, wired IEM because they don’t weigh anything and it’s comfortable.
It also needs to be comfortable, I tried using my XS last week but after about an hour I go back to my cheap apple in ear white, wired IEM because they don’t weigh anything and it’s comfortable.
I think the AKG K371 have this issue too. I did buy the K361 soon after launch and whilst it was solid headphone for the money (albeit too lean; something I think the 371 might remedy) the build quality wasn't the best. The headband was coming away at the top and the earpads ripped within 3 years (light use, not a daily). The did fold-up well though and I wouldn't mind something like that that folds up and is solid as a closed-back over ear. I think the Audio-Technica M40/50X are probably one of the other few examples out there.
You have all the various Beyer closed-back models but they aren't very portable.
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To be fair, aside from the cable that came with it, overall, I've been very impressed with them.
I'm no audiophile, but they are the best I've used, though, of course, this is a very subjective type of experience.
And I should add that any headphones I buy are put under as heavy use, as aside from wearing them almost constantly while at my desk,
I also sleep with them on. So, I can understand why the right pad has come off; unfortunately, I can't seem to get it back on. :/ Edit: I have!
If it's of any use, I once had the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x and while not the most comfortable I've worn out of the few units I've purchased,
they were still decent in that regard. They were certainly the most durable ones I've used by far, though.
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I gave up on my ambition of finding a good wireless headset w. microphone and just ordered what I had from before, which is still in sale and is I guess the most sold headset on Amazon:
Logitech H390 (w. mute button, volume control, and has a microphone ofc)
I ordered a new one, because the one I have has been dropped to the floor more than once and it is just a question of time before something snaps and breaks.
A really comfy headset with good audio and microphone afaik, but will fall off your head if you try to pick up something from the floor, tilting your heard forwards.
Logitech H390 (w. mute button, volume control, and has a microphone ofc)
I ordered a new one, because the one I have has been dropped to the floor more than once and it is just a question of time before something snaps and breaks.
A really comfy headset with good audio and microphone afaik, but will fall off your head if you try to pick up something from the floor, tilting your heard forwards.
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Which ones did you try? Got no complaints about the Audeze Maxwell outside of comfort but I can fix that.
I unfortunately threw money out the window getting a two-for-one, for these: Koss CS340BT QZ (bluetooth). An older wireless headset afaik.
I gave up troubleshooting it, and don't get me started. Whenever microphone is set to be used, sound is seriously degraded. Useless for gaming. Windows sound settings for this headset is also bizarre imo.
Works ok for youtube, but headset (on ear) is not comfortable.
I am so used to things just working I had no idea what I was getting into.
Already had a Sony wireless headset (bluetooth), though no microphone.
I gave up troubleshooting it, and don't get me started. Whenever microphone is set to be used, sound is seriously degraded. Useless for gaming. Windows sound settings for this headset is also bizarre imo.
Works ok for youtube, but headset (on ear) is not comfortable.
I am so used to things just working I had no idea what I was getting into.
Already had a Sony wireless headset (bluetooth), though no microphone.
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Caporegime
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I do have a pair of Epos PC38x that I’m not really using, I could use that in the office but the cord is too damn short to reach around the back of the M1 Mac mini at work to really use it unless I get a TRRS extension lead. But they are open, that means I can’t turn up the music
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In a blind test, audiophiles couldn't tell the difference between audio signals sent through copper wire, a banana, or wet mud — 'The mud should sound perfectly awful, but it doesn't,' notes the experiment creator
Who knew listening to a banana sounded so good?
I will just leave that here, and go get a bucket of mud.
You do get the 3m split cable for PC use with the PC38X too. But that would need an adapter to turn back into a one 3.5mm connection. That said as much as I love the PC38X for gaming I don't think it's the best choice for music in the office.
You'll also get comments about the mic and looking like Boba Fett.
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This just popped up on my feed. These are trhe kind of behind the scene video I am looking for from a manufacturer.
It is possible, though I have read comments from some owners who have said the sound is very different to the established hifiman signature and because of that it does feel a bit odd.
Given the price I am tempted ot buy one to see for myself and return it to Amazon, seems a waste of eco-resources doing this, but it's the only way I guess since no stores have any to demo.
Given the price I am tempted ot buy one to see for myself and return it to Amazon, seems a waste of eco-resources doing this, but it's the only way I guess since no stores have any to demo.
Yeah, I mean he could be spot on and having a google there are some other measurements that sort of align with his. It's just he's the first person I've seen to comment on it and describe the wobbly treble response and how it sounds off.