Some headphones...

Kavalree

Kavalree

Kavalree

Soldato
Joined
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Posts
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Digbeth
So, I am now looking for a headset, stupid dog...

My sennhieser PC230 served me well, until the dog fancied a light snack :mad:.

No REAL budget, as in no rush, but I really don't care if it is just a headset and a separate mic, actually, which ever gives best sound.

I do like the look of the Marshall Majors, and having the Minor's sat here, it is tempting me. But what else is there?

Thanks in advanced.

Also I have an Asus Xonar D2.
 
Depends on your budget really. You will be better off buying headphones and a mic no doubt about it though.

~£55:
DR150s + Speedlink mic

~£85:
NS1000s (get from Superfi not Play!) + E5 amp + Fisual 3m extension + Speedlink mic

~£135:
DT770 + Speedlink mic

~£155:
DT770 + Speedlink mic + CMoy amp

This is just based on my experience and what I find comfortable for long periods of time, other members will no doubt have different suggestions too.
 
Auraomega said:
Depends on your budget really. You will be better off buying headphones and a mic no doubt about it though.

~£55:
DR150s + Speedlink mic

~£85:
NS1000s (get from Superfi not Play!) + E5 amp + Fisual 3m extension + Speedlink mic

~£135:
DT770 + Speedlink mic

~£155:
DT770 + Speedlink mic + CMoy amp

This is just based on my experience and what I find comfortable for long periods of time, other members will no doubt have different suggestions too.
Click to expand...

I see a lot on those NS1000's. What is the big thing about them? I don't need noise isolation as my PC is near silent...
 
NS1000s just offer very good sound quality for the money. I wouldn't consider anything under £100-120 ish to be an upgrade from them.

They launched at £150 - have been reviewed by What Hi-Fi twice - at £150 (2007) and £100 (2010) both times getting 5*. They now cost £60.

Had mine for 3+ years and they still seem as good as brand new (aside from some improvement with burn-in). I regularly use them in preference to more expensive headphones that I own.

Seems that play.com have a dodgy batch with frequent faults (plastic breaking and noise cancelling circuitry faults) turning up - hence Auraeomega's warning.
 
Uriel said:
NS1000s just offer very good sound quality for the money. I wouldn't consider anything under £100-120 ish to be an upgrade from them.

They launched at £150 - have been reviewed by What Hi-Fi twice - at £150 (2007) and £100 (2010) both times getting 5*. They now cost £60.

Had mine for 3+ years and they still seem as good as brand new (aside from some improvement with burn-in). I regularly use them in preference to more expensive headphones that I own.

Seems that play.com have a dodgy batch with frequent faults (plastic breaking and noise cancelling circuitry faults) turning up - hence Auraeomega's warning.
Click to expand...


How do they compare to the Marshall Majors OCUK have? I have the Minors, and they are superb...

Also, I have just ordered, of the 'bay a Fiio E5 headphone Amp + Fiio L1 LOD cable for my iPhone, can I use the E5 with my Asus Xonar D2?
 
I haven't heard the Majors, but in all honesty the NS1000s are amazing value and I seriously doubt the Marshall's could beat them. As Uriel said you'd have to go over £100 to find anything to rival them.
 
Auraomega said:
Depends on your budget really. You will be better off buying headphones and a mic no doubt about it though.

~£55:
DR150s + Speedlink mic

~£85:
NS1000s (get from Superfi not Play!) + E5 amp + Fisual 3m extension + Speedlink mic

~£135:
DT770 + Speedlink mic

~£155:
DT770 + Speedlink mic + CMoy amp

This is just based on my experience and what I find comfortable for long periods of time, other members will no doubt have different suggestions too.
Click to expand...

I have ordered the E5 Amp and L1 LOD for my iPhone. But why do I need a 3M extension? The headphones will be bought in a few weeks, got go-karting to pay for first...
 
Edit: Doh! Wrong thread.

But while I'm here - the current NS1000s have a 1m cable which is a bit short - hence the 3m extension recommendation. They originally had a 1.8m cable (mine do). It seems that most of the bad batch pairs from play.com have a 1.5m cable.
 
Last edited:
Do the NS1000 require more amplification than Sennheiser hd 595? I used the 595 and found they were great plugged in directly to my xfi, they were quiet with my mp3 player though.

Just wondering how they compare as I found the 595 didnt need a amp.
 
Yes the NS1000s require an amp if using in passive. The amp isn't about getting higher volume by the way, this is a common misconception. The reason you should be using an amp is to bring out the detail in the audio, in the case of the NS1000s it picks up the bass which is heavily distorted and has no definition, it also balances out the mids and highs. Most headphones benefit from an amp however, and I'm sure Uriel will agree, the NS1000s are one of the few headphones which an amp is really a must.
 
With ANR on the NS1000s sound fine straight out of a soundcard. They do benefit from amplification but not by much.

With ANR off I have never come across any other headphones where an amp makes such a profound difference. They are also really picky about amps so you have to be careful that the one you get will be suitable.
 
Hi,

Been looking at getting some headphone for the past 2 months and never got around to deciding on a pair. The NS1000s seemed a good bet when I first started looking and I might just go for it now.

Been reading about how you need an AMP for them in this thread. I presume I'll be fine as I've got a Soundblaster Extreme Music thingy car sound thing.

Or am I wrong?

Any advice?

Cheers.
 
You wont need an amp, as they work fine from anything with the ANR on. With the ANR turned off however, you will require an amp, as the Xtreme Music doesn't have a headphone amplifier.
 
Ok, finished work for the day, had some good news. We passed mystery shopper with 100%. That means 1 weeks wages as a nice bonus. So, I think I shall go for the DT770's, will they need the CMoy amp or will the E5 be good enough?
 
Marsman said:
You wont need an amp, as they work fine from anything with the ANR on. With the ANR turned off however, you will require an amp, as the Xtreme Music doesn't have a headphone amplifier.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I've had a quick search around but haven't been able to find anything. But what is ANR? Why would you turn it on, why would you turn it off?


Thanks again.
 
Jaffa_Far said:
Ok, finished work for the day, had some good news. We passed mystery shopper with 100%. That means 1 weeks wages as a nice bonus. So, I think I shall go for the DT770's, will they need the CMoy amp or will the E5 be good enough?
Click to expand...

You don't need either to be fair, not with the DT770s at any rate. From what Uriel said the E5 did improve the sound however the CMoy made a bigger impact on the quality produced. YMMV basically but the CMoy is pretty cheap and if you really wanted to you could build your own.

topgun06 said:
Thanks. I've had a quick search around but haven't been able to find anything. But what is ANR? Why would you turn it on, why would you turn it off?
Click to expand...

ANR = Active Noise Reduction, it's basically the noise cancelling circuitry which also acts as an amplifier. Upsides are it reduces background noise, drastically improves sound quality and means you don't have to use an amp, downsides are it requires a AAA battery, can make the sound overly bright (depends how much you like your trebles I guess), very little bass and you have to be more aware of traffic because you can't hear it anymore :D
 
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