Music Headphones, etc. - Page 3

Saccopoo · 03:10 PM

So, I got a cell phone last July. My first. Bought the HTC One M8 for the main purpose of using it as a music player device first. As such, I wanted to get a quality set of headphones to match with it and decided on the AKG K545 for their performance and portability. Great cans. Very linear and precise.

I believe I made what amounted to the perfect purchase for how I like to listen to music (which is trying to maintain object neutrality) and what I wanted from the headphones (portability, in-line mic1, quality sound) .

I feel that the artists and engineers have already done a lot of work with the music and don't need audio components coloring the sound beyond what was originally envisioned and finalized by the artists.

AKG K545:

Really blown away by how good the sound is through this setup and I kinda got bitten by the headphone bug. Bought a bunch of Skullcandy units to play around with as my local retailer had a great sale on them (some being DQ'ed):

Crusher
- Absolute guilty pleasure. Two drivers per side with one acting as a sub. You want to be "in the club?" Well, here it is. It's really funny and cool to have that bass jacked and having your head vibrate to it. Adjustable.

Also, the Navigator (loves it - so freaking comfortable), Hesh 2 Bluetooth, Hesh 2, and the Lowrider. Skullcandy makes some pretty good cans for the money IMO.

Which got me to thinking about how I have a pair of Sennheiser HD580's sitting somewhere and wondered how an in-home audiophile set of headphones compared to these newer ones.

I hadn't put them on in something like ten years and as soon as I touched them, the foam on the headband and earpads literally disintegrated. So, I ended up paying something like $70 for replacement pads and now I'm thinking that I'm committed to using them for my desktop system. (Especially since I have been downloading all my CD's into FLAC files on the computer for playlist transfers to the phone (bought a 64 gig SD card for music storage on the HTC).)

Sennheiser HD580:

Which got me to thinking that just plugging a 300 ohm impedance headphone into either my Asus Xonar DSX sound card or the headphone port on my lower end Logitech Z523 2.1 speaker system wasn't going to do them any justice, so today I ordered a Schiit Magni 2 Uber Headphone Amplifier and a pair of Audioengine A2+ powered monitors, which will be supported by a Sunfire True Subwoofer Super Junior that I've had in a box that's never been used.

Schiit Magni 2 Uber:

Audioengine A2+:

Oh, I figured while I was at it, I might as well get a DAC/Amp for the Phone to bump up the performance on the go, so I picked up a FiiO E18 Kunlun, which was designed specifically for Android units:

So, what type of headphone/phone/desktop rigs are you people using? Any feedback on the aforementioned equipment?

Superbowltrashcan · 04-05-2015, 07:51 PM

I have had various models of Martin Logan home speakers over the years so when I saw their Mikros 90 headphones on sale last year I took the plunge and got a pair. They are great for critical listening but take a bit of patience to get the fit right. I really like the midrange and treble is the best I have ever heard. Worth the $80 to me for sure.

Saccopoo · 04-05-2015, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srvy

I have Sennheiser HD650 with a Fii0 Kilimanjaro amp for serious listening and Audio technica ATH-EH7 for just kicking around. For ear buds anything cheap that sounds decent. I have found a cheap Phillips clip on over ear at 10 bucks a pop works pretty decent and hard to beat. Also pick these up through Amazon for 13 bucks Audio-Technica ATHCLR100BK.

When I win the lottery I will have these Woo monoblocks at 12,000 a piece.

That just might be the craziest thing I've ever seen audio related, and that's coming from a guy who once owned $6k loudspeaker cables.

**DaneMcCloud** · 04-06-2015, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

That just might be the craziest thing I've ever seen audio related, and that's coming from a guy who once owned $6k loudspeaker cables.

Dude. No words.

Emphatically. No words.

**Baby Lee** · 04-06-2015, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

That just might be the craziest thing I've ever seen audio related, and that's coming from a guy who once owned $6k loudspeaker cables.

Nothing is crazier than Dynaudio Audience or B&W Nautilus.

**srvy** · 04-06-2015, 08:17 AM

I would love to have a tube amp for headphones. Only thing keeping me from is everyone I know who does gets hooked and sinks major cash onto.

**Reaper16** · 04-06-2015, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srvy

Also pick these up through Amazon for 13 bucks Audio-Technica ATHCLR100BK.]

Trying these out for my "just walkin' around the city" ear buds. Thanks.

Saccopoo · 04-06-2015, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srvy

I would love to have a tube amp for headphones. Only thing keeping me from is everyone I know who does gets hooked and sinks major cash onto.

They've got a xDuoo TA-03 DAC/Amp on Massdrop right now that is slated for $259 if seven more people commit. That's a really nice combo amp/dac with great build quality for cheap. Almost pissed I spent the $300 on the Schiit stack now. Almost.

I'd keep Massdrop bookmarked if you are looking for new cans or an amp and such.

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/xduoo-ta-03-dac-amp

Saccopoo · 04-06-2015, 10:31 AM

Shit...

Massdrop just put up the Fostex TH-600 tesla driver closed backs for $599.

piss piss piss...

Aaaaarrrrrgggggghhhh...

Must resist...

**srvy** · 04-06-2015, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

They've got a xDuoo TA-03 DAC/Amp on Massdrop right now that is slated for $259 if seven more people commit. That's a really nice combo amp/dac with great build quality for cheap. Almost pissed I spent the $300 on the Schiit stack now. Almost.

I'd keep Massdrop bookmarked if you are looking for new cans or an amp and such.

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/xduoo-ta-03-dac-amp

Thanks and bookmarked.

03-29-2015, 07:42 PM
Saccopoo Kindness in words... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Zion Casino cash: $10025483	Headphones, etc. So, I got a cell phone last July. My first. Bought the HTC One M8 for the main purpose of using it as a music player device first. As such, I wanted to get a quality set of headphones to match with it and decided on the AKG K545 for their performance and portability. Great cans. Very linear and precise. I believe I made what amounted to the perfect purchase for how I like to listen to music (which is trying to maintain object neutrality) and what I wanted from the headphones (portability, in-line mic1, quality sound) . I feel that the artists and engineers have already done a lot of work with the music and don't need audio components coloring the sound beyond what was originally envisioned and finalized by the artists. AKG K545: Really blown away by how good the sound is through this setup and I kinda got bitten by the headphone bug. Bought a bunch of Skullcandy units to play around with as my local retailer had a great sale on them (some being DQ'ed): Crusher - Absolute guilty pleasure. Two drivers per side with one acting as a sub. You want to be "in the club?" Well, here it is. It's really funny and cool to have that bass jacked and having your head vibrate to it. Adjustable. Also, the Navigator (loves it - so freaking comfortable), Hesh 2 Bluetooth, Hesh 2, and the Lowrider. Skullcandy makes some pretty good cans for the money IMO. Which got me to thinking about how I have a pair of Sennheiser HD580's sitting somewhere and wondered how an in-home audiophile set of headphones compared to these newer ones. I hadn't put them on in something like ten years and as soon as I touched them, the foam on the headband and earpads literally disintegrated. So, I ended up paying something like $70 for replacement pads and now I'm thinking that I'm committed to using them for my desktop system. (Especially since I have been downloading all my CD's into FLAC files on the computer for playlist transfers to the phone (bought a 64 gig SD card for music storage on the HTC).) Sennheiser HD580: Which got me to thinking that just plugging a 300 ohm impedance headphone into either my Asus Xonar DSX sound card or the headphone port on my lower end Logitech Z523 2.1 speaker system wasn't going to do them any justice, so today I ordered a Schiit Magni 2 Uber Headphone Amplifier and a pair of Audioengine A2+ powered monitors, which will be supported by a Sunfire True Subwoofer Super Junior that I've had in a box that's never been used. Schiit Magni 2 Uber: Audioengine A2+: Oh, I figured while I was at it, I might as well get a DAC/Amp for the Phone to bump up the performance on the go, so I picked up a FiiO E18 Kunlun, which was designed specifically for Android units: So, what type of headphone/phone/desktop rigs are you people using? Any feedback on the aforementioned equipment? Last edited by Saccopoo; 04-02-2015 at 03:10 PM..
Posts: 15,450

04-05-2015, 07:51 PM	#31
Superbowltrashcan Starter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: South JoCo Casino cash: $3436406	I have had various models of Martin Logan home speakers over the years so when I saw their Mikros 90 headphones on sale last year I took the plunge and got a pair. They are great for critical listening but take a bit of patience to get the fit right. I really like the midrange and treble is the best I have ever heard. Worth the $80 to me for sure.
Posts: 544

04-06-2015, 08:17 AM	#35
srvy Fight, build, win! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: KC Casino cash: $1551250	I would love to have a tube amp for headphones. Only thing keeping me from is everyone I know who does gets hooked and sinks major cash onto. __________________ "The victim stance is a powerful one. The victim is always morally right, neither responsible nor accountable, and forever entitled to sympathy."
Posts: 24,409

04-06-2015, 10:31 AM	#38
Saccopoo Kindness in words... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Zion Casino cash: $10025483	Shit... Massdrop just put up the Fostex TH-600 tesla driver closed backs for $599. piss piss piss... Aaaaarrrrrgggggghhhh... Must resist...
Posts: 15,450