Anyone into high quality headphone equipment? Any Head-Fi.org members?

George@DetailedImage · 10-02-08, 05:22

So I've been lurking for the past couple weeks on Head-Fi.org, a headphone and portable audio site, and have been digesting as much as I can about high end portable audio. Since I spend most of my days around my computer and love music, I decided to upgrade my current setup. Based on the music I listen to I ended up with some Denon AH-D2000 headphones. I want to complete the experience with a Keces 131.1 DAC and a WooAudio 6 Headphone amp soon.

It's funny, even with just the upgraded headphones, I've been falling in love with my music all over again, hearing notes and subtleties that I've never heard before. I heard adding the DAC and headphone amp changes the experience even more than just upgrading the cans.

I can see where this can quickly become an expensive hobby where you're always wanting to upgrade your equipment, but then again, which hobby isn't like that?

Any other Head-fi'ers out there?

George

DavidB · 10-02-08, 05:30

George,

After working for Sony for a few years, I got pretty well plugged into their gear. Not the best, but not bad, either. I recently scored on the Sony MDR-NC500D headphones through a friend still working at Sony Pictures. As far as Digital Noise Canceling Headphones, they're not bad.

db

George@DetailedImage · 10-02-08, 05:42

David,

Those look like a very nice set of phones! How's the fit on them? Are they comfortable for long periods of listening? That was one of my main concerns when looking into a new set as I know I'd have them on for hours on end each day.

George

stang2676 · 10-02-08, 05:48

I use skull Candy head phones, the ear buds style. They by far aren't the best head phones but for 30 bucks they sure as heck do an amazing job. I use these for detailing because they are very inexpensive so if something were to ever happen to them it would not be that big of a deal. Plus they do an amazing job at canceling out noises from the PC or a pressure washer or vacuum cleaner and all those other things. I would highly recommend them to anyone who wants an inexpensive but very good set of headphones!

DavidB · 10-02-08, 07:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by George@DetailedImage

David,

Those look like a very nice set of phones! How's the fit on them? Are they comfortable for long periods of listening? That was one of my main concerns when looking into a new set as I know I'd have them on for hours on end each day.

George

Fit is good, but they are a bit heavier than the Bose headphones they replaced. My experience is than any good studio monitors have a bit of weight to them or they don't produce good base, and that's where the Sony unit shines. The noise canceling on the Bose is better... much better... but the crisp sound and tight response of the Sony made the upgrade worth it.

db

3puttjay · 10-02-08, 08:22

Headphones are great if you want to keep the music from intruding on the "others" in the house. I have had a set of sennheisers from 1992 and though they are no longer cutting edge, they work just fine for my tastes. But nothing sounds as good as music through my bryston amp and thiel speakers.

PrinzII · 10-03-08, 04:32

I have a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7 Noise Cancelling headphones. I bought them shortly after I lost my Sonys between Fayetteville, AR and St. Louis. I have let a few Bose owners listen to them and they are floored.

Other fave brands: AKG, Sennheiser

qwertydude · 10-03-08, 06:56

I've tried the skull candies, and the v-moda's I even have the much ballyhooed v-moda vibes. And for 30 dollars the best sounding most isolating earphones are the creative ep-630's. I test it from 4hz-all the way to 20 khz with an audio test cd, and these have the best sound response, actually better than my $200 shure's. Plus if I lose them it's just another trip to frys. I also really like my sony mdr-v 700 dj's. They kinda flatten your ears after a while but they sound so crisp and can play loud without distortion. Bose is way over-rated and I find them to be overboosted in the bass department wihtout even having any really deep bass response, ie less than 30 hz..

Scottwax · 10-04-08, 07:26

I am sure my fellow old farts remember Koss Pro-4AA headphones!

rad21 · 10-04-08, 08:20

Hi George,

I occasionally post on headfi.org and I own a Woo Audio WA-6. I posted a review on headfi and Jack from Woo Audio posted exerpts from my review. You will love it

I use Sennheiser HD-600's with a Cardas cable and have various sources that I use. Enjoy!

Bob

George@DetailedImage · 10-04-08, 11:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrinzII

I have a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7 Noise Cancelling headphones. I bought them shortly after I lost my Sonys between Fayetteville, AR and St. Louis. I have let a few Bose owners listen to them and they are floored.

Other fave brands: AKG, Sennheiser

I had a tough time deciding on what cans to go with and I had one picked out from each of the brands you mentioned as well as some Beyerdynamics and Grado's.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rad21

Hi George,

I occasionally post on headfi.org and I own a Woo Audio WA-6. I posted a review on headfi and Jack from Woo Audio posted exerpts from my review. You will love it

I use Sennheiser HD-600's with a Cardas cable and have various sources that I use. Enjoy!

Bob

Bob,

I see Head-Fi got to you as well

I just read your review, looks like you really enjoy your WA-6. Have you done any modifications to it? I'll probably end up ordering it stock and upgrading it down the road on my own, once I learn a little more.

Do you have a DAC you use with your setup? I'm tossing up between getting the amp first or the DAC, but leaning towards the DAC.

How do you like your HD-600's? I had about 5 headphones I narrowed it down to and that was one of them. After I get the DAC/amp combo, I think my next upgrade will be a Markl modded D5k or the new D7k's. So far the Denon's have impressed me.

Happy listening.

George

Holden_C04 · 10-04-08, 01:58

What do you guys think about the cheapie models in the e2c Shure range?