Headphone random conversation

[anort3]

How the heck did you spot that???

Even if I did pay attention to this thread, I'd never remember a post from hundreds earlier.

Nuke launched

I was a mod on Tom's Hardware and Tom's Guide from 2013-2021 and a mod on What HiFi from 2020-2021. I killed a BUNCH of spammers over the years. lol

 

[Colif]

Unless it was a copy of your own post, i don't see how you spotted it. Its not the first time someone copied something to post it here...

 

[anort3]

It was a single post from a new user with a spammy username and it was completely out of context to the ongoing conversation. They're always copy/pastes and 99% of the time it's from page 1 of a thread. Seen it a thousand times.

90 out of 100 will be edited with a spam link or a spam link will be added to their sig. The other 10 are testing an IP range.

 

[Brian Boru]

@anort3 Excellent detection!

 

[ZedClampet]

I don't want to start a fight, but I was thinking about the charge that some reviewers only use the 80 to 100 part of their review scale, but that's okay if they are only reviewing quality headsets. A lot of people will pretend to disagree with this, but headphone driver tech has improved so much in the last 10 years that a $100 headset is nearly indistinguishable, sound-wise, from a much more expensive set. And by indistinguishable, I mean they should be scored in the same general ballpark. To be sure, in most cases a $1000 headset will get you a little better sound, but $100 headsets also have good sound so long as they aren't gaming headsets, which tend to struggle a little, but even those should probably be no less than an 80 on a 100 scale.

 

[anort3]

I don't want to start a fight, but I was thinking about the charge that some reviewers only use the 80 to 100 part of their review scale, but that's okay if they are only reviewing quality headsets. A lot of people will pretend to disagree with this, but headphone driver tech has improved so much in the last 10 years that a $100 headset is nearly indistinguishable, sound-wise, from a much more expensive set. And by indistinguishable, I mean they should be scored in the same general ballpark. To be sure, in most cases a $1000 headset will get you a little better sound, but $100 headsets also have good sound so long as they aren't gaming headsets, which tend to struggle a little, but even those should probably be no less than an 80 on a 100 scale.

I disagree. I've owned the meat of what's considered 'audiophile' headphones in the $150-$1500 range. There's a HUGE difference. Has the low end improved over the years? Absolutely. The Sennheiser 560S is as low as $120ish on sale and it's absolutely entry level audiophile. But it's not as good as the $300 HiFiMan Sundara. Which isn't as good as XXX.....ect. There are distinct price range steps. Resolution, dynamics, soundstage, bass and treble extension, comfort, build quality......all get 'better' as the price goes up. Not in every case of course. There is certainly some overpriced stuff on the market that's beaten by much cheaper stuff.

 

[Colif]

IEM have gotten a lot better in the last 10 years, as the competition in that market is huge right now. So that is one place that has changed. 5 years ago people were charging stupid amounts for single driver IEM, now you need to have about 20 in there to charge stupid amounts. One pair I have has 6 drivers in it, I think? thats each ear.

ANC headphones are improving, more brands are making them. Competition to not only block noise but sound good doing it is fierce. I am not interested in them but new ones coming out all the time, in the price ranges mentioned.

I haven't had enough over ear headphones to comment. 90% of the headphones I have ever bought were earbuds. Never again.

 

[ZedClampet]

Well, somehow I broke those nice cables for my IEM and possibly broke the IEM in the process. I've got new cables coming. If that IEM is broken, I bought the $10 insurance for it on a whim, so I can send it back. No idea how I managed to bend the thing. I'm beginning to think that I wasn't cut out for IEMs. They are too fragile or I'm too much of an ogre, one or the other.

 

[Colif]

The cables were the one weakness with earbuds so its probably same with iem.
Having broken one already I am being cautious with the replacements. Even though most come with soft carrying cases, I don't really use them... when I am not using them I place them on top of my Dac to keep them safe and out of the way of opening drawers, as I think I closed a drawer on the cable the first time, which might have been problem

I am being careful not to do it to my headphones cable as well. Might need to rethink where it sits

I assume you don't want wireless as these let you use IEM wirelessly.

I don't want these as I don't want to use my phone. I am also know the latest BT isn't really fully lossless so I stick to cables until it is. Current top level BT "lossless" drops down to lossy if the BT signal degrades. Pass.

 

[Colif]

Probably buy one of these in the next few weeks/days

WiiM Ultra | The Ultimate Digital Hub for Your Music

The WiiM Ultra redefines your audio experience by bringing Hi-Res streaming capabilities, advanced room correction, and smart home integration to your existing setup, be it powered speakers or amplifiers. It seamlessly connects with a wide range of devices, offering a versatile audio solution.

wiimhome.com

Attach via USB to my Aune and replace my PC as a source of music for it. Means in summer I don't have to have PC on all the time if I want to listen to music... its getting warmer here so that idea is appealing

means I can turn PC off and still listen to music while room cools down. Its got way more features than I need but there aren't many wifi streaming devices with USB out.

Lucky I have a spare USB A to B cable, its shorter than the one I am using now, and I have heard that length of USB cable can effect signal.

Its also $120 off locally. Its not a new idea. Website doesn't indicate that its on special
WIIM currently have a 20% off sale that applies worldwide, its only $263 in US until 2nd Dec.

 

[ZedClampet]

Probably buy one of these in the next few weeks/days

WiiM Ultra | The Ultimate Digital Hub for Your Music

The WiiM Ultra redefines your audio experience by bringing Hi-Res streaming capabilities, advanced room correction, and smart home integration to your existing setup, be it powered speakers or amplifiers. It seamlessly connects with a wide range of devices, offering a versatile audio solution.

wiimhome.com

Attach via USB to my Aune and replace my PC as a source of music for it. Means in summer I don't have to have PC on all the time if I want to listen to music... its getting warmer here so that idea is appealing

means I can turn PC off and still listen to music while room cools down. Its got way more features than I need but there aren't many wifi streaming devices with USB out.

Lucky I have a spare USB A to B cable, its shorter than the one I am using now, and I have heard that length of USB cable can effect signal.

Its also $120 off locally. Its not a new idea. Website doesn't indicate that its on special
WIIM currently have a 20% off sale that applies worldwide, its only $263 in US until 2nd Dec.

Glad I have strong air conditioning and don't have to worry about my PC heating me up during the summer.

****

I got my new cables and, as I expected, the IEMs themselves are broken, so I'm going to send them in this week. In the meantime, I've ordered some KZ ZS 10 Pro, which are basically miracles at $39. In fact, as quickly as I go through IEMs, I'm not sure why I've ever bought anything else. They have great bass without being overwhelming (like my latest headset from skullcandy.

Actually, I know why I keep ordering other things. It's the durability, which is probably a "me problem" even though I feel like I'm as careful with them as I can be.

I think the recessed 2 pin connectors on the Sennheiser 200s might be more durable, but I'm not sure I would like the audiophile targeted sound. I like the V-shaped, "fun" sound.

 

[Colif]

Glad I have strong air conditioning and don't have to worry about my PC heating me up during the summer.

My windows are strange, and we are going to replace them next year. I can't put an AC unit in them and my room is too small to really need a fixed one. I can leave door open as we have A/C in house but I don't always do that. My room is a heat trap. I can run a fan in here but room needs a redesign before that would make sense.

I think the recessed 2 pin connectors on the Sennheiser 200s might be more durable, but I'm not sure I would like the audiophile targeted sound. I like the V-shaped, "fun" sound.

Not all IEM have the same tunings or there wouldn't be so many choices. It would make choosing them easier too. Not sure if any I own are classified as fun but they not audiophile either... one of them has a unique tuning which isn't really V shaped, and the other ones can't be described as having a lot of bass (though a lot of this is down to getting a good seal).

I haven't really used one pair I have as the cable is too short and too fat, and compared to my other pair, need to be driven harder to game same amount of sound out of them. And the shells are too small and make it hard to get a good seal.

It was a lesson, don't buy small shells. That or I need more ear-tips as spares. If I order a pair from HK anytime soon I will add a few packs of those to order. I want to try one type as they highly recommended. Always helps to have spares.

Not really happy with the IEM I have so far but I know what I don't want, too much bass, and thats what most of the cheaper ones offer.

I think most of the Earbuds I have bought until now have died from cables more than the drivers. Only killed one pair of IEM so far, and pretty sure it was the cable as I could make it lose signal just turning the cable where it linked to amp.

Sony might spend more on materials, trickle down benefits from being massive. The 200's are part of a family that goes to silly prices. IE 900 cost $1800 here. Thats out of my range lol. For a pair of IEM anyway... I already have a pair of wireless headphones that are too expensive to leave the house. I have my limits lol.

 

[ZedClampet]

My windows are strange, and we are going to replace them next year. I can't put an AC unit in them and my room is too small to really need a fixed one. I can leave door open as we have A/C in house but I don't always do that. My room is a heat trap. I can run a fan in here but room needs a redesign before that would make sense.




Not all IEM have the same tunings or there wouldn't be so many choices. It would make choosing them easier too. Not sure if any I own are classified as fun but they not audiophile either... one of them has a unique tuning which isn't really V shaped, and the other ones can't be described as having a lot of bass (though a lot of this is down to getting a good seal).

I haven't really used one pair I have as the cable is too short and too fat, and compared to my other pair, need to be driven harder to game same amount of sound out of them. And the shells are too small and make it hard to get a good seal.

It was a lesson, don't buy small shells. That or I need more ear-tips as spares. If I order a pair from HK anytime soon I will add a few packs of those to order. I want to try one type as they highly recommended. Always helps to have spares.

Not really happy with the IEM I have so far but I know what I don't want, too much bass, and thats what most of the cheaper ones offer.

I think most of the Earbuds I have bought until now have died from cables more than the drivers. Only killed one pair of IEM so far, and pretty sure it was the cable as I could make it lose signal just turning the cable where it linked to amp.

Sony might spend more on materials, trickle down benefits from being massive. The 200's are part of a family that goes to silly prices. IE 900 cost $1800 here. Thats out of my range lol. For a pair of IEM anyway... I already have a pair of wireless headphones that are too expensive to leave the house. I have my limits lol.

The 200s bill themselves specifically as monitor/audiophile and evenly tuned, which is why I'm not sure I would like them, while the KZ are tuned much more to my liking, and I already know I like them because I've had them before. I'm always conscious of how IEMs or cans claim they are tuned and read reviews before buying so that I don't end up with something that equalizes the highs/mids/lows perfectly. Most of the music i enjoy is not performed that way anyhow. Orchestral music, yes, but rock or grunge, no.

It's kind of funny that the point of being an audiophile is to experience recorded music just as it was performed, yet they seem not to consider that different musical genres set their sound differently. The best thing for an audiophile is to get an evenly tuned headset and then adjust the equalizer appropriately depending upon what you are listening to, but I know from reading audiophile forums that most don't do that. As a result, most of the ones who listen to my kind of music are getting a less realistic play than I'm getting.

 

[Colif]

There are different camps inside the audiophile group.

Audiophiles, like any group, aren't a monolith. There are different ideas about everything and you can either fight over what is "right" or just not say a word and do your own thing. Like a lot of things where people believe they are right about anything.

• One camp thinks EQ is fine, others think you better off getting a headphone that sounds right and not use your source gear to fix the sound. Some think both have merit.
• Some think all your cables matter, some think only some matter, and some think none of them matter.

Its hard to get more than a few of them to agree on anything.
The terms used don't help as not everyone agrees to the same meanings of words.
I mean, they don't even agree what Audiophile means

I don't use EQ as only one of my source devices right now actually lets me. I haven't really looked into it that hard. My DAP can do EQ stuff but until I attach that Wiim above to my Aune, my headphone amp doesn't have the option.

DAP has

• EQ
• PEQ - Parametric EQ - https://www.minidsp.com/applications/dsp-basics/peq-vs-graphic-eq (hard to find any descriptions that don't assume you recording music)
• AS well as MageSound 8 Ball

which I dabbled in once to add more bass to one set of IEM. The ones I rarely use.

So I have choices but I haven't really used them. I don't mind sound signatures of my headphones so far.

Only headphones I probably can't EQ are my Bathys since they wireless and their app is pretty limited. It has EQ but it also had a hearing test built in and has changed sound to match my hearing.

 

[ZedClampet]

There are a lot of gaming headsets on Amazon for under $50 right now, like some of the Razer and HyperX, if anyone needs a solid gaming headset.

Black Friday gaming headset deals 2024: discounts and deals on headsets galore

The big day may have passed, but there are still great audio deals to delight the ears.

www.pcgamer.com

 

[Colif]

So glad I could email my wifi password to myself and copy/paste it into the set up program or I might have given up installing it.

Its given my phone a reason to exist... as my remote control. Yes, it comes with one but right now I haven't bothered setting Tidal up on the wiim itself, I instead just use tidal app on phone and select Wiim as output device. I need to remember my Tidal password before I can set it up.

Shame the PC app lacks an output option over Wifi. My DAP and phone can send to it, but not my PC. Seems strange

Sound? It sounds like my Aune... but thats cause its outputting through it. The headphone out on the Wiim is not needed. Only way the Wiim can affect the sound of Aune is via the EQ I haven't looked at. Hardly looked in its settings yet.

 

[Colif]

I had to reset tidal password, and when I saw what old one was, I understand now. I wouldn't have guessed it. Then had to log back in on 3 other devices. At least the Wiim has it now,

I assume its best to turn Wiim up to max volume and control volume via my amp. Having too many audio volume controls doesn't help.

close up

lessons:
Its really easy to confuse the Wiim. Put the app on 2 devices and it forgets all the settings the other one set... its not really designed for multiple users. It really annoyed me tonight, the app was playing one song but the screen was showing another. Then phone wouldn't pair to it at all. Probably need to restart phone. Tempted to pull my S10 out and make it the remote for the Wiim.

I had to give the wiim an ethernet connection as it doesn't like the wifi in my room. Strange as everything else seems to cope. As long as it can download them, that is all that matters. I was getting weird pregnant pauses before. Song would start and then silence... then more of the song, more silence... I gave up and restarted Wiim. That hasn't happened since I gave it a cable.

I didn't leave them stacked for long as the Aune runs too warm. I am running out of space tp put things.

I wish this screen was on Amp and not source

because the wiim's volume isn't really heard and isn't an accurate representation of total volume as the Amp is only at 51% while the Wiim is at 90. I think highest I run Aune at is maybe 60. Plenty of spare power. Not in a rush to kill headphones or my ears.

edit: ideal setup is have wiim at 100% volume and have Aune at about 40 or above. At 100% the wiim is bit perfect. Any EQ can play with that fact. So no EQ is best option... might play with bass boost one day. Easier to just swap headphones.

 

[Colif]

Its nice lying in dark listening to music with PC off, cool anyway. Started out listening to DAP for a change in complete dark but I thought why not... its rained almost every day this week, nice to be able to use my stuff.

Wiim Home app review:
Even though the Wiim home app has access to Tidal, its suggested tracks in recommended clearly isn't personalised as its got nothing I would choose.

Random tracks just plays them in alphabetical order, seems it can't handle over 1000 tracks in a play list as it doesn't mix the tracks up. In shorter playlists its fine. Wonder how many tracks are in that listing now.

I will have to use tidal app to find new tracks etc. The wiim version is good for playing what you already have but not so great at discovery. The desktop app is actually best for that, it suggests other tracks whereas Android and Wiim don't. I will think of something. Can always attach BTR7 to PC and listen to it that way.

 

[Colif]

Almost a year since i started thread and I still don't have a gaming headset (Battys is still closest to that description but I don't believe you can use its microphones for anything other than calls).

More likely to attach Modmic to my Arya than buy a headset right now.
Problem I have with Arya method is I have removed my PC from my sound system... so before I do I need to buy a USB switch as well, preferably one that lets me choose which is live. I don't want to confuse Aune. Then I can have PC and Wiim attached at all times and just flick switch when I want to use the other.

Funny, I already need a 5 port Ethernet switch and Cat6 cable just to make sure PC and Wiim can get internet, seems my wifi is a little flaky in here. Only have one cable right now, lucky most times the PC can find wifi connection. Wiim needs it more to get songs without pregnant pauses while it gets more files.
Adds 2 port manual USB switch to list.

 

[Colif]

I wasn't expecting to find this... in the days I could afford Astal & Kern. Before they changed their name

It doesn't work anymore, not only would finding charger be improbable, but my brother left it on dashboard of his car 20 years ago and one hot day was enough.

iRiver SlimX iMP-400 Review - IGN

IRiver should be congratulated for not sleeping on this one. They could have simply tweaked the SlimX, given it a new remote, and released it. (The funny thing is that they would have earned good marks on that path as well.) Instead, they took all the goodness of the SlimX and installed it in a...

www.ign.com

I didn't remember it came with sennheiser headphones. But then its 22 years ago now.
Makes me wonder where the HDD based one I had is. I expect its around somewhere.
I decided to look in two boxes in my room, they had become part of furniture (literally for a few years as I needed a stand for speakers.) and I wasn't sure what was in them... mostly old music CD's and old mice.
I do wonder whats in the box my PC sits on as its years since I looked in it.

 

[Colif]

I got the ethernet switch and now the PC and Wiim both share the same connection.
I had thought it would be bigger. Plug n play is right, turn it on and plug in cables and it works out what to do.
PC will stop complaining sometimes about no internet. Most times it would find wifi but once or twice it would insist on cable. Now it has its own connection again.

Probably won't post again until I get my next thing... next year. Indecisive as to what is next.

 

[Colif]

Points and laughs

Fanless audiophile PC sells for close to $30,000 — music server features dual Xeon 10-core CPUs, 48GB RAM, 280GB Optane SSD, and 2TB secondary storage expandable to 24TB

The cost will make your ears ring.

www.tomshardware.com

Its almost in same league as this:

 

[ZedClampet]

@Colif I'm bored and want a new headset. Pick one out for me. Let's say this time we start at $500 or less because I've spent a lot of money on Christmas. I want to be able to turn on something, let's say the target song is Motley Crew's Kickstart My Heart, and I want it to kick my arse. I want it to drag me around the living room and kick me in the face. I want a host of heavy metal angels to rampage through my house breaking things and doing heavy drugs. I want to pull the headphones off and experience awe.

Edit: Actually, let's start smaller. Give me your recommendation for $300 or less. I know that's cheap, but I love a good cheap headphone, and that will give me room to improve...

 

[Colif]

Does it need a mic or not? That is main difference between Headset/Headphones
you can add a modmic to most headphones so distinction isn't really there

ModMic, a new microphone concept

The only high quality microphone that you can easily attach to any pair of headphones. Enjoy the audio quality you prefer, while adding the stellar clarity and communications capabilities of the ModMic.

antlionaudio.com

I don't know Headsets really. Or less expensive headphones (Though 300USD is almost 600AUD so not really cheap.)

this might help:

His channel would be one to look at as he largely reviews audio for gaming

As for Headphones under 300...
I believe you can get this for under 300 now:

HIFIMAN Edition XS Planar Magnetic Headphone

The Edition X gets a major upgrade The HIFIMAN Edition XS expands on its predecessor’s achievements with several major upgrades. Featuring Stealth Magnet Technology and the company’s NEO Supernano Diaphragm, the Edition XS produces a wide and natural soundstage. The NEO Supernano Diaphragm is...

apos.audio

which is a really good price since they were 500 last year.
But its open back and you probably want closed...
I almost bought these last year until I found a better deal.

The next set of IEM I am getting are available locally which is nice, no international order needed. Buy them next month, not ordering anything for remainder of year.

Only plan on 2 headphones next year. Both are available in my country for a change. Just need to save up for them. The IEM above are one of them, the others will take a few months to save up for.

 

[ZedClampet]

Does it need a mic or not? That is main difference between Headset/Headphones
you can add a modmic to most headphones so distinction isn't really there

ModMic, a new microphone concept

The only high quality microphone that you can easily attach to any pair of headphones. Enjoy the audio quality you prefer, while adding the stellar clarity and communications capabilities of the ModMic.

antlionaudio.com

I don't know Headsets really. Or less expensive headphones (Though 300USD is almost 600AUD so not really cheap.)

this might help:

His channel would be one to look at as he largely reviews audio for gaming

As for Headphones under 300...
I believe you can get this for under 300 now:

HIFIMAN Edition XS Planar Magnetic Headphone

The Edition X gets a major upgrade The HIFIMAN Edition XS expands on its predecessor’s achievements with several major upgrades. Featuring Stealth Magnet Technology and the company’s NEO Supernano Diaphragm, the Edition XS produces a wide and natural soundstage. The NEO Supernano Diaphragm is...

apos.audio

which is a really good price since they were 500 last year.
But its open back and you probably want closed...
I almost bought these last year until I found a better deal.

The next set of IEM I am getting are available locally which is nice, no international order needed. Buy them next month, not ordering anything for remainder of year.

Only plan on 2 headphones next year. Both are available in my country for a change. Just need to save up for them. The IEM above are one of them, the others will take a few months to save up for.

Sorry, I was being careless when I said headset. I meant headphones. The mics on my headsets never work on this laptop, so there's no point in getting one.

I'll check those out. I don't mind open back. I'm just down here by myself 90 percent of the time.

I'm not as enthusiastic tonight as I was yesterday afternoon. Think I'd probably be doing a better job of being a responsible person If I just Venmo'd that $300 to my kids.