Headphone random conversation

[Colif]

I didn't need a usb c to a cable, I needed usb b to c. Slapped self when I got it.

Lucky I have a spare usb a to b cable, so just needed an adapter from a to c. Brother has one i borrowed but it only works if I don't bump anything. Probably get a better one tomorrow. Current one unplugs if i move dap, needs to be more secure

Dap linked to Aune means i don't need pc to get most of my music and listen using best headphones. Might use set up over summer. Can get an adapter that can charge dap as it plays.

Strangely songs that work on pc don't work on the dap. Only some don't. No idea why. Main reason not to just keep using the set-up once pc fixed. That and I can't charge dap as it plays, right now.

 

[ZedClampet]

All the headphones I have are wired, and I needed something that was Bluetooth for my phone, so during Amazon Prime days I picked up a Skullcandy Crusher with 50 hours of battery life.

Even as a basehead, I can admit that these have too much base. Fortunately, it's somewhat adjustable on one of the ear cups. But they have great sound overall and a nice sound stage and ANC so I can't hear my wife during long trips.

The new iPhones (I wish I had an android) have put the 3.5mm audio jack back, but it will be a long time before I get a new phone. Plus, Apple's audio encoding/decoding is traditionally not very good, so a wireless headset may actually make it sound better (not sure about that).

 

[Colif]

Skullcandy Crusher

I knew you mention bass in statement somewhere, as soon as you said name
Is that a Crusher or Crusher Evo?

does it have an app? seems there is a slider somewhere that effects Bass

Skullcandy Crusher Wireless review

The Skullcandy Crusher Wireless may not be studio quality, but if you can find them for around $100, they're worth it.

www.soundguys.com

Skullcandy Crusher Evo review

The Skullcandy Crusher Evo gets a lot of things right, like the adjustable bass slider, but how does it hold up as a daily headset?

www.soundguys.com

the bass in those is just wrong at full. I remember those now, thought they might break my speakers listening to conversion.

Think Apple phones use AAC codec to talk to headphones

The ultimate guide to Bluetooth headphones: AAC only acceptable on Apple phones

Along with default SBC and Qualcomm's aptX, AAC is a commonly supported Bluetooth codec in the wireless headphone and speaker markets.

www.soundguys.com

 

[ZedClampet]

I knew you mention bass in statement somewhere, as soon as you said name
Is that a Crusher or Crusher Evo?

does it have an app? seems there is a slider somewhere that effects Bass

Skullcandy Crusher Wireless review

The Skullcandy Crusher Wireless may not be studio quality, but if you can find them for around $100, they're worth it.

www.soundguys.com

Skullcandy Crusher Evo review

The Skullcandy Crusher Evo gets a lot of things right, like the adjustable bass slider, but how does it hold up as a daily headset?

www.soundguys.com

the bass in those is just wrong at full. I remember those now, thought they might break my speakers listening to conversion.

Think Apple phones use AAC codec to talk to headphones

The ultimate guide to Bluetooth headphones: AAC only acceptable on Apple phones

Along with default SBC and Qualcomm's aptX, AAC is a commonly supported Bluetooth codec in the wireless headphone and speaker markets.

www.soundguys.com

It's actually this one:

Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 review

Bass friendly headphones manufacturer Skullcandy returns with the noise canceling Crusher ANC 2. We take it for a spin.

www.soundguys.com

The base is pretty extreme and may be too heavy for some people even turned all the way down on the headphones, but when I'm on my PC I can use my DAC equalizer. I'd rather have headphones where the bass has to be adjusted down than headphones that are incapable of bass at all. I've had a few of those.

 

[Colif]

I don't like too much bass, it drowns out most of the other frequencies. My brother used to turn it all the way up on our family stereo, whereas I prefered a balanced approach.

thick bass can be defined as Muddy unless its through Crushers... then its like concrete.

If anything, my headphones are mostly more treble than Bass, though that wasn't intentional.
Big difference between how my IEM sound compared to Arya's, mostly in how much treble there is in music, hard to hear some womens voices in my IEM. Whereas IEM have more bass... they also described as a "Fun"signature.

I had wanted new IEM now, but not replacement ones for ones I already had... guess its free. Using different ear tips, they sound a little different. Only bought them as at time I hadn't found a whole bunch of websites that have so much choice now.

That sound signature you have there is called "Fun" and its what most headphones below a certain price aim for, as a lot of people like it. I tended to avoid Bass Boosted headphones. Always have. Sometimes It gave me little choice. As that is all I could find.

I am old enough to remember Boom Boxes.. including the massive ones you seriously couldn't carry around. I been buying consumer grade audio for most of my life, its only this year I wanted to hear better. I can't afford better than what I have now, so I think I have found out. I currently don't want any more headphones. About time?

Might still get some Maxwells next year just to have a pair for games. That was reason this thread started...

 

[ZedClampet]

I don't like too much bass, it drowns out most of the other frequencies. My brother used to turn it all the way up on our family stereo, whereas I prefered a balanced approach.

thick bass can be defined as Muddy unless its through Crushers... then its like concrete.

If anything, my headphones are mostly more treble than Bass, though that wasn't intentional.
Big difference between how my IEM sound compared to Arya's, mostly in how much treble there is in music, hard to hear some womens voices in my IEM. Whereas IEM have more bass... they also described as a "Fun"signature.

I had wanted new IEM now, but not replacement ones for ones I already had... guess its free. Using different ear tips, they sound a little different. Only bought them as at time I hadn't found a whole bunch of websites that have so much choice now.

That sound signature you have there is called "Fun" and its what most headphones below a certain price aim for, as a lot of people like it. I tended to avoid Bass Boosted headphones. Always have. Sometimes It gave me little choice. As that is all I could find.

I am old enough to remember Boom Boxes.. including the massive ones you seriously couldn't carry around. I been buying consumer grade audio for most of my life, its only this year I wanted to hear better. I can't afford better than what I have now, so I think I have found out. I currently don't want any more headphones. About time?

Might still get some Maxwells next year just to have a pair for games. That was reason this thread started...

My favorite headphones of all time are these:

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H6 Headphone Review — Audiophile ON

Audiophile On reviews the Bang & Olufsen H6 headphones. The H6 are a mid range designer headphone from world renowned audio brand B&O. They are expensive so how to they compare to the competition?

www.audiophileon.com

The sound is just incredible and you can wear them every minute for the rest of your life without getting uncomfortable.

Sadly, I don't think they make them anymore. Glad I got mine when I did.

 

[Colif]

Not that model but they still make wireless Headphones, unless I found a pair on special they out of my price range for wireless headphones, or any in general

https://www.bang-olufsen.com/en/au/headphones

H100 meant to be better than my Bathys but then they cost 1400 more here, so they better be.

Cheapest there are 1100... my Bathys are valued at 1300 now but I only paid $800. Most I paid is 1100 for the Arya which I can't actually buy here so no idea what price would be... cheaper Hifiman headphones are about that price here so I expect I would have paid more had it not been on Amazon US.

i sometimes get itchy ears wearing Arya but I can't tell I am wearing them mostly

 

[ZedClampet]

No that model but they still make wireless Headphones, unless I found a pair on special they out of my price range for wireless headphones, or any in general

https://www.bang-olufsen.com/en/au/headphones

H100 meant to be better than my Bathys but then they cost 1400 more here, so they better be.

Cheapest there are 1100... my Bathys are valued at 1300 now but I only paid $800. Most I paid is 1100 for the Arya which I can't actually buy here so no idea what price would be... cheaper Hifiman headphones are about that price here so I expect I would have paid more had it not been on Amazon US.

i sometimes get itchy ears wearing Arya but I can't tell I am wearing them mostly

I felt comfortable spending that kind of money on headphones when I was employed. Not so much anymore. I mean, I'll spend a fortune on my next PC, but I'm not as willing to do that on headphones since I'm not an audiophile. These Skullcandy headphones cost $159, and they are fine for me. Plus I still have the H6s I can break out when I want to.

I love buying headphones, though. I have way too many. But they are mostly cheap headphones--under $200.

Edit: I think the crushers were actually half-price when I bought them, but it was half of the suggested retail price of $229.

 

[Colif]

I don't have too many headphones - over time, yes, but most of those are broken now from use.
1 pair of wireless In ears that I got for free last year and would only use if every other option didn't work. I don't even carry them around anymore. No ANC so can hear everything, not loud enough to drown it out. I think I only used them once, was enough to know I didn't want to keep using them.
2 pair of wired IEM - I prefer wired IEM as harder to lose when attached to a cable. For most part can use volume on them to block noise. Only downside is cable can break but they use dettachable cables so just buy another one... unless its half cost of IEM.
2 pairs of wired Over ear headphones. Don't leave my room.
1 pair of wireless over ear headphones (well 2 but one pair is mostly dead now, they were reason I started looking at headphones last year). These also don't leave my room, the Bathys not really something I would wear on a bus. They don't even go outside. pointless? I use them on DAP sometimes.

I want another pair of IEM as still not happy with the ones I bought. But that can wait until next year.

@anort3 probably has more than I do... maybe. Over ear anyway?

 

[Colif]

Some sites need to redo their scales... I mean, I know one of these is just there to sell you stuff, but really, its the IGN Problem. No point having a scale of 1 to 10 if you only use half of it.

I don't generally look at these sites exclusively, if at all. I read every review but more likely to trust Head-Fi reviews as they mostly from actual users.

 

[anort3]

@anort3 probably has more than I do... maybe. Over ear anyway?

Of headphones? All I've got now are the Arya and the Clear. I have a Klipsch x11i IEM that I mostly use when I'm cutting grass or doing yard work with an old iPod Shuffle.

Previously I've owned -

Sennheiser HD598, HD600, HD650 and 660S
AKG K712 Pro
Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro
Massdrop x Fostex TH-X00 Mahogany and the TH-X00 Ebony
Fostex T-50RP Mk III
Focal Elear
HiFiMan Ananda and Sundara
Philips Fidelio X2HR
Monoprice M1060

I think that's all of them.

So 16 pair in total. One REALLY cool thing about headphones and HiFi in general is that they lose very little value if you take care of them. So I sold out of everything with almost no loss and in the case of both of the X00s I made money selling them.

 

[ZedClampet]

These are my daily use IEMs:

TANGZU X DIVINUS FUDU verse1 Review

We review the TANGZU X DIVINUS FUDU verse1, which is the company's debut hybrid IEM featuring a single 10mm dynamic and 2 BA drivers. It is priced at $89. Disclaimer: This sample was sent to

headfonics.com

They sound pretty good to me for less than $100. Slightly favor bass for the "fun" sound signature. The problem is that you really need to spend more than that because the cable that comes with them is absolute trash. Here's a video review of them:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DT593Zgi-Y


I may actually be happier with the cable than I am with the IEMs themselves. They are $31 on Amazon. Apparently they are exactly the same as a much more expensive cable (over $100) and are just rebranded.

Now all I need is to find some good replacement ear tips because one fell off this morning and somehow I just can't find it. Probably somewhere in the cushions of my chair. But all I have are cheap tips to replace it.

 

[Colif]

Looks like a good cable for iem in video, anyway.

Headfonics one of the sites that loves every headphone - not saying its bad, just they aren't exactly likely to give it a bad score. they have an average of about 8.3 which is hardly where it should be... 5 should be average

I normally trust these reviews more:

TangZu Audio Fu Du

Tangzu's first IEM with hybrid driver set-up.

www.head-fi.org

it looks okay for its price.

Now all I need is to find some good replacement ear tips because one fell off this morning and somehow I just can't find it. Probably somewhere in the cushions of my chair. But all I have are cheap tips to replace it.

You might find some here or here but you would need to wait for shipping as they not USA I don't think. I can't find anymore that sell them. Amazon would but I looked at headphone websites

I need to buy some of these

https://www.linsoul.com/products/dunu-s-s-eartips?_pos=1&_sid=cade68bf8&_ss=r&_fid=c32229516

https://hifigo.com/collections/eartips/spinfit?grid_list=grid-view

they the better brands... if I am clever I can buy an IEM with them included... next year. I want to try both those brands.

I don't use my IEM daily... or even weekly. They get out once a fortnight, at this rate take rest of year for them to get worn in.
Think this is the cable it has:

which I had to return with last pair of IEM as cable broke a connection... I am being way more careful now. I can't return again.

 

[ZedClampet]

it looks okay for its price.

Part of the problem is that he didn't change the cable (at least I didn't see where he mentioned it), which makes a huge difference. He noted that the cable was terrible, and I suppose for the purpose of the review that you want to review it the way it shows up, but putting a real cable on these makes a significant difference in the sound. It is not an exaggeration to say that the cable they come with is the worst I've ever experienced.

You might find some here or here but you would need to wait for shipping as they not USA I don't think. I can't find anymore that sell them. Amazon would but I looked at headphone websites

Thanks, I didn't even know Linsoul had its own website, but the one thing of theirs that I ordered that wasn't on Amazon took 30 days to get here from China, so I'll see if these are also on their Amazon store.

I need to buy some of these

https://www.linsoul.com/products/dunu-s-s-eartips?_pos=1&_sid=cade68bf8&_ss=r&_fid=c32229516

https://hifigo.com/collections/eartips/spinfit?grid_list=grid-view

they the better brands... if I am clever I can buy an IEM with them included... next year. I want to try both those brands.

I don't use my IEM daily... or even weekly. They get out once a fortnight, at this rate take rest of year for them to get worn in.
Think this is the cable it has:

which I had to return with last pair of IEM as cable broke a connection... I am being way more careful now. I can't return again.

I mostly use my IEM. It is easier to keep one of them out so I can hear the wife compared to using a headset. I just pull the headsets out sometimes during the day when she's busy, but in the evenings it's all IEMs.

 

[Colif]

art of the problem is that he didn't change the cable (at least I didn't see where he mentioned it), which makes a huge difference. He noted that the cable was terrible,

They review units as they are sold, and since cable is part of purchase, its reviewed as well. Some reviewers might suggest a better cable. It can really depend on value of IEM too... they won't suggest a better cable on cheaper IEM as the cost of the cable could be higher than the IEM. But for some of the more expensive ones, I have seen it suggested. Most likely swap suggested on all IEM is eartips, something I don't have many spares of.

A lot of IEM can be improved using another cable, even if its just the thickness of the cable. You can't really expect cheap IEM to come with amazing cables.

The cable on my Dunu's are half the value of the IEM. I don't know what price they sold for in USA, probably about $300. Whereas the cable on my $120 IEM isn't as good, is a bit too thick and is shorter again. I figured they give you more length based on value of IEM. Some expensive IEM buck that trend and come with bad cables. But it mostly works the more you pay, the better cables are that come with it.

I feel I spent most of my life using earbuds and am avoiding the cheaper IEM as I feel there isn't much difference. Next pair I am going to buy will be more again, just resisting buying any for a while. Not sure which one I want yet.

I find all the cables are all too short. I must be taller than most people who use them as no way I can have a pair on and have the sound source be in my pants pocket. If I go out now I make sure my shirt has pockets in it so I can put DAP in there and suddenly the cable isn't too short.

If I get an IEM I feel is good enough for a longer cable I will just get a custom cable made for it.

I mostly use my IEM. It is easier to keep one of them out so I can hear the wife compared to using a headset. I just pull the headsets out sometimes during the day when she's busy, but in the evenings it's all IEMs.

I have done before for a long time in work situations

Open back headphones would do same as the iem as they don't block outside noise. Its only if the volume is high that I can't hear background noise while wearing Arya or HD600. Probably wouldn't need to leave an ear out, is what I am saying. (reminds me, I want to listen to some today. Waited all day yesterday for a phone call that never came)

HD600 are wide open

Hifiman are more closed off than those but still open

Still doesn't feel like I am wearing anything

Some headphones have transparency modes meaning they let sound in from outside so that you not missing anything, Most ANC headphones offer that now. They so good at blocking all noise they had to add modes to let some back in. mainly as they closed backs and already block more sound than open backs can.

 

[ZedClampet]

They review units as they are sold, and since cable is part of purchase, its reviewed as well. Some reviewers might suggest a better cable. It can really depend on value of IEM too... they won't suggest a better cable on cheaper IEM as the cost of the cable could be higher than the IEM. But for some of the more expensive ones, I have seen it suggested. Most likely swap suggested on all IEM is eartips, something I don't have many spares of.

A lot of IEM can be improved using another cable, even if its just the thickness of the cable. You can't really expect cheap IEM to come with amazing cables.

The cable on my Dunu's are half the value of the IEM. I don't know what price they sold for in USA, probably about $300. Whereas the cable on my $120 IEM isn't as good, is a bit too thick and is shorter again. I figured they give you more length based on value of IEM. Some expensive IEM buck that trend and come with bad cables. But it mostly works the more you pay, the better cables are that come with it.

I feel I spent most of my life using earbuds and am avoiding the cheaper IEM as I feel there isn't much difference. Next pair I am going to buy will be more again, just resisting buying any for a while. Not sure which one I want yet.

I find all the cables are all too short. I must be taller than most people who use them as no way I can have a pair on and have the sound source be in my pants pocket. If I go out now I make sure my shirt has pockets in it so I can put DAP in there and suddenly the cable isn't too short.

If I get an IEM I feel is good enough for a longer cable I will just get a custom cable made for it.

I have done before for a long time in work situations

Open back headphones would do same as the iem as they don't block outside noise. Its only if the volume is high that I can't hear background noise while wearing Arya or HD600. Probably wouldn't need to leave an ear out, is what I am saying. (reminds me, I want to listen to some today. Waited all day yesterday for a phone call that never came)

HD600 are wide open

Hifiman are more closed off than those but still open

Still doesn't feel like I am wearing anything

Some headphones have transparency modes meaning they let sound in from outside so that you not missing anything, Most ANC headphones offer that now. They so good at blocking all noise they had to add modes to let some back in. mainly as they closed backs and already block more sound than open backs can.

You're not truly understanding these cables.

The review you linked said this about these cables: "The cable is the absolute worst cable I've ever tried. It looks nice on pictures, but in reality, it's the lightest, most fragile, cheap feeling POS. Even my old stock cable for my Moondrop Starfield was better."

The cables are catastrophic. It's how they keep the cost of the IEMs down, and they actually tell you in the marketing material that you are supposed to buy a better cable and provide links to them. The bottom line is that people who buy these buy new cables. They don't even have a choice because these break in a weak or two. So it really makes reviewing them difficult. A review without a new cable is kind of pointless, BUT I missed it before and he actually did use a new cable.

Anyway, I really like them and their bass signature. If I want better sound I'll just reach over and grab a headphone.

 

[Colif]

I do get the cables, the cheaper you buy the less quality the cable might be. It is a negative reason to buy the IEM in first place. Top reviewer on Head-fi mentioned it was horrible.

Not all cheap headphones have bad cables, this one - Titan - has a better cable and is cheaper than the one you bought... but then choosing an IEM based on its cable is probably not a good starting point, but the cable sure can be a negative... as you found. It can be reason to not buy them... plenty of choice out there really. If company wants to compete, they need to give it a better cable.

Hifiman cables are crap. Even the ones that come with $2500 headphones are crap. Its one reason I wouldn't buy their IEM as I already replaced the cables on my Arya. They don't care though as the headphones are good enough people might ignore that. It works when asking price is higher than cable replacement cost.

They almost know that most people who buy their headphones probably replace them with better cables. I knew I would have to replace them.

So price of the headphone really may not indicate how bad the cables are. That is why I read reviews before buying anything.

 

[ZedClampet]

After some thought, I don't think it makes sense to criticize people who only rate from 80 to 100. Sound tech has gotten really good in the last 5 to 10 years. If they are reviewing quality equipment, you wouldn't expect them to score too low.

 

[ZedClampet]

I do get the cables, the cheaper you buy the less quality the cable might be. It is a negative reason to buy the IEM in first place. Top reviewer on Head-fi mentioned it was horrible.

Not all cheap headphones have bad cables, this one - Titan - has a better cable and is cheaper than the one you bought... but then choosing an IEM based on its cable is probably not a good starting point, but the cable sure can be a negative... as you found. It can be reason to not buy them... plenty of choice out there really. If company wants to compete, they need to give it a better cable.

Hifiman cables are crap. Even the ones that come with $2500 headphones are crap. Its one reason I wouldn't buy their IEM as I already replaced the cables on my Arya. They don't care though as the headphones are good enough people might ignore that. It works when asking price is higher than cable replacement cost.

They almost know that most people who buy their headphones probably replace them with better cables. I knew I would have to replace them.

So price of the headphone really may not indicate how bad the cables are. That is why I read reviews before buying anything.

lol whatever. You don't understand it, and that's okay. you act like these are crap because they only cost 89. These are much worse than that. Plus, If you are buying an inferior tech (IEM) why pay superior prices for them? It's nonsense. Get an okay IEM and get good headphones. But I'm done with this conversation.

 

[Colif]

After some thought, I don't think it makes sense to criticize people who only rate from 80 to 100. Sound tech has gotten really good in the last 5 to 10 years. If they are reviewing quality equipment, you wouldn't expect them to score too low.

how can you tell things apart if it all gets good ratings? Might as well look at another site who might use more of the 1 to 10 rating system.

Or maybe you right, maybe everything is really good and then... rating system needs to be remade to account for what is normal now. And what is possible.

You don't understand it, and that's okay. you act like these are crap because they only cost 89.

They might be good. I don't have any way to prove they aren't. IEM tech is getting better and the cheaper ones now do make some of the older more expensive ones look like complete jokes. Its cheaper now to release multi driver IEM and so the prices of new ones are lower.

When I bought mine, the only sites I had access to only had a limited supply. I may have started cheap but after looking at what I could find, and cancelling a lot of the choices based on reviews, I bought the ones I have. If I had found linsoul or a few others first, I would have started with something like you have. I was restricting self to websites in Australia, and most of those exploit their positions and charge more for the items.

If you are buying an inferior tech (IEM)

IEM aren't inferior? What to? They less likely to be lost than TWS earbuds and don't have a battery in them that will eventually die, so they can last forever... its only the cable that might need replacing and you can easily do that.

Much prefer to use them when travelling than any of my over ears. Less bulky and easier to conceal. I been using them or earbuds since the 1980's. I don't use them at home as the cables are too short to reach me if plugged into Aune and I rarely just sit here listening to DAP. The dunu cable might reach me on bed from Aune.

The price I see for those you own is $129 on Linsoul so I was basing it on that. That is probably in AUD so it is what I would pay for them.

I might be mistaken, I generally do see more expensive things as better. It can be a trap, its why I try to look at every article or forum post or video I can on anything I buy, just to make sure.

You don't need to reply if you don't want to

 

[Brian Boru]

Article from a MUO audiophile [I haven't read it]:

I Always Run These 6 Tests Before Buying New Headphones

Buying new headphones? Make sure to tick these tests off before parting with any cash.

www.makeuseof.com

 

[Colif]

lets see,
1. Sound quality & Frequency range - Yes, it helps they sound good to you (unless you just want to block noise)
2. Comfort & Fit - Yes, it doesn't help if they sound good if they don't fit or start to hurt ears after 20 minutes of use
3. Noise cancelling/isolation - depends on use. If on a bus, helps to not hear everyone else, but if you alone at home, it doesn't matter.
4, Control buttons - Only really applies to headsets or ANC headphones. Most of mine don't have any buttons.
5, Microphone Quality - N/A on all of my headphones except the Bathys which are ANC and use them for other reasons... in theory it can take phone calls but only via a phone. All my headphones can take calls if attached to a dongle (and then a phone, no different to any other headphone really).
6. Connection options - they mean Bluetooth but most of mine use wires still.

Clearly aimed at consumers and people that use them commuting.

wireless ANC headphones are only as good as their batteries last for. I prefer headphones that could last forever.

 

[anort3]

At least 2 mods and no one noticed the copy/paste spammer?

Xpclove has one post and it is a copy/paste from a post on page 1 of this thread. Nuke from orbit.

 

[Brian Boru]

no one noticed the copy/paste spammer?

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

 

[Colif]

I think I did see that reply but didn't do any checks on it. I assumed it was real... wishful thinking

I don't auto check every post made. just a lot of them.