the Qualia Q010 those were based on are like $2500+
the Sennheiser HD800 is $1400
the Grado PS1000 is in the $1600 ballpark

electrostatic systems are also never cheap cheapest i remember seeing for a complete system with the amp was still over $500... and there are is the king of expensive... the sennheiser oprheus system... $30K

the differences are there when you get into they $300+ range and sometimes are night and day and when you hear it you won't be able to unhear it (i've refused to even listen to other people's electrostatic headphones i'd like to remain happy with what i have)



depends on the model of sony headphones...


now for what i use...

for listening at home i have a pair of Sennheiser HD580s connected to a META42 amp built by an unknown head-fi member which is connected to my computer's soundcard (X-Fi)

for portable listening i use a Sandisk Sansa E280 which has rockbox installed and i use it with either some Sennheiser MX55 earbuds, Sennheiser PX100s, or Phonak Audeo PFE112s (the best IEM in their pricerange) depending on the situation

and for when i need to rock out quietly on my guitar i have Sennheiser EH2200 which i prefer for this purpose over the HD580s due to the much more neutral sound signature

Hey, can someone explain the difference between a valve, solid state and tube amp to me? I'm pretty confused on it.


Edit: Sony headphones are rather overpriced but they are decent

I hate it when I do that.

Anyone find it funny when people say they have a "pair of headphones". Why would you need two of them?

Because you've got two ears and most music is recorded in stereo?

On the go I use my Sennheiser CX-300B earbuds (pic) they sound very good for earbuds, and have lasted me longer than any other headphones I've had.

^Headphones


^A pair of headphones.^

Headphone.



(Pair of) Headphones.

Thanks! You saved me the trouble.

Yeah, I figured that a was pretty obvious mistake.

Well I'm still not convinced but we'll let it rest. It's a semantic issue anyway.

I'm using Grado SR-225is driven by a X-Fi Forte. Great headphones. Couldn't really imagine spending any more money on headphones for a long time.

valve and tube are the same thing

tube amps generally color the sound a bit... but in a good way

tube amps also have durability concerns they need proper ventilation and the tubes themselves are a bit fragile but tubes are easily replaced if/when they are damaged or "go out"

solid state amps are capable of more accurate reproduction of sound and the parts are far less fragile and don't generate near the level of heat as tube amps

which is better? that depends on your ears and wallet...

Alright. Thanks man

I use a V-Moda Vibe here, it boosts most of the highs, mids and lows, but the bass is boosted most, so the bass can be felt more easily. Black metal is not so screechy for some bands and death metal has a stronger pulse to it. But it cost me quite a lot.

I have the Sennheiser HD205 as my main headphones. They're decent closed cans, I got 'em over a year ago because I needed something cheap and simple for recording/monitoring. Hoping to get the HD555 and some good IEC's at some point, those Monsters someone posted last page looked pretty nice.

They are quite nice. If you've got the funds for'em, Monster also put out a higher end model for $250. I've only heard good things, all claiming them vastly superior to the basic models.

They also come with a lifetime warranty, and they'll completely replace one set for you, even if the damage is your fault.

It's sort of the same situation as "pair of pants".

AKG K44 pair I've had for aeons but most recently, a pair of Grado SR80is I just invested in for a serious £108. They're ace.

I was just about to mention this...

I use skull candy headphones. I don't know the exact model but it's one of the larger ones. Very nice sound quality, and they fold which is a plus.

In August I bought headphones KOSS (the plug type). They have excellent sound and lifetime warranty. I am very satisfy with them.

http://www.koss.com/

pioneer SE MJ5 -> about 60 euro, good buy

After all that shit I talked about Skullcandy, I went out and bought their Titan headphones. I am truly a dumbass: message under image, center of page.
They seem durable. It really pissed me off when I had a nice sounding pair of headphones that would break in only a few weeks.
Well I must say the sound quality beats any that I have hearrd from Skullcandy thus far. There is a lot of bass but it is not overbearing or harmful to the higher frequencies.

I used Bose In Ear Headphones until I sent them back. While waiting for another pair in the mail, I use stock iPod headphones.

I've been using Sony MDR-EX71's for a few years now. The first few batches that went on sale were terrible. The cord that goes around the back of the neck would literally melt after a few weeks. All the insulation would come away because the material was very soft.

The newer ones are far better and have different insulation.

I've got a pair of Sennheiser HD201. I got them free from my internet provider, seeing that they're losing customers and giving out gifts so people stay with them. They're pretty good for freebies.

Grado SR 61 is what i own.
Really good for heavy metal.

I just buy some cheap 20 dollar (aus) sony headphones... i thrash the shit out of them for up to 6 months, then once the bass starts to fuck up in one or both ears and the volume is just not the same... i go buy a new pair,

I have those AD700s. Still breaking them in, but they're quite excellent for metal (as well as a bit of classical!)

Could anyone recommend the best pair of Grados relative to price (most bang for the buck)? I can't really afford the Reference/Pro series, but maybe one of the more inexpensive pairs?

I'm no connoisseur on headphones but a lot of people prefer Alessandros over Grados. I've heard that MS-1's uses SR-225 drivers and has a darker sound to it compared to Grados. I've got a pair and I really like it but I've yet to compare it to Grados.

mine was made in acrappy factory in china

Got a JB Hi Fi voucher for $50 for early Xmas and by what I've read here, I might get myself a pair of Sennheisers.

No offense, but those headphones aren't meant for listening. They're meant for isolation during recording, so that you can have the headphones really loud and it won't get in the microphone, or alternatively so you can have the headphones at a decent volume and still be audible while recording a really loud source (ie. Drums or guitars). They don't sound very good, very tinny bass/low mid response and a huge peak around 3Khz.

The best headphones I've personally used are Audio Technica ATH-M50s. I got lucky and they were on sale for $80 new, so I ordered a pair on the recommendations of friends. They're really clean, clear, and smooth, with an even frequency response all the way down to 40Hz. Great for listening and mixing.

My main cans are AKG K701's driven by an Audio-GD Compass. I also have, but rarely use Alessandro MS1's, and Beyerdynamic DT250's. For portable use I have Westone UM1's and Etymotic ER6i's (an a plethora of cheaper sets).

I'm thinking I'll pick myself up a pair of Head Direct RE0's over the holiday season, as an upgrade over my current portable IEM's.

I just got a pair of Bose In Ear Headphones, and they are fucking incredible. They are my first high end headphone experience, and everything is just so crystal clear. I can hear every little detail, everything that the producer wanted you to get out of the music.

i bought a pair of these over the summer.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Skullcandy+ ... cp=1&lp=13

after a few years of putting up with unreliable and poor earbuds, i had to have something trust worthy that i could enjoy listening to music with. they're working great for me and they have a lifetime warranty, so i'm able to feel confident with them. they aren't noise canceling headphones, but they work well to drown out excessive background noise and focus on the music, with plenty of audible bass in the mix. the only complaint i have about them is that they can become rather uncomfortable after wearing them for an extended period of time.

overall, i'm very satisfied.

I have 2 pairs of Sennheiser HD650s that I got for around $250 AUD second hand each

I was a die-hard Grado user until I got these. Never going back ... Comfort level is 100x better and the sound suits all types of music, not just a few.

I had some black ink'd skullcandies but this fucking bitch of a girl begged to use them so I let her. Then I forgot to get them back and it was the last day of school, so now school started and she fucking wont give them back.