Head fi

[sucks2beme]

So how many Polkies hang out over on Head fi ? I know several, and was originally sent over there by a Polkie. Headphones are the only way to keep peace with the Mrs. some days.
The only problem that creates is which side of the hobbie to spend my money on. Lately, the headphones have been winning that battle.

[Shizelbs]

I chill over there some, but headphones are quickly becoming a minor side act in this house.

[Joey_V]

I was a headfi guy a few months ago - hit over 1000 posts and spent over 1000$ on headphone gear and amps (HD650, SA5000, HeadAmp GS-1)... but in the end, I found speakers to be far superior in sound and in money-return.

So, I sold everything and retired from hifi headphones. I havent had the need to go back since.

In my opinion, headphones are way too expensive for the sound they provide.... way overpriced in my experience. Not to mention, the amps are astronomical also.... not worth it to me.

Just my .02.

[Shizelbs]

I don't think the cans themselves are overpriced. I find them to be a great way to get very good sound on a tighter budget. But, you are right, the amps can be ridiculous.

[Danny Tse]

I hang out at head-fi (as soundboy) but I am not much of a headphone guy. I have 4 pairs of headphones....Grado SR60 (with Sennheiser HD-414 yellow pads), Sennheiser PX100 (I gave these to my mom), Sennheiser PX200 (my daily commute headphones) and Koss KSC-75 (burning them in right now)....with no dedicated headphone amp. Still using a portable CD player (with analog volume control) and have yet to download a song.

I am still a speaker guy, I suppose.

[RobXant]

I enjoy listening to my 595s when the kids are watching cartoons on the HT.

I also like messing around with the DIY headphone amp projects. I made a CMOY a while back and have been building a PIMETA for about 18 months. Darn war has been keeping my (other) hobby time to a minimum.

[Modvlar]

I find using a good quality (low-ish) power amp can be a great drive for headphones. If you already have a good amp, why not use it for everything. Just remember to throw on the resistors.

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

Well if any of you guys getting out of headphones has a good set of cans you wanna sell, elt me know. I'm in the market for some Grado, but will consider other options.

I'm not a headphones guy really, but am looking for a god set for gaming. I may snag me up some of those Audio Technica A500 from audiocubes.com

[Shizelbs]

Eff grados. Get some good Senns. Grados may sound fine but your ears will not be comfortable. Bad choice for gaming IMO.

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

Why are these a bad choice for gaming? I've heard that some people find them uncomfortable, but that's the first I've heard of them not being good cans...

If I look at Senns, is there a model in the same price range as the sr-60 that will compete with them?

Do you know anything about the Audio Technica A500? There's been alot of discussion about that model over at Head-fi, same thing with the BeyerDynamics DT770

[shack]

Why are these a bad choice for gaming? I've heard that some people find them uncomfortable, but that's the first I've heard of them not being good cans..
Probably because you may have them on longer for gaming than you would for music. Grados are a very nice sounding headphones...but they were uncomfotable as hell after a very short period of time. That's one of the reason I went with Sennheisers (and I wanted a sealed set...which Grado doesn't make).

[sucks2beme]

My kid uses Beyerdynamics dt770-80's for gaming and music. I've actually gone to wake him up in the morning and found him still wearing them!
They are quite easy to drive- currently its running off the headset jack of a Rotel preamp.
Grado cans are tough on my ears. I currently have HF-1's which are much warmer sounding than most Grado cans.
For serious listening, I use woody hd650's with a Cardas cable and a cheap
Chinese tube amp. (they sell often on Ebay for $100). The cable and wood earcups smooth out the low end bass bloat.
My Mrs. freaks out every time I crank up the speakers, so headphones are a must when she's at home. Plus, it's much easier to not hear those honey-dos.

[polksda]

Agree on the discomfort of Grados. I have a pair of 225s at home that are just collecting dust. Nice sound but I can't wear the damned things for more than about 10 minutes.

Contrast those with my Sennheiser 590s. I love them to death; the most comfortable phones ever. They fully enclose the ear, but rest on the sides of your head; nothing touches the ear itself. I can (and do) wear them 6+ hours a day at work.

[Shizelbs]

I'm not saying that Grados sound bad, I actually like them a lot, but they are so damned uncomfortable, they could be the best headphone ever, and I still would never buy them.

I agree fully with polksda on his comments on the 590s. They are the balls. They sound great and feel great.

[dorokusai]

Grados sound great, but feel like cheese graters on your head. I'll sacrifice a little clarity for comfort ala Sennheiser. AKG and Beyerdynamic make good headphones, but the high end models are the only standouts for me. Stax sets the bar.

Headphones are underrated.

[Joey_V]

Another good headphone is the Sony SA5000. Very clear and very airy.... not to mention veeeery comfy! I had one and my younger brother has one, I like this headphone a lot.... maybe moreso than my previous Sennheiser HD650.

[sucks2beme]

You can get more comfy earpiece adapters for Grados from Headphile. Bit pricey though. You also can use some Senn soft earpads and cut a hole in the middle. I believe they are from the Senn 414? You can also order them special from some other sites.

[mazersteven]

So how many Polkies hang out over on Head fi ? I know several, and was originally sent over there by a Polkie. Headphones are the only way to keep peace with the Mrs. some days.
The only problem that creates is which side of the hobbie to spend my money on. Lately, the headphones have been winning that battle.

I hang at HeadFi too. Very informative.

[Danny Tse]

You can get more comfy earpiece adapters for Grados from Headphile. Bit pricey though. You also can use some Senn soft earpads and cut a hole in the middle. I believe they are from the Senn 414? You can also order them special from some other sites.

I had my Grado SR60 for 8 years before the original pads changed colors (from black to a hazy orange). Ordered some HD-414 pads (yellow) directly from Sennheiser and they fit perfectly. A little more comfortable than the original pads, but with no holes cut into them. I guess I am the only one who actually like the comfort of Grado's.

[dorokusai]

You obviously have smurf ears.

[audiobliss]

I've been over there a few times. Seems to be a very active, informative place. I'll probably spend more time over there once I actually get a headphone rig.