Headphones?

[pigmode]

Who uses headphones, what are you using, and and why?

I have a set of Sennheiser HD 580s with a simple diy amp. I guess I divide my speaker/ HP listening 70%/30%. I usually reach for the phones in the evening when reading, or when listening to a CD that I prefer hearing on headphones.

[Jeffrey]

Hi Pig,

I also have 580's. Found them to be a great deal for the $. I just gotta Rega Planet 2000 and don't have anywhere to place it so it's on an end table and very subject to vibrations. Thus, the 580's are getting lotsa play. After I purchase a Rega turntable & decent stand, I will probably use the 580's 25% of the time mostly to keep peace w/ the old lady who lacks appreciation for on-going music. She gets her kicks w/ the tube.

The Music Never Stops,
Jeff

[John Buchanan]

I use Stax Lambda Nova Signatures driven by a SRM1 Mk2 amp or JJ Float Electrostatics driven by an old Rotel integrated. Electrostatics - way to go. For those not interested in lots of volts close to the ears, have a look at some of the dynamic headphone amps at http://www.headroom.com
to improve the sound to nearly as good as electrostatics ;) :p
PS my comment regarding Whole Lotta Love on headphones refers to the pan-potting in the middle section - lots of fun. For those who want to put their air guitars on recharge while they read, try Astral Weeks or Its Too Late To Stop Now by Van the Man!!! :cool:

[christopher]

i rarely, if ever, use headphones to listen to prerecorded music. i primarily wear them (sony MDRV600) while recording/mixing music on my cassette four-track.

later, chris

[FabFourFan]

Originally posted by pigmode:
Who uses headphones, what are you using, and and why?

For reference and comfort, I use Sennheiser HD600s. For gorgeous sound, nice old Yamaha YH-1s (not for sale!). For testing (or for use with a portable player), Sony MDR-V6s because they are efficient.

FWIW, I do my best to AVOID connecting to the amplifier through a series resistance, i.e., I never plug into a normal front-panel headphone jack.

Instead, I connect the headset DIRECTLY to the output of the power amplifier, just like connecting a speaker. The things sound mucho better that way, IMHO!!!

[Todd Fredericks]

I use Sony MDR-7506 headphones (the same as Fraiser on TV). They're comfortable, durable and are great for monitoring levels during a crazy, unpredictable live event (surivived many gigs sitting in the fields during Mohawk Strawberry ceremonies). The ear pads can be replaced (they can rip easily while avoiding falling equipment).

Todd

[Ian]

I love my AKG K240M's. While they are not as efficient as many other makes they do give a lucious sound. Very smooth and open.Always good when I can't use my 'Digms. ;)

[jkerr]

Grado RS-1 w/ Antique Sound Labs (ASL) MG-Head tube amp (1 - 12AX7, 2 - EL84). My source is the Sony SCD-777ES player.

Lots of detail & impact but unforgiving. Can't recommend this combo for recordings that are very harsh & compressed. I've read that many enjoy the Senn's HD600 with the MG Head for a more laid back sound. So the Grado's may not be everybody's cup o' tea but the amp is great! Highly recommended.

Originally I used this exclusively until I invested in a pair ASL MG-SPM25 mono block tube amps (KT88) and Tannoy Reveal monitors (very smooth setup, I listen near-field). Still need a sub tho, trying to decide what to do there. So the headphones are now mainly for late night listening.

A great place for headphone discussions iswww.headwize.com (http://www.headwize.com)

[pigmode]

Originally posted by FabFourFan:


FWIW, I do my best to AVOID connecting to the amplifier through a series resistance, i.e., I never plug into a normal front-panel headphone jack.

Instead, I connect the headset DIRECTLY to the output of the power amplifier, just like connecting a speaker. The things sound mucho better that way, IMHO!!!


Yeah, these 580s sound really bad out of my headphone jacks. I think it varies from equipment to equipment.

[petzi]

Originally posted by pigmode:
Who uses headphones, what are you using, and and why?



I listen to music mostly over the headphone. Many years ago I wanted to buy a new headphone and tried some of the better dynamic headphones (>$100), but I didn´t like the sound of any of them. Then a friend of mine brought me a Stax headphone, a small electret type headphone with a transformer for the speaker output of my amplifier. I had a Luxman L-410 at that time. That headphone was the only one that satisfied me at that time.

I kept the headphone for many years, and switched to a real electrostatic earphone (Stax Lambda Signature with tube amp SRM-T1) later. I was a student at that time, so the money I had to spend for that really hurt. But I had to have it, because that earphone had the best sound I had ever heard, no speakers could compare to that. I started to get frustrated with the bad sound quality of the software :rolleyes:

Recently I have been able to acquire a Sennheiser Orpheus, which is even better than the (excellent) Stax Lambda Signature. It came with a beautiful tube amp. The earphone was a project by Sennheiser to show what can be done by going to the technical limits. They made only 300 of the Orpheus combination, and I have only been able to afford that thing because I bought it from a guy who had won it as a prize from a HiFi magazine :D

Currently I an working on DIY tube amps & speakers, though.

The good thing about earphones is I can listen without disturbing the neighbors. It gives me the clearest most undistorted sound. And I don´t mind I can´t *feel* the bass, because those earphones have a straight frequency response to almost DC.

[ November 03, 2001: Message edited by: Michael Beckmann ]

[ November 03, 2001: Message edited by: Michael Beckmann ]

[Andrew]

Originally posted by Michael Beckmann:


I listen to music mostly over the headphone. Many years ago I wanted to buy a new headphone and tried some of the better dynamic headphones (>$100), but I didn´t like the sound of any of them. Then a friend of mine brought me a Stax headphone, a small electret type headphone with a transformer for the speaker output of my amplifier.
That was same kind I bought when upgrading my crappy DAK walkman types. Those were then replaced by Nova Basics, my current pair. http://ubb.fanasylum.com/smiles/wavey.gif

The good thing about earphones is I can listen without disturbing the neighbors. It gives me the clearest most undistorted sound. And I don´t mind I can´t *feel* the bass, because those earphones have a straight frequency response to almost DC.
Amen.

[pigmode]

I can understand the allure of headphone only listening, but I mostly prefer loudspeakers. Speakers provide a strong viseral effect as a result of sound waves interacting with the listening environment, in addition to the sheer amount of air moved by the bass drivers. Headphones provide an all together different kind of sound.

How about phones + subwoofer? I heard it works out pretty well.

[TimB]

Well, the 2 phones I use are:
For travel, the Grado SR60's. They sound great and are very lively.
For home: Koss 950, the electrostatics. Very nice, smooth, and a pleasure for late night and private listening. :D null

[FabFourFan]

Originally posted by Michael Beckmann:
Recently I have been able to acquire a Sennheiser Orpheus, which is even better than the (excellent) Stax Lambda Signature. It came with a beautiful tube amp. The earphone was a project by Sennheiser to show what can be done by going to the technical limits. They made only 300 of the Orpheus combination, and I have only been able to afford that thing because I bought it from a guy who had won it as a prize from a HiFi magazine :D

Yowza! Those are reportedly spectacular sounding. Congratulations, sir!

I'm jealous! Why don't I ever win anything??? :-)

[BeatleFred]

Well, ever since I bought my loudspeakers earlier this year, I havent done much listening thru headphones anymore. Speakers are the Infinity Renaissance 90- SUPERB Speakers!!! Made 1992-1994. It is a crime Infinity made speakers this beautiful and hardly anyone knows of them. (See www.audioreview.com, (http://www.audioreview.com,) Product Reviews, Main Speakers, I for Infinity, scroll down to Ren 90 and read for yourself). The other great models were the Quantum models from the late 70's (see: www.bobbyshred.com/infinity.html) (http://www.bobbyshred.com/infinity.html)) But anyway, I digress. H'phones I have are the AKG K240 & Grado SR-80, both very good. By the way, just read the postings on The Kinks recordings- nice to see some Kinks fans out here!! Some of their later stuff sounds better- "Moments" from 'Percy' is a great track & "Stormy Sky" from 'Sleepwalker' sounds much better than the tinny sound of their earlier recordings. Perhaps The Kinks needed a George Martin to help them in the sound department :)

[Unknown]

I use AKG's K-1000 headphones... amplified by a Krell (5 Watt CLASS-A) amplifer. Very detailed and warm sound... I could not understand why Krell stopped the production... but maybe $ 2500 are too much for a headphones amp only!