• Headphone Craziness

    From JohnGavin@21:1/5 to All on Sat Oct 22 08:46:03 2022
    Watching many headphone reviews on YouTube, I have noticed that many of these reviewers have racks full of headphones in the background. It struck me as odd to be so into this that you’d by so many.

    I was sold and buying my third pair in the form of Apple iPod pro 2s.

    Now I understand the mania a little better, although I don’t intend to buy anymore. Each of the three excel in different kinds of recording. The hi-fi man Ananda headphones are the best of the three overall With an excellent soundstage and spaciousness.
    This is the one that could convince you that you were they are live.

    The Sony is that I have has the richest warmest subbase range and ends up often being the best for Organ recordings. It’s a trade-off in many ways yet it excels in an almost exaggerated yet impressive fullness of sound.

    As far as the Apple EarPods go, I’ve been listening to Kings singers recordings and they are unrivaled in these kind of ensemble recordings - there’s something about the intimacy of sound going so directly into your ears that works very well with
    ensemble and chamber music recordings.

    Anyone else out there find the same phenomenon?

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  • From mswdesign@gmail.com@21:1/5 to JohnGavin on Sat Oct 22 10:10:21 2022
    On Saturday, October 22, 2022 at 10:46:06 AM UTC-5, JohnGavin wrote:
    Watching many headphone reviews on YouTube, I have noticed that many of these reviewers have racks full of headphones in the background. It struck me as odd to be so into this that you’d by so many.

    I was sold and buying my third pair in the form of Apple iPod pro 2s.

    Now I understand the mania a little better, although I don’t intend to buy anymore. Each of the three excel in different kinds of recording. The hi-fi man Ananda headphones are the best of the three overall With an excellent soundstage and
    spaciousness. This is the one that could convince you that you were they are live.

    The Sony is that I have has the richest warmest subbase range and ends up often being the best for Organ recordings. It’s a trade-off in many ways yet it excels in an almost exaggerated yet impressive fullness of sound.

    As far as the Apple EarPods go, I’ve been listening to Kings singers recordings and they are unrivaled in these kind of ensemble recordings - there’s something about the intimacy of sound going so directly into your ears that works very well with
    ensemble and chamber music recordings.

    Anyone else out there find the same phenomenon?

    I've owned six or so pairs of headphones. I also own programs with pre-loaded EQ profiles for common headphones: those programs are SonarWorks TrueFi and SonarWorks SoundID Reference. The latter is a more robust version of the former, which I don't think
    is sold any more, but both work wonderfully, providing you are listening from a computer (in theory you could run your signal through to your amp, too- I do that, but have no need to connect my headphones further down my chain. A good DAC and amp and you
    are set). I say all this because if I was a slave to headphones' native EQ profiles, I don't think I'd be happy- the benefit of EQ for any of the ones that I've owned has always been pretty clear, sometimes shockingly so. And it brought all of my
    headphones into a zone where they were all pretty similar sounding, with the differences being instrumental clarity (which I see as connected to distortion), ability to produce sub-bass and comfort/usability. At a certain point I sold most of what I had
    in order to finance the purchase of an older Audeze LCD-XC. The experience of EQ'd sound out of them from the moment I put them on was distinctly better than any other headphone I'd ever heard, with instruments clearly defined, not mushed at all, with
    bass clear, focused, and impactful. And what you see from objective measurements is that Audeze's full-size headphones have almost no distortion. (https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/audeze-lcd-xc-review-closed-back-headphone.31102/
    ) Whatever the drawbacks of them (wired, heavy, silly-looking, not portable- and this model is pretty weird-sounding without EQ), when I can listen through them, I do. And I don't need to refer to words like "soundstage". I have every faith that I'm
    hearing all the music, period. (Go ahead and call that stupid- everything is through a medium. But the bottom line is that I don't have to play the "which headphone sounds best for this music" game.

    Used to have an AKG 701 equivalent from Drop.com. The sound out of them was rough and boxy, but apply the measured EQ to them and treble became properly defined and bass could punch better- they became a wonderful companion to the Audeze in being
    lightweight, very comfortable (especially for big-ear people), never ear-warming and quite fun to listen to. No, they can't match the sub-bass of the Audeze planar or the clarity of instruments that comes with zero distortion. Unfortunately, they broke-
    some of the wiring inside became disconnected, and taking them apart for an attempted repair did not work. I suspect I could have soldered a fix, but I don't have those tools.

    I will say that AirPods Pro are actually pretty good, especially once EQ'd. I was given a Max as a gift and am going to sell that. They are really good, but I don't love them like the Audeze, which I would replace in an instant if if I had to.

    If you can take one thing from this self-absorbed blather, it should be that a good EQ program can have a huge impact on your listening enjoyment, whatever your hardware.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Andy Evans@21:1/5 to All on Sat Oct 22 09:23:24 2022
    Don't like headphones except for making recordings. I like ambient sounds.

    I have AKG K701s. Very happy with those - good value used.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From mINE109@21:1/5 to mswd...@gmail.com on Sat Oct 22 12:38:36 2022
    On 10/22/22 12:10 PM, mswd...@gmail.com wrote:
    If you can take one thing from this self-absorbed blather, it should
    be that a good EQ program can have a huge impact on your listening
    enjoyment, whatever your hardware.

    Seconded. Too bad it's such a bother for my Mac. Eq can also help bring
    the cheapest version of similar designs closer to the performance of the
    top of the line.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Rebecca and Michael Weston@21:1/5 to All on Sat Oct 22 11:38:32 2022
    On Saturday, October 22, 2022 at 12:38:41 PM UTC-5, MINe109 wrote:
    On 10/22/22 12:10 PM, mswd...@gmail.com wrote:
    If you can take one thing from this self-absorbed blather, it should
    be that a good EQ program can have a huge impact on your listening enjoyment, whatever your hardware.
    Seconded. Too bad it's such a bother for my Mac. Eq can also help bring
    the cheapest version of similar designs closer to the performance of the
    top of the line.

    I'm on a Mac. What's the bother? Mind you, I find Sound ID Reference a bit confusing, but if it was all I had, I wouldn't complain.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Andy Evans@21:1/5 to mswd...@gmail.com on Sat Oct 22 15:25:52 2022
    On Saturday, 22 October 2022 at 18:10:23 UTC+1, mswd...@gmail.com wrote:

    a good EQ program can have a huge impact on your listening enjoyment, whatever your hardware.

    I tried an EQ program with my K701s. Although it gave more bass it muddied the sound and I found that unacceptable. I don't have a problem without EQ.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From mswdesign@gmail.com@21:1/5 to Andy Evans on Sat Oct 22 18:44:02 2022
    On Saturday, October 22, 2022 at 5:26:05 PM UTC-5, Andy Evans wrote:
    On Saturday, 22 October 2022 at 18:10:23 UTC+1, mswd...@gmail.com wrote:

    a good EQ program can have a huge impact on your listening enjoyment, whatever your hardware.
    I tried an EQ program with my K701s. Although it gave more bass it muddied the sound and I found that unacceptable. I don't have a problem without EQ.

    It it sounds good, it sounds good. That said, was your EQ program one that had presets based on measurements of the model in question or just controls for you to play with? I wouldn't mess with the latter without a reference for the frequency response of
    the model in question, and even then it isn't likely that he level of precision adjustment offered would match that of a product with presets. Both of the products I mention are equipped with have controls to avoid clipping so that no frequency
    adjustment falls outside the bounds of the sound envelope.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Notsure01@21:1/5 to All on Sun Oct 23 03:00:19 2022
    Perfect timing for me since I'm looking to get new headphones. I had
    been using Sony headphones (the small on-ears models with foam pads) or
    AKG earbuds with my iPod. I also had a Grado SR60 pair at home.

    Now that I'm retired and homebound due to a chronic illness I upgraded
    to a Grado SR225x.

    I've found that this Grado model, while it is three times as expensive
    as the SR60 is just slightly better, and has the same faults -
    prominent, unnatural treble and unable to handle congested orchestral or
    choral passages.

    In searching the rmcr archives this subject has come up numerous times,
    but since I know these preferences are so subjective I thought if
    someone with similar tastes had a model they liked they could advise me.
    I've now been using a 20 dollar Koss headphone - KTXPRO1 - and find that
    the sound balance is great but it also can't handle congested music -
    how am I going to climb the Alpine Symphony?

    Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From MELMOTH@21:1/5 to All on Sun Oct 23 10:46:48 2022
    JohnGavin vient de nous annoncer :
    Anyone else out there find the same phenomenon?

    I usually listen /at the same time/ on headphones (Sennheiser HD660 and
    Stax) AND on my speakers (Klipschorn Heritage and Maganepan)...
    This allows me to benefit from the finesse and the precision of the
    headphones AND the amplitude of the speakers...The sound of the
    headphones appears in front of the head, instead of being confined
    between the ears!...Once the balance is reached, the listening is
    really exceptional...

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From gggg gggg@21:1/5 to JohnGavin on Sun Oct 23 01:27:21 2022
    On Saturday, October 22, 2022 at 8:46:06 AM UTC-7, JohnGavin wrote:
    Watching many headphone reviews on YouTube, I have noticed that many of these reviewers have racks full of headphones in the background. It struck me as odd to be so into this that you’d by so many.

    I was sold and buying my third pair in the form of Apple iPod pro 2s.

    Now I understand the mania a little better, although I don’t intend to buy anymore. Each of the three excel in different kinds of recording. The hi-fi man Ananda headphones are the best of the three overall With an excellent soundstage and
    spaciousness. This is the one that could convince you that you were they are live.

    The Sony is that I have has the richest warmest subbase range and ends up often being the best for Organ recordings. It’s a trade-off in many ways yet it excels in an almost exaggerated yet impressive fullness of sound.

    As far as the Apple EarPods go, I’ve been listening to Kings singers recordings and they are unrivaled in these kind of ensemble recordings - there’s something about the intimacy of sound going so directly into your ears that works very well with
    ensemble and chamber music recordings.

    Anyone else out there find the same phenomenon?

    https://www.classical-music.com/features/articles/how-to-choose-the-right-headphones-for-listening-to-classical-music/

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Notsure01@21:1/5 to gggg gggg on Sun Oct 23 04:54:47 2022
    On 10/23/22 4:27 AM, gggg gggg wrote:

    https://www.classical-music.com/features/articles/how-to-choose-the-right-headphones-for-listening-to-classical-music/

    Thanks, Greg, for providing that link. I've seen that article as well as
    others and they tend to recommend the Grados and also a differing
    variety of other models.

    Taste in headphones varies among different people and is heavily
    influenced by what you are used to. That's why my hope is to find
    someone in this group that enjoyed the "Walkman" sound of smallish,
    on-ear, open back headphones with foam cups, and has found a better
    version with a similar sound.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From gggg gggg@21:1/5 to JohnGavin on Sun Oct 23 02:03:43 2022
    On Saturday, October 22, 2022 at 8:46:06 AM UTC-7, JohnGavin wrote:
    Watching many headphone reviews on YouTube, I have noticed that many of these reviewers have racks full of headphones in the background. It struck me as odd to be so into this that you’d by so many.

    I was sold and buying my third pair in the form of Apple iPod pro 2s.

    Now I understand the mania a little better, although I don’t intend to buy anymore. Each of the three excel in different kinds of recording. The hi-fi man Ananda headphones are the best of the three overall With an excellent soundstage and
    spaciousness. This is the one that could convince you that you were they are live.

    The Sony is that I have has the richest warmest subbase range and ends up often being the best for Organ recordings. It’s a trade-off in many ways yet it excels in an almost exaggerated yet impressive fullness of sound.

    As far as the Apple EarPods go, I’ve been listening to Kings singers recordings and they are unrivaled in these kind of ensemble recordings - there’s something about the intimacy of sound going so directly into your ears that works very well with
    ensemble and chamber music recordings.

    Anyone else out there find the same phenomenon?

    (Y. upload):

    "Best Headphones For Classical Music in 2021 [Top 5 Picks Reviewed]"

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Todd M. McComb@21:1/5 to theomonk@free.fr on Sun Oct 23 08:55:28 2022
    In article <6354ff78$0$31527$426a74cc@news.free.fr>,
    MELMOTH <theomonk@free.fr> wrote:
    I usually listen /at the same time/ on headphones ... AND on my
    speakers ....

    Well, I have to say, that's different. I would have never thought
    of doing something like that.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From mINE109@21:1/5 to Rebecca and Michael Weston on Sun Oct 23 12:08:41 2022
    On 10/22/22 1:38 PM, Rebecca and Michael Weston wrote:
    On Saturday, October 22, 2022 at 12:38:41 PM UTC-5, MINe109 wrote:
    On 10/22/22 12:10 PM, mswd...@gmail.com wrote:
    If you can take one thing from this self-absorbed blather, it should
    be that a good EQ program can have a huge impact on your listening
    enjoyment, whatever your hardware.
    Seconded. Too bad it's such a bother for my Mac. Eq can also help bring
    the cheapest version of similar designs closer to the performance of the
    top of the line.

    I'm on a Mac. What's the bother? Mind you, I find Sound ID Reference a bit confusing, but if it was all I had, I wouldn't complain.

    No cheap and easy systemwide eq. The method I tried was unwieldy and
    used a lot of processing capacity.

    Yes, I'd hope the paid programs and streaming platforms would be okay.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From mINE109@21:1/5 to Andy Evans on Sun Oct 23 12:14:50 2022
    On 10/22/22 5:25 PM, Andy Evans wrote:
    On Saturday, 22 October 2022 at 18:10:23 UTC+1, mswd...@gmail.com wrote:

    a good EQ program can have a huge impact on your listening enjoyment, whatever your hardware.

    I tried an EQ program with my K701s. Although it gave more bass it muddied the sound and I found that unacceptable. I don't have a problem without EQ.

    It sounds like you are content without eq but if you're curious, here's
    a source of measurements and eq proposals.

    https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/akg-k701-headphone-reviews-china-and-austrian-made.30900/

    Looks like it would be easy to get muddy by overboosting the midbass and incurring distortion.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From mINE109@21:1/5 to All on Sun Oct 23 12:28:33 2022
    On 10/23/22 2:00 AM, Notsure01 wrote:
    Perfect timing for me since I'm looking to get new headphones. I had
    been using Sony headphones (the small on-ears models with foam pads) or
    AKG earbuds with my iPod. I also had a Grado SR60 pair at home.

    Now that I'm retired and homebound due to a chronic illness I upgraded
    to a Grado SR225x.

    I've found that this Grado model, while it is three times as expensive
    as the SR60 is just slightly better, and has the same faults -
    prominent, unnatural treble and unable to handle congested orchestral or choral passages.

    In searching the rmcr archives this subject has come up numerous times,
    but since I know these preferences are so subjective I thought if
    someone with similar tastes had a model they liked they could advise me.
    I've now been using a 20 dollar Koss headphone - KTXPRO1 - and find that
    the sound balance is great but it also can't handle congested music -
    how am I going to climb the Alpine Symphony?

    Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

    I have several Grados (60, 80, 225) and have to agree with your
    assessment though I liked them when I got them. The headphone I used to
    wean myself from the screaming treble was the Creative Aurvana Live!
    which is based on a Fostex OEM also used by Denon and other brands.

    It's usually available at Amazon and at Creative for about $50.

    The Sony MDR-ZX110 is a bargain especially if you can eq to correct a
    dull low treble. It won't ascend those Alps as it distorts when it gets
    loud but it might do better than the Koss and it's really inexpensive.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From JohnGavin@21:1/5 to All on Mon Oct 24 03:56:12 2022
    On Sunday, October 23, 2022 at 1:28:37 PM UTC-4, MINe109 wrote:
    On 10/23/22 2:00 AM, Notsure01 wrote:
    Perfect timing for me since I'm looking to get new headphones. I had
    been using Sony headphones (the small on-ears models with foam pads) or AKG earbuds with my iPod. I also had a Grado SR60 pair at home.

    Now that I'm retired and homebound due to a chronic illness I upgraded
    to a Grado SR225x.

    I've found that this Grado model, while it is three times as expensive
    as the SR60 is just slightly better, and has the same faults -
    prominent, unnatural treble and unable to handle congested orchestral or choral passages.

    In searching the rmcr archives this subject has come up numerous times, but since I know these preferences are so subjective I thought if
    someone with similar tastes had a model they liked they could advise me. I've now been using a 20 dollar Koss headphone - KTXPRO1 - and find that the sound balance is great but it also can't handle congested music -
    how am I going to climb the Alpine Symphony?

    Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
    I have several Grados (60, 80, 225) and have to agree with your
    assessment though I liked them when I got them. The headphone I used to
    wean myself from the screaming treble was the Creative Aurvana Live!
    which is based on a Fostex OEM also used by Denon and other brands.

    It's usually available at Amazon and at Creative for about $50.

    The Sony MDR-ZX110 is a bargain especially if you can eq to correct a
    dull low treble. It won't ascend those Alps as it distorts when it gets
    loud but it might do better than the Koss and it's really inexpensive.

    After spending time with the Airpod pro 2s I can say that they excel with chamber music, voice and piano, small vocal ensemble’s etc. I would rate them as superior in these mediums to headphones that cost four times as much. The reason is that they
    excel in conveying intimacy with great warmth and presence - better than any headphone I have tried. They are not as good for orchestral recordings due to their limited soundstage (although it’s quite good, but on a smaller scale) With a few exceptions
    I choose headphones for Solo instrumental recordings as well.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From MELMOTH@21:1/5 to All on Mon Oct 24 13:44:59 2022
    JohnGavin vient de nous annoncer :
    After spending time with the Airpod pro 2s I can say that they excel with chamber music, voice and piano, small vocal ensemble’s etc. I would rate them
    as superior in these mediums to headphones that cost four times as much. The reason is that they excel in conveying intimacy with great warmth and presence - better than any headphone I have tried. They are not as good for orchestral recordings due to their limited soundstage (although it’s quite good, but on a smaller scale) With a few exceptions I choose headphones for Solo instrumental recordings as well.

    A GOOD headphone should be GOOD *with ANY style of music* !...

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From mswdesign@gmail.com@21:1/5 to MELMOTH on Mon Oct 24 06:42:00 2022
    On Sunday, October 23, 2022 at 3:46:52 AM UTC-5, MELMOTH wrote:
    JohnGavin vient de nous annoncer :
    Anyone else out there find the same phenomenon?
    I usually listen /at the same time/ on headphones (Sennheiser HD660 and Stax) AND on my speakers (Klipschorn Heritage and Maganepan)...
    This allows me to benefit from the finesse and the precision of the headphones AND the amplitude of the speakers...The sound of the
    headphones appears in front of the head, instead of being confined
    between the ears!...Once the balance is reached, the listening is
    really exceptional...

    I should think that would be a wonderful case study in phase effects given the different distances of these sound sources and the fact that sounds could cancel each other. I'll bet that as you vary your distance to the speakers the sound profile would
    change considerably.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From gggg gggg@21:1/5 to JohnGavin on Mon Oct 24 09:52:09 2022
    On Monday, October 24, 2022 at 3:56:14 AM UTC-7, JohnGavin wrote:
    On Sunday, October 23, 2022 at 1:28:37 PM UTC-4, MINe109 wrote:
    On 10/23/22 2:00 AM, Notsure01 wrote:
    Perfect timing for me since I'm looking to get new headphones. I had been using Sony headphones (the small on-ears models with foam pads) or AKG earbuds with my iPod. I also had a Grado SR60 pair at home.

    Now that I'm retired and homebound due to a chronic illness I upgraded to a Grado SR225x.

    I've found that this Grado model, while it is three times as expensive as the SR60 is just slightly better, and has the same faults - prominent, unnatural treble and unable to handle congested orchestral or choral passages.

    In searching the rmcr archives this subject has come up numerous times, but since I know these preferences are so subjective I thought if someone with similar tastes had a model they liked they could advise me. I've now been using a 20 dollar Koss headphone - KTXPRO1 - and find that the sound balance is great but it also can't handle congested music - how am I going to climb the Alpine Symphony?

    Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
    I have several Grados (60, 80, 225) and have to agree with your
    assessment though I liked them when I got them. The headphone I used to wean myself from the screaming treble was the Creative Aurvana Live!
    which is based on a Fostex OEM also used by Denon and other brands.

    It's usually available at Amazon and at Creative for about $50.

    The Sony MDR-ZX110 is a bargain especially if you can eq to correct a
    dull low treble. It won't ascend those Alps as it distorts when it gets loud but it might do better than the Koss and it's really inexpensive.
    After spending time with the Airpod pro 2s I can say that they excel with chamber music, voice and piano, small vocal ensemble’s etc. I would rate them as superior in these mediums to headphones that cost four times as much. The reason is that they
    excel in conveying intimacy with great warmth and presence - better than any headphone I have tried. They are not as good for orchestral recordings due to their limited soundstage (although it’s quite good, but on a smaller scale) With a few exceptions
    I choose headphones for Solo instrumental recordings as well.

    (Y. upload):

    "Classical Musicians Review AirPods Max"

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)