Any headphone junkies here? (post what you have!)

[mg1942]

Sony MDR 7506

http://es.woodbrass.com/images/woodbrass/SONY+CASQUE+MDR+7506.JPG

http://www.geocities.jp/ryumatsuba/mdr-7506.gif


I'm thinking about getting refined version of 7506 this in the future...:cool:



http://soundnrecording.com/images/userdif/editor/0301162722.jpg

http://www.geocities.jp/ryumatsuba/mdr-cd900st_f.gif

[kujoe]

I'm just getting into them, but I'm not that hardcore as I'm not really well-versed with the whole audiophile hobby. Moreover, the high end models are really expensive.

I have a Sennheisser HD 555. I suppose that's a good place to start. I think it suits my needs just fine, so I'm not planning on upgrading anytime soon.

[tessa]

SONY MDR-Z500

So, do you guys check this book?

"Shin Headphone Dokuhon" (*Japanese)
http://blog.livedoor.jp/geek/archives/50685680.html
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/486191423X

[mg1942]

I want the gurl with the AKG!:D

[james0246]

I have a Pro-4AA Koss (http://www.koss.com/koss/kossweb.nsf/p?OpenForm&pc%5Efs%5EPRO4AA) that I have used for over a decade (almost two, now). Still work great and sound amazing.

[Solafighter]

Creative Fatal1ty Pro Series Gaming Headset (http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=437&subcategory=442&product=16618)

[Gaia]

Sennheiser HD205


http://www.headphonethings.co.uk/images/HD205-XL.jpg
http://www.electroworld.pl/_gAllery/97/55/9755/2053.jpg

[escimo]

Oh, I have a bunch.
Sony MDR-7506
Sennheiser HD600
Sennheiser HD212Pro
Koss PRO4AA
about 10 plugs and a few other. :D

I mostly use 7506 and HD600.

[tessa]

I want the gurl with the AKG!:D

In that book ("Shin Moeru Headphone Dokuhon"), you can also choose one out of the models and *girls* as below:

- AKG K240 Studio/K701
- audio-technica ATH-ANC7/ATH-EM700/ATH-W5000
- BOSE In-ear headphones/QuietComfort3
- beyer-dynamic DT990PRO
- DENON AH-D5000
- ETYMOTIC RESEARCH ETY8
- FOSTEX T50RP
- GRADO iGRADO
- KOSS PORTAPRO
- Panasonic RP-HTX7
- SENNHEISER HD595/HD650
- SONY MDR-SA5000/MDR-Z900HD/MUSIC MDR-CD900ST
- STAX SR-001MkII/SRS-4040A
- Sensaphonics Prophonic 2XS
- ULTRASONE PROline 2500/edition 9
- Victor HP-DX1000/HP-M1000

The book contains good pics and interview with Kenji Kawai (sound composer for "Ranma","Ghost in the shell" etc.). It could be nice for you;)

[problemedchild]

AudioTechnia 550

Should of gotten the 700, ah well.

[mg1942]

I have a Pro-4AA Koss (http://www.koss.com/koss/kossweb.nsf/p?OpenForm&pc%5Efs%5EPRO4AA) that I have used for over a decade (almost two, now). Still work great and sound amazing.

That's solid as rock! My sony 7506 looks flimsy in comparison:D

[kj1980]

I now travel a lot, so I bought a BOSE QC3 noise cancelling headphone.

http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/shop_online/headphones/noise_cancelling_headphones/quietcomfort_3/index.jsp

[wao]

I've been listening to everything I do on headphones nearly 100% of the time since about 3-4 years ago... but I know next to nothing about headphones :(

I've been using an audio-technica AT-T22 for about 1.5 years or so, before that it was a Sony somethingortheother.
I'm fine with my current headphones except that the top is warped because it was originally way too small for my head despite stretching it out to the last slot... of course it's not perfect, but my brother got it cheap and it doesn't sound awful.

Once these headphones are entirely unusable I hope to look into really good ones and learn more about them. :)

[Issac]

I don't own a nice pair of headphones, just these cheapie everyday Sony ones. I mean, they're for general use and are comfortable for use hours on end. Doesn't even feel like they're there.

But I do admire studio-quality headphones, and how elegant and/or sick they design them. I will shamefully admit that what caught me on to these beautiful sets were the series of random anime girls wearing headphones. I have so many wallpapers of such it's ridiculous, and it's somehow alluring.

Maybe someday I'll get my own HQ headphones, when I gather the spare change for one. It's my understanding that they don't come cheap at all.

Since you all seem to know more about it, is Bose overrated?

[wao]

OK great, my headphones broke. The plastic whachamacallit snapped and while it still works, all the taping and gluing isn't helping.

So... crossing my fingers that anyone bothers reading this thread, any suggestions? Please? Or any personal recommendations to a good site for asking?

I'm looking for something at least good as or better than the pair I was using (audio-technica ATH-T22), has to handle bass well, has to be sturdy/durable... and less than S$150 if possible. I don't even think I can afford that much, but then I don't know if even this combination of quality and price is possible.

Noise-cancellation isn't a must - it'd probably go over $150 anyway - but darn I wouldn't mind having a pair with that.

[WanderingKnight]

OK great, my headphones broke. The plastic whachamacallit snapped and while it still works, all the taping and gluing isn't helping.


That happened to me, too. What I used to glue them back was something we call "Pastix" here, which is some kind of gluing paste used in construction (mostly detail work, it's not too expensive and you need a really small amount). It's horrible on sight now (because the paste is all over the broken joint) but it works.

I'll post a pic when I get back home to show you how I did it.

[wao]

Doesn't matter what it looks like, as long as it works... but I don't know if I can find that glue here. Worse thing is that somehow it's broken such that the two parts don't fit into each other properly either (the plastic's gotten a little distorted).
Anyway, these headphones were getting a bit worn and the headband itself actually is distorted because in its fully-expanded state it simply didn't fit. The covering on the earpads has almost totally peeled off. I'm thinking it's time I got a new pair.

So far I've been recommended the Sennheiser HD555 as being very value for money and good for someone who wouldn't just want to hear the damn music and forget how "nice" it should be (no way I'm getting those >$200 super-audiophile headphones, though!)

Still, however... I can't cough up that much cash so quickly. Apparently the PX-100 is a good cheapish one that is also portable and doesn't look idiotic, but I'm wondering how long it lasts.

[Ending]

Sennheiser HD590. Good soundquality, look good, and comfortable to use. Been happy with them for the past three or four years, but the price was a bit salty and the bass wasn't as good as in my previous run-of-the-mill Sony headphones.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/512XJ3PHJHL._SS500_.jpg
Overall: good but slightly overpriced headphones. Or was when I bought them. The price might have come down since then.

[Marina]

I currently use the Bose Triport headphones:
http://www.bose.com/assets/images/shop_online/ae_headphones/ae_headphones_si_lg.jpg

Been using them for a few years now, but I'm hopefully getting the Sennheiser HD 595 headphones for Christmas ^_^
http://shop.sennheiserusa.com/retail2002/images/catalog/HD595_normal.jpg
I'm not completely sure yet since I want to get headphones that will be good for a large variety of music >.<

[ShadowVlican]

nothing special... just something to accompany my shuffle :D

Sennheiser PX100 in White
Sennheiser CX300 in black

[christine_cute]

i dont know how to download the pics :(

[Solafighter]

i dont know how to download the pics :(

Right click, save picture as...

Shall help. ;)

[chikorita157]

I use Creative Noise Isolating Earphones with my iPhone and Macbook Pro. I'm not much of audiophile, but they sound good enough for me... better than those Apple earbuds. :p

Here what they look like (sorry for the poor quality picture):
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/981/img0078fix.jpg

In addition, I also own a JBL Soundstage II for iPod or desktop use.

[Ending]

Still using the same headphones as four months ago. They're about four years old and still working like a charm. Cleaning their pads is a bit of a chore, though, since they gather dust and whatever-you-got-in-your-ear.

[Hs Vi Germania]

i only phone if i have to

icq is much cheaper :P

[Vinak]

I used to have QuietComfort® 2 Acoustic Noise Cancelling® headphones. but they were stolen.
http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/shop_online/headphones/noise_cancelling_headphones/quietcomfort_2/index.jsp

I currently use the Fatal1ty gaming headphones. but with the old sound/mic jacks instead of the USB plug.
http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=437&subcategory=865&product=17806

then i use Apple M8394G/C In-Ear Headphones for my ipod
http://www.amazon.com/Apple-M8394G-C-iPod-Headphones/dp/B000VRU4JE/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1237324631&sr=8-10

[Doubt]

I' have the Audio Technica AD900's. Only my second 'serious' set of headphones and I'm loving them.

http://www.productwiki.com/upload/images/audio_technica_ath_ad900-400-400.jpg

[idiffer]

http://www.headphonedeals.org/?p=323
philips sbc hp195. dont even know if they sell them anymore. i'm also not into this whole thing, i just need headphones that enhance bass.

[Alchemist007]

I have a Gigaware headset which gets the job done but leaves bass power to be desired. Also have a set of $10 circumaurals which also get the job done. I have no real complaints but I probably won't get any super fancy things for a long time, one day maybe.

[oompa loompa]

I' have the Audio Technica AD900's. Only my second 'serious' set of headphones and I'm loving them.

http://www.productwiki.com/upload/images/audio_technica_ath_ad900-400-400.jpg

yeah i have the ATH-PRO700.. im new to headphones but so far theyve been pretty damn good.. could use a little bit more bass though..

[Jill Valentine]

Curently i got these, the one i am going to buy is really expencive though http://asia.creative.com/images/corporate/artwork/hires_AurvanaIn-Ear_black.jpggoing to buy
http://asia.creative.com/images/corporate/artwork/art_AXfi_1024.jpg

[christine_cute]

well i can only picture myself^^
http://forums.animesuki.com/picture.php?albumid=1616&pictureid=19764

[Sinfully Naomi]

Did anyone ever try listening to their favorite songs with messed up headphones to see if it would sound more epic?

[wingdarkness]

Never thought about making a thread like this before, but I am the biggest headphone junkie there is…Ever since I started to let my anime obsession envelop me around the turn of this century, I’ve always had to use headphones…Firstly because I didn’t want strange looks from suitemates//roommates when and if they heard what could be construed as kakamamie (Japanese language at a high volume coming out of your room when to someone outside the fandom that can be really firkin weird)…

As time progressed I would go through headphone after headphone, searching for the next big fix…The wireless ones that let me listen to TV while in the little-boys room, the cool ones with skulls on them, or any freaky design available…In the last few years it’s gotten even worse as I have only been able to find 1 brand (out of hundreds!!) that will satisfy me, but there’s a catch…The simple, sooopa-cheap RCA skate-punk wraparound headphones are like the best headphones!!! I’m not even kidding…I have spent the LAST 3 YEARS looking for headphones that would FORCE ME to get rid of these discount store, 5 dollar earpieces…I have bought 150$ Bose headphones, 200$ Sony Headphones, and a cornucopia of different heavy-duty headphones that all live in a random box I keep in my closet, but for some ungodly reason, NONE OF THEM compare with these cheapa$$, throwaway RCA headphones I buy from Family Dollar…I don’t know if they just configure better with my CPU or what, but I always get the most impactful and glorious sound from those…The expensive headphones almost always seem to be too contained, and too low for my liking, or they overbass the sound, but the RCA ones are just so perfect, but I hate that I can’t find any ones better (And trust me I configure sound levels on my CPU to try to make them sound better)…The bad part ofcourse is that the RCA ones clunk out after a few months because (in the end—over time), they just can’t take the bombastic nature of my sound cravings….But they are so damn cheap I just buy like 2 pair everytime I goto Family Dollar, and I’m set for like half the year…I know it’s crazy and maybe u guys have to find out for yourselves, but I swear on a stack of Bibles I’m telling the truth…I have even bought headphones that are supposedly in the same class as the RCA ones (with similar designs that are usually more $$) thinking they were the same and I was sadly mistaken each time…There are no comparisons, it’s really sad, but it’s almost like I can’t even listen to my favorite animes if I don’t have them on…

[kguthrie]

I' have the Audio Technica AD900's. Only my second 'serious' set of headphones and I'm loving them.

http://www.productwiki.com/upload/images/audio_technica_ath_ad900-400-400.jpg

Wearing the same ones now. http://g09k0221lebj272.imageshacknow.info/img/3070/q09q0222dyas/anim_47.gif

[Alchemist007]

Wingdarkness, I know what you mean. While I haven't exactly bought hundred dollar sets in my time, I do know that price means shit when it comes to personal preference. I had this one set of Coby supra-aurals which were the best thing ever in terms of sound quality.

[slayer]

cans:

akg 701s
senn hd 580 modded with hd-600 grills + cardas cable
senn hd 650 + cardas cable
senn hd 555
grado rs-2i

source:
Dacmagic running coax from x-fi extreme music

Amps
little dot MK V
gilmore light

[chikorita157]

Well, I received a new pair of noise-canceling headphones after losing my earbuds in a rest area on the Ohio Turnpike when coming back from vacation and being without headphones for nearly a month. I got a Sony MDR-NC7 which retails for $50 dollars and it sounds pretty decent and also gets rid of the noise such as the fan noise, although it's a bit uncomfortable after using them for several hours.

Sounds slightly better than my old ones... My old ones always seems to have a hissing noise when plugged into a computer... Now the only bad thing about them like with other noise canceling earphones is that it uses a battery.

Here is a pic of them:
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/1852/headphonesz.jpg

[0utf0xZer0]

cans:

akg 701s
senn hd 580 modded with hd-600 grills + cardas cable
senn hd 650 + cardas cable
senn hd 555
grado rs-2i

source:
Dacmagic running coax from x-fi extreme music

Amps
little dot MK V
gilmore light

That's some serious gear. I was under the impression that the older x-fis could only pass through a digital stream though. I didn't know they could do digital output for other sources.

(Also curious as to why the x-fi in particular, since I would have thought that there wasn't much point to a separate sound card if you're using digital out anyway.)

I can't really afford serious stuff at the moment, so I'm making due with a Koss SB-40 headset. If I win the lottery I'll definitely buy some serious cans though. And then e-mail some of the cosplaying girls I've met at cons and try and convince them to model them for me. Because I'd probably get some serious camera equipment too.

[Jazzrat]

I use a pair of Grado Lab SR 60. The ear frame is made from wood with leather head band. Looks like something you get from the 60s or 70s but when it comes to sound clarity..... it really blows my mind.


http://www.gradolabs.com/09_images/sr60i.png


When i got the money, gonna sink a bit more and get the higher series. SR60 cost me about around 80 USD which is really cheap for it's quality.

[Slobodan]

Well I use these old, super-cheap Philips SBC HP200 headphones and what can I say...they're solid. Nothing fancy though, and they get kind of uncomfortable after some 2-3 episodes of anime.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31H5EECNMML._SL500_AA250_.jpg

[Neat Hedgehog]

I'm running the Steelseries 5h V2 set.

http://www.steelseries.com/images/20/1084-1294.jpg

Maybe not the best headphones you can buy, but they're a lot better than the old USB DSP500 from Plantronics that I was using before. Way more comfortable, too.

[Epyon9283]

I use a pair of Grado Lab SR 60. The ear frame is made from wood with leather head band. Looks like something you get from the 60s or 70s but when it comes to sound clarity..... it really blows my mind.


http://www.gradolabs.com/09_images/sr60i.png


When i got the money, gonna sink a bit more and get the higher series. SR60 cost me about around 80 USD which is really cheap for it's quality.

I have the same headphones. They're pretty awesome for the price.

[slayer]

That's some serious gear. I was under the impression that the older x-fis could only pass through a digital stream though. I didn't know they could do digital output for other sources.

(Also curious as to why the x-fi in particular, since I would have thought that there wasn't much point to a separate sound card if you're using digital out anyway.)

I can't really afford serious stuff at the moment, so I'm making due with a Koss SB-40 headset. If I win the lottery I'll definitely buy some serious cans though. And then e-mail some of the cosplaying girls I've met at cons and try and convince them to model them for me. Because I'd probably get some serious camera equipment too.

I switch out the dac for games..

I don't really like using the caox out the x-fi it's just for convenience for games...

The x-fi is still the source.. but it can digital output coax or even optic signals if you have that particular attachment from creative.. the source I count from the dac.. if it's digital it's digital.. if it's bit perfect.. or resampled.. that's another story.. i've yet to check.

[Ending]

There's an interesting, new headphone coming out soon.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2009/01/1-5-09-psyko-audios-5.jpg
"It's been decades since there was any innovation to headphones' core technology of simply placing a speaker at each ear" remarks James Hildebrandt, CEO of Psyko Audio Labs. "Essentially, all other headphone designs deliver left sounds into your left ear and right sounds into your right ear. We offer a fundamental break from this limiting paradigm. We accurately position each speaker in the headphone bridge and then, using our patent pending Psyko Waveguide Technology, we deliver every sound to both ears, with the correct timing, volume variations, and front and back flow directions found in a natural 3D sound field."
Not sure if it's going to be any good, but probably worth a try when I upgrade my rig.

[Jarmel]

Got the HD800. Wadia 27 DAC and a new tube amp by Eddie Current coming.

[Shadow Kira01]

I recently got new headphones.

http://i30.tinypic.com/apk5g1.jpg

The longer I wear it, the more uncomfortable it gets..

However, it provides dynamic audio output! :)

[ShimatheKat]

My old headphones.

http://ec3.images-amazon.com/images/I/41X0GG6EKXL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

Then, one fine day, one of my clients went into a rage and broke them. (I'm a cousellor.)

Now... anyone wants to buy me a new one?? :heh:

[Timdog]

2nd pair of Sennheiser HD 280 pros.

First pair lasted about 5 years which is amazing compared to every other cans I've had. Most broke within 3 months but my Sennheiser pair worked for 5 years then the right ear went out. Tried some Bose headphones but those broke (one side came off of the band) so went right back to the 280 pros. They give good sound and barely let out any which is very useful in college.

[Cinocard]

There's an interesting, new headphone coming out soon.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2009/01/1-5-09-psyko-audios-5.jpg

Not sure if it's going to be any good, but probably worth a try when I upgrade my rig.

Sure sound interesting, though it doesn't look so. The outer design is a turn-off for me, not to mention the $300 tag they put on the product.

[chikorita157]

I recently got a pair of Bose On Ear Headphones. Although not noise canceling like my Sony ones, the sound pretty good, but the only problem is that some people can't hear the mids although the lows and highs are more emphasized. Had to adjust the equalizer since it was set to Bass Booster and it produced too much bass. They sound better with 320 kbps MP3 and Apple Lossless/FLAC files... but they don't sound good if you use 128 kbps files since these headphones can easily tell how low the bitrate is.

These headphones although sound good are expensive at the price point they sell it at... and I think other headphones can sound the same as this at a cheaper price. The good thing is that they are comfortable, have a detachable cord and a hard carrying case. Also, it doesn't have the buzzing noise when I use them with the iPhone since the Sony Noise Canceling Headphones interfere with my iPhone's cellphone signal.

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/638/dscn0293th.jpg

[lixuelai]

I use AudioTechnica ATH-A900 and ATH-AD700 at school and ATH-W5000 at home. 5000 is a bit expensive to leave around the dorm.

[Akira Kogami]

As expensive as they are,
I'm currently obsessed with them.
This is the current pair of "SkullCandy"
headphones I use most often.
http://www.headphoneworld.com/p/images/big/Skullcandy%20Lowrider%20Metallic%20Green%20Headpho nes_A_P.jpg

[DoktaTenma]

AKG K240 are my main cans & Sennheiser px100 for portable use, though I need some that block out moar noise for plane trips.
http://rosea.primula.name/wp-content/gallery/headphone-fetish/AKG%20-%20K240%20Studio.jpg

[Takeru]

I have a pair of Sennheiser HD201s that I use when doing anything serious.
http://www.discountdiscs.co.uk/Merchant2/graphics/00000002/hd201.gif
I also have a pair of JVC Marshmallow earbuds that I use when I'm on the go.
http://www.slashgear.com/gallery/data_files/9/6/marshmallow.jpg

[Marina]

Still have my Bose triport, but also now have

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/5320/photo37u.jpg
and
http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/4166/photo83p.jpg

Scouting around for some good earbuds now. Any suggestions?

[wingdarkness]

I'm probably already in this thread and I've been a headphone-phile for years...I've had the ridiculously overrated and expensive Bose and everything else in-between...I'm extremely picky and downright OCD when it comes to my usage of headphones for years, but despite everything I've endured I can't stop my addiction to these 5 dollar, find at any dollar store headphones that are simply the best...i don't understand the physics behind it but these headphones simple have more bombastic and overall richness than any other I've ever consistently used...

And they would be:



http://catladypublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/headsets-cat-site.jpg
The Rca HP242 Skateboarder headphones...Now obviously since they're 5 dollars if you used them religiously to listen to loud content they'll peter out after about a 3 or 4 months, but they're so cheap i just snag another pair @ my local Family Dollar whenever I need...If i buy 6 pairs over the course of a year that's still 100-200 dollars less than bose' best...I don't get it folks, but these headphones are elite...



LMAO, yeah I'm on the previous page talking about this, but it was 9 months ago, sue me...

http://forums.animesuki.com/showpost.php?p=2283742&postcount=34

[mg1942]

I bought Ultimate Ears Triple Fi 10 IEMs on sale for $49.99 (MSRP: $399) 3 weeks ago.

Forget full sized headphones... my quest for better sound is over.

Some speakers make you feel like you're in the studio, others make you feel like you're listening by the studio, and each headphone is different. This is called soundstage, and the Triple fi 10s reproduce it very well.

[JRendell]

I have a pair of Sennheiser HD201s that I use when doing anything serious.
http://www.discountdiscs.co.uk/Merchant2/graphics/00000002/hd201.gif

Same here, Sennheiser rules :D

I'm also thinking of getting these;

http://www.roccat.org/Products/Gaming-Sound/ROCCAT-Kave/

http://www.roccat.org/img_1122_5_796_400.jpg

[synaesthetic]

Audio-Technica ATH-AD700 that have not really survived my homelessness well. They're in pretty bad shape... a good two feet of the cable by the entry to the earcup has gone totally stiff. The pads are badly worn.

They still sound just as good as always, though.

Etymotic Research HF5 w/ med. Shure black foams "olives" are my go-to headphones now, but they badly need new foams and filters. Money's been scarce though so yeah.

Wanting to get custom fit IEMs, either LiveWires or Freqs. UE customs are too expensive and too unforgiving for most sources. Still also wanting AD2000s, but the $500-600 price tag means later, after other, more important purchases (like a new PC).

I bought Ultimate Ears Triple Fi 10 IEMs on sale for $49.99 (MSRP: $399) 3 weeks ago.

Forget full sized headphones... my quest for better sound is over.

Some speakers make you feel like you're in the studio, others make you feel like you're listening by the studio, and each headphone is different. This is called soundstage, and the Triple fi 10s reproduce it very well.

Did you seriously get Trips for $50? That's ridiculous. Who the hell would sell new triple.fi 10 for $50 when used pairs still sell for $200+?!

[nikorai]

Personally I've been using AKG K171 for several years now. They produce quite decent sound but only at low volume which isn't always what I need. The problem became even worse when I got an amplifier for them. Now it seems that I need something more powerful.