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A few more questions about headphones/amps
grogbash
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I did read the headphones advice thread and found it to be very helpful. I am almost sold on the Sennheiser HD 555's but I have a few questions left unanswered.
Note: I am not an audiophile but I do enjoy higher quality music. I plan on using these headphones on a portable device (Video Ipod).
Headphones:
I have read a few other reviews regarding these headphones (I believe on Amazon) and have heard that they "project" sound outwards in order to create a better listening experience. This doesn't really make sense to me and seems to defeat the purpose of headphones. I plan to walk around my college with these on and even use them in class on occasion, therefore a set of cans producing outward sound would not be a wise decision. Any truth in this at all?
I see Bose and Sony everywhere I go. Are there any stores where Sennheiser and Grado are featured and I could give them a try or at least read the package?
Amps:
With my purchase of my headphones I was thinking of purchasing a highly recommended amp but I cant spend another $100-150. I researched the eBay route and found some more affordable versions. But, I am hesitant and here is why: they all come in tin mint containers. Are they legit? I don't want to shell out $40-60 and receive a mint container with no CMOY amp......and no mints.
Note: I am not an audiophile but I do enjoy higher quality music. I plan on using these headphones on a portable device (Video Ipod).
Headphones:
I have read a few other reviews regarding these headphones (I believe on Amazon) and have heard that they "project" sound outwards in order to create a better listening experience. This doesn't really make sense to me and seems to defeat the purpose of headphones. I plan to walk around my college with these on and even use them in class on occasion, therefore a set of cans producing outward sound would not be a wise decision. Any truth in this at all?
I see Bose and Sony everywhere I go. Are there any stores where Sennheiser and Grado are featured and I could give them a try or at least read the package?
Amps:
With my purchase of my headphones I was thinking of purchasing a highly recommended amp but I cant spend another $100-150. I researched the eBay route and found some more affordable versions. But, I am hesitant and here is why: they all come in tin mint containers. Are they legit? I don't want to shell out $40-60 and receive a mint container with no CMOY amp......and no mints.
grogbash on
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Posts
As for amps, CMOYs are often built inside of mint tins and the ebay auctions are legit, but you'll obviously want to find one from a reputable dealer.
...you could always get a soldering iron and make the amp yourself.
Closed headphones usually don't sound as good as open ones at the same price-point.
Still, I also prefer the isolation they provide, and there are some decent ones from Sennheiser (HD 280, HD 25) AKG (K 81, K 271) or Beyerdynamic (DT 250-80).
btw. all these headphones are rather large (the K81 and HD25 being the smallest) so you might look like a bit... unusual walking around with them on.
At night, the ice weasels come."
Yeah, after reading the headphone thread, I got inspired and ended up ordering the SH 555 from amazon, so they should arrive by wednesday. The reviews in amazon all say they are amazing.
And man, good luck trying to find an actual store that sells them. On friday I went to like four stores and none had heard of them. In fact, finding high grade headphones seem to be a pain in the ass. My best buy had a ridiculous tiny selection, focusing mostly on the earbuds. Fry's had better, but again, mostly earbuds with some kinda generic closed headphones.
Check out www.head-fi.org for a good run down of most, if not all headphones available in your price range. Even the mainstream market ones get reviewed at some point, but ignore the noobs proclaiming the greatness of Sony earbuds or some stupid shit like that. They've never heard anything above the $50 price range so they just don't know what they're missing.
It's unlikely you'll find Sennheisers or Grados outside of very expensive music stores. I've only heard of one or two even stocking Grados. The volume of these phones sold is just not high enough for a brick and mortar retail store.
The 555's are pretty good phones, but if you don't want everyone to hear what you're listening to, those aren't the phones you're looking for. You'll want to take a look at the HD280's or AKG K240S in that price range.
As for an amp, once again, Head-Fi is a good place to look if you want to get a C-Moy. A Pimeta is better, but they're hard to fit in a mint tin, though it has been done.
Amen, brother!
Most stores don't even know what Sennheiser's are: It's all about the Bose.
Don't know if it'd be sacriligious for you, but Apple stores have a few good ones from Sennheisers and the other one's I'm blanking on. Mostly buds, but some over-ears.
Hell, Koss makes better speakers/headphones for much much much cheaper. So does just about every other company.
HD 280s are on their way!
Thanks for the help