Q & A

Eugen

How about a Sony MA900 review? It’s the undeniable star of it’s price range.

http://www.headfonia.com Mike

The MA900 is a great all rounder with warm sound.
- Eugen
  
  Did you listen to it? Is it a HD600 beater?
  - http://www.headfonia.com Mike
    
    Yes I have it on the store, but I don’t think it’s a hd600 beater. It’s a good headphone for its price.

http://twitter.com/OLLYDAVE OLLYDAVE

Hello Mike, Which is better for studio “HipHop” mixing? The Superlux HD 668B or Superlux HD 669 or can you please suggest any other headphones withn that same price range. Thank you Mike!

http://www.headfonia.com Mike

I really don’t have the experience for hip hop mixing.

Both superluxes should be good monitoring headphones. Perhaps you want to go with a closed back model though. The 668B is open, and I don’t remember if the 669 is open or closed. The 662 models are closed.
- http://twitter.com/OLLYDAVE OLLYDAVE
  
  Thanks Mike. I have ordered for the HD 669 to be delivered tomorrow. Can’t wait. I’ll give a little review when it arrives. Thanks for your help!!!
  - http://www.headfonia.com Mike
    
    You’re welcome, ollydave! Let us know if it doesn’t work out for you too.
    - http://twitter.com/OLLYDAVE OLLYDAVE
      
      I just got my Superlux HD669, I am very impressed with it. Very neutral. It kinda clamps on my head too tight. Apart from that, monitoring is great!
      - http://www.headfonia.com Mike
        
        Yes it does clamp a little tight. Put some books in between the phones and let it sit like that a few days.
        
        http://twitter.com/OLLYDAVE OLLYDAVE
        
        Ok Mike. Thank you. I will do just that.

http://www.facebook.com/dave.ulrich.7 Dave Ulrich

So, how is the C5 shaping up?

http://www.facebook.com/destroysall Chris Allen

Hey Mike, regarding the Crack amplifier.. when paired with the HD800, is there a good amount of bass and midrange being applied?

http://www.headfonia.com Mike

Yes, I just think that it doesn’t give enough width on the sound stage.
- http://www.facebook.com/dave.ulrich.7 Dave Ulrich
  
  Although, if you only have $300 to spend on a HD800 amp, you options might be limited. Out of curiosity, what would be the next stop up after the Crack for pairing with the 800, in your opinion?
  - http://www.headfonia.com Mike
    
    I would use the extra budget for component upgrades on the Crack. And I don’t really mean tubes, rather upgraded internal wires, stepped attenuators and all the other components, and if you still have extra money, a superior DAC because you’ll be able to hear a lot of that extra goodness from the source.
    
    Unless I have another $2K budget for a big tube amp.
    
    But who knows, there’s a lot of amps I haven’t heard out there.
    
    Decware’s CSP2+, for instance, looks very interesting and it’s OTL.
    - http://www.facebook.com/dave.ulrich.7 Dave Ulrich
      
      It does indeed look quite interesting.
- http://www.facebook.com/destroysall Chris Allen
  
  Could it be comparable to a headphone in their HD6xx series?
  - http://www.headfonia.com Mike
    
    Sorry I thought you’re talking about the HD800?
    - http://www.facebook.com/destroysall Chris Allen
      
      No, I am. I meant like in terms of the bass and midrange being applied, could the HD800 be better with the Crack then the (for example) HD650? Or do you find the Crack to be best paired with the HD650 more than the HD800? My apologies for any confusion.
      - http://www.headfonia.com Mike
        
        I definitely think that the Crack is made for the 650. The 800 needs something with far more resolution to shine
        
        http://www.facebook.com/destroysall Chris Allen
        
        I see. That makes perfect sense. Thanks, Mike. Sorry if I made anything sound a tad confusing. Lol.
        
        http://www.headfonia.com Mike
        
        No problem, Chris

http://www.alkopedia.net Biergourmet

Hi, which noise cancelling headphones would you recommend? Does anybody know the AKG K490NC?

http://www.headfonia.com Mike

Yes the 495NC to be exact.
- http://www.alkopedia.net Biergourmet
  
  So you recommend the K495NC over the K490NC? I’m also very interested if these phones are comfortable to wear, e.g. I had no problem with listening to my German Maestro GMP 8.35 during a 7 hours flight.
  - http://www.headfonia.com Mike
    
    Well one of the reason is that we don’t have a K490NC here, and the K495NC has been very successful with people that I recommended it to.
    
    Comfort is pretty good, but it’s supra aural, which is different than the GMP8.35.
    - http://www.alkopedia.net Biergourmet
      
      Thanks for your replay.
      Yes, I know it supra-aural. That’s why I’m sceptical about the comfort. Some reviews I’ve found so far prefer the comfort of the 495 (because of it’s bigger ear pads), but others prefer the 490 (because it only has 150g instead of 230g).
      
      I guess finally I have to compare myself.
      - http://www.headfonia.com Mike
        
        I think it’s comfortable and I haven’t had anyone complain about the comfort. But yes people’s ears are different

Arthuryae

This may sound stupid, but do you think that the Creative Sound Blaster Recon3d SB1300 would be sufficient as a DAC and amp for the Sennheiser HD 598?

http://www.headfonia.com Mike

I have no experience with that, but I think there’s a good chance it does. The HD598 is extremely easy to drive.

George Lai

Hi Mike, I recall in your review of the DT770 LE that using Beyer velour pads messes up the sound. That being the case how is it that premium cans like Hifiman actually offer both leather (pleather?) and velour pads? In a related matter, I thought closed cans tend not to use velour but that doesn’t seem to be the case for, again, the Beyer DT770 (80-600 ohms). Your views would be most appreciated. Thanks.

http://www.headfonia.com Mike

I think the only company that offers both leather and velour in the same headphone is Hifiman. Other than that, nobody else does.
Plus and minuses, but in general:

Pleather tends to be darker, more bassy and more boomy, softer treble section. Velour tends to be brighter, less boomy, more accurate timbre.

In the past most high end headphones are velour. AKG K701, DT880, HD650. I think in general velour has better acoustic properties. Lately for comfort reasons, companies started offering leather pads on high end headphones, but if say you take the famous Audio Technica W-series line up, most of them are on some sort of a leather or pleather, and the timbre are not so accurate on all the W-series I’ve listened to. The AD-series on the other hand generally have a better timbre.
Likewise with the Hifiman planers. Not so accurate timbre with the pleather pads, but some people enjoy the overall tonality better.
- George Lai
  
  Thanks for the reply, Mike. I suppose the problem for those of us (you and I) living in the tropics is that unless we are in an air-conditioned room, leather and pleather is sticky, whilst velour though more comfortable does absorb the sweat and over time can lead to all sorts of issues. In another post, I mentioned that putting velour on the DT770LE did spoil the sound somewhat. One solution I use, though not 100% faultless, is to, when using leather/pleather on a hot and humid day, use one of those sanitary acoustically-transparent cover-ons over the headphone. In my view, it hardly changes the sound yet gives one the comfort of cloth/velour.
  - http://www.headfonia.com Mike
    
    Yeah, or you can try to use ac whenever you’re listening to the headphones. Anyway that’s why the 770 LE is so great, they are tuned with pleather.
    - George Lai
      
      If I used the AC every time I used my headphone, the extra cost in my electricity bill every month could buy a good set of headphones!
      - http://www.headfonia.com Mike
        
        Hahaha well
        
        George Lai
        
        Okay, goodnight. Shall now put on both my AC and LE.
- http://www.facebook.com/lesegal Eli Segal
  
  Actually, HD25 & K271 also comes with Pleather & Velour pads

dalethorn

I got the v-moda vamp verza today, and it seems to be doing a great job with iPod Touch and iPhone in DAC mode, both 30-pin and Lightning. It would sure be interesting how this verza compares to Fostex HP-P1 or other Apple DAC’s, since I don’t think I’ll ever get one of those.

http://www.headfonia.com Mike

Thanks, Dale

George Lai

Hi Mike, if a headphone amplifier has both RCA input jacks and a 3.5mm input jack, are there likely to be any differences in audio quality in? Thanks.

http://www.headfonia.com/ L.

I’d always go for the RCA inputs. good question though
- George Lai
  
  I’d go along with you, Lieven, simply because in this hobby of ours, the bigger sized the terminal the more expensive and therefore the better it is. Ha Ha Ha Ha
dalethorn

That really depends on the cables you have right now. Which is better quality, and which is shorter.
- George Lai
  
  But assuming it was possible to have identical cables, which would be better?
  - dalethorn
    
    I suppose then it would be good to look inside at the wiring that’s behind the inputs. The RCA plugs do seem to afford better isolation of left and right channels than the 3.5mm stereo plug, but, things are not usually identical or same, so I wouldn’t make assumptions on connectors alone.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=602493822 Akinari Kanegawa

Hi guys, this might be a little long but please bear with me as I’m in a huge pickle right now!

I’ve gone through several forums regarding the issue of whether to use an internal sound card or an external DAC, but I’ve found nothing specifically geared towards SPEAKERS. All the comparisons between the two have been made with headphones or gaming in mind, but not solely music playback on speakers.

I’m currently using an Auzentech X-Meridian 7.1 2G sound card, whenever hardware volume through Windows is set to over 60%, I get progressively increasing distortion as the volume goes up, through all my playback software (foobar, Windows Media, iTunes, everything). At 100% Windows volume the distortion is unbearable. However, when I turn Windows volume to 100% and my playback software volume down, there is no distortion. So it’s either Windows at 100% and software turned down, or Windows at 60% and software maxed. Both maxed out will lead to distortion on my JBL Duet IIIs.

Might the issue be with my speakers? I do not know, as they work fine direct from the motherboard’s onboard sound and through my iPhone maxed out and controlling sound via analog direct from the speakers.

I’ve even swapped my front channel opamp to LME49720HA as I thought it might be a bad opamp but still getting distortion, though the actual sound quality is significantly better. Changed computer power supplies as I thought it might be a crappy voltage going to the sound card but it’s still the same. Changed PCI slots, changed positions, changed speakers, tried headphones to no avail. I haven’t bothered contacting Auzentech as they’re pretty much defunct now, and I can’t RMA as my warranty is over, and I can’t find my invoice as the card was purchased quite some time ago. I’m not sure if this is a normal issue with sound cards…

With that being said, I do not need surround sound for gaming as all I play are MMOs, nor do I need any kind of “virtual surround DSP” of any sort. All I want it something that will allow me to experience pure musical enjoyment from listening to the songs on my computer.

The two options I’ve done research on which are plausible candidates for my next audio upgrade are the Asus Xonar Essence ST, or Fiio E17/E10/E09K/Schiit Modi to power my soon-to-come Fostex PM0.4n studio monitors. Which leads me to my main question: Should I invest in the Essence ST, or go for an external DAC? I have absolutely NO NEED for an amp of any sort as I seldom use my cans/IEMs while on my PC, and when I do, none of them need amping.

I know my way around sound cards, but I’m clueless when it comes to external DACs. So far the only DACs I’ve looked at are the Fiio E17, E10, E09K, Audinst HUD-mx1 and the Schiit Modi.

Long story short, I don’t know if I should continue to try finding a cure for the distortion (after 2 years I still haven’t solved it) or just simply upgrade to an external DAC and not have to worry about Windows and software and analog volume issues causing distortion.

Thanks

dalethorn

I experienced a similar problem with the Dragonfly DAC. Everyone from the manufacturer to reviewers said to keep the player volume at maximum (to prevent dithering and losing bits) and use the system volume only, since the Dragonfly would re-purpose the system volume and do its volume control in analog mode, or something similar. But that didn’t always work. There are plugins for music players you can also try (WASAPI and others) that may make a difference, but *any* software you have running in the background may interfere with your sound, *even* when you use Task Manager etc. to set priorities. An external USB DAC is always the best bet, because it can be used anywhere, and it’s more isolated than internal soundcards. But if you get a good USB DAC, be sure to turn off all background programs you don’t need (or just turn them all off – Skype is by far the worst offender on my PC).
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=602493822 Akinari Kanegawa
  
  That’s news to me, wasn’t aware background programs could cause noise? I’ll be sure to do some experimenting.
  
  Currently looking at three DACs: Audinst MX1, Schiit Modi and the ODAC. Not sure if the MX1 with its Wolfson DAC has an edge over the latter two that justifies its $80 premium.
  - dalethorn
    
    Two things: I didn’t mean to suggest background apps would necessarily cause noise. Mostly what they caused me were interruptions that overwhelmed the 1000 ms buffer Foobar uses, which sent me off on a wild goose chase looking for other fixes. Computers today, especially when connected to the Internet, are terrible about delays and interruptions. Second thing: Are you comparing 3 DACs that all include amps? I didn’t know the MX1 cost more than the ODAC.
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=602493822 Akinari Kanegawa
      
      The ODAC standalone unit and the Schiit Modi are DAC only without amps, which is what I plan on using. The Audinst MX1 is an amp and DAC combo, but since I don’t need the amp I’ll only be using line out. My main question is, whether or not the DAC portion of the MX1 is “better” or higher-quality rather, than the actual DACs in the Modi and the ODAC, if anyone’s who’s had experience with any of these three units can chime in, and whether or not it’s worth the $80 premium over the ODAC and the Modi, and whether or not I’ll actually be able to hear a difference when my Fostex PM04.n is connected.
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=602493822 Akinari Kanegawa
      
      So I’ve managed to pinpoint my source of static. The culprit is actually my current speaker system, JBL Duet III which has a 10w automatic DSP adjusting amp. I tested maxed out volume on both Windows and software (foobar) on my old 2.1 Altec Lansing 221 setup and no distortion at all, zero.
      
      Guess it’s time to get new speakers!
      - dalethorn
        
        If you’ve examined all cables for shielding problems, and any power supplies that aren’t shielded, then what about that DSP? Maybe there’s an upgrade.
        
        http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=602493822 Akinari Kanegawa
        
        Amp is built into the speaker system, which has a DSP EQ type system that adjusts EQ based on sound input, JBL hasn’t really shed any light on this feature and they’re not a company that likes to list any specs on their consumer-grade audio products. I guess it can’t handle the power my sound card is outputting? Which is strange because it sounds fine with any other audio source including my onboard sound and iPod or iPhone or anything else, just not with this particular sound card.
        
        Oh well, I ordered a pair of Fostex PM0.4n studio monitors earlier today, selling my JBLs.
      - http://www.headfonia.com Mike
        
        Thank you for figuring that out by yourself. Sorry have been busy and haven’t had the time to reply to your previous post.

Andrew Chiang

Hi Mike, I’m on the market for a new DAC to drive my studio monitors. I do not listen to headphones much, so I’m not worried about an amp. Would you recommend the ODAC or the Modi, based solely on build quality and sound output quality? Least interference? Least need to mod in order to reduce possible interference or power supply insufficiency? I prefer a brighter sound.

Thanks!

http://www.headfonia.com/ L.

Well we didn’t listen to the Modi and we never reviewed the Odac, so…. anyone else?
http://www.facebook.com/dave.ulrich.7 Dave Ulrich

The ODAC didn’t blow me away. It isn’t bad for the price, and is pretty neutral, although I found the timbre to be a little off. In his review of dacs with the old sabre chip, Mike refers to it as a plasticy timbre, but I thought it was more metallic. I would be inclined to give the Modi a shot. Better build quality and a two year warranty

K35

Does the quality of a 1/8″ to 1/4″ TRS Y-cable really make a difference in sound quality?

dalethorn

If the cable is very short and there is no corrosion, it may be OK. Corrosion may occur with cheap connectors if the cable sits undisturbed in the jack for a long time. When frequently unplugged and plugged in again, corrosion does not have a chance to build up on the outside of the plug or (usually) on the inside of the jack. Longer cables have the most potential to change the signal.

thethirty3rd

Has anyone managed to compare the Ultrasone Edition 8s to the Signature DJs/Pros? Am trying to decide between the three but there aren’t any really good comparisons around..

http://www.headfonia.com Mike

Just briefly,
The Ed8s have a more focused sound, clearer sound, better bass detail. The Signature Pros are like the Pro900s but with an extreme boost at the bass. So you get a thin mids and treble and then boom-huge bass. Not very reference like in my opinion.
The Ed8 is a lot more coherent too from top to bottom.

John123John

Mike, is there any reason to get the Schiit Asgard when I already have the JDS O2 (sorry) and Bottlehead Crack?

currently have hd650 as main.

John123John

woah.
“The PanAm paired with the HD650 for instance is so enjoyable it’s taking over the role of my Bottlehead Crack as the HD650 amp”
http://www.headfonia.com Mike

The Asgard is a different sound so yes in that sense you can get it, but I don’t see why you need to. The Crack is unbeatable for the 650.
http://www.headfonia.com Mike

Should go out and explore new music, John.
- John123John
  
  haha I am! I have so much music to listen to but the kid in me wants new toys
  - http://www.headfonia.com Mike
    
    I’m having fun with this media centre player called Olive.
  - dalethorn
    
    Try the Soundmagic HP200.

http://www.facebook.com/lesegal Eli Segal

Hi,
I’m currently own and use: MDR-1r, HD25, SE215, MS1i
and I’m also going to buy the HD600 or HD650

Can you give me a recommendation for a good portable amp for these headphones? Right now I’m using the C421 and I like it except the lack of good bass definition and also, it’s hard to get low volume on low impedance phones without get imbalance

Currently I’m considering the SR-71a, but other suggestions are welcomed

Thanks!

http://www.facebook.com/lesegal Eli Segal

Also, will a better amp feel better if I’m listenning mostly in low volumes?
- dalethorn
  
  A higher quality amp that tracks/balances perfectly at low volumes is always a better idea, since that attention to quality should result in a cleaner sound at low volume. But I always experiment to see what the sonic differences are when the source is at maximum volume (if applicable) versus less than maximum, and then adjusting the headphone amp volume accordingly. Most times, people will tell you to keep the source at maximum and then adjust the amp volume only, but I don’t think that’s always true 100 percent, because electronic circuits and headphone impedances are a complex mix, and you may get better results at certain volume levels if you bend the rules a little bit. But correct channel balance at all volume levels is always desirable.
  - http://www.facebook.com/lesegal Eli Segal
    
    At least in my case I don’t have that option as I’m using an iPod with LOD so the only control I have is from the amp
http://www.facebook.com/lesegal Eli Segal

Any recommendations/opinions?
- http://www.headfonia.com Mike
  
  Just posted above, let me know if those don’t work.
  
  ALSO, the ALO Rx Mk1 and Mk2 are two amps with excellent bass impact and texture. The Mk3 is the most powerful but not as good as the previous two in terms of bass detail.
http://www.headfonia.com Mike

Do you want better bass definition (ie better bass detail) or better bass impact/body?

The SR-71A has the best bass impact & body.
For bass detail you can try something from Meier amps (the last one I tried was the Stepdance) but they tend to be thinner in sound.
- http://www.facebook.com/lesegal Eli Segal
  
  I guess I want more impact as well as I feel I have too little bass on the c421 but turning on the bass boost gives me too much bass and muddy up the sound.
  Am I right that the sr71a will give better bass that is less than the +8db I have in the c421 with a better clarity?
  
  Thanks,
  Also, are there any othe amps I should consider?
  - http://www.facebook.com/lesegal Eli Segal
    
    nm

Aditya

Hey Mike, i live in Indonesia

How about combo :
- Audinst Hud MX-1 pair with Schiit Asgard
- Schiit Modi pair with Asgard

- or Furutech ADL GT40 DC/AMP

wonder if these type of combo will work well for the following headphone :
- Hifiman HE-400, 500
- Senn HD 600/650
- even audeze LCD-2 for the future

because it’s gonna be my long investment, and for first i’m planning to get HE-500/HE-400. but i’m gonna invest for future.

and how about Burson HA 160 DS comparing to two combo above?

thanks :

http://www.facebook.com/dave.ulrich.7 Dave Ulrich

The Schiit Asgard is no longer available. It has been replaced by the Asgard 2. If you are going for a stand alone amp, I wouldn’t use the MX-1. For a little less, you could get the Music Streamer II or the Topping D20. A little more could net you a dacport lx.
- Aditya
  
  yeah i mean Schiit Asgard 2, sorry for typo.
  
  so HRT music streamer/ Dacport LX you suggest?
  
  how about schitt modi? is it worth the price for sub $100?
  
  is it good comparison with HRT/Topping D20?
  
  for real, i dont like the looks of Dacport LX. need something comes with square shape, so it will be top-bottom style DAC and amp
  
  and i really like the looks of Topping D20, i gotta admit it really got sleek design.
  
  is it USB powered to PC?
  
  what do you suggest for under $250 DAC beside those you mentioned above ?
  - http://www.facebook.com/dave.ulrich.7 Dave Ulrich
    
    Well, those are just the ones I have experience with. I quite like the dacport.
    - Aditya
      
      ah i see, thanks for your answer Dave
      
      starting to compare Dacport LX and Topping D20.
      
      i really want to hear your review between them
      
      and also what amps will be your choice if i pair it with Topping D20? for under $275
      - http://www.facebook.com/dave.ulrich.7 Dave Ulrich
        
        Sorry. I reread what I had wrote. My mistake. I have not heard the topping D20. According to Mike, who I seem to have similar ears to, the D20 has the larger soundstage, but the LX is cleaner and more lively. Give me a few days, and I can give you an idea of what the LX, Asgard 2, he400 and HD650 will do together
        
        Aditya
        
        Wow really appreciate that Dave.
        
        would love to hear your opinion with those.
        looking forwad to it
        
        Thanks Dave
http://www.facebook.com/albert.harris.100 Albert Harris

Hi Aditya,

Warmest greetings from jakarta!

For HD650 if you preferably to use a separate DAC and desktop amp, i would suggest you to give a try on Burson Soloist SL + HRT Streamer II+ for a slower music type, and for a faster music pace, Burson 160DS is still the best for its price bracket. am i a big fan of burson? i think.. lol. i love big amp, and ortho’s need that for sure.

One of our colleague in local community was comparing Centrance DACport with Furutech GT40, and based on his review, i think we could call it “even”.

Hopefully this information could help you a bit.
- Aditya
  
  wow thanks for the warm greetings me also live in Jakarta Albert
  
  yep, i’m thinking to get Dacport LX for my DAC, for a few days till now, i’m still confuse about the amp.
  
  heard that Dacport LX produce a bright sound, what did you suggest for the amp?
  - http://www.facebook.com/dave.ulrich.7 Dave Ulrich
    
    It isn’t bright, so much as it is uncolored. I still say, and I know Mike and L will back me on this, the HD650 sounds best with tubes. Sorry I don’t have a Soloist SL with me at the moment, I won’t see that for another month or so.
    - Aditya
      
      Hey Dave
      
      yep from all the review here, i saw you, Mike and L said that the HD 650 will sounds best with tube.
      
      well any other recommendation beside the bottlehead crack for tube amp with the same price range?
      
      a more all rounder tube maybe? as i’m also going to pair it with RS 1 and AD900X and maybe some other low impedance headphone in the future
      - http://www.facebook.com/dave.ulrich.7 Dave Ulrich
        
        Actually, the review I am working on right now is for another DIY (DIY) tube amp called the Torpedo. That might be a good amp to look at. It has an output transformer, and I don’t want to bore you with the details of what that means (read: I don’t know), but, as a result, it will work well with both low and high impedance. It pairs VERY well with the HD650. Not quite as well as the crack, but quite good. It is also a match made in heaven with the Superlux HD660.
        
        Aditya
        
        any links/info regarding the amps?
        
        Love the way you pair it with senn HD 650 !
  - http://www.facebook.com/albert.harris.100 Albert Harris
    
    Hi Aditya, my apology for the late reply, get quiet busy lately. Dacport that i mention before was meant to entrance dacport only, not the dacport LX. with dacport, you will get dac + Amp in one package.
    
    For HD650 will match with tube amp, first of all is, tube amp it self now have a different sound signature. like bottle crack with the slightly thin sounding clearly less tubey sound than let say graham slew novo (solid state amp with ridiculously mellow sound signature).
    
    If you would like your HD650 could “eat” more genre of songs, you can find an amp with more netral sound (no matter it will be tube or solid state), but if you would like to specialize your HD650 for mellow song, you can get mellower amp.
    - http://www.facebook.com/dave.ulrich.7 Dave Ulrich
      
      I would definitely not call the crack thin sounding. It also can make the HD650 quite lively.

John123John

Hey Headfonia,

Any chance for more Schiit reviews? They’re good products at a nice price and are very popular and I’m sure many people would appreciate a review. I know they’re hard to for review but maybe a guest review would work.

I remember long ago you saying that you liked the Shure SE215. I’m thinking about getting these, a little late i know. How would they compare to a V-shaped TF10. Some say the SE215 is a warm IEM, others a mid-centric. What do you think?

Also it would be cool if you guy kept updating the recommendations. It doesn’t have to be perfect but i think its a nice little feature most people can use and appreciate like Tyll’s wall of fame.

also, curious, what setup are you currently rocking?
Thanks,

http://www.headfonia.com/ L.

hi John,

We do have to update that section indeed. We’ve just been a bit too buys really, not an excuse, I know.

The problem with Schiit is that they always promise review samples but they never make it here. so it’s kind of hard to get a review sample outside of the USA. We do are trying to work out an Asgard 2 review with a guest reviewer, but he’s also waiting for the unit…

I myself am mostly using the Eterna rev 1s iems when on the train, the Beyer COP at work, the DT770 AE at home when the misses is there and the T90 for the real listening. I keep switching amps all the time. At work and on the go I use a Cypherlands dac and the JDSLabs C421, my C5 will arrive soon.

I can’t really comment on the SE215 vs the TF10, I hope Mike can. sorry
- http://www.facebook.com/dave.ulrich.7 Dave Ulrich
  
  I could be wrong, but I believe the guest reviewer in question received the Asgard 2 last week. However, he might have been planning to put that review on the back-burner, because he has a couple others on his plate and wanted to wait till he had a chance to compare the Asgard 2 to the Soloist SL. Just things I heard…
  - John123John
    
    lol so much insider information. Does the guest reviewer happen to be YOU? ^^
    - http://www.headfonia.com/ L.
      
      Was it that obvious?
- John123John
  
  That’s unfortunate about Schiit. They seem to be backordered but that’s a drawback of a small business relative to idk Sennheiser. hopefully there no hum~
  
  lol i never realized how much of a beyer fanboy you were. What happened to the HE500, HD650 and LCD2???
  Thanks for the reply.
  - http://www.headfonia.com/ L.
    
    Oh, I still am a Senn fanboy too. The HD650 is one of the best, and I love the HD700. The LCD-2: love/hate. It hasn’t been used since the Rein X3 review and the HE-500…gathering dust… I love so many headphones and my preference tends to rotate. Lately I’ve been enjoying Beyer very much. I’m lucky to have so many headphones!
    - John123John
      
      hehe im very glad the HD650 is still on the top of your list. Its the one i chose to keep as well. I still need to listen to the hd800 though. its been on my list since i first got into all this headphone business.
      
      and so jealous..
John123John

Mike?
- http://www.headfonia.com Mike
  
  Oh yeah, my set up?
  
  Well it changes from week to week. I don’t really have ONE set up.
  
  Being a reviewer and all, you know.
  
  Recommendations, maybe it’s a good idea to take that page down temporarily until I can find time to update it. Lots of people have asked for it to be updated since last year and I haven’t been able to do that.
  
  The 215 IS warm and mid-centric. The 215SPE (green color) is less mid centric and has more low bass. Not saying the SPE is better, just different.
  - John123John
    
    using being a reviewer as a cop out i see… lol jk ^^
    
    I think I tend to like that sound signature. I just hope it s fun enough to be used as a portable. I tend to not listen to music as deeply while on the move.
    
    Might just end up getting the Velodyne Vpulse but ive been wanted the SE215 for a long time…
- http://www.headfonia.com Mike
  
  Schiit Asgard2 review is coming
  - Aditya
    
    wow excited, cant wait to see headfonia review for what improvement will the asgard 2 achieve
    - icecoffemix
      
      As long as it doesn’t kill headphone stealthily…
      - http://www.headfonia.com Mike
        
        Lol good one

Luke Farey

Hi – I’m completely new to headphone amps. I currently have some Unique Melody IEM’s that are about to be re-shelled and upgraded to 6 drivers. Is there a portable headphone amp out there for use with my iPod/Phone that can also be used to plug into my amp (1st edition Rega Elicit that has no headphone socket) – for vinyl playback? Budget up to £200.
Thanks,
Luke

http://www.facebook.com/lesegal Eli Segal

Hi,

I’m looking for a closed back comfortable cans for use at work, I currently have the MDR-1r for this and they’re quite comfortable but my ears and head get sweaty pretty quick. (I’m bald)

I also like the sound of MS1i, SE215, K240, HD25
I have the DT770 Pro as well which I don’t like (clamping/boomy/piercing highs)

Can you recommend me something that might suit me?
Currently my amp is the SR-71a

Thanks!
Eli

http://www.headfonia.com Mike

The Audio Technica ESW-9 is worth a try
- http://www.facebook.com/lesegal Eli Segal
  
  Wouldn’t it be sweaty as well? (as it’s not a fabric pads)
  - http://www.headfonia.com Mike
    
    Well I really don’t know of any headphones that aren’t sweaty in summer temperatures.
    
    Unless you’re talking something like the px100 which barely grabs the ears.
    - http://www.facebook.com/lesegal Eli Segal
      
      I do fine with velour pads like in the HD25 which is great but I can’t find good closed can that are comfortable with velour pads.
      With the MDR-1r The ears gets sweaty after 10 minutes even with an air conditioner
      - dalethorn
        
        The ESW9 earpads have a conical shape that has minimal ear contact – it works well as a closed headphone but should alleviate most sweating.

John123John

Hey Headfonia,
I dont know if you’ve seen the thread by Tyll on head fi. Basically if you had to live with one headphone what would it be? and if you could live with two, what would it be?

I thought it’d be interesting to see what you (mike), Lieven or anyelse’s choices would be.
I know there are alot of other variables (budget, amp, dac, source) but still interesting.

Personally it was the HD650 + antlion micmod and a Custom IEM. Couldnt really decide on a one headphone solution because I would always have two (portable and home). A nice semi portable, all rounder, not amp picky, comfrotable and with a mic would be nice. Fidelo L1, Momentum ,MDR-1, M80 maybe.

Thanks,
P.S. sorry if im not allowed to mention headfi or other reviewers…

http://www.headfonia.com Mike

Well its a classic question, but it’s mostly a hypothetical situation.
http://www.headfonia.com/ L.

The question is somewhat wrong. What if next year Sennheiser releases your ultimate headphone then you wouldn’t be able to choose it I agree with Mike, and on top of that: only one headphone? Let’s stay realistic ok?

If I really do have to pick one right now it would be the HD650/700. Crap, that’s 2 again
- http://www.headfonia.com Mike
  
  Damn L, did I put words into your mouth? It’s gonna be the two senns for me too. But of you’ve heard the Fostex 900 you’ll probably take the 700 off that list, just like I would.
- John123John
  
  psh we all know senn isnt going to release another audiophile headphone in this decade ^^
  
  this particular question is just as flawed as “whats the best headphone under $200″ or “will i hear a difference” but these get asked 10x a day.
  
  anyways I just thought it was an interesting question and something people should think about.
  
  man i still need to hear top tier headphones with full setups though. :/
  - dalethorn
    
    Price isn’t everything. I just listened to a $1500 USD IEM, at home, with several amps, and I will have to send it back without review. Unbelievable. The Senn IE800 is much, much better, and the IE800 isn’t exactly getting rave reviews.
    - John123John
      
      sorry dale, I just meant that the “if only one headphone” question is as flawed as “best headphone under $200″.
      
      and that is insane… what the heck iem is $1500 and not even custom.. Audiophiles dont seem to be too big a fan of that bass but atleast the general consensus is that its an upgrade from the ie8
      - dalethorn
        
        Oops – I didn’t mean the IE800. I love the IE800, and the bass is marvelous. I meant an IEM that’s 50 percent more expensive than the IE800.
dalethorn

HD650 is good. The ATH-ESW9 with a small treble boost or v-moda M100 with modest bass reduction just as good. The DT770LE is good if the treble peak is tamed. The Senn HD800 with judicious EQ is better. Much better. The Momentum is very difficult to EQ to balance the lower and upper treble. The Shure 940 and 1440 are excellent with treble reduction – earcup stuffing with Shure foams. The Soundmagic HP200 is excellent with a slight treble reduction. In the process of elimination, I’d start with the HD650 and M100 as being too claustrophobic. I really like portability (not transportability), so next I’d eliminate the HD800, the Shures, the DT770, and the HP200. That leaves me with the ESW9 and Momentum. But the ESW9 is amenable to a simple iPod EQ while the Momentum is not. So I end up with the ESW9 (ESW9a in my case, plus the not-as-good but still enjoyable ESW11 as backup). But if I were going to stay at my desk for extended periods of time, I’d use the Soundmagic HP200 for best comfort and overall sound, and just deal with the treble EQ.
- icecoffemix
  
  Wait, you prefer ESW9 to ESW11?
  - dalethorn
    
    I think the ESW9 is better technically – it has a smooth treble rolloff and a proper midrange, but the ESW11 has a more nasal midrange and steep treble rolloff. When the treble is compensated on the ESW11, I hear more distortion than with the ESW9. Both headphones have a near-ideal bass I think, and the ESW11 is more comfortable because of better shaped earpads. But I do use the ESW11 mostly anyway.
    - John123John
      
      haha dale, you love the esw9 so much.
      i really need to get a pair. ^^
      - dalethorn
        
        I don’t feel qualified to judge headphone design as far as earcup materials are concerned, but now that I said that disclaimer, I think there must be something about those wooden earcups that really enhance string tones, that provide the right sonic background much like the violin wood parts support the string tone of the instrument. For years, or even decades, hi-fi tried to say accuracy was the key, and hi-fi components should not have tone, just reproduce what’s on the recording. So I have to say, I agree with the principle of that, but the reality may be that the wood earcups really are better, I just can’t be certain that’s accurate (heh).
        
        John123John
        
        thats how you recreate that nice timbre
        
        do you generally like headphones that have wood cups? I dont know if grados count but lawton denons, fostex, etc.
        
        dalethorn
        
        I had the Grado PS500, which was better I think than the 325 I had years ago. I thought the PS500 had a very nice upper sound (ignoring the bass hump), but it did not have a similar sound overall as the AT headphones. Still, the PS500 did very well with string tones, so maybe the wood did make a difference.
    - icecoffemix
      
      Interesting, I don’t like the midbass on ESW9 though.
      - dalethorn
        
        Do you have a music track example (available on itunes or Amazon)? I like to pick up good test tracks that way, and if they’re really good, I often buy the CD too.
        
        icecoffemix
        
        Nope, don’t read too much into it, I’m just inherently allergic to midbass.
        
        dalethorn
        
        I get criticized a lot for using EQ with nearly every headphone I review, and with about half of those I reduce the mid/upper bass. That includes the vmoda M100, Philips L1, Grado PS500, Logitech 6000, Senn Amperior, Klipsch Image One, etc. But I don’t need any bass reduction with the ATH ESW9 or 11 since the bass is very nicely tuned with no noticeable emphasis.

http://www.facebook.com/hafiz.yunaf Hafiz Yunaf

Hiya there headfonia, are there any suggestions to fullsize that sounds similar to ER4? i’ve been searching for 2 years and still can’t find one, the closest one i think is SRH940

http://www.headfonia.com Mike

Sony CDR – 900ST

Aaron

hi there, just started my headphone searching and came across this site.
Already read your explanation on amplifiers and DAC.
now the question is, if I am using a laptop do I need both amplifiers and DAC
or do I just need one, either an amp or DAC?

Cause from the explanation above I’ve read that its best to have one of those but do I really need both?

I am planning to get a full size headphone. Maybe an AKG or a beyerdynamic.

thank you

http://www.facebook.com/dave.ulrich.7 Dave Ulrich

Well, your laptop has a dac and an amp built in. So, technically, you already have both. The question is quality. I would recommend them
dalethorn

There is no quick answer unfortunately. There’s a wide range of prices and configurations, and rather than just buy what gets a good review, you should find which components will work best with the headphones you like, and will give you the sound qualities you seek.
- Aaron
  
  so ….. I can just get myself a full size headphone and just
  plug it in and use it like a normal headphone??
  cause like what Dave said below, laptop already have built in dac and amp.
  - dalethorn
    
    A decent laptop (I have a Macbook Air) will give you 98 percent of the sound of a good external DAC and amp with a typical efficient dynamic headphone. But some headphones will not work so well from laptop only.
    - Aaron
      
      thanks for the info.
      really appreciate it.
http://www.headfonia.com Mike

Hi Aaron
Yes its best to have both. Of course you can have only one or even neither and you can still get sound from your laptop.

John123John

anyone deal with the sony XBA series?
in particular the xba-3.

thanks.

http://www.facebook.com/mohamed.taha.7543653 Mohamed Taha

fiio x3 Compared to the high ENd players on the market this is very cheap …..That s right …..waiting ur review because i consider buying it but confused between it and hifiman hm-601 …….and wondering is it a worthy upgrade from ipod classic 5th gen. + fiio e11 ?

John Newcomb

Im looking for a good set of headphones for listening to music, i dont mind having to buy a AMP if it fits into my budget.

My ideal budget would be around $300

The main music I listen to is Rap, R + B , Indie Rock and abit of Pop so i’d want headphones to bring out the best of these genres.

Any advice would be appreciated i’m really new to this so i’m not sure where to start. I’ve had a look at the Beyerdynamic dt990 pro paired with something like e10 or maybe the Soundmagic hp100.

This will almost 100% be for use with my computer (desktop) im not sure what i’ve got inside it at the moment but it’s a fairly powerful machine.

edit* I can sometimes spend up to 5 hours + on my computer with headphones so comfort is important.

thank you

dalethorn

Personally, I would avoid the ‘neutral’ type of headphone like the HP100 for those genres. A warmer sound like the HP200 would be much better.
- John Newcomb
  
  thanks for that suggestion I’ve done some looking and they seem rarely hard to get in Australia for anything under $350, also would i need an amp or anything considering my computer doesn’t have a sound card just inbuilt audio on the mb?
  - dalethorn
    
    If the computer has USB you should be able to use something like the FiiO E07K DAC-plus-amp, and your music software and system settings should do the work getting the digital music to the USB port to feed the DAC.
http://www.headfonia.com Mike

John,
The DT770-80 ohm is much better than the 990 for your music. Or if you don’t mind the teenager styling, Vmoda’s M100 is excellent for your music.
For an amp something like the JDSLabs Cmoy would do.
- John Newcomb
  
  Would that be the DT770-Pro 80 ohm? They both seem around the same price if you where to ignore styling and just for pure sound quality which one would you suggest?
  - http://www.headfonia.com Mike
    
    Yes DT770 Pro 80 ohm.
    
    Between the two, I think the DT770 is definitely the better headphone technically, but the sound, I find the M-100 more enjoyable.

Colin

Hello. Iam a newbie on this. From this forum I got to know Cambridge Audio Dacmagic/plus or Fostex Ha-8 is one of the best dac. Should it must add a high end ampli again such as burson ha-160/Woo Audio WA6?

And this dac and ampli can be use for watching that has dts/dolby/pcm(with headphone and speaker)?

Thank you

http://www.headfonia.com Mike

Hi Colin,

An amplifier may or may not be necessary depending on your application.

As I understand it, most audio DACs aren’t capable of playing DTS/Dolby.
- Colin
  
  Thank you Mike for the explain.
  But what does it mean`depands our applicationˊ?
  
  Sent from Samsung Mobile
  
  ——– Original message ——–

Michael

Hello,

I am looking for a way to get the most out of my Sony MDR-MA900 (which |’ve heard is not trivial to amplify). Plan to use them mainly with iMac, Cowon D2+, PC, and (rarely) iPhone 4. May anyone please advice on some more or less universal DAC/AMP solution which will be useful for most of these cases? Budget may vary from USD 200-300 to 500-600, but it would be ideal not to spend more than 400. I mainly listen to jazz and would love to try some hi-res (24 bit) recordings.

http://www.headfonia.com Mike

Hi Michael,
The MA900 is not difficult to amplify. It works well with a wide range of amps.

Something like the Fiio E17 should have all the connections you need for all those situations.

Colin

Thank you Mike for the explain.
But what does it mean`depands our applicationˊ?

John123John

Alright DALE…
Explain DIRAC DSP…
and why isnt hifi out of business yet…

http://dalethorn.com/Headphones_Top_30.txt
http://kenrockwell.com/audio/dirac/hd-player.htm

John123John

I thought it was a troll….
dalethorn

Dirac DSP, or the basic tech behind it, was described more than 30 years ago at the AES and in their journals. Think of it as a thousand-band (or greater!) equalizer, capable of smoothing sound better than conventional EQ. Dirac themselves have not only built their DSP to EQ freq. response and resonance anomalies, they apparently have decided on what they hear as a proper signature for the earphones they now support. My ears say they favor a darker bassier signature than what I’ve long understood to be neutral for headphones. But, I don’t think you’ll get a detailed explanation from Dirac, since the code behind it is proprietary. The DSP itself is probably just a many-faceted filter, but creating each DSP requires their proprietary computer program, which involves a heavy use of FFT’s etc.

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