On Headphones
Lately, I’ve been quite into headphones – those lovely halos of sound that wrap around your head. To me, there are few things that could so wonderfully furnish a person than a pair of cans.
I love how they just jut out from the side of your head. They make no effort to be discreet when it comes to appearances. When you wear a pair of quality headphones, you do not just put on a pair of listening devices – you put on a statement that says, “I take my music seriously.”
In today’s modern world, where miniaturization is the new big thing for our gadgets and tools, headphones are almost like a sign of defiance; in an era where you have young hipsters walking around with their small, pale white plastic buds, a pair of cans stick out like a sore thumb – with good reason. They are bulky, often quite pricey, and with improper handling, prone to breakage. But what good then, are they?
A good pair will offer some of the most beautiful sound you will ever experience. They offer listening pleasure, unattainable from cheap earphones. They will take you to anywhere you can imagine – a quiet little jazz bar, an enormous orchestral hall, or an open air live rock performance.
Of course, I’m not blasting on the more discreet in-ear monitors, or clip-on earphones. The work of companies such as Sennheiser, Shure, and Etymotic Research, among others, cannot be disregarded. What I merely wish to point out is that anyone who can be satisfied with the pathetic stock earphones of any music playing device shouldn’t be. Cast off your Apple earphones and come with me to the land of aural nirvana, where nothing but musical enjoyment awaits!
And as an aside, a spate of boredom got me to cropping and making wallpapers for some of pireze’s scans of Shin Moeru Headphone Reader (link). A reward for having to read through that, if you will.
Hi-res versions (around 3000x2000px) are also available on request – just shoot me an e-mail for them.
I’ve always had a thing for headphones, for pretty much every reason you stated here. A while back I picked up a pair of Koss Pro 4/AA cans, and plugged them into my receiver to play Rez HD with. It was like playing the game for the first time again. I think once I pay off my student loans I’m going to pick up a pair of expensive Sennheiser cans to celebrate :3
Neato :O You eyeing any in particular? The 595′s and 600/650 have glowing reviews, but the latter two need a good amplifier to drive them properly, it seems.
I’ve had a headphone fetish for quite some time now. I bought my first pair about two years ago, and immediately felt like an idiot for not doing so sooner. Mine are just a middle of the road pair, but when I see people using those white ear buds I cringe, as I was once among that crowd as well. Also, I can’t resist fanart with headphones as there’s just something awesome about it.
I was looking at either the 595′s or the 600′s. And I’d probably want to get an amp either way since I’ll mainly be using them with my computer, in fact I’m thinking of getting one for my Pro/4AA’s. My sound card really isn’t meant for high-power cans.
Hmmm… I’m using a beyerdynamic DT880 + Edge headphone amplifier + a shitty (but still better than nothing) DAC. A pretty good combination. Aiming for a better DAC next when I find something cheap and decent.
BedaBeda, I’ve got quite the headphone fetish too; I love their aesthetics and all that. And I noticed almost all fanart with headphone girls as a focus tends to have them in a very relaxed sort of mood. I like that.
Quote, I’d say just go for the 600′s. Just a personal bias, but I really like their design. No idea on the sound, but it ought to be good, if a little analytical. And I seriously need a sound card – I’ve just been using my Asus P5B Deluxe’s onboard card.
Accany, DT880′s! :O I hear they’re some of the comfiest to use – how are they? My setup’s just the onboard sound card > Onkyo Integra A-755 > Grado SR-80i. The integrated amp’s needlessly big, but it looks cool anyway lol.
For me, if its top notch-quality HPs, I’d go for a BOSE. although, its pricey, but hey, you get what you pay for. ;P
my personal fave http://bit.ly/eYfwB quality and style is absolutely the best.
oh yeah, if one is a music and sound junkie, Harman Kardon http://bit.ly/3oDup can not be neglected.
Personally, I’m not fond of Bose, JBL, Harman/Kardon, and the other big name brands. Though you usually do get decent sound, the price : quality ratio is just way out of whack compared to other brands like AKG, Sennheiser, Audio-Technica, and others. Plus, I’m a bit more fond of the classic and older-styled headphones’ aesthetics, which is what you usually find with the latter bunch; the former usually puts some degree of emphasis in keeping them discreet.
It’s extremely comfy. You can get extremely addicted to those. Though I tend not to use headphones that much since they aren’t exactly the most healthy choice.
Ain’t the onkyo Integra like a huge monster. I could never fit that on my computer table. My edge amp is like 10 cm =X. and you should go get a DAC. I mean that’s the main thing when you’re listening off computers.
And BOSE is overrated. I find the sound to be tinny and noisy at times. The price is also ~.~. You’re paying for like 90% brand and 10% for the actual thing.
I know headphones aren’t the healthiest choice for listening, but I share a room with my (insert profanities) brother, so I’m pretty much forced to use a can : x Plus, they’re significantly cheaper compared to getting a pair of bookshelf speakers or something.
The Onkyo Integra is pretty massive, yeah. About as big as my tower when you flip it. It’s a little off to the side, beside my tower, so it doesn’t really occupy my tiny main workspace. As for the DAC, I’m using my soundcard’s line out coupled with an RCA-Mini plug adapter, which goes straight into the Onkyo’s Aux input. Horrible setup, but I’m slowly building it up. Thinking of getting a new soundcard or a USB DAC now, but I still can’t find any local sources for the latter, except someone selling this DAC/Amp. A decent soundcard would be around 6~10k here, so either will take some time. Leaning towards the DAC though.
As for BOSE, I’m sure they’ve got some good stuff, but for the price you’re paying, you can get much, much better. Same goes for JBL and a bunch of other brands – they somewhat brainwashed the general public to believe that you need to pay astronomical amounts of money for good equipment, similar to what Mont Blanc did with fountain pens, which is why I dislike them quite a bit.
Using a couple of Sennheiser HD 201 and can´t find any fault at all with them. I can´t have the volume on to high since it will hurt my ears but wow it sounds so great when I sit by the computer and use these.
The ones I had before were a Sony and they were also good, but the pale in comparisson to these.
I´ve never been one to spend a lot of money on headphones. But I might do that in the future. At least once to try the more pricely ones out.
My hair is very limited at one point at the back of my head where I have my headphones :p I usually use headphones every day just because it gives me more sound than using a soundsystem does and it keeps other sound from the outside out of my ears. Which is a good thing.
Hey, I just went down to the hifi store the other day to get my ATH-SJ3 fixed, and and I tested a K601. The K530 sounds almost like the ATH-SJ3, which means it isn’t really that great, because the ATH-SJ3 cost me three times less. I didn’t test the K172HD. But the K601 was freaking awesome. It was like previously thinking that paper was smooth, getting a nerve upgrade in the middle of the night, and waking up to find that you’re hypersensitive to ridges on the paper.
I’m definitely getting a K601. They didn’t have the K701/2, but I’m not interested in a headphone that’s over 200EURs (and by extension, their K601). They say I need an amp for this. Well thankfully, I have the Octane with optical output… I spot an ESW-7.
manga, lately, I’ve been listening at low volumes too – around 20%. Apparently it forces your brain to pick out the sounds to help you hear details later on. And likewise, I didn’t really think much of spending for good audio, but having heard just how good stuff could sound – it makes me regret not having invested in a good pair earlier on. Still, speakers are the healthier, better option for me – it’s just that they cost 5~6 times more, so screw that. At least for now.
ritchan, how much was the repair cost? I’ve never had a pair repaired before, but I imagine it would cost a pretty significant amount. And I noticed that a lot of AKG’s phones need quite a bit of driving – they’re definitely something best left for home use, I guess. Even iPods can only drive 32~100 Ohm earphones/headphones. And I just remembered – how is the sound of Audio-Technica compared to other manufacturers? I know Senns and AKG’s are usually quite neutral, and Grado’s are pretty strong with the mids/highs, but I haven’t heard much from others about AT.
WIth that I cannot hear anything outside the music :p given a high volume song like Cagayake Girls or Don´t Say Lazy is going to hurt my ears. I usally have the vol at 10% :p It clears out almost every other sound…
So I just love these headphones
Huzzah for audiophilia! 8D
I honestly love good-quality headphones and/or earphones. Currently, I’m eyeing the AKG K81DJs, a solid pari of headphones with great bass for about 3.5k pesos (less than $100).
Although, I must admit, I do prefer in-ears. I don’t really like to go the extra mile to “make a statement”, if you will; I am more function over form. One function that I adore with In-ears are isolation. The everyday commuter would find it extremely difficult to enjoy his music with all the background noise going around (especially those buses with the f-f-f-fire fire! horn sound >_<).
Although I must admit, the price to performance ratio are definitely better when it comes to headphones and, being an economical person, I still proved with the dillema of headphones vs in-ears D:
My current in-ears are Creative EP-360 (which are… inadequate), and my dream in-ears are the Klipsch Image X10
manga, I usually had the thing going at 30~40%, sometimes 50%, which is probably why my hearing isn’t good for details anymore D:
Pepe, I hear the K81′s have real boomy bass though – I assume you equalize to balance it out?
I’m not saying that you have to make a statement with phones (though I do have a personal like for their aesthetics) – it’s more that headphones do it better than in-ears. Closed phones exist too, but logically, covering a small hole is easier than covering a large one, which is why some IEM’s tend to isolate better… I think >_>
IIRC, there were a few Klipsch IEMs on sale at Listening Room in Megamall; 7, 8, and 10k, I think. Why not have a look-see?
As a gamer, anime-watcher, and someone who is always listening to music in college – headphones are an absolute must. They’re something that provides an unseen barrier between you and the rest of the world through sound. I was actually thinking of getting a new pair recently, but they’re so expensive.
I currently have pretty cheap pair of sennheisers that are absolutely great, but currently have been looking for that extra quality (not to mention comfort). Also been looking for a nice pair of earbuds from them as well, but just can’t muster up the money just yet.
Headphones intrigue me. Visually, they frame a girl’s face and head very well, but there is also some kind of emotional connection, too. You can directly relate to wearing headphones, plus you wonder, what is the girl listening to? I wonder what xxxxxxx would listen to, etc.
Maybe I’m just insane.
Accany, what year are those DT880s? They the new one or the old one? The new DT880′s design makes me cringe – talk about freaking sacrificing build quality for fuck sakes.
Zero: About to get a K701 (and hopefully a sweet K242HD as well. Grad presents WHOOOOO! It’s a much better choice than buying a new laptop, heh.
Also, not surprised at seeing a lot of dudes into Sennheiser. Warm mids, relatively cheap prices, it’s all good.
Alto50, You get what you pay for, I suppose. I kinda sorta want a pair of Klipsch IEM’s, or maybe a Senn IE7/8, but they cost 100~200 USD OTL
kevo, don’t worry, you’re not alone. I’m always looking at people with cans and trying to guess what model they’re wearing. Plus, I noticed that a lot of the headphone musume pictures tend to have them in a very calm and relaxed sort of state. I kind of like that.
Hemi, bah, you beat me to it :< I’m probably getting a K701 next year – good thing I have a friend with connections! And I wouldn’t say it’s a better choice (comparing prices and practicality and all), but I don’t think we all need another notebook, do we?
LOL late reply
Well, no, I wouldn’t equalize it out (ideally). I am one of the few people that would prefer an unbalanced EQ rather than a flat one. My favorite would either be the V shaped, or the wide-M (For Jazz, mostly)
As for the Klipsch, surprisingly, they are cheaper here than in many online stores (Amazon and whatnot). If I had 10k, I’d get the IMAGE wihtout hesitation
I would too! Except I got 22k in preorders and I want moar pens.
@Zeroblade: you mean, 22k in anime figurine preorders? hell yeah! wow, I will follow you, master. I am just starting out with this costly hobby. and I haven’t paid my preorder yet @ wasabi, wehehe. XD