EPTHeadphone enthusiast thread! - Page 141
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Cedstick
Canada3336 Posts
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Djzapz
Canada10681 Posts
I ordered this: Schiit Asgard: http://schiit.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=0&products_id=1 It'll be paired with a cheap, $30 DAC, which has a good reputation: Fiio D3: http://www.fiio.com.cn/product/index.aspx?ID=33&MenuID=020302 Now, my source is going to be my computer with a coaxial digital output. However, both my Auzentech Bravura sound card and my motherboard have this output. Some people say there would basically be no difference, others say a cheap output could have "jitter" even though it's digital. So what's could the difference be between the $100 sound card's digital output and the motherboard's digital output? | ||
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Myrmidon
United States9452 Posts
I missed this earlier. I'm not up to date on IEMs at all. Try here for starters: http://www.head-fi.org/t/478568/multi-iem-review-216-iems-compared-koss-keb70-sunrise-i100-added-1-23-12 Note that many of those listed as good values, wouldn't suit your tastes. On January 25 2012 05:13 iKill[ShocK] wrote: are those 150-200 USD sound cards worth it to get? (asus/creative) I've been looking to improve my sound since im a music enthusiast. And for reference i also have a steelseries siberia v2 It's possibly worth it in some situations, especially if you need the extra output channels and input channels. If you want better sound quality and you have Siberia V2s, it's absolutely a terrible idea to spend on one of those sound cards. Get better headphones. On January 26 2012 10:45 Djzapz wrote: I ordered this: Schiit Asgard: http://schiit.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=0&products_id=1 It'll be paired with a cheap, $30 DAC, which has a good reputation: Fiio D3: http://www.fiio.com.cn/product/index.aspx?ID=33&MenuID=020302 Now, my source is going to be my computer with a coaxial digital output. However, both my Auzentech Bravura sound card and my motherboard have this output. Some people say there would basically be no difference, others say a cheap output could have "jitter" even though it's digital. So what's could the difference be between the $100 sound card's digital output and the motherboard's digital output? I'm kind of skeptical of a $30 optical S/PDIF interface DAC. FiiO even puts it in the D-lineup rather than E-lineup, so I don't think the performance is advertised to be so great. In some of their product literature they say the E-line is better. Then again, I'd be kind of skeptical of a $20 portable amp, but the E5 is just fine... Jitter is an analog phenomenon that can potentially have a nontrivial effect on digital audio transmission, because the standard is kind of stupid. Unless you have some high-end receiver on the other side, the receiver is going to use the S/PDIF signal itself (which may have some jitter) as a clock reference for the D/A conversion, so you may be passing through some jitter through S/PDIF yeah. If the D/A is not done at consistent time intervals, then you're pretty much getting some unintentional modulation of the signal, which is a non-traditional kind of distortion. In theory I would expect the sound card to perform better than the motherboard for this optical link, but in general I would expect the difference to be inaudible. Maybe not. Earlier, when I said I was skeptical of a $30 optical S/PDIF DAC, that needs to be put in perspective. I'm really skeptical of a $250 fully-discrete headphone amp with no feedback. Schiit's track record is not necessarily great when you consider the turn on/off transient issue and their response to that. They have a lot of satisfied customers though, so interpret that as you will. All in all, I would expect it (and just about any amp or DAC) to sound pretty good, so enjoy. | ||
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Djzapz
Canada10681 Posts
 As for Schiit, apparently the turn on/off issue was handled very quickly... I suppose they would say "schiit happens" or something clever like that. Still, I'm not worried about an old issue that was handled properly, the new Asgards come with a relay. Not to mention, a 5 year warranty is a good thing. Anyway, I'll tell you how I feel when I get it. Note: Apparently the unit gets really warm which is great because when my hands get cold, I can just put my hands on it :D. Just sayin' | ||
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Dacendoran
United States825 Posts
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seiferoth10
3362 Posts
On January 27 2012 01:08 Dacendoran wrote: BIGR Audio XL-BS1 Headphone-Has anyone heard of these? I can't find any reviews and Buy.com has them for sale for 40$ (the other 2 stores have them listed at 200-150$) Google isn't helping Nope! Never heard of them at all. But, I can recommend some cans around that price range: Superlux HD668B for a more neutral sound signature, Superlux HD681 for a more "fun" (forward lows and highs, recessed mids) sound signature. This thread discusses both: http://www.head-fi.org/t/483794/showdown-goldrings-dr150-vs-superlux-hd-668b. Edit: From the Superlux website: ![[image loading]](http://www.superlux.com.tw/upload/function.product.info/17f81435-74a5-48b2-af35-202a1d1730b2/frequency_hd668b.png) They claim the 668B has a similar frequency response to the DT990. Edit 2: Well I searched around, and while it was hard to find any info on them, I found out they're (the BigR cans) made by BLVCK SCVLE, which is a clothing company. | ||
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LanTAs
United States1091 Posts
If you guys have any suggestions aside these two, please do :D | ||
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CajunMan
United States823 Posts
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sinani206
United States1959 Posts
As an average gamer, I've been using these ![[image loading]](http://www.bose.com/assets/images/shop_online/qc3/qc3_si_lg.jpg) for a while. But then they broke... ![[image loading]](http://s3.amazonaws.com/satisfaction-production/s3_images/424204/photo_inline.JPG) NOTE: This photo is not mine, nor does it depict my issue in any way. So I need new headphones. But, after trying some of my friend's crappy headphones, I've realized how much I need the noise canceling and sound quality of these. And I have no idea what kind of headphones I need. Price-range preferably up to $200, although if I need to, I guess I can spend more. So what are your suggestions? Thanks, guys. | ||
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seiferoth10
3362 Posts
On January 28 2012 07:35 CajunMan wrote: Can anyone like me to a set of ear bud type head phones preferably like ipod ones not the bud kind with big rubber tips that go in ear like skull candy ones. That is good quality long wired and has a mic for gaming not having much luck finding them myself thought this would be a good place to ask. Uhh, ear buds with a mic attached? I've heard of some that plug into your phone, but I have a sneaking suspicion that they sound like garbage playing music. Past that, if you're not using them in conjunction with your phone, I really don't think ear buds with integrated mic is a good idea. On January 28 2012 10:57 sinani206 wrote: Hi guys! As an average gamer, I've been using these for a while. But then they broke... NOTE: This photo is not mine, nor does it depict my issue in any way. So I need new headphones. But, after trying some of my friend's crappy headphones, I've realized how much I need the noise canceling and sound quality of these. And I have no idea what kind of headphones I need. Price-range preferably up to $200, although if I need to, I guess I can spend more. So what are your suggestions? Thanks, guys. Well, I personally think noise cancellation is a gimmick. If you're deadset on having noise cancellation as a feature, I can't really help you there. If you're willing to concede on noise cancellation, I can recommend the DT770Pro-80ohm, which have very good isolation, among other features (relatively wide soundstage versus other closed cans, boom boom bass, circumaural velour pads for comfort) that work well for gaming. | ||
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Freeheals
United States488 Posts
On January 28 2012 11:05 seiferoth10 wrote: Uhh, ear buds with a mic attached? I've heard of some that plug into your phone, but I have a sneaking suspicion that they sound like garbage playing music. Past that, if you're not using them in conjunction with your phone, I really don't think ear buds with integrated mic is a good idea. Well, I personally think noise cancellation is a gimmick. If you're deadset on having noise cancellation as a feature, I can't really help you there. If you're willing to concede on noise cancellation, I can recommend the DT770Pro-80ohm, which have very good isolation, among other features (relatively wide soundstage versus other closed cans, boom boom bass, circumaural velour pads for comfort) that work well for gaming. It is largely agreed that, like seiferoth said, you should go with passive noise cancelling as opposed to active noise cancelling, like your former bose headphones. And, I'd also recommend you trying the dt770 pros at 80 ohm which are easily powered and feature closed backs that will do wonders for noise isolation while still providing the soundstage and quality of a great headphone. Passive noise cancelling phones do the trick usually, but I wouldn't recommend them for things like plane rides/exceptionally loud areas, in which case in-ear phones are preferred for their superior noise cancelling | ||
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sinani206
United States1959 Posts
On January 28 2012 11:15 Freeheals wrote: + Show Spoiler + On January 28 2012 11:05 seiferoth10 wrote: Uhh, ear buds with a mic attached? I've heard of some that plug into your phone, but I have a sneaking suspicion that they sound like garbage playing music. Past that, if you're not using them in conjunction with your phone, I really don't think ear buds with integrated mic is a good idea. Well, I personally think noise cancellation is a gimmick. If you're deadset on having noise cancellation as a feature, I can't really help you there. If you're willing to concede on noise cancellation, I can recommend the DT770Pro-80ohm, which have very good isolation, among other features (relatively wide soundstage versus other closed cans, boom boom bass, circumaural velour pads for comfort) that work well for gaming. It is largely agreed that, like seiferoth said, you should go with passive noise cancelling as opposed to active noise cancelling, like your former bose headphones. And, I'd also recommend you trying the dt770 pros at 80 ohm which are easily powered and feature closed backs that will do wonders for noise isolation while still providing the soundstage and quality of a great headphone. Passive noise cancelling phones do the trick usually, but I wouldn't recommend them for things like plane rides/exceptionally loud areas, in which case in-ear phones are preferred for their superior noise cancelling What do you think of the Astro A40s? Looking at reviews, they look pretty damn good. | ||
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Freeheals
United States488 Posts
On January 28 2012 11:42 sinani206 wrote: What do you think of the Astro A40s? Looking at reviews, they look pretty damn good. I'm the wrong guy to ask about those, i've never heard them/used them. I would be nervous about the quality considering I've only seen them used at MLG and whatnot where audio quality is not really hugely important and I think they actually sponsor the event. Try headfi.org or some place like that for unbiased reviews on them, they look awesome though! | ||
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Djzapz
Canada10681 Posts
 ![[image loading]](http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d113/DJZapZ/Desk/Desk4.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d113/DJZapZ/Desk/Desk3.jpg) | ||
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phiinix
United States1169 Posts
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sob3k
United States7572 Posts
On February 03 2012 03:24 phiinix wrote: Sorry what's the problem with active noise cancelling as opposed to passive? and is passive noise canceling just what you get when you buy over ears in general because of the muffs? I have an okay ear, but sometimes i feel like the real headphone people are arguing about sound difference that 90% can't even tell the difference between x.x It doesn't work very well and can horrifically degrade the audio quality. | ||
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MethodSC
United States928 Posts
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Myrmidon
United States9452 Posts
On February 03 2012 03:24 phiinix wrote: Sorry what's the problem with active noise cancelling as opposed to passive? and is passive noise canceling just what you get when you buy over ears in general because of the muffs? I have an okay ear, but sometimes i feel like the real headphone people are arguing about sound difference that 90% can't even tell the difference between x.x Yeah that's the difference. With active noise canceling, there's some kind of microphone picking up what incoming sounds are and then some shenanigans to try to output more or less the opposite of that in order to cancel that sound out. If you think about it more, it obviously will only work well with certain kinds of sounds, like those that are relatively constant over time. People say it degrades sound quality, but background noises also degrade sound quality...pick your poison. Passive is just the seal and construction of the headphones blocking some sound, like earmuffs, as you said. Certain in-ear models that go deep into the ear canal can attenuate most outside noises at all audible frequencies, by around 30 dB or more. Full size headphones are not as good at this, particularly if they have a lighter clamp. I think most people can readily pick up the difference between a low-end headphone (or iBuds or similar, certainly) and any type of mid-end or higher headphones. Even between high-end models there are significant differences that are fairly apparent. But certainly there's a lot of arguing over small differences, with lots of hyperbole that's hardly constructive. But more importantly, there's a lot of arguing over phantom (imagined) differences between some different components that aren't headphones, that can't actually be heard in practice by anyone once they have to distinguish between them by sound alone. It's easy to spot "differences" when you know what it is you're looking at and listening to. | ||
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Mr Showtime
United States1353 Posts
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/u6iYa.jpg) | ||
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Djzapz
Canada10681 Posts
Computer (Auzentech Bravura sound card) -> Fiio D3 (cheap dac) -> Schiit Asgard (amp) -> HD650. I'll throw in details to maybe help "diagnosis"... 1- There is a distinct "hiss" coming from the headphones when the amp's volume knob is above half, but this only happens with some sources. It doesn't happen with my phone, for instance, but it does happen with my computer. -> The hiss happens with: Auzentech Bravura (from 3.5mm jack and spdif), a VCR (yeah don't ask), Xbox 360 (with cheap Chinese cable I got for $3 on Ebay) -> The hiss does NOT happen with: My phone, an iPod, Xbox 360 (with stock cable) 2- When I'm connected through my Auzentech Bravura's SPDIF (coax), turning on and off my desk *LAMP* causes a "click" or a "pop" in my headphones. A similar phenomenon happens when I connect the Bravura to my home surround system - but instead of producing noise, the sound stops for a second and comes back when I turn the lamp on or off. This absolutely doesn't happen whatsoever unless I'm hooked to SPDIF. So, I have no clue what kind of interference is happening with the lamp - I tried plugging it on another outlet, another powerbar, on my UPS, etc... I'm thinking about trying out another sound card, but I'm afraid it might do the same thing? For all I know, it's not the sound card that's the problem - on the other hand, it's been giving me trouble for a while... What do you guys think? Thanks Edit: Seriously, I've been asking around and nobody knows. I've never seen anything like this x_x | ||
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