Any audiophiles here?

[The Spartan (Returns)]

Don't know if this belongs to the Frontroom but moving on...

Months ago I purchased the Shure SE115's. The sound is very balanced and the warm bass sound great for my bass-heavy music (rock/hip-hop). The cord is very sturdy and thick and replaceable unlike many earphones. I bought 'em for around $70 on Amazon; the list price is around $100.

In the future I plan to upgrade upon my in-ear phones. Looking at Ultimate Ear's Triple-Fi or Shure's flagship model the SE530's. Both cost over $250+.

Just a few days ago I purchased the Shure SRH840 which is a huge upgrade over my Sony MDR-XD2000. Some reviewers say the sound is even better than the Sennheiser HD595 which I was interested in purchasing and even more expensive than the SRH840. Plus the SRH840's are closed and cancel out more sound compared to open headphones.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ef=oss_product

I bought them used-like new on Amazon for $100. The list price is $200. They should be delivered by next week.

What about you? What headphones/earphones do you use?

[Lemur]

I don't have the budget to call myself a real audiophile, but I have the ears. To keep myself sane I use Grado SR80 headphones when on the PC.

For the stereo I use some old BBC nearfield studio monitors that I found in a junk shop in Chicago. If either woofer ever goes I won't be able to find replacement parts, so I'm careful with the volume.

[The Spartan (Returns)]

^ Great taste. I hear Grado makes some great over-the-ear headphones.

Apparently by a reviewer the Shure SRH840's beat some headphones that cost even $400. It's a bargain steal.

Some audio brands that are overpriced/bad-sound quality:

Bose: All marketing. Terrible earphones/headphones. Though their speakers might be acceptable.
Skullcandy: All "style"/aesthetics terrible sound.
Dr. Dre Beats: Overpriced, useless sound-cancellation that require batteries. Sound quality belongs to $70-80 price range. Not $300. Nice aesthetics however.

[Lemur]

Certainly when it comes to high-fidelity sound reproduction, the cost/benefit curve bends upward at a dizzying rate, so bargain-hunting is the order of the day if you're cursed with good ears.

Bose is generally overpriced plastic junk. No exceptions that I'm aware of, except for the mid-sized speakers they originally made in the '70s that made their name. But they haven't made anything great since then. Don't know the other brands you mention.

I like over-the-ear headphones for a multitude of reasons, not least of which is that I can more easily hear if a kid is having a meltdown elsewhere in the house. Plus I have a hard time regulating volume with in-ear buds. I get the volume way too high without noticing; something just goes off with my ability to gauge loudness when I have pencil erasers in my ears.

I know that stage musicians get in-ear monitors of the highest quality, and they craft them from actual casts of their ear canals. Expensive, but worth it if you're paid to be onstage and on-key. How do these modern in-ears work? Do they have a selection of ear-canal fit bits, or some sort of flexible super-material that lets them fit any shape of orifice?

[The Spartan (Returns)]

bargain-hunting is the order of the day if you're cursed with good ears.

Definitely. Couldn't say it better myself.
Some people really dislike the idea of paying over $5 for earphones.

Don't know the other brands you mention.

Good stay away from them.
These three brands are one of the most popular audio brands in the market.

Bose and Dr. Dre's Beats are the brands everyone say are the best but are nowhere near the quality of Sennheisers, Audio-Technica's, Grado's, Koss, Denon, and Sony's. You can get any of these headphones cheaper than any Bose/Dr. Dre's and will still sound much better than them.

I like over-the-ear headphones for a multitude of reasons, not least of which is that I can more easily hear if a kid is having a meltdown elsewhere in the house.

Don't know if I interpreted this statement correctly but depending on the type of over-the-ear open/closed gives you a different over-the-ear experience. Open lets more air get in the cans and also gives less sound isolation. However, it improves the audio quality due to vibration to the air? (Correct if I'm wrong but it gives better audio quality due to more air in open headphones or something around those lines).
Open headphones may also have better soundstage.

Closed headphones like the new Shure's I'm ordering block out much more sound than open headphones. However sound quality isn't as good as open cans... soundstage might be more limited to closed headphones.

I know that stage musicians get in-ear monitors of the highest quality, and they craft them from actual casts of their ear canals. Expensive, but worth it if you're paid to be onstage and on-key. How do these modern in-ears work? Do they have a selection of ear-canal fit bits, or some sort of flexible super-material that lets them fit any shape of orifice?

I primarily use in-ear monitors when going outside or walking/running. They're really easy to carry around.

I'm probably going to be using my SRH840's for home use.. although it is mid-size and quite portable. I don't know if I should also use it for more mobile activities.

I honestly don't know why musicians use in-ear monitors while performing. Anyone care to explain?

Speaking of ear-canal fits or flexible super-material... check these out:
http://ultimateears.com/products/18-pro

If you're interested in IEM's I really suggest these brands:
Shure, Klipsch, Ultimate Ears, and Sennheiser's IE series. (Maybe Denon too?)

[Lemur]

Don't know if I interpreted this statement correctly but depending on the type of over-the-ear open/closed gives you a different over-the-ear experience. Open lets more air get in the cans and also gives less sound isolation. However, it improves the audio quality due to vibration to the air? (Correct if I'm wrong but it gives better audio quality due to more air in open headphones or something around those lines).
Open headphones may also have better soundstage.

You know, I'm not 100% on what you mean by "soundstage" in this context, which is more evidence of what a poor imitation of an audiophile I'm turning out to be.*

What I meant was that I have two small children, and an open over-the-ear headphone gives me the best chance of hearing them when they need me. More situational awareness, if you will. Also they make my ears sweat less.

The problem with my Grados is that they look goofy, but that's a small price to pay for good sound.

I expect that there are audio tradeoffs with closed/open/in-ear headphones. There are always tradeoffs; that's why engineers make a living. In my opinion Grado hit the mark at the best quality/cost ratio for open-ear. I've heard that Shure is amazing for in-ear cans, but I never use those so I can't say anything intelligent. As for over-the-ear closed ... I have no idea.

-edit-

*Okay, I know what "soundstage" means, and I think I know I confused you. My bad. But to be honest, the whole creation of an aural soundstage has always been one of the more abstract and ephemeral qualities of high-end audio equipment. Especially with a mere two speakers.

[The Spartan (Returns)]

aural soundstage has always been one of the more abstract and ephemeral qualities of high-end audio equipment. *

I totally agree. I don't really look at soundstage when looking at headphones but they're one of the factors to look at. I've never really experienced a true "3D" sound with just two monitors for each ear.

What I meant was that I have two small children, and an open over-the-ear headphone gives me the best chance of hearing them when they need me. More situational awareness, if you will. Also they make my ears sweat less.

The problem with my Grados is that they look goofy, but that's a small price to pay for good sound.

Ah in that case stick with the open over-the-ear headphones. The benefits in close headphones (increased sound blockage, also possibly make ears more prone to sweating) are obviously not what you're looking for.

True audiophiles will suffer aesthetics for sound quality any day.

In my opinion Grado hit the mark at the best quality/cost ratio for open-ear.

Seeing that your Grado's cost around $100 I can recommend the Sennheiser HD555/HD595's. I don't know if they're better than you're Grado's but I hear fantastic things about them.

I'm aware of other great over-the-ear headphone brands such as Audio Technica, Denon, and Sony but I'm not knowledgeable in their models.

[Fragony]

All Bang & Olufsen chez Fragony

[naut]

I've been looking for a new set of head-phones, but the problem I've encountered is that all the major brands (Sony aside), have terrible websites that are almost designed as if they don't want you to purchase them.

Lucky the HeadRoom exists.

I'm torn between the Grado SR 60i and the Sennheiser HD 448. The Grado is open backed, so has sound leakage and the level of comfort varies. But, its price is fantastic for what you end up getting. The Sennheiser is slightly more expensive, it often has complaints about the bass levels. Also, due to most of the music I listen to being Indie and poorly recorded, an overly powerful set will show the flaws in the recording. Plus, I'm not a fan of sweaty ears.

[Gregoshi]

Lucky the HeadRoom exists.

Thanks for that link Psychonaut. I've been kicking around getting some headphones to get back into some "me and the music - one on one" time. My son trashed my "good" pair a few years ago.

[naut]

Many reviews later the Sennheiser HD 448 takes the cake. More portable, shorter+single sided cable, included extension, full-sized. Some sexy cans for a good price. And as a back-up I'm picking up some Koss KSC75s, for even easier usage on the move, and at a third of what they cost here. Plus, considering the Grado prices, if I really want to give them a go a can without major stress over wasting cash.

[The Spartan (Returns)]

I've been looking for a new set of head-phones, but the problem I've encountered is that all the major brands (Sony aside), have terrible websites that are almost designed as if they don't want you to purchase them.

Lucky the HeadRoom exists.

I'm torn between the Grado SR 60i and the Sennheiser HD 448. The Grado is open backed, so has sound leakage and the level of comfort varies. But, its price is fantastic for what you end up getting. The Sennheiser is slightly more expensive, it often has complaints about the bass levels. Also, due to most of the music I listen to being Indie and poorly recorded, an overly powerful set will show the flaws in the recording. Plus, I'm not a fan of sweaty ears.

Headroom is a fantastic site but I also highly recommend looking at other reviews when making a decision on headphones. Also, I don't recommend purchasing any cans at Headroom; you can find better prices on Amazon.

Be very aware of the Sennheiser HD448's real rival the Shure SRH440's.
At the same price I hear amazing things about the Shure SRH440's.
If you were to make a final decision I would choose between the HD448's and the SRH440's.

Check out this comparison:
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/...nheiser-hd-448

I'm amazed how great Shure over-the-ear headphones for only entering the over-the-ear market last year compared to Sennheiser for example doing it for years.

[The Spartan (Returns)]

Hey guys I'm excited to tell you about this new IEM I discovered today.

It costs $79 and it not only matches other IEM's that cost $400-500 but even surpasses them to some ears.

The in-ear earphones are none other than the Head-Direct RE-0.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ef=oss_product

I've read countless of professional and amateur reviews of this earphone before making this purchase but I'd like to share this particular review from Head-fi.org:
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/...e500-and-er-4p

He compares them to the Shure SE530 that costs $500, Etymotic ER-4s/ER-4P that costs $300.

I ordered them earlier today and am expecting them this week. If anyone wants my conclusion on them feel free to ask when I get them.

(I also sold my Shure SE115's for $60 to a friend)

If anyone is looking for IEM under $100 I suggest purchasing these IEM's only and nothing else.

[naut]

Headroom is a fantastic site but I also highly recommend looking at other reviews when making a decision on headphones. Also, I don't recommend purchasing any cans at Headroom; you can find better prices on Amazon.

Be very aware of the Sennheiser HD448's real rival the Shure SRH440's.
At the same price I hear amazing things about the Shure SRH440's.
If you were to make a final decision I would choose between the HD448's and the SRH440's.

Check out this comparison:
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/...nheiser-hd-448

I'm amazed how great Shure over-the-ear headphones for only entering the over-the-ear market last year compared to Sennheiser for example doing it for years.

I looked at them. The sound quality is arguably better than the 448 and equal to a similarly priced Grado. But, a number of reviews said they were seriously uncomfortable, and for someone with marginally large ears like me that's a killer. I really love the foldable design and coiled cord though, excellent portability.

[The Spartan (Returns)]

I looked at them. The sound quality is arguably better than the 448 and equal to a similarly priced Grado. But, a number of reviews said they were seriously uncomfortable, and for someone with marginally large ears like me that's a killer. I really love the foldable design and coiled cord though, excellent portability.

Funny I hear great things about the SRH440's comfortability (a lot of thanks to their earpads).

Regardless, any choice between these two headphones will be a wise decision nonetheless. You can't get any better than these two cans I believe at that price range.

[Sasaki Kojiro]

hah, well I just bought a new pair of headphones but missed this thread. But I wasn't going to deliberate too much because they say that just lowers your enjoyment of the eventual purchase and I knew it was guaranteed to be an upgrade over my previous pair. Not sure how much of that stuff is snake oil anyway (NEW DUOFAL DIAPHRAGM TECHNOLOGY!!!) so the only thing I paid attention to was what range it was supposed to be good for.

But this seems like the appropriate thread for my question. Does anyone know a good .flac player? VLC plays them but I'd like at least a minimal interface, and to not have to manually select the next song.

[Lemur]

If you mean on your PC, give this a try.

If you mean for jogging or exercise, here's a list of portables and so forth.

-edit-

Goes without saying that most iPods can also be, um, convinced to play nice with FLAC.

[Sasaki Kojiro]

If you mean on your PC, give this a try.

If you mean for jogging or exercise, here's a list of portables and so forth.

-edit-

Goes without saying that most iPods can also be, um, convinced to play nice with FLAC.

Thanks, wxmusik works a treat, way faster than itunes too.

[Crazed Rabbit]

So I read some related stories on gizmodo during lunch:
http://gizmodo.com/5617200/the-secre...-cheap-earbuds
and
http://gizmodo.com/5371253/giz-expla...-less-than-100
Some good basic info for someone like me without a lot of knowledge about earbuds.

Also, an audiophile in his natural habitat:
http://gizmodo.com/5213042/why-we-need-audiophiles
Note the price tag.

CR