Any audiophiles here?

**The Spartan (Returns)** · 07-17-2010, 05:15

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** · 07-17-2010, 07:15

All Bang & Olufsen chez Fragony

**naut** · 07-17-2010, 19:11

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** · 07-17-2010, 20:01

Originally Posted by Psychonaut

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** · 07-17-2010, 21:45

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)** · 07-17-2010, 22:31

Originally Posted by Psychonaut

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)** · 07-18-2010, 04:09

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** · 07-18-2010, 04:50

Originally Posted by The Spartan (Returns)

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)** · 07-18-2010, 05:39

Originally Posted by Psychonaut

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** · 09-30-2010, 05:17

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.