Any audiophiles here?

Thatgrimguy

I recently sold my KEFs and marantz gear and am looking at going with a headphone setup in my new house instead of trying to force a decent listening area in a place it won't work.  

I had ordered a Sennheiser HD800s but I decided to return it and instead ordered a used pair of the HD800s and a used set of Fostex TR-X00 to pair with a Schiit Lyr 3 attached to Amazon HD.    I want the closed backs for EDM and dance music and the open backs for soundstage with jazz, southern/classic rock and bluegrass.


I figured I'd post here where I may get some insight or I may drag someone else down this rabbit hole with me!!

Botch

Guilty, but not really a headphone guy.  I have Monitor Audio "Silver" speakers, 5.1 setup, Yamaha electronics, and a hastily-purchased, used Oppo BDP-93 to replace my BDP-103, which went tango-uniform and is not repairable (and Oppo doesn't make universal disk players anymore); I have a pretty big library of 5.1 DVD-A, SACD, and Bluray Audio disks that aren't playable on any other single machine...   

dmourati

Check out https://www.head-fi.org/


The best advice you'll get for at home listening is to go with open headphones like the Senn's you picked.

I've been down that rabbit hole before but in my grad school days when money was tight. I went with Grados.

nolaegghead

Emotiva 

Ozzie_Isaac

Having moved many times and always struggling to setup a decent sound space, I wish I were more into headphones.  Would be a nice clean easy solution.

I have listened to some amazing gear, stuff that technically sounded significantly better than my mixed HSU/Rythmik setup, but for me there is just a missing dimension with headphones.  I cannot put my finger on it.

Thatgrimguy

Ozzie_Isaac said:

Having moved many times and always struggling to setup a decent sound space, I wish I were more into headphones.  Would be a nice clean easy solution.

I have listened to some amazing gear, stuff that technically sounded significantly better than my mixed HSU/Rythmik setup, but for me there is just a missing dimension with headphones.  I cannot put my finger on it.

It's called BASS!!!  Not having that actual sound pressure sucks. And having the things on your head is awkward. I'm going to miss my old setup but it just didn't work in my new house. No where to set it up.

I'm hoping I can get over it and really enjoy an hour or two of critical listening while I talk to BBQ nuts on the internet.

Leopoldstoch

Bowers and Wilkins CM10s2’s here. SVS 16 ultra sub. Marantz receiver that I have been looking at upgrading to the rotel 1580.

Sorry I cant provide a ton of help for headphones. Simple Sony MDX1000 and audioquest dragonfly dac when I travel. Nothing too crazy.

rekameohs

Thatgrimguy said:

I recently sold my KEFs and marantz gear and am looking at going with a headphone setup in my new house

Are there audiophile quality headphones that come close to what a quality sound system can deliver?  I still have my Koss Pro4AAs from the 70s, which were THE headphones at the time, but they are nothing like a real sound system.

dbCooper

This site is my goto for audio questions, you will likely get quality advice from the folks there..... https://www.avsforum.com/forum/index.php#/forums/378

Botch

Thatgrimguy said:
It's called BASS!!!  Not having that actual sound pressure sucks. 

There used to be a device, called the Butt-Kicker, that drummers would attach to their thrones that provided the "thump" missing if they were playing electronic drums; I did a quick search at Sweetwater and it appears they're not made anymore.  

dbCooper

Botch said:

Thatgrimguy said:
It's called BASS!!!  Not having that actual sound pressure sucks. 

There used to be a device, called the Butt-Kicker, that drummers would attach to their thrones that provided the "thump" missing if they were playing electronic drums; I did a quick search at Sweetwater and it appears they're not made anymore.  

@Thatgrimguy

This vendor carries a selection of bass transducers.....

https://www.parts-express.com/cat/bass-shakers/3524

Might be a viable option if you have a dedicated listening chair.  I get that they don't fit with the mobile aspect of headphones.

Botch

Thanks, @dbCooper!  

Thatgrimguy

dbCooper said:

Botch said:

Thatgrimguy said:
It's called BASS!!!  Not having that actual sound pressure sucks. 

There used to be a device, called the Butt-Kicker, that drummers would attach to their thrones that provided the "thump" missing if they were playing electronic drums; I did a quick search at Sweetwater and it appears they're not made anymore.  

@Thatgrimguy

This vendor carries a selection of bass transducers.....

https://www.parts-express.com/cat/bass-shakers/3524

Might be a viable option if you have a dedicated listening chair.  I get that they don't fit with the mobile aspect of headphones.

Nice!! I'm not looking for portability. I use my apple airpods for that. 

I've been looking at a WOOJER vest. I could use it with my VR setup too.  It's a series of 7 location specific haptics that supposedly give the feeling of bass.  It would amazing in VR and could be really cool for music. Except I'm 300lbs of dude and I bet it won't fit.

https://www.amazon.com/Woojer-Vest-Pro-Location-Specific-Built-Experience/dp/B07Q6VJLWF/ref=asc_df_B07Q6VJLWF/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=343438307174&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7550667029482612927&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9014040&hvtargid=aud-829758849484:pla-738320952956&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=77561036868&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=343438307174&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7550667029482612927&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9014040&hvtargid=aud-829758849484:pla-738320952956

BigreenGreg

Polk Audio guy here, their forum is a great resource - Lsi speakers, Denon 4400H, SVS pb12+ and Outlaw Amp. I have the Astro A50 headset, not impressed. Dreaming of the Polk Legend series if I ever break free from the $ this bbq forum costs.

jdMyers

dbCooper said:

Botch said:

Thatgrimguy said:
It's called BASS!!!  Not having that actual sound pressure sucks. 

There used to be a device, called the Butt-Kicker, that drummers would attach to their thrones that provided the "thump" missing if they were playing electronic drums; I did a quick search at Sweetwater and it appears they're not made anymore.  

@Thatgrimguy

This vendor carries a selection of bass transducers.....

https://www.parts-express.com/cat/bass-shakers/3524

Might be a viable option if you have a dedicated listening chair.  I get that they don't fit with the mobile aspect of headphones.

I live near parts express and Im in there all the time.  They have Clark transducers that perform amazing compared to butt shakers. I put them in the floors beneath the seating areas to develop more feel of the bass as I cant drive the sound like I used too.  Having both options of head phones will be great but also will strap you to a cord.  You will defin miss the system for sure

70chevelle

I've accumulated some equipment since high school.  I recently had to send my original Harman Kardon 330i to the trash bin :(  My current 2 channel setups are:  Main: Carver TFM45 amp, Sunfire Tube Pre, NAD 525bee CDP, Maverick Tube DAC, Vandersteen 2ci and AKG Q701 phones.  Office:  Carver M500 amp, CT6 Pre, and CD changer, HRT streamer II, Paradigm Studio 20v.3.  Whole House First Floor:  Denon AVR1200, Niles 6 pair speaker selector, 2 sets SpeakerCraft in-ceiling speakers (master bath & bedroom), Boston Acoustic T930's (great room), Boston Acoustic A60's(kitchen).  Whole House Basement & Outdoors:  Carver HR732, Pure I20 Ipod DAC, Niles 4 pair speaker selector, 1 pair SpeakerCraft in-ceiling speakers(pool table), 2 Pair indoor/outdoor KEF speakers(garage & patio), 1 pair Outdoor Speaker planter speakers(deck).  Home Theater:  Denon AVR-X3500H, Acurus 200x3 amp, Insignia Bluray, Optoma HD243X Projector, 106" screen, Paradigm Titan fronts & surrounds, Paradigm CC290 center, Velodyne 3750 sub.  Bedroom TV:  Harman Kardon AVR247, Samsung 4k 55" LED, Paradigm Micros & center channel, Yamaha Sub.  

WeberWho

Can anyone tell me if this is the right cable for my AIWA Subwoofer?

Botch

Ah, cables....    

blind99

Botch said:

Ah, cables....    

cables are to audio geeks as what is to eggheads?

lump.

Legume

Firewires?

kl8ton

https://gizmodo.com/audiophile-deathmatch-monster-cables-vs-a-coat-hanger-363154

WeberWho

kl8ton said:

https://gizmodo.com/audiophile-deathmatch-monster-cables-vs-a-coat-hanger-363154

My friends brother installs home theaters professionally and says it's rediculous what people pay for cables thinking they're going to get better sound quality from higher end cables. 

HeavyG

WeberWho said:

kl8ton said:

https://gizmodo.com/audiophile-deathmatch-monster-cables-vs-a-coat-hanger-363154

My friends brother installs home theaters professionally and says it's rediculous what people pay for cables thinking they're going to get better sound quality from higher end cables. 

Most highend audio gear is just designed to be objets d'art and/or as displays of wealth and with no real audible benefit to any human ears.

Botch

The one that kills me are the AC cables that go from your receiver/amp, to the wall outlet.  $12,500 for a 3' "extension cord", and when I asked the salesman what kind of wire was behind the wall, attached to the Home Depot outlet, I got all kinds of Attitude but no answer.    

Thatgrimguy

Botch said:

The one that kills me are the AC cables that go from your receiver/amp, to the wall outlet.  $12,500 for a 3' "extension cord", and when I asked the salesman what kind of wire was behind the wall, attached to the Home Depot outlet, I got all kinds of Attitude but no answer.    

Yeah, you can get better gains by using simple not too heavy cables and making sure all your gear is isolated to reduce vibration. After all, sound is simply vibration.

I know people who go as far as to use wooden screws and washers on there electrical outlets.  I can't hear grass grow so I don't get too deep on the internet theories behind improving sound that last half %

dbCooper

Thatgrimguy said:

Botch said:

The one that kills me are the AC cables that go from your receiver/amp, to the wall outlet.  $12,500 for a 3' "extension cord", and when I asked the salesman what kind of wire was behind the wall, attached to the Home Depot outlet, I got all kinds of Attitude but no answer.    

Yeah, you can get better gains by using simple not too heavy cables and making sure all your gear is isolated to reduce vibration. After all, sound is simply vibration.

I know people who go as far as to use wooden screws and washers on there electrical outlets.  I can't hear grass grow so I don't get too deep on the internet theories behind improving sound that last half %

Those that advocate for the expensive "high-end" cables need to consider the "last-mile" path within their Receiver/Amp, from the output stage to the back panel connectors.  Nothing special regarding the circuit board traces or connector wires.  The audio signal (or AC power) has to travel via them to the "fancy" wires.

Wire gauge in relation to distance and load does matter.  For those that enjoy such things, this older reference has quality information about the technical aspects of audio cables and comments on some of the snake oil products out there.  For those not so interested in the geeky stuff there is a handy wire table near the top of the article, it lists minimum wire gauge to use based on load and distance.

http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm