Let's Talk Headphones IV: Should I get Beats? Do I need Noise Cancelling?

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Inspect Your Gadgets > Let's Talk Headphones IV: Should I get Beats? Do I need Noise Cancelling?

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evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

notZaar posted:

I have a pair of HD555 that I use exclusively on my PC. I need a volume knob so that I can easy change the sound level while in the middle of a game or movie. What's a good inexpensive solution that won't degrade the signal integrity?

a keyboard with media keys.

# ¿ Oct 2, 2013 22:50

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# ¿ Apr 28, 2024 12:13

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

Be mindful that the K550 are closed back too.

# ¿ Oct 6, 2013 21:55

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

wooger posted:

I've seen recently that the new Amperior headphones are essentially the exact same thing, but with fancy metal cups, and an integrated iPhone remote...

I think what you mean is "add ugly"

# ¿ Oct 7, 2013 17:14

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

I don't want to sound like a get-off-my-lawn prick but if it takes you a year to save a grand, don't spend it on headphones.

# ¿ Oct 8, 2013 00:15

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

Oneiros posted:

So far I'm leaning heavily towards a set of AKG K240 Studios. From what I can tell they're light, comfortable, open-backed, and have good sound for the $$$. They also look really cool!

They're only semi-open, and can get pretty toasty compared to open-back senns.

# ¿ Oct 13, 2013 17:22

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

If they're harder to drive, the noise floor won't be as pronounced.

# ¿ Nov 14, 2013 17:51

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

Also if you want isolation, get isolation instead of destroying your hearing.

# ¿ Dec 17, 2013 13:16

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

I have an older modmic and it loving rules to be able to use whatever cans you like.

# ¿ Feb 3, 2014 23:04

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

Senn HD-25 II. Mine have been indestructible, pretty much, after destroying 3 pairs of lesser headphones in a year or so.

# ¿ Feb 13, 2014 20:09

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

the amber trap posted:

Thanks. That looks perfect. I'll run it by the wife and see what she says.

TBH it's a bit expensive for the sound quality, but they're so much better built than the rest....

# ¿ Feb 13, 2014 23:12

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

liddl ninja posted:

I just found a good deal on B&W P7's and I need help with a portable setup.

I will be using an iPhone5.

P7's are literally designed for mobile devices? The specs back this up too.

# ¿ Apr 28, 2014 13:28

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

I just got a pair of Sony noise canceling headphones and JFC the sound quality is garbage but killing engine/AC noise is so resting.

Also you can tell it targets noise outside of speech range, so it can miss some stuff but I still love them.

# ¿ Mar 28, 2015 09:24

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

uXs posted:

I have thought about a separate mike, but placement would be too annoying. Can't really use a table thing when sitting on my couch playing my PS4, and I can't use clip-ons because then I'd have to wear clothes all the time.

Modmic! I love mine so much. Not being stuck with GAMERZ headphones but still having a quality mic is really perfect.

# ¿ Apr 15, 2015 10:08

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

uXs posted:

Well, with so many glowing goon reviews... One question tho: how does the adhesive hold up? Because that seems like a weak point.

I take the mic out pretty often and it's never been an issue. If you have a reasonably flat surface you should be ok.

# ¿ Apr 15, 2015 14:23

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

Active noise canceling will do nothing for kids anyway.

# ¿ May 2, 2015 10:35

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

Hell yeah dog!

# ¿ Jun 16, 2015 00:47

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

Odette posted:

Would a cheap DT770 250 ohm be a decent upgrade from my old ATH-M50 cans?

If you can drive it.

# ¿ Aug 24, 2015 08:07

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

Sounding like a robot is usually a network congestion issue. You could just buy the drat usb headset and make them fix it once the same problem emerges, but it could just as well be your lovely broadband

# ¿ Aug 28, 2015 22:53

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

Tactical Lesbian posted:

Personally, while many onboard DACs are pretty decent now, in my opinion an external DAC *can* improve your sound as far as signal to noise ratio goes, and lower noise floor. Some may have slightly different signatures, too. But for the most part, when people say you aren't getting the "full experience", it's probably due to higher than 32-38ohm headphone impedance without an amplifier. Especially with orthodynamic or electrostatic headphones, they require a decent amount of power. Rule of thumb is, if it sounds good to you, then great!

I'm very much in agreement with this. If you've got low-ohms cans and a decent board you'll be ok (but will still probably hear a difference, especially in noise floor), but lots of headphones are >80ohms, and lots of mainboards still have poo poo isolation. Again, if you like the sound, great.

# ¿ Aug 31, 2015 10:08

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

It doesn't matter.

# ¿ Aug 31, 2015 11:37

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

Harminoff posted:

Would I get noticeably better sound/clarity going from a behringer microamp ha400 to an schiit magni 2 using a pair of hd 558's?

I'd bet actual money you couldn't A/B them.

Concurred posted:

My Senn HD 598s lost sound in the right ear cup Friday night. I noticed it after I woke up on Saturday. I don't know if something came loose inside but nothing seems damaged on the outside. From looking up claims on google it seems they have a fairly decent rating with warranty satisfaction, and since I bought these in January I should be more than okay. Does anybody have personal experience with Sennheiser and repair/warranty claims? Just want to know if I'm in for a long haul of a wait or if they're fairly expedient.

I busted a driver once on my HD25-II's and they just sent a replacement to a local dealer. P painless, just took a little while.

# ¿ Oct 8, 2015 10:23

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

Incredulous Dylan posted:

I'm not going to get into crazy audiophile land here

I would bet 3 figures you can't double blind it.

# ¿ Oct 24, 2015 21:32

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

Taima posted:

Thanks I appreciate it. Do you think I can stick with 320 kbps audio or do you really think lossless is worth it?

You wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

GreenBuckanneer posted:

Right now, a 5.1 reciever... I don't have an amp and I don't know what to get that doesn't break the bank.

schiit stack or odac+o2 is the usual rec. I prefer the o2 but whatever floats your boat

# ¿ Nov 6, 2015 09:51

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

baram. posted:

Anyone here have an Antlion Modmic and mind sharing how they like it?

It's great. Cable feels a bit cheap but it's held up great, and keeps it light.

# ¿ Jan 17, 2016 09:38

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

jack to mini jack. Or someone prob makes a replacement cable so you don't have that stupid lump at the end of the cable.

# ¿ Jan 26, 2016 00:24

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

Premium come in velour, pro in pleather

# ¿ Feb 1, 2016 22:19

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

MrMidnight posted:

400 bucks is the flat rate repair stated on their website.

Can you really not get a replacement cable instead?

# ¿ Feb 6, 2016 22:16

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

MrMidnight posted:

I would but I don't have the skills necessary to repair the ripped/broken wires. I need to take a picture of the damage to illustrate it.

You do need to take a picture, because as I understand it you can just unplug the busted wire and shove in a new one.

# ¿ Feb 7, 2016 13:03

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

Ya you tore the receptacle.

# ¿ Feb 7, 2016 17:24

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

I'll take the 598.

# ¿ Mar 7, 2016 11:29

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

Taima posted:

Cool I'll PM you tonight after I get off work.

Good, thanks.

# ¿ Mar 7, 2016 18:50

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

Texibus posted:

I'm using whatever nonsense they have on the motherboard, thats probably the issue.

Unless that has an external doohikey, it'll be poo poo on account of being enclosed in a functional Faraday cage.

# ¿ Apr 19, 2016 08:42

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

Turn on the mic input monitoring.

# ¿ Jun 5, 2016 12:02

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

Does anyone know anything about comfy headphones for kiddos? We're taking ours on a p long fight and I'd like him to have some music and sound with his movies.

# ¿ Jul 9, 2016 19:26

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

The buzzing is your lovely integrated sound.

# ¿ Sep 14, 2016 18:25

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

rear end posted:

I use a Xonar DG.

It's not grounded properly then. Think about it, if it's clear when using the usb ADC it's not the mic.

# ¿ Sep 14, 2016 22:27

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

Just get a decent USB DAC

# ¿ Sep 25, 2016 08:20

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

My turn!

Budget - ~2000sek, about 200-300 bucks.
Source - PC, no amp
Isolation Requirements - open or semi-open
Preferred Type of Headphone - Over-ear
Preferred Tonal Balance - Neutral
Past Headphones - HD518, SR850's
Preferred Music - All kinds of music, gaming.

I have 518's at work and they're fine. Samson SR850's at home and they're fine too. Really I'd love some HD 600's but they're so loving ugly, or HD 6xx but they're so loving out of stock. Hjelp me!

# ¿ Dec 2, 2016 21:45

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

Dr. Fishopolis posted:

I've tried exactly one "headphone surround" thing that I though was worth anything, and it's this: https://fongaudio.com/out-of-your-head-software/ Its expensive, but it's the only software I thought was consistently better than the usual in-game binaural surround simulation.

tldr: "surround headphones" are a complete gimmick, always worse than comparable non-surround headphones, and any game where you benefit from surround modeling already has it built-in.

Most games purposefully blur audio positioning information because it's about as good as a wallhack when you turn up the precision.

# ¿ Dec 5, 2016 21:58

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# ¿ Apr 28, 2024 12:13

evil_bunnY: Apr 2, 2003

Welp, ordered some akg k712 pros.

# ¿ Dec 13, 2016 12:32

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Inspect Your Gadgets > Let's Talk Headphones IV: Should I get Beats? Do I need Noise Cancelling?

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