How important are Hz and Khz for headphone sound quality?

GeorgiaTec

What should I be looking for to tell how good the sound quality is on a pair of headphones? Thanks

Answer
Specifications won't tell you much. The range of human hearing is generally accepted to be 20Hz to 20Khz, so your first job is to filter out any headphones that can only handle 5Khz - 10Khz or something daft like that. The only other specs worth looking at are the impedance (how easy the 'phones are to drive) and sensitivity or efficiency (how loud they go for a given signal level). If you're using an mp3 player without a separate amp, look for impedance lower than 100Ohms. For sensitivity/efficiency, higher means louder. 95ish and above would be fine.

That's the numbers taken care of. Now the important stuff - judge the headphones by listening to them, not by the numbers. Wouldn't want you rejecting the Sennheiser HD800 because their impedance is too high....

Best headphones for under $300?

Evan Lawle

I find it difficult because I quite literally listen to nearly all styles of music; and as many headphones tend to favor certain genres over another and I don't have access to a store with a wide selection of headphones I wanted to see what others would say. I love high quality but won't spend a ridiculous amount of money as I primarily use my iPod with a headphone amp. Please only comment if you know what you're talking about, haha thanks!

Currently own AIAIAI TMA-1 headphones, a few others I'm considering:

Skullcandy Mixmasters

Sennheiser HD 598 and HD 280

Bose QuietComfort 15

Beats Studios

Bowers & Wilkins P5

Lower-end Grado Headphones

Thanks!

Answer
I currently own the Grado SR80, the Sennheiser HD25-1 II, the Bowers and Wilkins P5, and the Shure SE530. I also have the Grado iGi, and the MEElectronics A151, but they're cheaper headphones that I just use for working out.

If I were you I would immediately cross the Beats, Bose, and Skullcandy off the list. Of the ones that remain, the first thing you need to do is decide whether you need an open- or closed-back headphone. Most of my listening is done on the road, in noisy trains, and in noisy school libraries, so I tend to lean toward closed-back headphones or IEMs. Although I would love to get the Sennheiser HD800 at some point....

If you want open headphones, the Grados are lovely. I haven't spent much time with the Sennheiser 598s, but I used to have 580s and absolutely loved them. I think I'd have to spend a bit of time comparing and weighing up the differences in comfort, price, and yeah, even styling. The 598s look a bit gaudy to me...

If you want to go closed, no competition - I'm totally in love with the Bowers and Wilkins P5. The Sennheiser HD25-1 II were my commuting companion for over a year, and they treated me great, but sometimes I got the feeling they were starting to shout at me just a little bit. The Bowers and Wilkins, while still just as detailed, are a much smoother sounding headphone. I can easily listen to them all day with no fatigue at all. They sound great straight out of an iPod Classic, even better with an FIIO line-out-dock feeding a Headroom amp. They're supremely comfortable, very well made, and absolutely beautiful.... If I were you I'd try the HD25s though - for $200 they're great headphones.

Hope some of this helped!! Whatever you end up getting, enjoy 'em...

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Which headphone model from the following companies is considered to be the best?

Safak

The best headphone from Bose.
The best from headphone Ultrasone.
The best from headphone Sennheiser.
The best from headphone Audio technica.
I mean the best as in terms of the bass, instrumental separation and crispness of sound. I listen to House, Dubstep, Rap and Rock music. I also watch a lot of movies and YouTube videos.

Answer
Sennheiser, £9500 ($14 000) with matched amp and a key in a silver box but theyve all gone.
Only 300 were made
http://www.avland.co.uk/sennheiser/orpheus/
Next best HD800
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=HD800&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=7976949779758310890&sa=X&ei=fZAwT9HzM9T68QO6sPmBBw&ved=0CDwQ8wIwAQ
http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/home_en.nsf/root/private_headphones_audiophile-headphones_500319
Best afforbable HD25
http://www.head-fi.org/products/sennheiser-hd-25-1-ii-professional-headphone/reviews

Audio Technica
http://www.madooma.com/shopHP/neu_audio-technica/AUDIO-TECHNICA_ATH-W3000ANV_HiFi_Premium-Kopfhoerer_W3000_ANV_e.html

Bose
http://www.bose.co.uk/GB/en/home-and-personal-audio/headphones-and-headsets/audio-and-mobile-headphones/

Ultrasone
http://www.headphone.com/rightbetweenyourears/?p=1266

Beyerdynamic
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/686150-REG/Beyerdynamic_713805_T1_Premium_Semi_Open_Stereo.html
http://www.headphone.com/rightbetweenyourears/?p=2183

Does anyone have a pair of sennheiser HD800 headphones?

Ben

Ive been saving up for new headphones for about $400, but i thought these might be worth the extra month of work. So does anybody have a pair? are they really perfection, and the best headphones one can get?

Answer
Plenty of people have the HD800's. They were sold out everywhere for the first few months after they came out. There's an HD800 owners list on head-fi.org. Keep in mind that high-end headphone need high-end equipment to go with them. That means a good source (external DAC or the like) and a powerful amp. As a rule of thumb, for high-end systems, headphones should be 1/4-1/3 the price of the overall setup, so expect to shell out $5000 to get the most out of the HD800s.

If that doesn't seem like something you can afford, it is better to get a complete setup with a less expensive headphone for the same amount of money as an HD800. HD600/650/580 are still very popular, as are high-end models by Denon, AKG, Audio-Technica, and others.

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Good brand/pair of earbuds/headphones?

best headphone amp for hd800 image

Eliza

I need a good pair. i don't care about how it looks aslong as its comfortable, can blast loud music, and sounds clear and good. Price doesn't matter

Answer
SONY MDR-XB90EX | In-Ear EXTRA BASS Headphones (Japanese Import)

Or

V-MODA Crossfade M-100 Over-Ear Noise-Isolating Metal Headphone (Matte Black Metal)

Or

Grado PS1000 On-ear Stereo Headphones (REQUIRES APPROPRIATE AMP)

Or

Sennheiser HD800 Over-Ear Circum-Aural Dynamic Premiere Headphone (REQUIRES APPROPRIATE AMP)

Best headphones in HDseries comparing to HD800?

B N

Answer
HD90 Orpheus if you have a few thousand to spend on them. And if you can find some. Only 300 sets were made with the matching amp
The silver case in front holds the key to turn the amp on. Keeps the riff-raff off them.
For $15 000 you'd be cautious with them wouldn't you?
http://www.avland.co.uk/sennheiser/orpheus/
http://www.audioreview.com/cat/headphones-home-audio/headphones/sennheiser/orpheus/prd_118014_2750crx.aspx
http://www.head-fi.org/t/103608/sennheiser-he90-orpheus-a-few-quick-pics

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What are the best headphones out there?

best headphone amp for hd800 image

& how much?

Answer
Best as in THE BEST, period..

Well, it's so subjective it's hard to say, but....

Arguably the Stax SR-009. Retail around $5k, throw in another $2k-3k for the amp you'll need to power the thing too.

So if you're not such a microdetail fiend and bass appeals to you, the Audeze LCD-3 are another contender. These are planars that NEED a serious amp. So $2k for the headphones and another $1.5k or so for an amp to power them.

From there on down it's gets crowded. There are headphones like the Sennheiser HD800, Grado PS-1000, Ultrasone Edition 10, Denon AH-D7000, Fostex TH-900, Beyerdynamic T5p and Beyerdynamic T1 which are just some of the top of the line dynamic drivers. There's also other planars like the Audeze LCD-2 and Hifiman HE-6. All are $1k+.

Then there are those out of production headphones that have "legendary" status. Like the Sennheiser Orpheus, the AKG K1000, the Sony MDR-R10, and also the various Grado signature models.

Determining the "best" out of all this is going to depend on your taste in music, what other equipment you've got, how you intend on using them, etc. There's also no point getting "the best" headphones when the rest of your system isn't at that level too. If you ran any of the above headphones off an ipod or laptop, you are selling them way short. They need high quality sources, a high quality amp, etc or you are not using them to their full potential. So $1k headphones are going to need at least that spend again on the rest of the system before they are really being used properly.

But if I was to say what is the one currently available headphone that is most widely considered the "best" by serious audiophiles, it'd be the Stax SR-009. But that could have a lot do do with the fact that it is also the most expensive (that I know of).

Best headphones for under $300?

Evan Lawle

I find it difficult because I quite literally listen to nearly all styles of music; and as many headphones tend to favor certain genres over another and I don't have access to a store with a wide selection of headphones I wanted to see what others would say. I love high quality but won't spend a ridiculous amount of money as I primarily use my iPod with a headphone amp. Please only comment if you know what you're talking about, haha thanks!

Currently own AIAIAI TMA-1 headphones, a few others I'm considering:

Skullcandy Mixmasters

Sennheiser HD 598 and HD 280

Bose QuietComfort 15

Beats Studios

Bowers & Wilkins P5

Lower-end Grado Headphones

Thanks!

Answer
I currently own the Grado SR80, the Sennheiser HD25-1 II, the Bowers and Wilkins P5, and the Shure SE530. I also have the Grado iGi, and the MEElectronics A151, but they're cheaper headphones that I just use for working out.

If I were you I would immediately cross the Beats, Bose, and Skullcandy off the list. Of the ones that remain, the first thing you need to do is decide whether you need an open- or closed-back headphone. Most of my listening is done on the road, in noisy trains, and in noisy school libraries, so I tend to lean toward closed-back headphones or IEMs. Although I would love to get the Sennheiser HD800 at some point....

If you want open headphones, the Grados are lovely. I haven't spent much time with the Sennheiser 598s, but I used to have 580s and absolutely loved them. I think I'd have to spend a bit of time comparing and weighing up the differences in comfort, price, and yeah, even styling. The 598s look a bit gaudy to me...

If you want to go closed, no competition - I'm totally in love with the Bowers and Wilkins P5. The Sennheiser HD25-1 II were my commuting companion for over a year, and they treated me great, but sometimes I got the feeling they were starting to shout at me just a little bit. The Bowers and Wilkins, while still just as detailed, are a much smoother sounding headphone. I can easily listen to them all day with no fatigue at all. They sound great straight out of an iPod Classic, even better with an FIIO line-out-dock feeding a Headroom amp. They're supremely comfortable, very well made, and absolutely beautiful.... If I were you I'd try the HD25s though - for $200 they're great headphones.

Hope some of this helped!! Whatever you end up getting, enjoy 'em...

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