Hard Light Productions Forums

Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Ghostavo on September 20, 2010, 09:31:12 am

Title: Yet Another Headphone Thread
Post by: Ghostavo on September 20, 2010, 09:31:12 am
My previous headphones (http://speedlink.com/?p=2&cat=31A3&pid=18675&paus=1) got a faulty wire and since they couldn't replace within the specified amount of time in the warranty I was given my money back to buy another pair.

This time I want to go all the way and get some high end headphones (or at least as high end as I can afford right now) so I'm left with three choices.

Sennheiser PC 350 (http://www.sennheiser.com/comm/icm_eng.nsf/root/502141)
Razer Megalodon (http://www2.razerzone.com/Megalodon/)
Logitech G35 (http://www.logitech.com/en-us/webcam-communications/internet-headsets-phones/devices/5095)

So... which should I get?
Title: Re: Yet Another Headphone Thread
Post by: Grizzly on September 20, 2010, 09:35:54 am
I'd say, get the Sennheiser, by just looking at the adverts. The logitech one just has too many buttons, and Razer has this awful website which I loathed ever since I was looking for a decent french camping (school project).
Title: Re: Yet Another Headphone Thread
Post by: Bob-san on September 20, 2010, 10:46:28 am
What is your budget?
Title: Re: Yet Another Headphone Thread
Post by: Ghostavo on September 20, 2010, 10:53:48 am
It's around €150. Be warned that prices may vary here.  :sigh:
Title: Re: Yet Another Headphone Thread
Post by: Bob-san on September 20, 2010, 11:02:41 am
Audio Technica ATH-A700 or ATH-AD700

JVC HARX900

Beyerdynamic DT-440 or DT-770 or DT-990

AKG K240-II or K271-II

8 decent choices, all available for <$200 in the USA. I would assume that they're available for similar prices plus VAT, which might disqualify some of the options, most notably the Beyer DT-770 & DT-990.
Title: Re: Yet Another Headphone Thread
Post by: JGZinv on September 20, 2010, 11:09:36 am
Quote
Audio Technica ATH-AD700

Have them... awesome.
Title: Re: Yet Another Headphone Thread
Post by: Bob-san on September 20, 2010, 11:48:50 am
I'm, personally, looking to buy three more headphones: Beyer DT-770's, DT-880's, and AKG K702's. The good part is that owning all three would be headphone nirvana. The bad part is it'd cost me $600-900, not including a much better headphone amp. I'll probably ask for the AKG's and a Little Dot DAC_II for Christmas.
Title: Re: Yet Another Headphone Thread
Post by: Ghostavo on September 20, 2010, 11:56:51 am
I can't seem to find those models (or indeed those brands) at the shop. The other option would be ordering those, but I'd rather not do so (I'm lazy).
Title: Re: Yet Another Headphone Thread
Post by: Bob-san on September 20, 2010, 12:50:23 pm
I can't seem to find those models (or indeed those brands) at the shop. The other option would be ordering those, but I'd rather not do so (I'm lazy).
Look at other stores, preferably online. There are very few audiophile stores around: most American audiophiles order large equipment from stores up to a few hundred miles away. Smaller equipment is usually ordered: Amazon usually carries it or has a partner who does. Anything you can find in a Brick & Mortar will be overpriced and selection very limited. I cannot force you to get your moneys' worth: I can only advise you to do so. For €150, you can afford a lot more than a €10 headset being sold as a €100+ product.
Title: Re: Yet Another Headphone Thread
Post by: Ghostavo on September 21, 2010, 07:35:03 am
What about sound cards, is there anything you can recommend?
Title: Re: Yet Another Headphone Thread
Post by: Bob-san on September 21, 2010, 08:33:31 am
What about sound cards, is there anything you can recommend?
A €100 sound card plus Skullcandies will sound a hell of a lot worse than onboard sound and €100 headphones. Take it one step at a time--speakers & headphones are the most important parts of any audiophile's arsenal.
Title: Re: Yet Another Headphone Thread
Post by: Ghostavo on September 21, 2010, 05:21:52 pm
Let me put it another way, after buying a €100 headphone, what would the next step be?
Title: Re: Yet Another Headphone Thread
Post by: Bob-san on September 21, 2010, 05:39:58 pm
Let me put it another way, after buying a €100 headphone, what would the next step be?
#1: Headphones (ie: Beyer DT-770 or DT-880 600ohm's)
#2: Headphone amp
(#3: D/A Converter)

Remember to use high-quality audio files. MP3@128 sounds rather crappy and forget anything encoded on a "fast" setting. You want to be using MP3@320 as a baseline, though using FLAC or some other lossless format is a great idea.

An entry-level option would be a "Zero DAC". A step up would be an Audio-GD Compass or Fun or a Little Dot DAC_II.