Thread: Headphones Recommendation

Must it be local? I'd rather take Audio-Technica, Denon, Audeze or maybe (very big maybe here, I'm partial to these due to their rather flat frequency curve) M-Audio, but maybe that's just me.

I don't like the term audiophile. Audiophiles are normally audiophools who insist that $5,000 "cryogenically frozen, directional" HDMI cables are better than something picked up for R150 (HDMI, digital signal, doesn't introduce degradation the way an analogue signal would, hello...). I love my sound, but I refuse to label myself an audiophile

This is a debate that has been covered many a time on this forum.

Any of these "gaming" headsets are great for gaming, as in the total experience, blow your ears off when a grenade explodes and bullets fly by your head. For competitive gaming however, they are not nearly as accurate as you would like them to be, for that you need open back cans that have massive soundstage, this enables you to pinpoint those footsteps on the other side of the wall. Something to remember with this difference is that you set up the audio completely different. Competitive gaming audio has almost no bass and explosions sound like little flat farts, but it allows such detailed soundstage that some people say they can hear a guy running around on the other side of the map. No jokes. So you have to first decide what kind of sound you want. Total immersion and realistic gameplay, or competitive and accurate gameplay.

The more the price rises with sound reproduction, the more the manufacturers try to get a natural response from the drivers to give you a true flat curve reproducing the audio as it has been intended by the creator, to give you what he wanted you to hear so to speak. Most cans give a certain "flavour" to the sound, warmer, colder, boomy, thin, etc. The higher quality cans generally try to minimise this.

Another thing that I will also mention is this: Audio is completely subjective. What sounds good for you may not sound good to someone else. We all have unique ears and if you cannot hear the difference between closed/open or cheap/expensive cans, then don't bother to fork out a lot of cash for something that you will not really get much benefit out of. If a R200 pair of cans sounds the best for you, those are the one's you need to take. Your ears will lead you in the right direction. Do not be fooled too much about what others say, take everything with a pinch of salt. Take advise and test for yourself before making a decision.

Originally Posted by cerberus

Did you forget about the HD650/800? Ranging from $500 to $1500 they are some of the most beloved audiophile (read: high end) headphones currently available. (although completely irrelevant to the OP's budget)

If you know where to look, you'll find a senn that will smash any locally available headset at the same or better price.

/end rant

OK then, to match a R 1000 landed cost, we take a $110 Sennheiser, do you know of any good ones that are around ear and not on ear?

My advice is to test a couple of your friends headsets, what you buy might sound decent but be uncomfortable for you. I cant stand the weight of the caves for more than 30mins.

Originally Posted by AmB3r

This is a debate that has been covered many a time on this forum.

Any of these "gaming" headsets are great for gaming, as in the total experience, blow your ears off when a grenade explodes and bullets fly by your head. For competitive gaming however, they are not nearly as accurate as you would like them to be, for that you need open back cans that have massive soundstage, this enables you to pinpoint those footsteps on the other side of the wall. Something to remember with this difference is that you set up the audio completely different. Competitive gaming audio has almost no bass and explosions sound like little flat farts, but it allows such detailed soundstage that some people say they can hear a guy running around on the other side of the map. No jokes. So you have to first decide what kind of sound you want. Total immersion and realistic gameplay, or competitive and accurate gameplay.

The more the price rises with sound reproduction, the more the manufacturers try to get a natural response from the drivers to give you a true flat curve reproducing the audio as it has been intended by the creator, to give you what he wanted you to hear so to speak. Most cans give a certain "flavour" to the sound, warmer, colder, boomy, thin, etc. The higher quality cans generally try to minimise this.

Another thing that I will also mention is this: Audio is completely subjective. What sounds good for you may not sound good to someone else. We all have unique ears and if you cannot hear the difference between closed/open or cheap/expensive cans, then don't bother to fork out a lot of cash for something that you will not really get much benefit out of. If a R200 pair of cans sounds the best for you, those are the one's you need to take. Your ears will lead you in the right direction. Do not be fooled too much about what others say, take everything with a pinch of salt. Take advise and test for yourself before making a decision.

Totally true about the choice part. I am looking for something that allows me to hear what the original must have been.. Not bass enhanced or whatever! But I also want to stick to a budget I already have a R 200 pair that I can use when I just want crazy bass or whatever! Eventually I will get into sound cards and so on!

@ojo, who sells audio technica, akg, denon, Shure or shall I say who sources :P

If its all about music, I would also look at some high end DJ headphones.
I am pretty sure Oj0 knows Ultrasone..specifically Ultrasone DJ1 Pro's.

I'm with him on Audio Technica...I have not seen them in SA though...Well then again I haven't really looked.

I am actually shocked...there are some guys that know what they are talking about

Edit: Epic site, with a good reviewer -----> http://www.skratchworx.com/reviews/aiaiai_tma1.php

Edit 2: AmB3r also hit the nail on the head, Your ears are like you're taste buds...That might sound daft. What sounds good to you may end up sounding **** to someone else. Its hard though as you need to do quite a bit of research and some of the products aren't always avialable in SA, Well then again a lot of music shops will probably order the headphones of you're choice..but then again you'll end up paying quite a lot.

Trust your ears, not your wallet.

If you are content with what you hear, keep it, cherish it, whether that be a no name R50 iem, or a R15k electrostatic headphone.

Try out as many cans as you can (pun intended), as what we like is not necessarily something your ears will like.

Wonder where I can try them ! Sound advice (pun intended) forumites! Many thanks, keep it coming!

It would be great if we could organize a meet for all the audio lovers, I'd love to see and hear all the different audio setups of my fellow carbonites!