Cans.....Whats on your head?

[Seren]

Yep - that's the G cushions and they came with my headphones. The L ones are less comfortable than the G's.

However on one forum someone said the L's give a better sound as the headphones were designed to be a certain distance from the ear - something the G's don't (apparently) maintain....If you get the G's let us know how they compare - if you can hear a difference I would consider changing myself.

I can definitely wear mine for longer than an hour - on the comfort side I think slightly padded headband would help....

[petekelly]

I always try to try a pair of phones on if I can. Having a large head / earlugs, not everything is a good fit for me.  Seeing as we are having a 'list-fest' here, as well as the Shure 535s (IEMs), I also have:

Shure SRH840 - really rather good all rounders
http://www.shure.com/americas/products/headphones/srh840-professional-monitoring-headphones

SoundMagic HP150 - not the most neutral, but very comfy
http://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/soundmagic-hp150-closed-back-headphones-with-replaceable-cable.html

Lastly, I've bought a pair of Bose QC25s, just to try out really - not great sounding, but the noise cancellation is pretty good

APK, so far my hound has decided to leave my headphones untouched - cushions, towels, pillows etc. are all fair game though

[stargazer]

I'm in the market for a new pair (wasn't the dog this time), and currently use, and am happy
with,  AKG. So interesting to see your post, Jaja, about your AKGs. Will have to audition them.

Anthony, I think you will like the K702. I have tried some headphones in the musicstore back in 2012 and it was an instant favorite and still is
I got the first pair in 2012 for 365 € and the second pair in 2016 for 175 €. Now the price gained again to 185 €. There are sometimes strange price developments at the german market

[Julio Di Benedetto]

Came across these Sennheiser HD700....did not know they existed......at about half the cost of its big brother the HD800 puts these cans and type of sonic quality within reach of many more people.

Review from Headphone.com below.

The Sennheiser HD700 is an audiophile dynamic headphone with acoustic performance and price perfectly perched between the HD800 and HD650 model. Although not quite as expansively detailed, listeners familiar with the flagship HD800 can expect richer bass response and a fuller low-end presentation in the HD700 with very solid bedrock textures. It's definitely a less stringent sound and one which may appeal to listeners who enjoy the HD650's smooth tone but seek better midrange focus and upper treble extension. Detachable HD700 cable employs mono 'mini' 3.5mm Y-plugs into each earcup. Sorry, Sennheiser HD700 can only ship within USA due to manufacturer restrictions.

What We Think:
HeadRoom had an early opportunity to spend ear time with the Sennheiser HD700 headphones at CES in Vegas back in January 2012 and later when one of our favorite Senn big-wigs dropped by our Montana shop with them secretly in tow for our store. After enjoying extended quality listening time, our impression is the Sennheiser R&D team may have struck yet again with one of the most musically dynamic and lively headphones we've heard from their high-end audiophile arsenal. Delivering an audibly more textural, rollicking low-bass presence versus its big brother, the claimed 'King Of Headphones' HD800, the somewhat similarly-sized HD700 offers welcome 'corrections' for those listeners turned off by the relentless analytical precision of the HD800's lightning transient accuracy. Significantly easier to power (150 Ohms vs. the HD800 rating @ 300 Ohms) and sporting a new ventilated magnet system said to improve signal response time and 'airy' timbral transparency, the HD700 indeed sound like a mid-way approximation between the classically smooth, warm-toned Sennheiser HD650 approach and the highly critical, uber-revealing resolution delivered by the reference HD800 presentation. We hear it as almost a 'light-years better' improvement on the heavily lauded [now-discontinued] HD595 presentation with the same lively sense of acoustic immediacy. So expect a slightly more forgiving overall sound but without completely trading away the engaging presence of its pricier brethren. We don't think the HD700 has the same soundstage openness or massive dynamics but those who may have thought the HD800 perhaps too lean in bottom-end bass punch will be appreciative of the HD700's effortless vigor into the lower bass and low-midrange frequencies.

The Sennheiser HD700 are full-size, open-back circumaural ('around the ear') headphones with zero isolation or noise-blocking ability, so they're not well-geared for mobile or portable use in situations where others will hear your cans 'leaking out' your beauteous music to the world. The ergonomic fit proved equally as comfortable for all our testers as the excellent HD800 design, if perhaps even a bit lighter-feeling on the head. The HD700 headphone cord is a unique, owner-detachable 'Y-cord' design featuring monophonic male mini [3.5mm] plugs into each left / right earcup. Free premium 2-year Sennheiser manufacturer's warranty with your HeadRoom authorized dealer purchase receipt!/i]

[stargazer]

Julio, is your headphone amp already fixed? This would be great.
For your headphones I am sorry, no way to effort this pair twice. Wish you luck!

Btw: I must check my audio interface today, maybe an output is not function.
I do not hope so but I have 3 years guarantee, so it would not be a problem.

[Julio Di Benedetto]

Julio, is your headphone amp already fixed? This would be great.
For your headphones I am sorry, no way to effort this pair twice. Wish you luck!

Btw: I must check my audio interface today, maybe an output is not function.
I do not hope so but I have 3 years guarantee, so it would not be a problem.

Hi Jana......Good News, The SPL Phonitor Amp is fixed and arrives back to me today.  No Charge!  They said they would be gentle as possible regard the cost to fix.  I was not expecting for free after the warranty expired 5 months ago.

I feel this has something to do with the high quality of production and care that goes in to German manufacturing. Theres a certain pride that when something goes wrong whether it be the customers fault or not.  With in reason. It is not acceptable and is fixed at the manufacturers expense.  That and maybe the fact that SPL's amp killed my headphones. 

I have a Leica M9 digital camera the I broke 3 times from dropping it and other stupid events and one time the sensor malfunctioned.  I bought it used but through the Leica store here in Miami, Florida, with no warranty.  Each time it was fixed for free and the sensor was fixed "good will" was on the recipe with no charge.

Both German high end electronics manufacturers.....Coincidence.....I think not.

Hope you Interface is OK.

 

[stargazer]

Hi Jana......Good News, The SPL Phonitor Amp is fixed and arrives back to me today.  No Charge!  They said they would be gentle as possible regard the cost to fix.  I was not expecting for free after the warranty expired 5 months ago.

I feel this has something to do with the high quality of production and care that goes in to German manufacturing. Theres a certain pride that when something goes wrong whether it be the customers fault or not.  With in reason. It is not acceptable and is fixed at the manufacturers expense.  That and maybe the fact that SPL's amp killed my headphones. 

I have a Leica M9 digital camera the I broke 3 times from dropping it and other stupid events and one time the sensor malfunctioned.  I bought it used but through the Leica store here in Miami, Florida, with no warranty.  Each time it was fixed for free and the sensor was fixed "good will" was on the recipe with no charge.

Both German high end electronics manufacturers.....Coincidence.....I think not.

Hope you Interface is OK.

Julio: Glad to hear that your Phonitor Amp has been fixed and even for free. And with your Leica thats so cool Thats renowned German quality.
I also trusted in this quality when I bought my audio interface (RME is a German manufacturer) and it seems that it was worth the trust.
Not the audio interface has caused the problem but rather the Roland cables that I had used. The jacks simply had variances. But I still test this now over the weekend and then we will see.

[Julio Di Benedetto]

New set of cans.....Audio Technica ATH-M70x.

I have been using Sennheiser HD 800's as has be told here but after daily long term use over the last several years the headphones are starting to show signs of age.  The cable has been replaced and now the ear cushions are in need.  No real reason to get new cans except that the HD 800 are not good when looking down try to play bass...where it not for my ears they would slide right off.  They are not designed for studio use unless you keep your head some what vertical.

Enter the ATH-M70x.....have to say Im very impressed.  They are aimed at the studio market to be use as reference cans, tracking and mixing with a flat neutral response.  Not technically savvy to say if thats the case but what I can say is that these headphones really show up poorly produced over compressed and limited recordings and on the other side, well made recordings just shine.  The ATH-M70x seem slightly bright but this is a good thing for me who tends to favor overly bright production techniques    They may smooth out in time as they burn in some.

Im not going to try to compare the Audio Technica's to the Sennheiser HD 800 other than to say while Im listening to the ATH-M70x Im in no way reminded that Im not listening to the Sennheiser's. If one were to AB them.....thats a different story but the point is is that they sound very good, are extremely comfortable, do the job they are intended for and stay on my head.

Im not retiring the HD 800's just going to use them for critical final mixes and for pleasure listening.....not tracking and youtube videos.

[stargazer]

Now I am looking for a headphone amp rack device.

One and a half year later.... : )




Samson S-Phone four channel headphone amplifier rack unit, new to my music equipment and such a great plus...

I can recommend this headphone amp for it has an absolute true sounding and a very good price !

[petekelly]

Nice gear, Jana.

Do the model starships add extra 'galactic' vibes ?

[stargazer]

Yes, of course, what would my music be without Startrek, Voyager, and starships. This is all about these cosmic adventures

Thanks so much Pete

[Seren]

still using my grado's - recently had the ear cushions replaced in a local Hi-Fi shop and listened to them on an £8,000 DAC - stunning....