Andy Katz wrote in message . ..
On 23 Sep 2004 07:21:28 -0700, (N) wrote:
If you're only hearing hiss occasionally, you might just be hearing
the hiss that might be in the recordings you're listening to.
I actually hear it in broadcast occasionally. It was horrible when I
hooked our TV up to run through the stereo. Ground loop I'd venture.
Anyway, I hooked the TV up through an old stereo, and there's no hiss
from that. The othe hiss is mild, at times nonexistent.
I'd think you'd have hum from ground loops, not hiss.
(snip)
But of anything in audio, headphones are something where you get the a
lot of bang for your buck. With headphones, you can buy much better
sound than even much more expensive speakers can provide.
Oh, I agree. My first really good pair were the MDR V6 (matter of fact
my son needs a new pair, and I see that some are still available, I'm
going to get some for him). I can't imagine when I'll be able to
afford a reference loudspeaker system. But phones aren't a bad
compromise.
Exactly. And with really good speakers, you need a lot of room also,
so the headphones save a lot of space too. By the way, I think the
Sony MDR-7506 is the same as the V6, if you want to compare prices:
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=e...phones&m eta=
(snip)
ROFL ... they're just down the street from me, I had no idea (we're on
Fifth, they're on Seventh Ave). Curious that no one I know of carries
them here ... maybe the audiophile outlets?
Probably so. I've only seen them at those sort of dealers, both online
and retail. They also turn up on eBay.
I've also had the experience of discovering audiophile products are
made almost in my backyard. It can be a bit surprising, as you
discovered.
Absolutely, yes. One thing about the Sonys is their astonishing
comfort.
I have some older Sennheisers (can't remember model name) that I tend
to use the most because they're the most comfortable for me. In the
past and now, I've had fancier, pricier headphones (from Grado,
Sennheiser, Stax, and some other brands I've forgotten), but the
comfort issue always wins out for me. I also find the Grados pretty
comfy. The Sennheiser also looks better and has better ergonomics.
Right. I was reading some reviews: a larger # of people find the Senns
generally comfortable, but those who like the Grados really like them.
I think Sennheiser is the leader in ergonomics. I've owned Grado SR40,
SR80, and SR200 headphones, and while the sound is great, they just
don't look as sleek as Sennheisers either. Some people find the Grados
uncomfortable, but either I got used to them or they got used to me.
Based on what I read, comparing the Grado RS 1 to the Senn 600, I
would *probably* prefer the Grado because of its detail, its
immediacy. That particular model, however, costs about twice what the
600 costs.
I've never been that far up the Grado line. Comparing the SR80 to the
SR200 (since replaced in Grado's line by the SR225), the SR80 had more
of that immediacy than the SR200. Both sounded fine, I just decided I
wasn't going to keep both, and I slightly preferred the SR80, so I
sold the SR200's.
That sense of immediacy, of being live, and sounding like really good
speakers in a room, is where the Grados really excel. With the
exception of the SR40, which has the SR60 drivers in a cheap plastic
frame and is aimed at the portable audio crowd, all the Grados have
the same basic design. While I haven't heard the Grado RS headphones,
I'm slightly suspicious that they might not sound a lot different than
the cheaper Grados like mine.
One more thought: The Grados have open backs, so people sitting near
you will also be hearing what you hear. That's true in a typical
office cubicle setting too--been there, done that! Grados also won't
seal out outside sounds, which can be either an advantage or a
disadvantage. If you want to really be alone with the music, get
headphones with closed backs, or else something that really goes
inside your ears, like the Etymotic or Shure earbuds. (Haven't heard
these myself.)
(snip)
Sure ... our apartment is well located, but it's tiny.
Sounds like NYC, all right!
(snip)
But if I really want more of an audiophile experience, I get out the
headphone gear. Keeping that around is a good compromise that allows
me to have high-quality sound when I want it, without having to live
with the big speakers, amps, etc. which took up a lot of room and
tended to gather dust anyway.
But I haven't used my Little Headroom amp this year, I bet, and I have
other gear that I can use with headphones, so I'll probably sell the
Headroom eventually.
How much ya want for it;-)?
Hmmm...how about $125, including shipping within the US?
I see the current price is $259, plus shipping, at:
http://www.headphone.com/layout.php?...D=00100 10010
If interested, post again in this thread and I'll contact you via
e-mail.
Andy Katz