Tiny speakers for your head.
A community for audio enthusiasts, discussing news, reviews, and DIY projects involving headphones, amplifiers, and DACs.
Resources:
-crinacle's Ranked IEM List (250+ compared)
(more to come)
I am wearing my Beyer Dynamic DT770 Pro 250 Ohm right now. Sound great, but almost more importantly, they are comfy on my fat head.
Focusrite Sapphire Pro40 into my Mac
Elektron Octatrack and Digitakt, with Moog Minitaur, Yamaha Reface CP, Zoia and Softsynths on Ipad for my dawless rig.
Awesome, I’m thinking of moving from Windows to Mac in the future, is installing and using an external dac/amp just a plug and play situation, or should I read up on how audio works on MacOS?
I'm going to sound dumb asking this, but i promise i'm just bad with lingo. What do you mean by dac/amp? Like your interface?
If so, yes, it's completely plug n play. NONE of the nonsense with audio drivers you get in Windows. The only thing you have to think about is 32 v 64 bit right now. The M1, M2 macs have made that something you have to think about. For example, i'm on an outdated version of OSX because all my plugins and my interface are old (all still very functional). If i updated to an M1 Mac, i'd not be able to use any of it.
Yeah I did mean my dac/amp, and thanks for the info! Windows has caused so many audio headaches, so I'm relieved to hear that I can just plug in my stuff and I'm off to the races!
I have a too many headphones but here's the short list:
Headphones: Audio Technica Ath-W5000, Audeze LCD-XC, JM modded Hifiman HE R9, AKG N90Q, Ultrasone Edition 10, Hifiman He400i
Interface: Mousai MSD192 & Monoprice liquid spark (desktop setup), HaaFee ha11-2 (portable setup)
As I type this, THX 789 -> U12t.
In general, my favorites are U12t, Letshuoer Z12, Diana v2, and Koss KSC75 on a headband.
Recently got the Qudelix 5K and am impressed with it's absurd feature set and sound quality even over AAC.
Killer combo. Is the 64 Audio U12t an endgame IEM for you? Lately I’ve been really into IEM’s as they’re more practical for my usecase, and in this summer heat they definitely play into the comfort factor.
I currently have an Android phone that uses the LDAC codec, is there an audible difference between a higher resolution codec, or is AAC perfectly fine?
I'm hesitant to call anything endgame, lest upgraditis bite me in the ass. But the U12t has definitely earned it's place on my "keep forever" list and it's the IEM I've been using the most. It is as I've seen others describe it: Excellent at almost everything but not exactly the "best" at anything. I think it has the least compromises of any IEM I've used thus far.
As for LDAC vs AAC on the 5K, I actually haven't tested that yet but I plan to. I have an Android DAP that can do LDAP but I've been pretty happy with AAC off my phone, which is much more easily pocketable than my DAP. When I do get around to doing a side by side comparison I'll definitely post about it here.
Thanks for the excellent response! And lol I absolutely relate to the ‘upgradtitis’ I was happy with me Blessing 2 Dusk, then I saw the hype around the Sennheiser IE 600, and I’m hoping they can hold me off for some time.
I look forward to your future update on the codecs audio quality!
The 5K is easily the most exciting piece of consumer audio equipment of the decade.
The hype around it is definitely deserved. It's one of the few gadgets I've bought recently where the enthusiasm of the people that made is glaringly obvious.
Nice idea. I'll share my setup as well!
Headphones: Beyer Dynamics DT1990 Pro (home use) Bang & Olufsen H95, Sony WH-XM5 (outside)
Looking to get a nice pair of wireless in ears too but unsure what to go for
Interface: Topping DX3 Pro+ (DAC+AMP)
I have a pair of Edifier speakers that I got 7 years ago that are super budget but sounds pretty nice for the price for my desktop. That's probably the next bigger upgrade to the entire setup!
DT 1990 Pro are amazing for gaming, I almost feel like I’m cheating if I use them lol
Haha yeah the positional audio is really really good with them. I actually switched from Hifiman Sundara to them because of comfort and fit. Didn't help that the Sundaras got some weird static thing going on with my chair material so it wasn't making the DAC happy at all
Stax SR-Lambda originals w/ Stax SR-7 energizer
Some cheap class D amp that I'll replace in due time
Topping D10s DAC
Most wonderful headphones I've ever heard. Most wonderful anything I've ever heard honestly.
Love it dude! I want to listen to an electrostatic one day, I only have had Planars and Dynamics so far
As amps are the Qudelix 5k and Earstudio.
Currently subscribed to Deezer and really happy with it. I Live on finding more music.
While i EQ the He400se to be perfect, the KSC75 is still something that can make me feverish about the music. The KSC75 has ruined many headphones for me.
Awesome, Love the XM4 for commuting!
When I'm on my PC: Beyerdynamic DT-990 Pros plugged into an Audioengine N22 Integrated Amplifier which is receiving audio from an Audient Evo 4 interface. Pretty basic, but it all gets the job done. When I'm not using the headphones, the N22 powers a pair of vintage Infinity Infinitesimal bookshelf speakers.
When I'm on the go: A pair of Sony WF-1000XM4 buds. Love em.
Lots of things, but I guess right now. Klipsch headphone amp/DAC , Focal Elex, Campfire Mammoths are some of my favorites
Cans: Hifiman Sundara, Sennheiser HD598 Cs IEMs: Moondrop Kato, KiwiEars Cadenza
Running on a Presonus Audiobox 96 as ADC/DAC and JDS El Amp 2, on the go I use a Fiio BTR5
And in dire times I use my Galaxy Buds, the originals, lol.
I'm just gonna copy my signature from head-fi lol
Collection So Far:
Headphones:
ZMF: Aeolus Sapele, Atrium Aged Cherry, Atrium Closed Olivewood, Atticus Camphor, Auteur OG Mahogany, Auteur Classic Wenge, Caldera Stabilized Maple - Interrobang, Eikon Camphor, Vérité Closed Stabilized Maple - Nightcap, Vérité Open Burmese Padauk
Focal: Clear Mg, Elegia, Elex
Sennheiser: HD558, HD 6XX, HD 8XX, HD 820
DCA: Æon Open RT, Ether CX
Audeze: LCD-3, LCD-X
Cascadia Audio: Talos
HiFiman: Ananda, HE-5XX, HE-X4, HE-4XX, HE-R7DX
Fostex: TH-X00 Ebony
Modhouse: Argon
Monoprice: Monolith M1570C
Audio-Technica: ATH-M40fs
Campfire Audio: Holocene
STAX: SR-009S, L-700
AKG: K7XX
Amps/DACs:
Schiit: Magni Piety, Magni 2U, Jotunheim 2
Topping: L30
Drop: Cavalli Tube Hybrid
STAX: SRM-D10
Bottlehead: Crack (DIY), Qudelix: 5K
DAPs:
Sony: Walkman ZX707 uncapped
**Astell
Superlux HD 660 Pro for home and Soundcore Liberty 4 NC for outsides, quick listens/chats and defending snorers. Might get a Beyer DT 880 with a DAC that handles these Ohms but I'm happy with what I got. :)
I love IEMs, mostly I switch between my Senn IE600 and my Campfire Solaris 2020. I pretty much only use my Qudelix5k but I also a few other things like a Hiby R6 2020, a Cayin N5, a Shaling M1, etc. that I don't use much at all since I got the Qudelix.
https://ivankyo.com/products/vankyo-c750-headphones-active-noise-cancelling-headphones-over-ear-with-microphone-un-wired-headset-hi-fi-stereo-deep-bass-with-30h-playtime-protein-earpads-for-travel-work-tv-pc-cellphones Vankyo C750s. I bought them about 3 years ago just as a temporary el cheapo set while I did research to get "good" ones to replace my old Sennheisers.. THESE THINGS ARE AMAZING. After about 2 weeks of using them I told myself they were good enough to use until they died. They are still going strong, worth every penny. Thank you Vankyo. <3
That’s great! This hobby is all about building a bridge to let us enjoy music to its fullest 👍
Headphones: ZMF Caldera Kingwood LTD, ZMF Atrium Cocobolo LTD, ZMF Verite Closed Stabilized Tiger Maple LTD, Arya v2, Monarch MKII
Amp/DAC: Schiit Jotunheim, Bifrost 2 OG, Lokius, Cayin HA-6A (SE KT88s, RCA Clear Top Pre, GEC KT8C), iFi Gryphon
I also have a set of Audioengine A5+ for near field listening in my very small office/listening space.
Headphones/IEMs: ZMF Atrium, HD 6XX, Hifiman Ananda, 7hz Timeless.
DAC: Qudelix 5K
Amp: JDS Atom, Darkvoice 336se
I've heard the ZMF Atrium are like a super version of the HD 600, what do you think?
I originally bought the headphone because I heard the same thing and can confirm it's true if you're using the BE2 perforated suede pads. My only complaints with the frequency response is that it lacks sub-bass and some energy in the upper mids. I've EQ'd those things in and it's been a perfect HD 6XX replacement.
Offtopic. Why does both of the posts here have one extra comment counted that is not visible/does not exist? This thread has currently 13 comments, the top says 14.
Is some instance not communicating properly?
Great setup!
When I'm out and about I like to be able to hear what's going on around me, so I use my Bose Frames Tempo. It helps that they sound about a million times better than one would expect given that they're sunglasses.
At my computer I tend to use my SR60Xs.
I'm keeping old. I use the Sony MDR-v6. These were for the time a really solid $50 pair. I recommended them to someone at work only to find out they are selling for over $100.
I run them with older schitt audio gear to drive them.
For me these are daily all day long wear. They feel light enough on my head and fit comfortable on the ear. The sound is pretty neutral it doesn't really seem to have a strong or a weak point. I'm not listening to great sources, so they feel a bit 'veiled.' I don't often get a clear sense of space like I can with near field speakers. Still everything resolve quickly, so nothing is muddy but it's absolutely not that transcendent sound.
When I need a wireless headset I use the Sony WH-1000XM3 It's a bit more bass and midrange forward than then mdr-v6
I've been using a pair of Sennheiser HD 800 for probably 13 years now. I'd rave about them all day if I could, but they have such a great soundstage and also have let me dabble into a lot of different random creator hobbies because they are a great reference for mixing. Comfortable to wear for hours and no phyiscal / listening fatigue.
There is a decent aftermarket available for replacement ear pads, cables, etc. as well and I was able to refresh various bits from constant daily wear over the years at a low cost. I've seen the newer variants and just can't seem to justify moving away from these yet. If you can get a used pair in good condition then I think the price point is incredible.
Unpopular opinion - I think there's almost no audible difference between DACs once they are shielded properly. I used to route through a Schiit Bifrost Multibit into a Valhalla 2 with some rolled tubes but now I basically do everything through one Scarlett Focusrite 18i20. There is a difference in the initial volume the amp would push out and the distortion from the tubes, but there's no way I could describe any difference between the two DACs at the same volume and it is way more convenient to have it all in one place. Yes, I have the Thriller SACD ; ).
Very simple setup.
Topping DX3 Pro with HIFIMAN HE400SE or Sennheiser HD8 DJ
Lots of things, but I guess right now. Klipsch headphone amp/DAC , Focal Elex, Campfire Mammoths are some of my favorites