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The Beats base ruins the overall listening experience by washing out the vocals. They probably come in the nicest packaging I've ever seen though. Quite contradictory in fact. The product itself is incredibly cheap and the materials and construction advocates this.

The Bass is fine on the studios. I do agree on the solos though. Its quite clear they put an emphasis on the Bass to mask the subpar sound quality.
 
Sony MDR7506

JPfwH.jpg


Very happy with these for music, games, & movies.
 
The Klipsch Image One are bass heavy, can be good or bad depending on preference, but still real nice for $150 or less. Real nice.

You could always compliment them with studio grade cans. Set for home and the Klipsch on the go.

Yeah still debating whether to hold onto them or not.

I'm finding them less and less comfortable (stiff / tight headband, harder cups, warm/hot after a bit).

Definitely plenty of Bass...I think the rest of the sound is solid if not as open/airy, which may also be due to the way they're closed cap.

I do like the idea of Road and Studio cans (can't see myself bringing studio reference cans on a flight or work trip).

I may try the Bose OE for the travel since they're a bit smaller.

I keep going back to the Grados or maybe AKGs hmmm....anyone try these without Amperage on an iPad? I'd imagine you'd need a tip converter...

Eventually I'll be getting an Apogee D/A I/O and maybe a Bose L1 to drive them in the studio.
 
Sony MDR7506

Image

Very happy with these for music, games, & movies.

I have the Sony's MDR Z1000's which just released, Just terrific for home use. I've used them outdoors travelling and they are ok but a little on the heavy Side.
 
Yeah still debating whether to hold onto them or not.

I'm finding them less and less comfortable (stiff / tight headband, harder cups, warm/hot after a bit).

I would suggest you take a listen to the Sennheiser HD25-1 II, and not just because I own a pair, but because they sound outstanding (just check for reviews at places like www.head-fi.org) and do not need any type of additional amplification power to sound their best. They are portable, the cable is replaceable and two sets of ear cushions are provided (leatherette and a chamois/felt like material)

Negative is they have a bit of a noticeable clamping to the head initially, which with usage becomes a non-issue and of course are not very 'trendy' looking.

Either way, good luck with your quest.
 
I would suggest you take a listen to the Sennheiser HD25-1 II, and not just because I own a pair, but because they sound outstanding (just check for reviews at places like www.head-fi.org) and do not need any type of additional amplification power to sound their best. They are portable, the cable is replaceable and two sets of ear cushions are provided (leatherette and a chamois/felt like material)

Negative is they have a bit of a noticeable clamping to the head initially, which with usage becomes a non-issue and of course are not very 'trendy' looking.

Either way, good luck with your quest.

Gracias - I'll check em' out.
 
Just got my new IEM's in the mail today.

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Swapped the Klipsch for the Bose OE.

Not a world of difference so far in the sound...little less bass and I need to listen a bit more for the other stuff.

I do not like the Bose cables...way too thin and bound to be a failure point. The plug projects at an angle which could be a problem with a lot of cases (though not this Dodo) and there are too many flex/swivel points folding/unfolding and I feel like I'm a little pressure in the wrong direct to breaking them.

Cups feel nice (and nicer than Klipsch)...softer material and less pressure.

I may just go back to buds for travel and less "gimmicky" Studio Cans for everything else.
 
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Any one using an amp regularly? Picked up an Fiio E7 and running the external Dac and on my Bose EC15, gotta say it's a lot better than the stock DAC.
 
I find it odd that my first post after being a long time lurker isn't about a case, but headphones :p I have been using A set of Phonak PFE's for portability but you guys are out to make me upgrade.

I am also curious about how many of you are using an amp regularly?
 
I find it odd that my first post after being a long time lurker isn't about a case, but headphones :p I have been using A set of Phonak PFE's for portability but you guys are out to make me upgrade.

I am also curious about how many of you are using an amp regularly?

I use an amp for when I want to use my big cans at home. I just purchased a new small tube amp which I am going to mod for more power to use with some new cans I am buying in a couple of weeks.
 
Swapped the Klipsch for the Bose OE.

Not a world of difference so far in the sound...little less bass and I need to listen a bit more for the other stuff.

I do not like the Bose cables...way too thin and bound to be a failure point. The plug projects at an angle which could be a problem with a lot of cases (though not this Dodo) and there are too many flex/swivel points folding/unfolding and I feel like I'm a little pressure in the wrong direct to breaking them.

Cups feel nice (and nicer than Klipsch)...softer material and less pressure.

I may just go back to buds for travel and less "gimmicky" Studio Cans for everything else.

You might want to look into a pair of Sennheiser HD25-1 II headphones. You can find them around the $200 range and will run circles around the Klipsch and Bose.
 
I am currently using Bose comfort 3 headphones and I only have 1word to say about them wow! Fantastic noise cancelation and clarity is perfect, are they worth 350+ again yes they really are
 
I use an amp for when I want to use my big cans at home. I just purchased a new small tube amp which I am going to mod for more power to use with some new cans I am buying in a couple of weeks.

You have me curious about the small tube amp, Gus, is there a link you could share?

I'm considering the Senn's you mentioned too, I have read a lot of good things about them.
 
I would really suggest custom IEMs. Ultimate Ears and JH Audio are some of the bigger names. I know they are really expensive, but mine are going on 6 years now with no problems.
 
Swapped the Klipsch for the Bose OE.

Not a world of difference so far in the sound...little less bass and I need to listen a bit more for the other stuff.

I do not like the Bose cables...way too thin and bound to be a failure point. The plug projects at an angle which could be a problem with a lot of cases (though not this Dodo) and there are too many flex/swivel points folding/unfolding and I feel like I'm a little pressure in the wrong direct to breaking them.

Cups feel nice (and nicer than Klipsch)...softer material and less pressure.

I may just go back to buds for travel and less "gimmicky" Studio Cans for everything else.

Honestly, if your disappointed get the Denon D1100 which are selling for around the same as those. The sound is by far and away better. Or, the new Sony MDR ZX700 are a great set of cans. I've just ordered a pair and some on Head fi.org are proclaiming that they offer tremendous value for money and the sound is better than $300 headphones like the B&W P5 I remember someone noted.

Seriously consider these two. You won't be disappointed with either I reckon.
 
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You have me curious about the small tube amp, Gus, is there a link you could share?

I'm considering the Senn's you mentioned too, I have read a lot of good things about them.

The amp is a Chinese hybrid called the Indeed G2.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Hybrid-Headphon...802?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a61c85002

I won an auction for one at $50 and mine will come with a different tube but that won't matter because I will be changing it out anyway. As far as mods I will be changing out the mosfet and swapping some caps to give it more power. There is a thread at rockgrotto forums that by doing these simple mods it becomes a completely different monster. I will let you know how it goes once I get it and do the mods. I am buying a pair of AKG Q701 cans to pair this amp with as well.
 
Thanks so much for the link and the forum info!

I think I was inadvertently looking for a small project and you just pointed me right to it. It looks a bit outside my electronic expertise (Read: apply hammer until fixed) but there's never any harm in trying not to fail. I will definitely keep an eye out for updates to see how yours comes out.
 
I've been following this thread and find the bulk of these options too expensive for what I am needing. I've just purchased an iPad2 and wanting some ear buds in the $50-75 range. I need something durable. Would like to block out sound as much as possible.

Advice?

I see the following have a good rating on Amazon and are under $30:

JBuds J2 Premium Hi-Fi Noise-Isolating Earbuds
Sennheiser CX300-B In-Ear Stereo Headphone
 
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