The Headphones I Use

[Kirk McElhearn at dot]

I posted an article about headphones on my blog:

http://www.mcelhearn.com/2012/05/24/the-headphones-i-use-2/

I wonder two things. First, do a lot of RMCR readers use headphones?
Second, which ones?

Kirk
--

Kirkville -- http://www.mcelhearn.com
Writings about more than just Macs
Take Control of iTunes 10: The FAQ: http://www.mcelhearn.com/itunes

[Art]

On 5/24/2012 11:01 AM, Kirk McElhearn wrote:
> I posted an article about headphones on my blog:
>
> http://www.mcelhearn.com/2012/05/24/the-headphones-i-use-2/
>
> I wonder two things. First, do a lot of RMCR readers use headphones?
> Second, which ones?
>
> Kirk

1. Yes, every day.
2. Grado SR60i

[David Fox]

On May 24, 8:01 am, Kirk McElhearn <kirkmc (at) mac (dot) com> wrote:
> I posted an article about headphones on my blog:
>
> http://www.mcelhearn.com/2012/05/24/the-headphones-i-use-2/
>
> I wonder two things. First, do a lot of RMCR readers use headphones?
> Second, which ones?
>
> Kirk
> --
>

> Kirkville --http://www.mcelhearn.com

> Writings about more than just Macs
> Take Control of iTunes 10: The FAQ:http://www.mcelhearn.com/itunes

Sennheiser HD 600 for serious listening (w/Musical Fidelity X-CAN V3
headphone amp)
Grado SR-80 when I need greater portability/versatility
Klipsch S4i earbuds for my iPhone

DF

[Andrew Fell]

On May 24, 5:01 pm, Kirk McElhearn <kirkmc (at) mac (dot) com> wrote:
> I posted an article about headphones on my blog:

full of links which earn you commission.

>
> http://www.mcelhearn.com/2012/05/24/the-headphones-i-use-2/
>
> I wonder two things. First, do a lot of RMCR readers use headphones?

I don't know. What's a 'lot'?

> Second, which ones?

Me.

How's your yahoo group these days? Not earning enough Amazon
commission over there, huh?

[David Fox]

Hey Andrew, John, or whatever name you're using this week:

I just saw Ward Hardman! Look - over there! Hiding behind that tree!

Go fetch!

DF

[Matthew B. Tepper]

Kirk McElhearn <kirkmc (at) mac (dot) com> appears to have caused the
following letters to be typed in news:4fbe4d65$0$6846$426a...@news.free.fr:

> I posted an article about headphones on my blog:
>
> http://www.mcelhearn.com/2012/05/24/the-headphones-i-use-2/
>
> I wonder two things. First, do a lot of RMCR readers use headphones?
> Second, which ones?
>
> Kirk

I like my Sony MDR-NC20s.

--
Matthew B. Tepper: WWW, science fiction, classical music, ducks!!
Read about "Proty" here: http://home.earthlink.net/~oy/proty.html
To write to me, do for my address what Androcles did for the lion
Opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of my employers.

[wagnerfan]

On Thu, 24 May 2012 17:01:57 +0200, Kirk McElhearn <kirkmc (at) mac
(dot) com> wrote:

>I posted an article about headphones on my blog:
>
>http://www.mcelhearn.com/2012/05/24/the-headphones-i-use-2/
>
>I wonder two things. First, do a lot of RMCR readers use headphones?
>Second, which ones?
>
>Kirk

I like Sennheiser - I use the 600 for serious and the portable for
my Ipod. Wagner Fan

[William Sommerwerck]

> I wonder two things. First, do a lot of RMCR readers
> use headphones? Second, which ones?

I rarely use headphones, except with portable devices. I used to use the
Sennheiser MX-100, but switched about a year ago to the Yamaha YHD-1. (I
still had the review pair. They go for $150 to $200 on eBay.)

I have a pair of STAX Lambda Signature 'phones, with a T1 direct-drive
amplifier, and the outboard diffuse-field equalizer. As good as they are, I
prefer my Apogee "Diva" speakers. (This was also true when I owned Acoustat
Six electrostatics.) For some reason, the STAXes aren't quite as "natural"
or realistic-sounding.

[R. Edwards]

On Thursday, May 24, 2012 11:01:57 AM UTC-4, Kirk McElhearn wrote:
> I posted an article about headphones on my blog:
>
> http://www.mcelhearn.com/2012/05/24/the-headphones-i-use-2/
>
> I wonder two things. First, do a lot of RMCR readers use headphones?
> Second, which ones?
>

I use them for late night listening. Sennheiser HD 600, Creek OBH-21SE headphone amp.

Ray

[herman]

On 24 mai, 17:24, Andrew Fell <hugefuk...@hotmail.com> wrote:


> How's your yahoo group these days? Not earning enough Amazon
> commission over there, huh?

It has been terminated.

Most of the content and traffic was generated by Mr. T., if you know
whom I mean.

When he died, in one and a half year ago,. the group basically petered
out.

[jrsnfld]

On May 24, 8:01 am, Kirk McElhearn <kirkmc (at) mac (dot) com> wrote:
> I posted an article about headphones on my blog:
>
> http://www.mcelhearn.com/2012/05/24/the-headphones-i-use-2/
>
> I wonder two things. First, do a lot of RMCR readers use headphones?
> Second, which ones?
>
> Kirk
> --
>

> Kirkville --http://www.mcelhearn.com

> Writings about more than just Macs
> Take Control of iTunes 10: The FAQ:http://www.mcelhearn.com/itunes

Koss Porta-Pro for walking the dogs, listening to mp3s while doing
stuff in the garden, around the house. I like the bass heavy sound
because it makes up for the open, light design that is useful when you
need to be fully aware of your surroundings. They also seem rather
durable, good for traveling. They're very comfortable, nicely
adjustable.

Etymotic in-ear for rare situations when I want to totally block out
the world, like on an airplane (but not during ascent and descent!).
They're more comfortable than they look, and the sound is much more
lively, rich, and clear than the Bose noise-cancelling set that I once
tried.

Grado SR80s for normal sit and listen usage. I find them comfortable
enough and I've always loved the warm sound and reasonable clarity--
tightened up a little bit by use of a Creek headphone amp. To me this
is more life-like than the somewhat drier and analytical Sennheisers
I've tried. I can listen to these for hours. Mine are somewhat beat-up
after a decade of use, so I can't travel with them anymore. I don't
recommend these for "on-the-go" use because of the build.

Stax (the lowest end model, I don't remember the number) for serious
analysis. Superb clarity and realism, but a bit clunky for long-term
listening.

--Jeff

[Steve Emerson]

In article <4fbe4d65$0$6846$426a...@news.free.fr>,

Kirk McElhearn <kirkmc (at) mac (dot) com> wrote:

> I posted an article about headphones on my blog:
>
> http://www.mcelhearn.com/2012/05/24/the-headphones-i-use-2/
>
> I wonder two things. First, do a lot of RMCR readers use headphones?
> Second, which ones?

Not often. I have a terrific-sounding system (to my ears) and I prefer
to have the sound coming from in front of me.

I do use them pretty frequently in making transfers, LP to CD. For that
I use recording-studio cans, the Sony MDR-7506.

For the sake of comfort and an airier, slightly more mellow sound, I
otherwise use a pair of AKG 501s. Mostly with a Rega headphone amp,
although the headphone stage in my Arcam amps is almost
indistinguishable.

Some integrated amps use a separate, op-amp-based headphone stage that
may or may not sound good. Others simply put resistors in series with
the power-amp output, which happens to be what Arcam did, to good effect.

SE.

[wkasimer]

On May 24, 12:16 pm, "R. Edwards" <opu...@gmail.com> wrote:

> I use them for late night listening. Sennheiser HD 600, Creek OBH-21SE headphone amp.

Ditto on both the 'phones and the amplifier. I also use a set of
Grado HD60's at the office occasionally.

For portable use, I like the Sennheiser CX-150 earphones, which make a
decent seal, sound OK, and were cheap (FYE was selling them for $20
last time I checked).

Bill

[Russ (not Martha)]

On May 24, 10:01 am, Kirk McElhearn <kirkmc (at) mac (dot) com> wrote:
> I posted an article about headphones on my blog:
>
> http://www.mcelhearn.com/2012/05/24/the-headphones-i-use-2/
>
> I wonder two things. First, do a lot of RMCR readers use headphones?
> Second, which ones?
>

Sennheiser HD280 PRO's. Two sets, one for the den and one for the
computer room. The pad that lays across my noggin tends to flake
off over time, leaving little specks of black gunk on the top of my
head to which my Frau has to call my attention.

Easily 95% of my listening is thru the cans. Blowing Bruckner thru
my speakers when the lady of the house is within earshot is tantamount
to a declaration of war.

Russ (not Martha)

[William Sommerwerck]

I forgot to mention my STAX battery-powered electrostatic earphones. The
sound is outstanding, but they're not for casual listening.

[Richard S. Sandmeyer]

On May 24, 10:01�am, Kirk McElhearn <kirkmc (at) mac (dot) com> wrote:
> I posted an article about headphones on my blog:
>
> http://www.mcelhearn.com/2012/05/24/the-headphones-i-use-2/
>
> I wonder two things. First, do a lot of RMCR readers use headphones?
> Second, which ones?
>

I use Sennheiser CX-300 in-the-ear style headphones with my iPod (one of
the older "Nano" models) when exercising, working in the garden, or
whatever. They deliver much better sound and are far more comfortable
than the earbuds that Apple included with the iPod. The only negative
is that movement of the cable transmits sound to the earphones, so one
has to wear them in a way that minimizes play in the cable.

My other current 'phones are a pair of Grado SR-125. They produce good
sound, but I don't like being tethered to my sound system by a cable. So
for serious listening sessions I almost always use speakers rather than
headphones.

I've owned other makes of headphones such as Sony, Sennheiser, Koss, and
Yamaha since I bought my first pair in 1970. I don't recall the
specific model numbers. I bought the Sony headphones, their cheapest
model, while still a student; they were the poorest sounding of the ones
I've owned, but still quite satisfactory considering the price. The
Sennheisers and the Koss were both near the top for sound quality. The
Koss were an early electrostatic model that required the bother of an
extra box to be connected to the amplifier, but they did sound very good.

--
Rich Sandmeyer
rich dot sand at verizon dot net

[Ward F Moron Jr]

Are you sure it's not a sock-puppet?

Asshat.

[Andrew Fell]

On May 24, 5:51 pm, David Fox <davidfox2...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> On May 24, 8:24 am, Andrew Fell <hugefuk...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > On May 24, 5:01 pm, Kirk McElhearn <kirkmc (at) mac (dot) com> wrote:
>
> > > I posted an article about headphones on my blog:
>
> > full of links which earn you commission.
>
> > >http://www.mcelhearn.com/2012/05/24/the-headphones-i-use-2/
>
> > > I wonder two things. First, do a lot of RMCR readers use headphones?
>
> > I don't know. What's a 'lot'?
>
> > > Second, which ones?
>
> > Me.
>
> > How's your yahoo group these days? Not earning enough Amazon
> > commission over there, huh?
>
> Hey Andrew, John, or whatever name you're using this week:

The name is pretty clearly marked, David.

[operafan]

On May 24, 11:01 am, Kirk McElhearn <kirkmc (at) mac (dot) com> wrote:
> I posted an article about headphones on my blog:
>
> http://www.mcelhearn.com/2012/05/24/the-headphones-i-use-2/
>
> I wonder two things. First, do a lot of RMCR readers use headphones?
> Second, which ones?

I often use headphones. My current favorites are AKG K702s, which have
a smooth midrange and highs, and a well-controlled bass end that isn't
the deepest bass. They sound really good with a headphone amp (Burson
HA160). The headphone amps in most receivers are an inadequate
engineering afterthought.

I also have some Yuin earbuds for my iPod that are way better than the
ones supplied by Apple.

[Randy Lane]

On May 24, 8:01 am, Kirk McElhearn <kirkmc (at) mac (dot) com> wrote:
> I posted an article about headphones on my blog:
>
> http://www.mcelhearn.com/2012/05/24/the-headphones-i-use-2/
>
> I wonder two things. First, do a lot of RMCR readers use headphones?
> Second, which ones?
>
> Kirk
> --
>

> Kirkville --http://www.mcelhearn.com

> Writings about more than just Macs
> Take Control of iTunes 10: The FAQ:http://www.mcelhearn.com/itunes

I use Shure SE-425 in-ear earphones with an iPod Classic, iPad v.1,
and Android smartphone (Samsung Galaxy Note) when I am away from home
or need to keep it quiet.
For the iPad and iPod, I only realize/capture the full quality of
these not-so-cheap earphones when I use them in tandem with the Fiio
E17 amp/DAC. Using the FiiO cable that plugs directly into the docking
jack of both devices, the internal amplifier is bypassed and pure
bliss emerges. This is especially true with the iPad at home, where I
use stream FLAC files to the iPad from a DLNA server/hard-drive.
As good as the earphones are, the best investment I've made in
portable/personal audio in the last 5 or more years is, without a
doubt, the FiiO E17.

[Satid]

On Thursday, May 24, 2012 10:01:57 PM UTC+7, Kirk McElhearn wrote:
> I posted an article about headphones on my blog:
>
> http://www.mcelhearn.com/2012/05/24/the-headphones-i-use-2/
>
> I wonder two things. First, do a lot of RMCR readers use headphones?
> Second, which ones?
>

I have been listening to classical music with headphone for about 20 years now. Over the past 5 years or so, I have been using the in-ear type with rubber-like cones that are easy to my ear when they are plugged in. (I notice that the manufacturers call them acoutic pipe type earphone.) I found that the cones are quite more effective in shutting out outside noises than the conventional headphones I used and I can also turn on the volume level lower than when I used headphone.

I have one from Sony and another from Philips. Just bought another one Noise Cancelling type HSN2500 from Philips a few months ago from a clearance sale and found that it worked OK but not too great. I used it once on the plane and found it to be substantially better than the one supplied by the airline.

[jeffc]

Sennheiser 650 directly out of a marantz changer. They're very
comfortable and sound great.
Every morning from 4-7AM so as not to wake the neighborhood.

[Steve de Mena]

On 5/24/12 9:01 AM, Kirk McElhearn wrote:
> I posted an article about headphones on my blog:
>
> http://www.mcelhearn.com/2012/05/24/the-headphones-i-use-2/
>
> I wonder two things. First, do a lot of RMCR readers use headphones?
> Second, which ones?
>
> Kirk

Serious listening - Sennheiser HD 598 http://amzn.to/JL0G11
On the go / for vocalists to use when I record them - Sennheiser PX 100
Airplane - Sennheiser PXC 250 II Collapsible Noise-Canceling Headphones

I used to have the Sennheiser HD 600 headphones as my main "serious"
headphone but unfortunately had problems with the leads (intermittent)
and when trying to fix them (soldering) destroyed them. :(

Have a Grado pair (mid-level, don't remember the model #, but seemed a
little bright/tinny to me, that Sony model used in all the recording
studios, and a Beats by Dre Solo HD, but don't use these much.

Steve

[William Sommerwerck]

> I used to have the Sennheiser HD 600 headphones
> as my main "serious" headphone but unfortunately
> had problems with the leads (intermittent) and when
> trying to fix them (soldering) destroyed them.

This was a common problem with Sennheiser's "better" headphones. (I had it
with the HD 580.) I simply reminded Sennheiser -- emphatically -- of the
Warranty of Implied Merchantability. And they fixed them, for free. (They
stayed fixed, by the way.)

[wkasimer]

On May 26, 4:25 am, "William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgee...@comcast.net>
wrote:

Ditto. Still using my HD600's, now probably at least 15 years old.

Bill

[R. Edwards]

On Saturday, May 26, 2012 4:06:33 AM UTC-4, Steven de Mena wrote:

>
> I used to have the Sennheiser HD 600 headphones as my main "serious"
> headphone but unfortunately had problems with the leads (intermittent)
> and when trying to fix them (soldering) destroyed them. :(
>
>

> Steve

I had the same problem. Replacement cables for the 600 are available from Sennheiser and from other vendors. B&H sells them for around $14.

Ray

[Russ (not Martha)]

On May 26, 3:25 am, "William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgee...@comcast.net>
wrote:

I'm on (at least) my 3rd & 4th set of HD 280's. The connection to the
plug does seem to crap out after a while, and you have to wiggle
things around to get both channels to behave. I have done frequent
surgery on the 280's, discarding the original plug and soldering on a
1/4" stereo plug from Radio Shack. It never occurred to me (until
now) to ask Sennheiser whether the whole cable assembly can be safely
popped off the earpiece housing and replaced as a unit. That would
save me a few minutes of breathing tin and lead fumes.

Russ (not Martha)

[maready]

On May 24, 11:01 am, Kirk McElhearn <kirkmc (at) mac (dot) com> wrote:
> I posted an article about headphones on my blog:
>
> http://www.mcelhearn.com/2012/05/24/the-headphones-i-use-2/
>
> I wonder two things. First, do a lot of RMCR readers use headphones?
> Second, which ones?
>
> Kirk

> --
>
> Kirkville --http://www.mcelhearn.com
> Writings about more than just Macs
> Take Control of iTunes 10: The FAQ:http://www.mcelhearn.com/itunes

Due to my urban environment (and because I've been a 'headphone freak'
since I was ten years old ) I use headphones for ALL of my listening.
I used to use Grados, but for the last seven years or so it's been the
Seinheiser HD 600s for 'serious' listening. I put serious in scare
quotes because my 'music system' is: one160MB IPod, two 120MB IPods,
and an endless number of Sony Discmen which I buy five at the time and
throw out when they give up the ghost. I have many LPs and a Music
Hall turntable, which is fed through a Radio Shack preamp to my
laptop to create transfers for IPod listening. I look forward to
having a house in the country one day without neighbors or traffic
noise and the luxury of blasting a nice system. But even then I'll be
using headphones mostly: for myself listening is an 'interior'
experience and I prefer to create an artificial soundspace that
encloses my head than in dealing with an actual room.