Hi-Fi Headphones are depressing

[Unregistered]

I see the Sony MDR-7506 has been mentioned numerous times. I'm not big into headphones but I wanted a decent pair for editing music and bought the Sony MDR-V6. I think they are decent (and cheap at $80). Any thoughts on this particular model?

 

[WmAx]

I see the Sony MDR-7506 has been mentioned numerous times. I'm not big into headphones but I wanted a decent pair for editing music and bought the Sony MDR-V6. I think they are decent (and cheap at $80). Any thoughts on this particular model?

Do you mean the Sony MDR-v6 or MDR-v600? These are completely different models.

I checked with an OEM parts supplier and nearly every part on the MDR-7506 has the same Sony part replacement number as the MDR-V6, with the exception of the exterior metal cover that the model number is engraved and the cable/plug. This appears to be the same headphone but intended for two different markets.

Since this is the same headphone, I subjectively concur with your impression of 'decent', as far as pleasurable listening is concerned.

-Chris

 

[Unregistered]

Grado and snake oil

"Perhaps Grados, but they sell Snake oil hardcore."

Some of you folks just have no idea about what you rattle on about. Grado is one of the few audio manufacturers that actually makes very high quality and affordable products. Both their phono cartridges and headphones are very modestly priced for what you get compared with any other small manufacturer.

By your definition, Sony is probably the biggest pusher of snake oil out there with their overpriced and poorly engineered consumer products constructed from the cheapest parts available to the whole SACD thing which has many of you folks scampering around buying new expensive players for the few hundred overpriced releases now available. And of course Sony offers some of the most expensive SACD (or any digital) players found anywhere. Really, if you can discern the improved sonic qualities of SACD (2 channel of course) vs Redbook CD, you have no reason to blast a company like Grado for actually supplying hardware that performs and sounds better than many comparably priced products.

 

[Steve1000]

I'm pretty thrilled with the Behringer UB802 ($60) as a headphone amp.

From another thread (hope the mods will forgive me, I just found this thread and it seeems like a better place for this post)...

I've been into headphones for about 25 years. I can vouch for the view that in the headphone world, sources, cables, and amps are massively over-rated. Unless you are into it and completely fascinated by it beyond rationality (as I am), standard inexpensive but decent receivers, cables, and sources will take you to the top of the mountain sonically very quickly, assuming you are not interested in sound-shaping capabilities beyond searching for a headphone you like a lot.

My two biggest thrills as a headphone enthusiast have been in the last several months, from the pro-audio world, with the Behringer DEQ2496 digital equalizer ($300) and the Behringer UB802 mixer ($60). The DEQ2496 gives you tremendous sound-shaping capabilities (parametric and graphic EQ, dynamic compression and and expansion, image compression and expansion, noise gate, real time analyzer with mic input, etc. etc. etc.) and the UB802 gives you tremendous amplifying capabilities (high performance and features including panning controls to merge or reverse channels, three way tone controls, 4 inputs, etc., in a relatively small and light housing, at a low low price). The DEQ2496 is just a thrilling and fascinating piece of gear, destined for the status of legendary audio equipment, IMHO.

http://www.behringer.com/DEQ2496/index.cfm?lang=ENG

http://www.behringer.com/UB802/index.cfm?lang=ENG

Downside to the UB802: no on-off switch (I use a power strip).

I also have a Corda HA-1 headphone amp. There's absolutely nothing wrong with it, and the noise floor is extremely low, and you get a theoretically ideal near-0 ohm jack and an industry-standard 120 ohm jack. And the volume knob is wonderful, a nice, big, finely adjustable knob. Three levels of crossfeed if you want to try that. Seemingly unsusceptible to ground loop noise. Very well done. A nice piece of jewelry, and I'm glad to have it. IMHO, anything in an amp performing at a level above the HA-1 would be a complete and utter waste of money. In fact, you could pay a lot less (UB802) and loose little or nothing in terms of audible performance. But it's a pretty good no-nonsense effort at DIY hyper-performance, IMHO.

But the DEQ2496 and the UB802 COMBINED cost about the same as the HA-1. If I had to do it over again, I'd skip the HA-1. Fortunately I bought the HA-1 first so I don't have to choose.

Noting how there IS all that snake oil out there, does anyone know of some good headphone amps that can be had without breaking the bank? I'm looking at either the Sennheiser HD595s or those Sonys recommended earlier. Perhaps Grados, but they sell Snake oil hardcore. The Senns and the Sonys are both are both higher impedance 'phones than normal ones, so I would reason that having something that's designed to drive them would perform better. I may also be insane, I'm not sure which.

Definitely. My friend's HD-595s (that I'm using right now ) come standard with an OFC cable. I guess you could make somewhat of an 'improvement', but I really, REALLY doubt there'd be an audible difference. Maybe if you happened to be sitting in front of a big radio transmitter, then yes. Still, dropping 250 on some wire is not going to help you.

What I'm trying to accomplish here is some hi-fi on the cheap. I'd of course like to get an actual speaker setup, but that also takes up some room (and money) that I don't have right now. Man, I almost wish Axiom would make headphones so I could get real quality at a price that makes sense and real science to verify that I'm getting what I think I am.

Damn my addiction to music. It's such a drain on time and money. But I still love it...

 

[jaxvon]

Thanks Steve. I'll look into that Behringer stuff. Also, in response to the unregistered man and my knocking Grado, I offer this:

I was speaking more about Grado's cables. I would also like to note that Grado, although they publish specs on their 'phones, believes in the philosophy of making headphones that simply sound good. Ultimately, this is what anyone as an audio entusiast wants. However, I believe that high quality sound is directly related to accuracy. If I want to listen to my Steely Dan CDs, I want to hear those 1s and 0s that are etched in the CD, not 1s and 0s, plus some 'warmth' or 'brightness'. Granted, any sound reproduction or amplification device imparts a sonic signature on your music, but the less there is, the better (Okay, I guess there's a little exception to this. 'Katy Lied' was monitored on an Audio Research amp and Magnepan Speakers. While Maggies are fairly accurate, Audio Research doesn't exactly make super-low distortion amps).

Now, about Grado's Cables (and thusly the place I derive my Snake Oil accusation from):

Many times we are asked for our recommendations for an audio cable to go with our headphone amp and other associated audio equipment. It became clear to us that now was the time to release a special audio cable on a "limited" basis. Grado Labs is extremely pleased to announce the release of the Grado "Signature" Audio Interconnect Cable. It was our goal to design an audio cable with the traditional Grado sound, full-bodied dynamics and an open natural soundstage. This we have done, and the design features of these cables make them quite special and unique.

The Grado "Signature" audio cable is a dual balanced four conductor design. This insures that both wires that carry the music signal are of equal size and symmetrical. We have also isolated all of the wires with a special material to help damp out airborne and mechanical noise to provide increased detail and definition never known before in an audio interconnect. These cables are "directional" and special arrows on the outer jacket of the cable indicate signal flow direction from the "source" component to the "inputting" device or preamp. A special soldering method to the copper braided shielding insures that outside noise never enters the music signal path going to the "inputting" device. Thus, only the music is amplified and not the external RF and EMI noise. We have also designed our own RCA connectors because we found that different connectors do indeed have different sounds, and can degrade the music. With our Grado RCA connectors it is now possible to talk about a connection that is seamless and symmetrical, producing pure sound quality never heard before.


So in closing, this ultra wide bandwidth audio cable allows for extremely fast low noise signal transfer, allowing for a much more natural soundstage with instrument positioning that is open and very well defined. The center channel placement is extremely focused with tremendous depth perception. The Grado "Signature" interconnect has a musical "bounce" that is immediately heard and embraced. These cables are very musical with no fatiguing "wire" sound as found and heard in many other cable designs.


The Grado "Signature" audio cables will be available in both one meter and two meter lengths. Single ended RCA to RCA connectors only. Once again we want to let all of our Grado customers know that this is a very "Limited Edition" release.


Enjoy and Happy Listening!

Directional Cables? Special arrows? More Natural Soundstage? Please. That's absolute garbage. Now, I understand the idea of putting arrows on cables for the user to trace his signal path when he is using a whole mess of cables and whatnot, but this is preposterous.

I'm not sure what to think about the headphones or cartriges from Grado. On one hand, they seem like a small company dedicated to producing quality products in small batches. However, I have to wonder about any company that pushes this kind of BS.


Alright, that's it. Just wanted to clear my name.

 

[Rip Van Woofer]

Grado has been around for a very long time. Back in the pre-digital day, their cartridges were, if I remember correctly, popular but not as accurate as, say, those from Shure. I was a Shure guy.

Don't know about their current design philosophy but even good, reputable companies are understandably but regrettably tempted to dip into the snake oil now and then because, face it, that's where the money is. "Responding to the market" and all that. That marketing guff quoted above about their magic cable sure is a lot to swallow, though.

 

[NewYorkJosh]

Just wanted to throw my 2 cents in for Etymotic ER-6 in-ear canal headphones. I own Koss Electrostatics for big room use - but never seem to use them (I prefer the sound of speakers in a room - for more natural imaging and body feel). I hesitate to use subjective language of any kind on this site - so I emphasize I'm just describing my subjective experience and making no scientific claims.

I do most of my headphone listening on the road - and the Etymotic ER-6's are superb for that purpose:

1) Sound is superb. Subjective bass is slamming and goes all the way down. Balance is excellent and treble is sweet and unfatiguing.
2) Sound isolation is dramatic - environmental noise outside is greatly attenuated. I own noise cancelling headphones too and these are nowhere near as good at silencing outside noise.
3) portability is unmatched - these are the tiniest things imagineable.
4) cost is quite reasonable - I paid $99 on-line (I think I used Buy.com).

Downsides?
1) Don't use these while driving or biking - you will not hear someone honking their horn at you! It can be disorienting to have someone have to come up and touch you to get your attention.
2) These headphones go in the ear canal like earplugs. They come with silicone 3 ridged plugs, and soft compressible foam too. I prefer the foam. I find them comfortable - but some people can't stand the sensation of something deep in their ears. The sound quality - especially the bass is dependent on their being inserted all the way. If you can't do it - they'll sound bass-shy.
3) The cords are somewhat microphonic. If you rub the cables with your fingernail you'll hear it magnified in your ear. This doesn't bother me in practice - I just clip the cord and go.

Ideal situations:
* Noisy places: airplane, bus, or train, mowing the lawn
* Windy places
* Portables

They make other models - Etymotic is most famous for the ER-4 that costs upwards of $250. I haven't heard it, but would like to someday.