If it's due to isolation from local ambient sounds, consider the FIIO EX1 . Reasonably priced, bombproof, very good sound and extensively vented. It's a rebranded DUNU, don't recall which model.
Maybe look around for Flare Audio R2A, R2S, or R2Pro IEMs. The R2S are available new from Amazon, but the others will have to be obtained used. They come stock with Comply foam tips, which are quite comfortable and seal well. The sound is very good. Natural, smooth, and detailed. Somewhat laid-back, like the Sennheiser HD series. Bass is very good with the foam tips. Also, the word is that Flare Audio is having another Kickstarter campaign soon for updated IEM models.
I was firmly anti-IEM before trying these. My past experience convinced me IEMs were always light on bass, bright, fatiguing, and uncomfortable. The Flares are none of those things.
I was firmly anti-IEM before trying these. My past experience convinced me IEMs were always light on bass, bright, fatiguing, and uncomfortable. The Flares are none of those things.
Another massive thumbs up for these, for any of their R2 models. Definately changed my enjoyment of audio for the better (I now find headphones more enjoyable than any speaker I've used, my tastes etc of course).
Often have poor resale value because of their relative obscurity and it being a new brand. Last saw some R2S fail to sell at £50 on ebay.
It is always advisable to experience what one wants to hear, prior to designing the power amp and speakers to deliver it.
Let your top experience with headphones be your guide and be prepared that filling an entire room with such, will have slightly higher more materials cost for the speakers equivalent output. The effort for filling one room (even a domestic sized room) is a bit more materials cost and a bit more bother as well.
What is really important at this point is that you already know what you want to hear. That's got you so far ahead!
As for me, had I been more certain what I wanted for the output, the expense with the speakers would have been smaller and the results more expedient.
That is good advice - has to be repeatable too, probably meaning owning that equipment (as opposed to hearing the sound you think you want just once somewhere).
Still... I'm starting to think that speakers can't get there because of the room etc. Perhaps with extensive room treatment in a specialised room - but then why go to that effort when you can be happy with the headphone set up?
My headphone listening is all portable...
But I did go to a show where you wore headphones as part of the theatre show - by procuction company, Complicité - it was a binaural show but the bass was external from maybe about 200Hz down. So stuff like a helicopter sound shook the body whilst hearing binaurally recorded sound.
I was able to turn up the Edifier H185 high enough to make wee little quakes on my ears (quite good for realism) without the bother of midrange shout or xmax pops.
It falls slightly short of the finest headphones; but, it might be the easiest to use because you don't have to EQ it--you just plug it in and you're done.
You know, this is pretty good when you don't have the hour or so to spare fussing with computer menus but you want your headphones to work pleasantly and immediately?
I've been surprised at how often I go get those and use them.
It falls slightly short of the finest headphones; but, it might be the easiest to use because you don't have to EQ it--you just plug it in and you're done.
You know, this is pretty good when you don't have the hour or so to spare fussing with computer menus but you want your headphones to work pleasantly and immediately?
I've been surprised at how often I go get those and use them.
- Status
- This old topic is closed. If you want to reopen this topic, contact a moderator using the "Report Post" button.