Stax SR-007 (Omega 2) are the best heaphones. You can find them for about $2000 (without the amp). They need a good amp; Kevin Gilmore's Blue Hawaii DIY amp is reportedly better than the commercial ones (and cheaper even if you use top of the line components):
http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=194620
http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=194620
karma, have a look here:
http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/
In terms of earphones (canalphones), the Etymotic ER4s are probably the holy grail.
See ya,
Tim.
http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/
In terms of earphones (canalphones), the Etymotic ER4s are probably the holy grail.
See ya,
Tim.
karma said:whats the best earphone's on the market to date. kinda sat on mine. so manny to choose from.....
Don't listen to Cans much, but the STAX are right up there. Particularily if you build your own tube OTL to drive them.
dave
Hello,
I don't use headphones or earphones, but Siegfried Linkwitz has an article on earphones at http://www.linkwitzlab.com/reference_earphones.htm yhat may be of interest.
Regards,
George
I don't use headphones or earphones, but Siegfried Linkwitz has an article on earphones at http://www.linkwitzlab.com/reference_earphones.htm yhat may be of interest.
Regards,
George
JOE DIRT® said:Binaurial sound>??? anyone???
Not sure what you mean, however, if you're asking if anyone has heard a true binaural recording, yes, I have. Very much better at getting the sound out of your head, but there are few recordings, of anything at all in this format, let alone stuff I would listen to, so it's a moot point. Bibaural recording played on speakers sound very strange, even in mono.
Trouble with headphones is they don't allow any body experience (physical sensation of sound, even at a low level), so I find it harder to get into them.
Here's a source of some binaural recordings:
http://www.binaural.com/
(disclaimer: I haven't tried any of their offerings so I can't comment)
One of the problem of binaural recordings is that they would only be good for headphone listening and probably wouldn't sound well if you also want to use speakers with them.
http://www.binaural.com/
(disclaimer: I haven't tried any of their offerings so I can't comment)
One of the problem of binaural recordings is that they would only be good for headphone listening and probably wouldn't sound well if you also want to use speakers with them.
Check out this detailed review:
http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?threadid=12652
http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?threadid=12652
Best dynamic phones? Sennheiser HD-600!
Best electrostatics? STAX!
Not being made of money, I bought the HD-600 and couldn't be happier. Sennheiser's electrostats didn't sound that great to me.
I agree 100%
Originally I was going to get the HD580 for cost reasons, but a search on the web found a place in NJ that would sell me the HD600 for less the Icould get teh '580s at my local shop.
-- John
RobM said:Best dynamic phones? Sennheiser HD-600!
Best electrostatics? STAX!
I have Stax which I got at PAC in Millburn a decade ago. The only problem is the need for the transformer.
I also have some old Stax. DON'T USE THE OLD TRANSFORMER UNITS!! The transformer boxes give crappy audio quality. You need to use an actual amp for electrostatic headphones. Buy a Stax one (expensive) or build your own (this is after all a DIY forum).
Another thing is, newer Staxes are a HUGE improvement over the old ones. I auditioned the Lambda Pro and the Omega 2 and they sound better than any dynamic headphones I've ever heard, and any speakers for that matter. But a good source is very important, or so the store guy says.
Another thing is, newer Staxes are a HUGE improvement over the old ones. I auditioned the Lambda Pro and the Omega 2 and they sound better than any dynamic headphones I've ever heard, and any speakers for that matter. But a good source is very important, or so the store guy says.
I use the transformer box (for now) with the Stax Lambda's was thinking to build a HV MOSFET amplifier a la headwize, but it's down there on the list of priorities. The headset is used primarily to promote domestic tranquility -- i.e. when the wife is watching one of those gushy movies on Channel 156 or something.
Hi Prune
Actually, I can't remember except that they are out of New Jersey and didn't look like a 'high-end' audio retailer.
A quick google has found the following links to price comparisons on HD600:
http://www.nextag.com/Sennheiser_HD_600_Hi~2327781z0znzzz1zzhd600zmainz2-htm
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=264355/mode=google/ut=3fc9201dd283b406,
with the cheapest being Etronics at $250 (which is les that I paid)
http://www.etronics.com/
-- John
Rats. I just paid 150 for the 580. How about sharing that place?
Actually, I can't remember except that they are out of New Jersey and didn't look like a 'high-end' audio retailer.
A quick google has found the following links to price comparisons on HD600:
http://www.nextag.com/Sennheiser_HD_600_Hi~2327781z0znzzz1zzhd600zmainz2-htm
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=264355/mode=google/ut=3fc9201dd283b406,
with the cheapest being Etronics at $250 (which is les that I paid)
http://www.etronics.com/
-- John
electrostatic headphone amp
if you look at the power supply section of "The Art of Electronics" there is a MOSFET supply in which you can replace the Voltage Reference section with an "input" section you modulate the gate of one of the drivers to get an audio output capable of driving a capacitative load -- the authors actually suggest this application.
Jack
if you look at the power supply section of "The Art of Electronics" there is a MOSFET supply in which you can replace the Voltage Reference section with an "input" section you modulate the gate of one of the drivers to get an audio output capable of driving a capacitative load -- the authors actually suggest this application.
Jack
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