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Post by gazjam on Feb 11, 2015 17:10:59 GMT
Not really a headphone guy so these arent for the main system, but for the computer. Nothing too exotic, looking for a set of cans for late night PC use. Will be looking for a cheap but good dac/headamp to drive them too. Initial thoughts are a set from the Superlux range, seem to get great write-ups around the web, and I know our Tony things very highly of them. Thinking of the HD-668B's or the 681's, both highly thought of for not a lot of dosh. Like a balanced sound, open mids good bass but with an open but not too overpowering top end. Hear the 681's were bad for that but the new Evo versions cured that? Anything better in the Superlux range? Dac headphone amp... again cheap as chips but with good quality if possible. 2nd hand Standac maybe, USB from PC into headphones. That kind of thing. Any experience, advice appreciated.  |
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Post by istari_knight on Feb 11, 2015 18:23:59 GMT
The different "house sounds" between models & manufacturers can make it quite confusing, I'm sure others more experienced than I will comment but from those I've tried my favourite overall is the classic HD600... The only downside being that they really require amping for optimum performance & if you listen to pop/rock more than classical the HD650 are probably preferable. I initially started out with some Grado SR60's which I thought were great [compared to the 80's Philips dross I was used to] so I decided to upgrade to SR125, no great difference so I went for the RS1 imported from the US they were Grado's top of the range back then ! They sounded good but not £500 better than the SR60, upon disassembly they appeared to use exactly the same drivers just with different sized cups & of course different housing materials. After using the RS1 for two years I decided to try some Sennheisers, namely HD595 which for me where an upgrade suddenly classical sounded right for the first time ever... I was so impressed I almost immediately upgraded to HD600's which as mentioned earlier remain my reference. Years down the line they got used less & less so I sold them after stumbling across Superlux who make some pretty good sounding if very tacky feeling "cans". I started out with the HD681 which were ear piercingly bright and very uncomfortable to the HD668B which are better balanced & slightly more comfortable and then the HD662 which I currently use. They are the most comfortable Superlux headphones I've had & also sound better to my ears despite being a closed design. I would advise to definitely try some Superlux as its hard to go wrong for the money & even if you don't use them as you main cans in the long run its always nice to have a change I've had others inbetween but they haven't been good enough to keep [Sony MDR-V6 & Denon AH-D2000]. Amp wise I've not used many, Little Dot III was good, as was a Lehmann Linear & Darkvoice 336SE... There's an awful lot more on the market now than when I last shopped for one ! I still lust after a Ray Samuels Emmeline II A10 :drool: |
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Post by John on Feb 11, 2015 19:16:29 GMT
If you want to borrow my Sabre based DAC you more than welcome hifimediy.com/usb-dac2 You can then decide if you wish to keep it (we can arrange a simple deal) get a new one or go for something else. As a DAC it actually not bad a lot of people use them. As for headphones I had the Grado SR60 and 80 (both I found tiring) and got rid of both. I quite liked the HD 558 not tiring and well balanced you certainly can get better. My headphone knowledge is pretty basic and sure others will have a different view point. |
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Post by gazjam on Feb 11, 2015 21:01:49 GMT
Thanks guys.
James,
the Superlux cans get great write ups and as its only for the PC dont want to spend too much money on them.
Think its down to the 668B's or the 681 Evo's.
Decisions decisions...
John,
My headphone knowledge is zero so your an expert compared to me!
Is the hifime the Dac with the headphone amp built in?
If so, yes please, be good to try it out compared to the built in headphone output of the PC.
Will send PM, thanks very much. Appreciate the offer.
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Post by istari_knight on Feb 11, 2015 21:17:33 GMT
Fair do's ! If you do go for Supberlux be sure to remove the "acoustic dampers" AKA bits of sticky paper... Massive improvement every time on my three sets.  |
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Post by gazjam on Feb 11, 2015 21:27:45 GMT
Sweet, thanks James.
I know they are quite moddable from reading about...
Just been thrown a curveball across the pond.
Koss Pro-4AA. Bit more expensive but still not too bad.
Design's been going for 30 odd years, cant be bad!
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Post by istari_knight on Feb 11, 2015 21:41:31 GMT
I've be recommended the Koss before as well... Could be worth a try if they aren't too heavy ? [most "vintage" headphones are really heavy IME].
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Post by gazjam on Feb 11, 2015 22:32:06 GMT
Been reading up on them...some folk quote 3 times as heavy as other studio cans! Comforts a factor, so going down the Superlux road. 668B's for me. Pairing them with a Beresford Bushmaster, which has good bass response, thinking this will suit the 668's flatter response and less boomy bass than the 681 Evo's. Sorted. Ordered a set of AKG velour replacement pads, the "pleather" ones fitted are apparently terrible. Now just need to read up on the (no doubt) many mods! |
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Post by gazjam on Feb 11, 2015 22:33:24 GMT
John,
I've organised a headamp/dac, so wont need the loaner of the Hifime.
Thanks for the offer though, much appreciated.
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Post by Stratmangler on Feb 11, 2015 23:40:14 GMT
I have nothing but nice things to say about the HD681 Evos - when run in they have a decent overall tonal balance (been thrashing mine for a couple of weeks now, and they have settled to give a decent balance). Sonically they show a clean pair of heels to some exhalted alternatives. The nice thing about the Evo version is that they come with replacement velour ear pads, although you do have to fit them yourself. I'd suggest fitting them at source and dropping a few pennies from the purchase price, bargain that it is already  |
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Post by tony on Feb 12, 2015 2:06:56 GMT
Just saw this Gary...hope its not my fault!!! Thats a good pairing- let us know how you get on. Cans are a wonderful way to enjoy music and give a listening experience bang for buck almost impossible to beat.
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Post by MartinT on Feb 12, 2015 6:42:14 GMT
I'm a bit late to this but I can recommend the Superlux 668Bs highly for such cheap 'phones. As has already been said, remove the daft inserts and they give a great sound. Comfortable, too.
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Post by gazjam on Feb 12, 2015 7:23:02 GMT
Cheers all. Yes Tony, it's your fault mate! Practicality wise, want a headphone setup for the computer but not being a headphone guy didn't want to spend a lot. Heard Tony's setup and was impressed, as well as surprised in the different presentations between his 38 pairs of cans he now has.... Read about the superlux 'phones being great ages ago over on Rockgrotto, knew a couple of AOS'ers who swore by them, and as the price was right decided to go for them. Read up on Headfi...blimey, these things are really rated! Will see how I get on...PC headphone box ticked but maybe over time I'll enjoy what headphones do. Will try them in the main system too, might be a gateway drug to something more, who knows! all part of the journey. |
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Post by shuggie on Feb 13, 2015 9:59:05 GMT
I recently managed to pick up a pair of Beyerdynamic T1s at a good price, and they are excellent, being sublimely comfortable, very nice sounding but musical too. Proper top-drawer stuff, as you'd expect for the price. At the same time I decided to re-wire my ancient and battered Grado SR60s with some Cardas wire that came at a good price off eBay. The Grados have been transformed from 'nice but nothing special' into 'phones that are at least half way to the Beyerdynamic T1s' performance, being fruity, detailed and nicely expressive too.
So, my advice is to consider a cheap pair of Grados, but ditch the crap wire for something better (the Beyerdynamics use cheap Sommer cable). It's not a difficult job to prise the Grados apart to solder in new cables.
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Post by gazjam on Feb 13, 2015 11:49:52 GMT
Bought a set of Superlux 681B's with AKG velour pads, on the way from Germany now. Have a Beresford Bushmaster I picked up for a good price 2nd hand coming as well. Haven't (so far) been a big headphone guy, but need a set for the PC in the Office. Figure what I'll have is a good enough stepping stone to let be dabble, see if its for me. Higher end cans might be in my future, who knows. Have a Beresford Capella headamp on loan just now, so once the Superlux's are fully run in (and I've did all the mods on them:)) I'll have a chance to hear a good headphone rig in my mains system. *EDIT* Found a set of these in the cupboard: www.amazon.co.uk/JVC-HARX300-HA-RX300-headphones/dp/B000NUYW92#customerReviewsHooked up to PC headphone out they arent fantastic. Not bad though. Hoping the new ones are better |
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Post by Stratmangler on Feb 13, 2015 16:04:32 GMT
Haven't you played them through the Capella yet? I'd expect them to sound noticeably better aspirated by a decent headphone amplifier. |
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Post by tony on Feb 13, 2015 16:45:10 GMT
GAZ,
My superluxes took a bit of a back seat to my senns BUT i found a bit of set up with the Capella really got them singing. Try setting the volume to 12 o clock then set the gain to your desired level. The HF adjustment is a great way to level the playing field (quite low for the supers suited me).I run quite a lot of damping to control the big drivers. Depth is down to personal preference-you preferred the 650s to the 700s in this respect as the out of the head sounds spooked you.
Cans take a bit of tuning into!
Dare say Brian could rewire the supers with some clotz/cards plugs and let you get the most out of them...
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Post by speedysteve on Feb 13, 2015 21:02:02 GMT
My journey was this
HD 650's
AT Woodies (can't remember the model, nice ones)
Some bassy German cans - ah yes DT-990
Stax 404
AKG K701 (only ones I still have)
Prefer my speakers to any of them:)
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Post by John on Feb 13, 2015 21:03:44 GMT
Well you speakers do give plenty of scale Steve that you can feel in your whole body
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Post by John on Feb 17, 2015 16:29:01 GMT
Just got a pair of HD681B took off the acoustic dampers sound pretty (paper) good Anything else worth doing to them
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