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Need Audio Advice
JONTHEBOMB:
I'm in the market for a great pair of headphones. Specifically the Grado line of headphones.
I was able to listen to Grado SR 60 headphones at an audio store today and loved them. But I was listening to a CD on a $1000+ yamaha home theater receiver. Most of my listening will be done on my computer with CDs and on a $300 samsung home theater system.
My question is do I need a great sound system in order to appreciate the Grado SR 325i headphones? Or should I go for something more like the Grado SR 125?
Thanks in advance
hyiu:
I'm a audio newbie... audiophile-wise...
what I learned is that, depends on what you listen to, you need to find a suitable equipment...
and each person's taste is different.... some people like punch, some people like soft...
its almost like cars... some like fast and cornering... some need off-road / trunk space... and there is no 1 perfect car for everyone....
I myself like sweet vocal, and mainly listen to jazz and similar stuffs, not too care for punch, and don't listen to classical (full orchestra) much.
if you're a serious audiophile, I doubt you'll even listen to Yamaha...
check this site out...
www.audiogon.com
This... Cary Tube integrated.... I was told it is one of THE SWEETEST integrated tube amp out there...
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1171917841
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but if you're looking for pounding punch, you'll need solid state machine...
Hope I've helped a bit....
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ps: how much is that headphone ?? I've heard that there's a headphone which is very good, but is ridicously expensive.... is this the one ??
JONTHEBOMB:
Thanks for the site hyiu.
I listen to all rock music from the 60s - 90s. My plan was to buy nice set of headphones and then ten to fifteen years down the line buy a nice stereo system, but if a nice stereo system is required for nice headphones then I have to rethink everything.
--- Quote from: hyiu on January 02, 2007, 07:49:40 pm ---ps: how much is that headphone ?? I've heard that there's a headphone which is very good, but is ridicously expensive.... is this the one ??
--- End quote ---
Here is a list of the Grado Headphones:
Grado SR 60 Price $69
Grado SR 80 Price $95
Grado SR 125 Price $150
Grado SR 225 Price $200
Grado SR 325i Price $295
Grado RS 2 Price $495
Grado RS 1 Price $695
Grado GS 1000 Price $995
hyiu:
oh.... ok... good for you....
I think the headphones you're looking at is not the one I have checked out... (I am not a headphone person, and have not heard that expensive one myself... but I know it cost at least $5k...)
I'm no music expert at all.... but if you like Rock, I guess you'll prefer fast, more punch style than myself.... (that Cary might not be your style...) I'd say look for a solid state equipment...
I was told that home theater equip and true audio equip should be separate....
(at first I wanted to have 1 system for both HT and music...) but after auditing quite a few audiophile friend's places... (I've seen some $500k+ audio setup... and its WOW... AMAZING...)
and tried to play music on HT systems... it does make quite a difference...
I ended up with an audio setup (which cost around $7+k... and most things are 2nd hand equips... to save $$) and its still not finished..... and HT separate.... (HT is much cheaper...)
my advise is... if you don't have budget / passion for this (audiophile), don't start, cos its like a BLACK HOLE..... and it'll SUCK DRY your budget in no time.... (no matter how big your budget is...)
as for HT / music, if you want 1 integrated system that does a decent job, I would recommend DENON over other brands like Sony, Onkyo, Yamaha,... etc.... but you'll have to pick your own speakers...
don't trust the reviews... they ALL say good things about equips.... go to showrooms and listen to them.... see if there's one that you like more.... and bring your own CDs... play the songs thats your favorite / your recording that you've heard 1000 times.... try to hear any subtle differences....
what's sounded very good to you doesn't necessary mean good to others....
music is a little different than something like "video"... when almost everyone can agree on a sharp, clear image... It turns out that I like soft, sweet, non-fatige sound while some of my friends finds them too soft... they need a more hearty punch on the bass, and can spare some "sweetness".
also, if you buy audio equips 2nd hand (or anything expensive 2nd hand..) I always wait for a deal that I can go local pickup. That way, I can make sure the thing works fine, and also make sure I have that thing in my hand... (well... less chance of getting scammed...)
have fun, and good listening.... :cheers:
sirwoogie:
The best headphones that money can buy are the ones that sound best to you with the music YOU listen to. Don't listen to anyone else (clerks, friends, etc.). Don't let the sticker price guide your decision. I've bought $20 headphones that sound better to me than ones I picked up for $120. Find a store that carries a good selection of brands. If you can, get an audiophile shop that has a good set as well as try it with different headphone amps if they have them (if you intend not to be moving around while listening, amps can really make a marked difference in the headphone quality for not much money).
Then if you can, bring in the equipment you intend to listen the headphones on the most... even if that is a computer. Most audiophile shops won't care what you do if they're worth their salt. As you guessed, the equipment you listen to the headphones on make a difference on how well the headphones perform. The $900 set will sound like crap if you put it on something that doesn't have the juice or fidelity. As you've stated, you want a set with some staying power... believe me there's nothing worse than dropping some coin on an expensive set, and find they sound worse than the buds you got with an MP3 player. :)
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