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.

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 ??

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....   

[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.

[pointdablame]

I agree with SirWoogie that the best cans are the ones that sound best to YOU, but there are definitely good and bad sets.  No doubt about it.

First of all, you do NOT need $7k worth of audio equipment to use headphones effectively.  You are doing the right thing if you don't have the cash for a full system.  You said you want to get a nice stereo down the road.. then headphones are a good idea if you ask me.

What you DO need is a good headphone amp at the very least.  You can make a cheap CMOY amp yourself that will sound really nice to all but the most serious audiophiles, or you can get a headphone amp premade.  http://www.headphone.com has a few nice amps and some great information.  Put a nice headphone amp between your PC and headphones and you'll get much, MUCH nicer sound.

As for actual cans, I had a set of Grado SR-80s and they were very nice.  Nice range all around and stood clear through higher volume ranges with good equipment.  No lost sound, and it had a very broad stage for a set of headphones.

That said, I'd look at Sennheiser before you decide on that Grado's.  I moved from the SR80s to a pair of Sennheiser HD 580s and have been THRILLED with them.  I love them to death, and they sound much better than the Grado to me.  Give them a shot, I bet you'll like them.  And when you try them (or any headphones) be sure to have at least a headphone amp with you.  Don't plug it into a PC or a test center in the store and think that's what they want to sound like.. it isn't.  Run it through something decent before you make a decision.

Then when you do all that, go buy the Senns.  You can thank me later

[boykster]

What you DO need is a good headphone amp at the very least.  You can make a cheap CMOY amp yourself that will sound really nice to all but the most serious audiophiles, or you can get a headphone amp premade.  http://www.headphone.com has a few nice amps and some great information.  Put a nice headphone amp between your PC and headphones and you'll get much, MUCH nicer sound.

100% agree here...put a decent headphone amp between pretty much any 1/2 way decent source and a decent set of headphones and you're good to go...no need for multi thousand $$$ equipment.  Of course you CAN spend that kind of money, but

 

[JONTHEBOMB]

I decided to go with the Grado SR 125, to save money and they have a 1/4'' plug.  The Grado SR 125s will be an upgrade from the headphones that came with my portable CD player.

You can make a cheap CMOY amp yourself that will sound really nice to all but the most serious audiophiles,

I'm wondering how cheap I can go? 
I found a site with instructions on how to make a CMoy pocket headphone amplifier for about $20. 
 
Here is a link to the parts list:
http://tangentsoft.net/audio/cmoy-tutorial/20bucks.html

http://www.headphone.com has a few nice amps and some great information.

The cheapest amp on that site is as much as my headphones.

[pointdablame]

Do yourself a favor and ignore my "try some Sennheiser" comment now.... or at least do it within your return period 

I kid, you should enjoy the Grados, and I'm sure they're worlds better than whatever came with your CD player.

As for the amp, you can do it cheaply for decent sound.  The OpAmps are a main component IIRC, and will factor into quality, but I haven't made one myself.  I had one made for me and have been very happy with it, so I won't be able to help with specifics for building one.

A friend of a friend built an Altoid can CMOY amp though and I got to listen to it.  Sounded pretty good for what I think cost him under $40 or so.  Granted I only listened to a few songs with it.