Headphone Sound Quality Varies by Device (and Headphone Recommendations)

[Atticus No]

Hello, I recently bought some refurbished SteelSeries Siberia v2 over-ear headphones to mainly use for my phone, I already have some Logitech ones for my PC. I currently have a Samsung Galaxy S5. When I used my friend's iPhone 4S, the headphones sounded excellent. When I plugged them into my phone, the sound quality was a whole lot worse. I tried playing a song on my Galaxy, and there was a buzzing, tinny sound. On one song with lyrics, I couldn't even hear the words! Then, I switched back to the iPhone and it was excellent again! I know the problem isn't the volume. Any ideas on why this is happening and how to fix it? I was thinking on getting some Siberia v3 headphones for my birthday, but I don't want to blow the money if they'll sound just the same! On a side note, does anyone know some other good over-ear headphones that can work with PCs and phones for around $100? Thank you!

 

[adamwinn]

Your S5 shouldn't have any problem with those headphones. They are only 32-ohm. It's possibly something to do with the connector / headphone jack. As an experiment you could try using a headphone cable extension cord or adapter (male to female). Plug the adapter into your phone and then the headphones into that adapter. It would help isolate any possible issue with the Siberia connector not working with your S5's jack as expected

 

[Atticus No]

Your S5 shouldn't have any problem with those headphones. They are only 32-ohm. It's possibly something to do with the connector / headphone jack. As an experiment you could try using a headphone cable extension cord or adapter (male to female). Plug the adapter into your phone and then the headphones into that adapter. It would help isolate any possible issue with the Siberia connector not working with your S5's jack as expected

Okay. Could it also be a problem just with the headphones? When I plug in another pair of ear buds, the sounds is fine. I guess there's no SURE way of knowing this, but if I got a new pair of Siberia v3 headphones, would they sound good? Thank you!

EDIT: Okay, I think I figured out the problem. I said these were refurbished and used before. So, I tried again on my Galaxy and starting slightly twisting and moving the cord plugged into the phone, and depending on how I pulled it, it would sound normal and good. So, I tried my iPhone, and since the iPhone has the jack on the bottom, the position of the cord made it sound well. But, when I wiggled the cord it would cut in and out of good quality and bad quality. Now I know the problem was with the headphones! I guess that's what you get for refurbished. Anyway, thanks for your help!!