Tom's Guide Headphone and Home Audio Thread

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Well this thread's proving popular. :lol:

I've had the O2/ODAC a little over a week now. It is definitely a sound quality upgrade over the STX. Instrument separation and soundstage are better and to my ear it's completely neutral. The STX is bright in comparison.

My HD 600s and HD 650s are both better with the O2 but I've barely used either enough to tell how much. The Fostex TH-X00s really REALLY, seem to shine and come alive with this amp/DAC. For the first time I really understand what's meant by liquid smoothness. I was right in thinking the STX was coloring the TH-X00s and the O2 really makes them phenomenal. The Sennheisers, as much as I love them both are boring in comparison. My next pair may end up being either the TH-X00 Ebony or the E-MU Teaks. Both those take this same Foster/Fostex driver and tune it more neutral and less U or V shaped.

I wish I'd bought the O2/ODAC a long time ago. Money well spent and if anything it exceeded my expectations.

Glad that it's worked out for you man,

I bought a pair of super cheap headphones and let my amp fry them the other day lmao

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Just finished reripping my entire CD collection to FLAC. I used Exact Audio Copy.

http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/

418 CDs with 4536 songs and it took up 108GB. It took every free minute I've had for the last 2 weeks.

That brings the digital music collection up to 205GB.

 

[randomizer]

So your next purchase is a new optical drive. :lol: Did you rip in burst or secure mode?

 

[Deleted member 217926]

I had my fingers crossed the stupid thing would hold together lol. It got stuck once and I had to use a paperclip to eject that one CD. Same sub $20 Asus DVD/CD drive I've been using in builds for the last 10+ years.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-fostex-th-x00-ebony-headphones

Out of the box they're amazing. Much more neutral than the Mahogany and the bass extension is maybe even better which is crazy.

 

[iLikeGreenTea]

hmm Thanks guys.

Hey guys,

Hello, I need some assistance as a beginner in the world of speakers.

I've decided to purchase Bookshelf Speakers for my PC setup. I was initially deciding between Mackie CR4 @ $120CAD vs Edifier R1700BT @ $160CAD.

However, I've been doing more research and I keep finding "better" speakers (bookshelf) for marginally higher prices. As mentioned, these will be used as PC speakers primarily, the room is average room. Mostly music (different genres) and YouTube. Can someone suggest what specs would be optimal?

For example, are the Edifiers S1000 or R2000DB too much for an average room for someone who isn't an audiophile ? Appreciate it.

 

[13thmonkey]

Just finished reripping my entire CD collection to FLAC. I used Exact Audio Copy.

Spoiler

http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/

418 CDs with 4536 songs and it took up 108GB. It took every free minute I've had for the last 2 weeks.

That brings the digital music collection up to 205GB.

Worth it? I've done a few tests but only using my crappy 5.1 headphones and no difference, need to test properly, not that i listen properly any more.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

hmm Thanks guys.

Hey guys,

Hello, I need some assistance as a beginner in the world of speakers.

I've decided to purchase Bookshelf Speakers for my PC setup. I was initially deciding between Mackie CR4 @ $120CAD vs Edifier R1700BT @ $160CAD.

However, I've been doing more research and I keep finding "better" speakers (bookshelf) for marginally higher prices. As mentioned, these will be used as PC speakers primarily, the room is average room. Mostly music (different genres) and YouTube. Can someone suggest what specs would be optimal?

For example, are the Edifiers S1000 or R2000DB too much for an average room for someone who isn't an audiophile ? Appreciate it.

I haven't heard any of those so I can't speak from anything but what I've read or watched in reviews. You're looking in the right places though. Everything you've listed is a solid choice at their various price ranges. Basically it comes down to what do you want to spend? I do know someone who bought the R2000DB and is very happy with them.

I'd add these to the list you're considering:

https://www.amazon.com/JBL-LSR305-Powered-Studio-Monitor/dp/B00DUKP37C/ref=lp_5307713011_1_4?srs=5307713011&ie=UTF8&qid=1520026952&sr=8-4

They're sold individually so the price is x2.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Just finished reripping my entire CD collection to FLAC. I used Exact Audio Copy.

Spoiler

http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/

418 CDs with 4536 songs and it took up 108GB. It took every free minute I've had for the last 2 weeks.

That brings the digital music collection up to 205GB.

Worth it? I've done a few tests but only using my crappy 5.1 headphones and no difference, need to test properly, not that i listen properly any more.

For me, yes. But my CD collection dates back to the 80s and some of my rips were from years ago when space was a concern over quality. Just having a lossless backup of my entire collection is really nice. I can't say I can tell a real difference between 320kbps MP3 and FLAC but I figured as long as I was doing it I might as well do it right.

On something like 5.1 headphones I don't know that you'll see much of a difference depending on what you have now. If it's 128kbps Mp3 then yes the difference is huge and will be noticeable even on lower end equipment.

 

[13thmonkey]

i'm on 224kpbs, cbr, self ripped, I'll post system details later for lolz, I was just testing it on my PC, but I now have a player that can feed my amp and can process flac, so it might be time.

 

[iLikeGreenTea]

Thanks, I guess what I'm trying to understand is whether or not can I judge if a speaker is overkill or under kill by looking at certain specs for a a specific room, and purpose (ie. passive music, gaming etc). I just don't want to spend $500 on speakers that would sound just as good as $200 ones when I'm sitting 1metre away.

What do you think?

 

[Deleted member 217926]

First rule of speakers: There is no overkill. :lol:

Seriously though the best thing to do if possible is to visit an audio shop where you can demo some of the models you're considering. Speakers will have sound profiles that can be very different even at the same price and size. Klipsch for instance has a reputation for being bright. That may be a sound you love ( like I do ) or it may be something you hate and find fatiguing. So finding a sound signature you like is important. The JBLs I linked above are mostly neutral which means you will hear the sounds as they were recorded and not colored by the speaker/amp.

Audio is very subjective. What sounds amazing to me may sound terrible to you. There are many great reviews out there. I like Zeos youtube reviews. I mostly agree with the things he says although true 'audiophiles' might not. Be warned that his reviews are quite colorful and contain NSFW language.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQQR-Lu1vjEgNwC2hhE_J-w

Here's his reddit buying guide. It's a bit dated at this point though. He's reviewed just about everything that's considered good audio at one point or another.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Zeos/

 

[randomizer]

Make sure the shop you're going to allows you to demo your own music. If they don't, they're not a store you want to buy from.

 

[Turb0Yoda]

First rule of speakers: There is no overkill. :lol:

uhhh, what happens when the house falls apart?

 

[Deleted member 217926]

You live in the speaker box. Of course.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Logitech makes 'gaming' and business class headsets. Not any real headphones. I'm sure they're fine for what they are but they aren't something I'd buy for music.

 

[USAFRet]

For the PC:
Dell 5650 5.1

For the house:
Denon S510-BT
EnergyTake Classic 5.0
PolkAudio 10" sub
Soon to add another Polk for 5.2
Sony turntable (yes, vinyl)

 

[buby05]

Does anyone use Logitech Z906 surround sound system? I'm in the market for some new speakers for my room.. Its a small room and I'm not much of a gamer, tho I saw some reviews recommending them for gaming. I would use them more for movie nights and that kind of stuff. Any suggestions for something better than Z906 at the similar price point?

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Does anyone use Logitech Z906 surround sound system? I'm in the market for some new speakers for my room.. Its a small room and I'm not much of a gamer, tho I saw some reviews recommending them for gaming. I would use them more for movie nights and that kind of stuff. Any suggestions for something better than Z906 at the similar price point?

I'm not sure you can do better at the $200 price point. In fact I'm not sure there are any 5.1 setups even close at that price. They should be really good for entertainment and yes even gaming. They wouldn't be what I'd buy for primarily listening to music but for entertainment, gaming and some music I'd say they're a great choice.

 

[True Buie]

For home usage
Sennheiser HD800 paired up with a focusrite scarlett solo (Feelsbatman, but it's alright) and Darkvoice 336se on occasion when I feel like it :3
Beyerdynamic DT770

For work
KZ zs6
VE monks

For running
Shure se215

For transit in cold times
Audio Technica ATH-M40X
Takstar Pro 82

Leftovers or spare headphones for lending to friends and family
Audio Technica AD700
AKG K701
Beyerdyanmic DT990
KZ ATE

Also my wonderful pads :3
2x normal HM5 pleather pads
2x Angled HM5 pleather pads
Angled HM5 sheepskin pads
And a plethora of ear tips

Previously owned headphones
Sennheiser HD650
Sennheiser HD599
Phillips SHP9500
Audio Technica ATH-M50X
KZ zs5

 

[Deleted member 217926]

For home usage
Sennheiser HD800 paired up with a focusrite scarlett solo (Feelsbatman, but it's alright) and Darkvoice 336se on occasion when I feel like it :3
Beyerdynamic DT770

For work
KZ zs6
VE monks

For running
Shure se215

For transit in cold times
Audio Technica ATH-M40X
Takstar Pro 82

Leftovers or spare headphones for lending to friends and family
Audio Technica AD700
AKG K701
Beyerdyanmic DT990
KZ ATE

Also my wonderful pads :3
2x normal HM5 pleather pads
2x Angled HM5 pleather pads
Angled HM5 sheepskin pads
And a plethora of ear tips

Previously owned headphones
Sennheiser HD650
Sennheiser HD599
Phillips SHP9500
Audio Technica ATH-M50X
KZ zs5

Nice! Haven't heard the 800s yet. Does the tube amp help with the treble issues the 800 can have? One of these days I'm going to get a tube just to see if the 650s respond as well as everyone says. Not that they need warming up. Massdrop has that Darkvoice fairly cheap pretty often.

 

[True Buie]

For home usage
Sennheiser HD800 paired up with a focusrite scarlett solo (Feelsbatman, but it's alright) and Darkvoice 336se on occasion when I feel like it :3
Beyerdynamic DT770

For work
KZ zs6
VE monks

For running
Shure se215

For transit in cold times
Audio Technica ATH-M40X
Takstar Pro 82

Leftovers or spare headphones for lending to friends and family
Audio Technica AD700
AKG K701
Beyerdyanmic DT990
KZ ATE

Also my wonderful pads :3
2x normal HM5 pleather pads
2x Angled HM5 pleather pads
Angled HM5 sheepskin pads
And a plethora of ear tips

Previously owned headphones
Sennheiser HD650
Sennheiser HD599
Phillips SHP9500
Audio Technica ATH-M50X
KZ zs5

Nice! Haven't heard the 800s yet. Does the tube amp help with the treble issues the 800 can have? One of these days I'm going to get a tube just to see if the 650s respond as well as everyone says. Not that they need warming up. Massdrop has that Darkvoice fairly cheap pretty often.

The tubes does wonders on the HD800's. The 6.3khz peak pretty much disappears and gives it a nice low-end. It's pretty much like pouring honey on the sound. I love it.
I could imagine the HD650's would also do great with tubes. Sadly I sold mine before I got my Darkvoice :|
But tubes are totally worth it Imo. The tube rolling gets quite expensive super fast though. Already spent about $80 on just 2 tubes

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Pulled the trigger on an Aune X7S Class A amp. Massdrop has it and the X1S for $199 each.

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/aune-x1s-32bit-384-dsd128-mini-dac?mode=guest_open&utm_campaign=Transactional%3A%20Joined%20Drop&utm_source=SparkPost&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Transactional%3A%20Joined%20Drop&utm_content=1525160498773.404044310179692418114505&referer=PQPCA8&utm_content=1525160498773.404044310179692418114505

http://mall.auneaudio.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=25_64&product_id=56

Z uses it as his reference test amp. Good enough for me.

NSFW language. Like all Z reviews.

[video="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLpI5Ui7TsY"][/video]

Now I've got to find a DAC. The X7S won't ship until June ( stupid Massdrop ) so I'll probably get a Topping D50 to stack with this before it ships.

Also need a balanced cable for my HD 600s/650s.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Massdrop must have had it in stock since it shipped a month early. Just using it with the DAC in my STX for now. Early impression is that it sounds amazing. There's something to Class A at least with HD 650s which are all I've tried so far.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Forum decided to do its 'I'm broken' thing right as I tried to edit this thread...


Anyway. After a week with the X7S it is a clear sound quality upgrade. Stereo separation and detail are spectacular. The highest praise I can give something is it makes me want to listen to all my music again and the X7S does just that. Sound quality should actually increase as I get a separate DAC for it ( using the STX DAC for now ) and a balanced cable.

Now all I need is a good separate DAC. Thinking about the Topping D50. Then maybe a tube amp.....

Oh and a balanced cable for the 600/650s. Hopefully for less than I paid for the headphones. Cables are expensive!