headphones are awesome for air travel, and late night action TV watching when even at low volumes the HT surround is a bit too full and disturbs others. I like them for music when the house is too noisy to critically listen to speakers.
FAMILY ROOM HDTV - Sharp AQUOS LC-70LE600U 70" | AVR/Streamer - Onkyo TX-NR3008 | Amp - Parasound HCA-1203A Blu-Ray/Media/Gaming - Sony PS3-320GB / Microsoft Xbox One | Broadcast - Xfinity X1 Platform Front Spkrs - Coming...DIY Statement II | Center Spkrs - Coming...DIY Statement II | Rear Spkrs - Artison Portrait LRS Sub - DIY Stereo Integrity HT 15 | Sub Amp - Dayton Audio SA1000 Wire - Audioquest Type 4, BJC Belden 5000 | HDMI - BJC Belden | Power Cables - Pangea | Surge - Monster
I have a pair of STAX SR34 Electrostatic headphones that I purchased 30 years ago that I still use when I cannot use my SDA speakers. They sound amazing. I haven't seen anyone mention electrostatic headphones, but they should be experienced.
HT
Adcom GFP-565 Pre-amp, Adcom GFA-565 Mono Block Amps (Front), Adcom GFA-585 Amp (Side), Adcom GFA-555 Amp (Rear), Adcom ACE-515, Pioneer CLD-3070 Laserdisc, Sony CDP-605esD, Sony BluRay BDP BX59, Samsung 50" Plasma, Polk Audio SDA SRS 1.2TL Front (Walnut), Polk Audio SDA SRS Side (Walnut), Polk Audio SDA SRS Rear (Walnut).
I used to do 30% headphones. I would do speakers for a month, or two, then headphones.
It was a combo of do not disturb and just plain changing things up. I had multiple
pairs of decent headphones. After moving to Memphis, I haven't had a 2 channel
system set up for almost 2 years. I moved back into a house and haven't had a chance to
get back to my son's house back in Dallas to pick up my Proacs. I mostly use my Stax
sr-202's either with my homebrew energizer/amp or my Sansui au-717 and a srd-7
transformer box. I've also got sr-30's and 80's, as well as Grado ps500's and AKG Q701's.
The Stax setup soundwise gives up nothing to speakers, other than some comfort.
They are a bit clunky to wear. The 202's were updated with leather earpads.
The good thing about headphones is you can have several different rigs stashed
away without filling up the house with gear.
"The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
I have a pair of STAX SR34 Electrostatic headphones that I purchased 30 years ago that I still use when I cannot use my SDA speakers. They sound amazing. I haven't seen anyone mention electrostatic headphones, but they should be experienced.
Not to be a kvetch, but those particular Stax are, as the box says, electrets (like an electret microphone)-- not electrostatic.
The are darned fine headphones, though.
EDIT: I looked for a really clear & succinct differentiation of the two via Google, and found -- a lot of crud.
This is the best I could do on short notice
Mechanistically, they work like electrostatics, but don't need the HV polarizing voltage. They do still need an interface box, though (as you know). There are also self-energized electrostatic headphones (I think Koss once made one), so it gets kind of -- complicated.
I think STAX has also made some electrostatic earspeakers*, but most of their products (at least the even semi-affordable ones) have been electrets.
* I remember that, at least, "back in the day" (when I had hair, e.g.), STAX very fastidiously, and assiduously referred to their (extremely fine) products were not headphones but rather earspeakers.
I've owned various sets of headphones over the years from expensive audiophile to el cheapos and everything in between. I would say in general I dislike headphones, they close me out to the outside world and every single one I have owned gets uncomfortable after an hour or two. I currently own a set of V Moda crossfade M100's which are a riot. I like the energetic sound and I use them from time to time, but I much prefer my speakers
2 Channel - Major reduction complete
KEF LS50W I Rega P6 w/ Ania MC I Rega Fono MC I Audience Ohno ICs
@mhardy6647 , thank you for that link! It reminded me why I chose to buy those STAX SR34s some 30 years ago. STAX had several other models costing two, three, and 4 times as much (I think $1000?), that were really comfortable, and were "open-air" phones that sounded amazing. The SR34 was the best bang for the buck at the time for me. I thought everybody has to have a set of phones, right?
HT
Adcom GFP-565 Pre-amp, Adcom GFA-565 Mono Block Amps (Front), Adcom GFA-585 Amp (Side), Adcom GFA-555 Amp (Rear), Adcom ACE-515, Pioneer CLD-3070 Laserdisc, Sony CDP-605esD, Sony BluRay BDP BX59, Samsung 50" Plasma, Polk Audio SDA SRS 1.2TL Front (Walnut), Polk Audio SDA SRS Side (Walnut), Polk Audio SDA SRS Rear (Walnut).
"Electronic music is human sound adapting to indulge technology, and for some, it feels like the signature sound of energy. New and abstract sounds over hypnotic rhythms can conjure vast soundscapes for escape, pleasure, and transcendence."
Now that I have some decent speakers I use headphones less often, but I never let a new release from one of my favorites (Radiohead, Queens of the Stone Age, Tool, Modest Mouse, etc) go by without giving it a spin or two on my headphones. I'm sure if I'm able to upgrade my rig over the years things will change, but for now using my Sennheiser Momentum 2's is still the ultimate listening experience. Being fully enveloped in the sound lets me drift away a little easier.
Pro-ject 2 Experience SB, OPPO BDP-103, Marantz SR5011, Lounge LCR MKIII, B&K Ref 2220, AMC 2100, Polk LSiM705, Polk LSiM706C, Polk FXiA4, (2) SVS SB12-NSD
I use mine mainly for air travel, of which I do a lot for my job. Bose QC15 has pretty decent noise cancellation. I just picked up a set of B&O Beoplay H9's which are wireless. At home I hardly use them. Much rather rock out with my 2B's and soon to be completed 1C's!!!
Basement: Polk SDA SRS,Cary SLP-05 Pre,Enlightened Audio Designs CD Transport,Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC,Cambridge 851N streamer,Marantz SA-14 SACD,McIntosh MC300 Amp,Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Digital Cable,Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner,Pangea Power Cables,Wireworld Oasis 8 RCA IC's,MIT Shotgun S3 IC's,MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables Office: PC,EAR Acute CD Player,EAR 834L Pre,Northstar Designs Intenso DAC,PASS ACA Monoblocks,Denon UDR-F10 Cassette,Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers,SVS SB12 Plus sub,MIT AVt2 speaker cables,IFI Purifier2,AQ Cinnamon USB cable,Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's Spare Room: Antique Sound Labs Wave AV-8 Monoblocks,Tisbury Mini Passive Pre,Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38),Analysis Plus Oval 9's,Zu Jumpers,AudioEngine B1 Streamer,Klipsch RB-61 v2,SVS PB1000 sub,Blue Jeans RCA IC's Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated,Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer,Rotel RCD-1072 CD player,Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner,Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers,Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
I'm retired now, but used Shure in-ears when traveling on business. Took up less room than the Bose noise-cancelling unit which is quite good (and I'm not a Bose lover) but bulky.
If I want to watch / listen to something while surfing after my wife goes to sleep I use a set of Sony MDR 7506's.
If I were serious about a set of cans for critical listening I'd pick up some Blue Ellas.
But no, not a big headphone fan. Give me a good set of speakers any day!
Living Room (HT):Denon AVR X-3000 ; LSiM 703 ; LSiM 704C ; LSiFX ; Sub – Rhythmik F12SE
2 Channel Studio: Marantz PM8004 Integrated ; Marantz SA8004 ; Music Hall MMF 7.3TT w/Ortofon Bronze; Schiit Bifrost DAC ; Ascend Acoustics Sierra 2s ; Rythmik F12SE
We have a small house and my wife doesn't always approve of my choice of music, or more specifically the volume, so I bought Audeze LCD-XC headphones. At first I tried the open back version, which sounded great, but she could still hear the music, so I switched to the closed back. They didn't sound as great. It's taken about 2 months of tweaking and playing with Roon settings, but I finally have them locked in really well. I love listening to them. I especially enjoy digging up the old cd's from the 80's and hearing things I didn't hear back then. However, as much as I enjoy them, whenever I hear something really good, all I want to do is fire up the new 2.3tl's and crank it up. I love the headphones, but for me, nothing beats the physical experience of sitting in a room filled with sound.
2 Channel: Atohm GT-1 speakers, Atoll IN400 integrated amp, PS Audio DirectStream DAC, PS Audio NuWave Phono Converter, Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB with Ortofon Bronze cartridge, SotM sMS-200 ultra streamer, SotM sPS-500 power supply, and homemade infinite baffle subwoofer with two Fi Audio IB318 drivers.
HT: All Polk: SDA 2.3tl fronts, CSiA6 center, 500-LS ceiling, RT/FX, RTi8, Monitor 4 rears, plus Yamaha CX-a5100 AV Preamplifier/Processor, Yamaha MX-a5000 11.1 channel amplifier, and Sony XBR55-AE1 OLED TV.
My story is similar to others here. I have a pair for work, I have a pair for travel, I have a pair for when out walking or biking. Those are mostly out of necessity. At home I definitely prefer listening on speakers, but I do really love my HiFiMan planars+Schiit stack for a change of pace every once in a while.
Marantz SR6012, Parasound HCA-2200II, LSiM705 L/R, S35 center (yeah, I know...), 2x PSW505
I use mine at work almost every day. It started with the in-ear that came with my phones. Now I'm using Neutron - 90% of my tunes are FLAC. Sent through my FiiO Kunlun into my Grado SR125e. What I like is that I can get great sound and still hear if someone is talking to me. They save me from going crazy many times over many hours of hacking away at my PC.
2Ch- B&W 703, SVS PB10 NSD, Marantz NR1607, Parasound 1500a, Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (Yellow) with Acrylic platter, Pro-Ject phono pre, MIT AVT 2 speaker cables, MIT AVT 1 and AVT 2 ICs, XLO Jumpers, Signal Dig Coax, Signal Cable Magic Power Cables x3, Samsung 55JS7000, Harmony 1100, Sony BDP-S6200, Marantz DV-4200 (as Transport), Cambridge Audio DAC Magic100, Monster 3600MKII, Android Mi Box3 and Apple TV. - Pool /Gazebo Yamaha RX-A1010, Polk Patio 25x4, Rotel RDV 1045 (as CDP) MIT AVT3 ICs - Work - Spotify Premium or Neutron App to my FiiO Kunlun into my Grado SR125e
Rocking out on my headphones as we speak. 7 hours straight, loud volumes, no ringing in ears and cant hear anyone else so I can zone in.
Spotify on iPhone 6 Plus -> 3.5mm to RCA ->Sherwood S7125B stereo receiver -> Behringer DT-770 32 ohm
^You ask why the AVR in the mix? Two words: Tone Controls
Also can get it louder than my iPhone alone.
"....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
"Electronic music is human sound adapting to indulge technology, and for some, it feels like the signature sound of energy. New and abstract sounds over hypnotic rhythms can conjure vast soundscapes for escape, pleasure, and transcendence."
I had them... they sound really good but all the electrostatic praise is a bit strange; there is not much more than the dynamic transducers BUT clarity, if you like bass, don’t buy them, really...
And to “clarify”, they are clear sounding headphones, but other dynamic headphones with less emphasis on bass will sound exactly the same, seriously
Added a HK preamp and a Little Dot tube headphone amp w vintage tubes!
Source is still iPhone (for now) or tablet.
Looking at Tidal or using a mini computer as a source
"....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
I have Monsters i use for air travel and when in my diesel truck because they block out most exterior noise and they have a very good noise cancelling mic for phone calls
Home System:
SDA 1C's - Full mod with the help by Dave...
1000 Va Dreadnought- w/ WireWorld Mini-Eclipse cables
WireWorld Mini-Eclipse 7 speaker cables
WireWorld Silver Eclipse IC's
Cambridge Audio Azur 851N - DAC/Streamer
Belles 21A Tube Pre
Belles 350A Reference Amp
BLE-Design 16mm Power Cables
Denon DVD 2900
Barn system:
SDA SRS 2.3's Full mod done by myself
Carver C-1 pre
Carver M1.5t
BluDenso - Bluetooth receiver/DAC
I have the Massdrop Sennheiser HD6XX paired to my MAC. The MAC connects to a USB DAC to a Massdrop O2 headphone amp to the HD6XX. That’s the best sounding setup I have for headphones but I really like my V-Moda Crossfade 2 Bluetooth headphones with aptX for late night listening to Netflix and YouTube so I don’t disturb my wife. They work very well for my commute on public transportation and I’m never worried that they’ll be damaged since they’re so rugged.
Comments
HDTV - Sharp AQUOS LC-70LE600U 70" | AVR/Streamer - Onkyo TX-NR3008 | Amp - Parasound HCA-1203A
Blu-Ray/Media/Gaming - Sony PS3-320GB / Microsoft Xbox One | Broadcast - Xfinity X1 Platform
Front Spkrs - Coming...DIY Statement II | Center Spkrs - Coming...DIY Statement II | Rear Spkrs - Artison Portrait LRS
Sub - DIY Stereo Integrity HT 15 | Sub Amp - Dayton Audio SA1000
Wire - Audioquest Type 4, BJC Belden 5000 | HDMI - BJC Belden | Power Cables - Pangea | Surge - Monster
I am slowly investing the money. If i like it, i will keep doing it. If i don't, i sell everything and move on. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Collecting Dust - Bryston BDA-2, Cheap TT, PS Audio UPC200, PS Audio AC3's, HTPC, One, Bottlehead Crack w/Speedball, Senn's MD HD600
It was a combo of do not disturb and just plain changing things up. I had multiple
pairs of decent headphones. After moving to Memphis, I haven't had a 2 channel
system set up for almost 2 years. I moved back into a house and haven't had a chance to
get back to my son's house back in Dallas to pick up my Proacs. I mostly use my Stax
sr-202's either with my homebrew energizer/amp or my Sansui au-717 and a srd-7
transformer box. I've also got sr-30's and 80's, as well as Grado ps500's and AKG Q701's.
The Stax setup soundwise gives up nothing to speakers, other than some comfort.
They are a bit clunky to wear. The 202's were updated with leather earpads.
The good thing about headphones is you can have several different rigs stashed
away without filling up the house with gear.
Not to be a kvetch, but those particular Stax are, as the box says, electrets (like an electret microphone)-- not electrostatic.
The are darned fine headphones, though.
EDIT: I looked for a really clear & succinct differentiation of the two via Google, and found -- a lot of crud.
This is the best I could do on short notice
https://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/t.mpl?f=general&m=52930
Mechanistically, they work like electrostatics, but don't need the HV polarizing voltage. They do still need an interface box, though (as you know). There are also self-energized electrostatic headphones (I think Koss once made one), so it gets kind of -- complicated.
* I remember that, at least, "back in the day" (when I had hair, e.g.), STAX very fastidiously, and assiduously referred to their (extremely fine) products were not headphones but rather earspeakers.
KEF LS50W I Rega P6 w/ Ania MC I Rega Fono MC I Audience Ohno ICs
Office: PC,EAR Acute CD Player,EAR 834L Pre,Northstar Designs Intenso DAC,PASS ACA Monoblocks,Denon UDR-F10 Cassette,Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers,SVS SB12 Plus sub,MIT AVt2 speaker cables,IFI Purifier2,AQ Cinnamon USB cable,Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Antique Sound Labs Wave AV-8 Monoblocks,Tisbury Mini Passive Pre,Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38),Analysis Plus Oval 9's,Zu Jumpers,AudioEngine B1 Streamer,Klipsch RB-61 v2,SVS PB1000 sub,Blue Jeans RCA IC's
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated,Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer,Rotel RCD-1072 CD player,Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner,Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers,Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
If I want to watch / listen to something while surfing after my wife goes to sleep I use a set of Sony MDR 7506's.
If I were serious about a set of cans for critical listening I'd pick up some Blue Ellas.
But no, not a big headphone fan. Give me a good set of speakers any day!
2 Channel Studio: Marantz PM8004 Integrated ; Marantz SA8004 ; Music Hall MMF 7.3TT w/Ortofon Bronze; Schiit Bifrost DAC ; Ascend Acoustics Sierra 2s ; Rythmik F12SE
Garage / Workshop rig : Plinius 9100 ; Monitor 7 Series 2 ; Teac TN300 TT
Don't cry
Don't raise your eye
It's only teenage wasteland
Can hear things that are not apparent easily on speakers.
Downside, you can hear problems that are not (always) apparent on speakers.....
B+W-Sold
Electro Voice EV-SIX
Infinity-Sold
Advent-Now gone
Yamaha A-S801
Yamaha RX-V377
Yamaha RX-A860
Yamaha RX-A3060
Harman Kardon Hk-350i
Harman Kardon Hk-........
Harman Kardon PM-665
Harman Kardon HK-775
Pioneer.......Stereo Receiver
HT: All Polk: SDA 2.3tl fronts, CSiA6 center, 500-LS ceiling, RT/FX, RTi8, Monitor 4 rears, plus Yamaha CX-a5100 AV Preamplifier/Processor, Yamaha MX-a5000 11.1 channel amplifier, and Sony XBR55-AE1 OLED TV.
Vinyl: Fluance RT82 * Nagaoka MP-110 * Bottlehead Reduction + Integration Upgrade * KAB RF1
Vinyl II: Audio Technica AT-LP120X USB * AT120Eb * ART DJ Pre II * Acrylic Turntable Mat
Video: Hisense 55H8F * Panasonic DMP-UB200 * ROKU Streaming Stick + * Z-line Designs Elektra
Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC
Spotify on iPhone 6 Plus -> 3.5mm to RCA ->Sherwood S7125B stereo receiver -> Behringer DT-770 32 ohm
^You ask why the AVR in the mix? Two words: Tone Controls
Also can get it louder than my iPhone alone.
I had them... they sound really good but all the electrostatic praise is a bit strange; there is not much more than the dynamic transducers BUT clarity, if you like bass, don’t buy them, really...
And to “clarify”, they are clear sounding headphones, but other dynamic headphones with less emphasis on bass will sound exactly the same, seriously
Added a HK preamp and a Little Dot tube headphone amp w vintage tubes!
Source is still iPhone (for now) or tablet.
Looking at Tidal or using a mini computer as a source
SDA 1C's - Full mod with the help by Dave...
1000 Va Dreadnought- w/ WireWorld Mini-Eclipse cables
WireWorld Mini-Eclipse 7 speaker cables
WireWorld Silver Eclipse IC's
Cambridge Audio Azur 851N - DAC/Streamer
Belles 21A Tube Pre
Belles 350A Reference Amp
BLE-Design 16mm Power Cables
Denon DVD 2900
Barn system:
SDA SRS 2.3's Full mod done by myself
Carver C-1 pre
Carver M1.5t
BluDenso - Bluetooth receiver/DAC
Vinyl: Fluance RT82 * Nagaoka MP-110 * Bottlehead Reduction + Integration Upgrade * KAB RF1
Vinyl II: Audio Technica AT-LP120X USB * AT120Eb * ART DJ Pre II * Acrylic Turntable Mat
Video: Hisense 55H8F * Panasonic DMP-UB200 * ROKU Streaming Stick + * Z-line Designs Elektra