HiFi Audio Setup Thread

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by photon

I got the DT990's off a guy on Facebook who said he'd only used them a few hours, I totally believe it they look brand new.

Very happy with them so far in music. I was surprised my phone can actually manage a decent volume level with them without any kind of amp.

Once I got them home on my computer with my amp they're very nice, it's interesting to hear things in songs that you didn't hear before

At first I thought maybe they're fatiguing but realized that after changing my external sound card to support the higher impendence it is just significantly louder overall than my previous headset at the same volume level.

Will have to play around with the EQ a bit I could see backing off the highs a bit.

How are you liking the DT990 now that you've had some time to give them a spin? Did you get a chance to play with the EQ to fine tune the sound even more to your liking?

[photon]

Yeah spent some time in the EQ and am quite happy with them.

Interestingly enough they also give me a bit of pain at the top of my head, but not nearly the same level as the Sennheisers did. So it must just be me, which is weird because my previous headset wasn't some weird thing that didn't sit on my head, and my work headset too doesn't really cause an issue. So no idea what's going on there, I just have to shift them around a bit every so often but I do seem to be getting used to it.

I thought I might need to switch to the other brand with the leather strap!

As far as sound goes I really like them and they're definitely a step up compared to my Sennheiser PC38x set.

[bossy22]

So, we currently use Sonos and I'd like to get a "Real" setup at home. We do have wiring in our ceiling with speakers in our home. They were already there and we already had the sonos stuff, so we never bothered. I've wanted for sometime now to get something better. What store/company would be a good place to start to have them come in and access our situation and put together a package for us to get some equipment?

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by photon

Yeah spent some time in the EQ and am quite happy with them.

Interestingly enough they also give me a bit of pain at the top of my head, but not nearly the same level as the Sennheisers did. So it must just be me, which is weird because my previous headset wasn't some weird thing that didn't sit on my head, and my work headset too doesn't really cause an issue. So no idea what's going on there, I just have to shift them around a bit every so often but I do seem to be getting used to it.

I thought I might need to switch to the other brand with the leather strap!

As far as sound goes I really like them and they're definitely a step up compared to my Sennheiser PC38x set.

Are you able to increase the headphone "height" and rely on the clamping strength around the ears to reduce the pain at the top of your head? I don't think I ever have a Beyerdynamic headphone resting on my head like my Sennheisers. I can rely purely on clamping strength to hold the headphone in place with my Audiotechnica headphones as well.

Originally Posted by bossy22

So, we currently use Sonos and I'd like to get a "Real" setup at home. We do have wiring in our ceiling with speakers in our home. They were already there and we already had the sonos stuff, so we never bothered. I've wanted for sometime now to get something better. What store/company would be a good place to start to have them come in and access our situation and put together a package for us to get some equipment?

What's your budget?
5.1 vs 7.1 vs 9.1 vs 11.1?
Intended usage? (Gaming, music, sports, movies, Youtube kids etc.)
Technical capabilities of those regularly using the system? (ie: Spouse and kids who cannot navigate multiple controllers vs we're a group of tech experts?)

If going from a Sonos, I expect a decent little budget, but don't under estimate how fast the pricing of this stuff can go from incremental to insane.

I'm also not sure if you'd get a store/company to go to your place and put together a package unless you're paying enough for a small car. You'd basically need to do research and DIY or ask around how to figure out what you'd need for your purposes. Also, sometimes if you have an "issue" with your room, it is better to attempt to fix the issue rather than pay more in a system that bypasses the issue (ie: echoes in a room, buy floor rugs and sound dampeners vs a higher end system that adjusts the sound to the room).

[photon]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

Are you able to increase the headphone "height" and rely on the clamping strength around the ears to reduce the pain at the top of your head? I don't think I ever have a Beyerdynamic headphone resting on my head like my Sennheisers. I can rely purely on clamping strength to hold the headphone in place with my Audiotechnica headphones as well.

I thought about trying that too but unfortunately these don't seem to clamp very tight. Even if I extend it out to maximum everything just slides down and it still rests on my head.

It's fine, it seems to be getting better over time.. whereas at first I'd have to slightly change the place where it was resting on my head every hour I was wearing where now I can go a good chunk of the work day listening to music before I get any discomfort.

The weird thing is I have a set of Corsair HS70 Pros which I use as a work headset for Teams calls and such and that headband feels like it has about the same padding as the more expensive headsets and I've never had an issue with that.

[photon]

There also seems to be other headband covers available in case I wanted to try:

https://turbulentlabs.com/category/leather-headbands/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0814D2NG7

https://www.amazon.ca/DIMOST-Protect.../dp/B0CSNM1559

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by bossy22

I'm looking for a good set of headphones to listen to music. I don't want noise cancelling or a mic. Just listen to music, primarily rock. budget under $400. Any recommendations?

My two favourite headphones under $400 are the German Maestro 8.35D and the AKG K371. The latter I think do have noise cancelling if you use them wirelessly but not if you use them with an aux jack.

If I had a grand or two to blow on headphones I would get the Mark Levinson No 5909.

All three are closed-back because in all honesty though I'm not a huge fan of open ear listening versus just using a pair of quality speakers

[photon]

Not really hifi but maybe a place to start.

I'm going to more concerts soon and am interested in getting some earplugs.. 15-20dB range seems reasonable.

My problem is I can't stand in the ear stuff, though I'm not totally sure if it's due to the physical feeling or if it's the isolation (I prefer open vs closed headsets too) so I guess I could try getting a good set of in the ear and just trying them since the isolation won't occur (since the whole point is being able to hear).

But if that doesn't work, I suppose my only choice would be to get some molded ones that fit my outer ear well?

Any recommendations? Or do I just talk to an audiologist?

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by photon

Not really hifi but maybe a place to start.

I'm going to more concerts soon and am interested in getting some earplugs.. 15-20dB range seems reasonable.

My problem is I can't stand in the ear stuff, though I'm not totally sure if it's due to the physical feeling or if it's the isolation (I prefer open vs closed headsets too) so I guess I could try getting a good set of in the ear and just trying them since the isolation won't occur (since the whole point is being able to hear).

But if that doesn't work, I suppose my only choice would be to get some molded ones that fit my outer ear well?

Any recommendations? Or do I just talk to an audiologist?

Do you mean something like ring earplugs or loop ear plugs? Something to reduce the volume, but not dampen the noise and muffle it as much?

They aren't necessarily cheap, but I guess if you tried them you'd know if it's the isolation or the physical feeling that bugs you more.

Something like this?
https://icclubclothing.com/en/produc...earplugs-white

[photon]

Yeah something like that that just reduces the levels. Probably best just to try some inexpensive generic ones and then I'll know if I have to go to the next step of getting molded ones.

I did find these ones which can be molded by putting in hot water:



But they still ultimately have some kind of tip to make the seal.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by photon

Yeah something like that that just reduces the levels. Probably best just to try some inexpensive generic ones and then I'll know if I have to go to the next step of getting molded ones.

I did find these ones which can be molded by putting in hot water:



But they still ultimately have some kind of tip to make the seal.

Is it just the fact there's something inside your ear you don't like? Or is it the feeling of it secured solely via inserting in your ear you don't like?

I wonder if... (not designed for this purpose), earbuds with ear clips would work for that manner? It just has the bonus of being used as wireless earbuds too. They're also almost the same price as regular earplugs, but I guess they do muffle without being as high fidelity.

https://www.amazon.ca/Wireless-Bluet...%2C163&sr=8-28

Something like this. (Yes, it still has the part that goes into the ear.)

Or something like this without something inside the ear:

https://www.amazon.ca/Koss-BT221iK-W...%2C148&sr=8-56

Yeah, after a quick look, it seems like most ear plugs are all in ear or tin cans (ie: Drummer ear headphones/behind the head ear muffs from 3M intended for use at construction sites). There doesn't seem like there's an obvious in between.

For a DIY method, I also wonder if you do do like an over the ear band. Something like a sweat band or winter ear cover (band, toque etc.) that you could use and adapt to your comfort liking that could accomplish what you want. (If it works for you and you go on to make a lot of money on this idea, please don't forget me) .

[photon]

Not totally sure what it is that I don't like about in the ear earbuds. I don't think it's related to how secure it is, but hard to know.

I think I'm just going to have to get something and try it and see. Start with the loop ones or Vibes or something relatively cheap and go from there.

[DoubleK]

I bought custom molded silicone ones from Costco when they were still doing them. Best $60 I ever spent. I go to a lot of DJ shows and they have been fantastic and are probably exactly what you are looking for.

Your thought of buying some off the shelf ones that you can mold are a wise move before investing in more expensive ones.

[photon]

Yeah I didn't know Costco stopped doing them I was there today and asked and they said they haven't done them for a looong time.

[DoubleK]

It's probably been 6 years or so since they last did them. I've had mine for at least 10 years. In hindsight it was a crazy good deal.

[photon]

I got a set of the Loop Experience 2's since they offer a 100 day money back guarantee which is great in case I absolutely can't stand them.

So far they're.. fine I guess. I haven't tried the foam tips yet but the silicone feel like any other silicone ear bud I've tried.

Been playing around with them while putting on my headphones and they perform about as I'd expect, they certainly aren't as clear as just reducing the overall dB but they're better than I'd expected.

Will take some more testing but I think overall it's the isolation that bothers me more than the physical feeling.. Or maybe isolation is the wrong word, it's the feeling that I can hear inside my head.. i.e. my own voice is loud when I talk with them in. Which is good because that means they're sealed properly, but I think that hearing inside my head and hearing my own breathing etc is what bugs me more.

Which I guess is fine since in a loud environment I wouldn't have that problem

I'll start with these and see how it goes. I'll try different tips and try wearing them for a few hours to see how I tolerate it.

[indes]

Originally Posted by photon

Yeah I didn't know Costco stopped doing them I was there today and asked and they said they haven't done them for a looong time.

Not for audio but I know a few people who have ordered molding earplugs on Amazon and they love them.

[photon]

So I used the Loop Experience 2's at a concert and they were ok. Comfort was fine for the amount of time and the "hear my own breathing" thing wasn't an issue in the loud concert so that was good. While I wouldn't say the frequency response was flat (i.e. it didn't reduce the levels of all frequencies equally), it wasn't really objectionable either.

However I feel that the 17dB SNR was too much for me, I would have preferred something that only took the edge off. So I may look for something that has like a 10dB rating.

[EldrickOnIce]

Wrong thread

[cam_wmh]

Any of you wise hifi guru's wanna help curate a speaker setup for my new desk, and pc?

PC Build:
MSI 4080 Trio
NZXY H9 Flow Case (BIG!)
i7 14700
Aorus FV43"

Budgeting ~$400
I'm open to a passive arrangement with a DAC/AMP. The desk is a 2" douglas fir, polished & planed, and fit into my lil desk nook. THe monitor eats up alot of the real estate, but the desk is deep, with a lil shelf I built behind it, with some black shiplap surround. Aesthetically, I'd prefer darker wood speakers.

Off the hop, my elementary hunt brought me across;
Kanto YU2
AudioEngine A5+
Edifer?

Appreciate the wisdom...