Let's talk about Headphones

[macker]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

People with big cans on in public so they can listen to music on their iPod or phone look ridiculous. No, I don't care how good the sound is through them. You look like a clown.

When you get old like me you are going to want to wear cans on your ears so that you can hear when you get even older. Nice thing about getting older is you don't care as much about things in public or how things look. I will carry on with my cans at a reasonable volume while you gawk at me BLOCKED

[TurnedTheCorner]

I'm old. And I'm not saying people with cartoonishly oversized headphones on should necessarily care that they look stupid. Just that they do.

[lazypucker]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

I'm old. And I'm not saying people with cartoonishly oversized headphones on should necessarily care that they look stupid. Just that they do.

Also, the whole rapper/gangster look makes the oversized headphones popular, more of a fashion statement rather

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by lazypucker

Also, the whole rapper/gangster look makes the oversized headphones popular, more of a fashion statement rather

Beats, yo!

[V]

Geez, every day I find something else that I do that makes me look stupid. Thanks CP!

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by ranchlandsselling

What are big cans, open cans, and closed cans (assuming there must be closed as I've seen reference to open cans).

I might be out to lunch but here's my understanding. Some of the headphone audiophiles can probably chime in better.

Big cans are what TurnedTheCorner calls anything other than earbuds.

Open cans have an open ear cup. They don't isolate outside noise, and nearby people can hear more (meaning you're a total **** listening to these on the C-train or cubicle). They do however generally sound better. Closed cans isolate noise better, but don't sound as good. It entirely depends on what you're using them for. If it's for public use, travel, etc. get closed. If it's for listening to your tube amp and phono in your listening room at home, get open.

open:

Spoiler!

closed:

Spoiler!

Noise cancelling (active) actually creates a sound wave that cancels out the ambient noise. Reasons you wouldn't want them is sound quality is reduced, cost, and increased power use.

It all really depends on usage. For example, I like to leave an earbud in one ear while I'm skiing. I won't use noise cancelling for that purpose because I actually find it important to be able to hear what's going on around me. For the airplane, I'd much prefer something that blocks outside noise.

[calumniate]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

I'm old. And I'm not saying people with cartoonishly oversized headphones on should necessarily care that they look stupid. Just that they do.

Hey now you can wear cartoonishly oversized headphones with sandals and socks!

Also Kipperfan - at the risk of losing you to other community forums, here are some resources to maybe help you:
http://www.head-fi.org/f/4/headphones-full-size
http://www.headphone.com/headphones/...price&dir=DESC

[Anduril]

Nicely said.

Except for:

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

Some of the headphone audiofiles can probably chime in better.

Paging Mr. MP3

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Anduril

Paging Mr. MP3

What can I say? My spelling slips a bit when I actually have to pay attention to what I'm doing at work.

Originally Posted by lazypucker

I like the ones geared towards music production (studio monitoring headphones) by the likes of Shure, Sennheiser, AKG, Audio Technica, etc.

They may have been covered under the etc. blanket, but I'd throw Bowers & Wilkins in that mix too.

[Anduril]

HD 598 finally came in. Can't wait to try them out tonight.

[calumniate]

Let me know what you think - can't wait for mine either.. hopefully next week.

[cDnStealth]

I was hoping to get mine Friday but it's looking more and more like it'll be next week

[calumniate]

Eager to see how the 598s stack up against my akg 240 studios, which I've had for a dozen years or so. With and without my DAC. i've been spoiled for so long.. can't believe I bought another set of cans but thems the breaks.

[Anduril]

Will post my thoughts about the build quality and comfort later but for the time being, some pictures to tease.

Spoiler!

[photon]

Very nice. I still love my HD 555's, though I don't use them nearly enough.

I think I might use some of my Airmiles on some Bose noise cancelling headphones for travel, not a fan of Bose, but the noise cancellation seems to be top notch based on tests and the reports in this thread. They seem crazy comfy as well.

[Anduril]

Wasn't really going to comment on sound quality at all since it's quite early (and it being beaten to death by more experience reviewers online) but I can see why open headphones are so loved. Up until now I've only gone with closed ones for the sake of taking transit and isolating noise, but it just sounds fantastic especially from the wider soundstage even without burn-in.

Also being somebody with a very large head and with glasses, it's refreshing to not feel like a stress toy from the pressure. The plastic build is very lightweight, making only notice them on my head from the velour pads. Good stuff.
Only had an hour or so with them last night but I will be looking forward to using all the time at home.

Only real complaint right off the bat is that it's a shame personally, that Sennheiser decided to go with a 1/4" jack and a 1/8" adapter. Ordered this cable from eBay as I don't need the 10ft length and the original cord is a bit of a hard with the adapter.

On a side note, impressed with Amazon's free shipping. Only three days.

[calumniate]

Arrrgh UPS apparently does not have snow tires.. still don't have mine

[cDnStealth]

Originally Posted by calumniate

Arrrgh UPS apparently does not have snow tires.. still don't have mine

Mine still haven't even shipped from Amazon.

[Trolleydodger]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

People with big cans on in public so they can listen to music on their iPod or phone look ridiculous. No, I don't care how good the sound is through them. You look like a clown.

[calumniate]

Bump - really enjoying the Hifiman line right now. The hifiman he400i 2020 are really good for the price. I had to modify them slightly for comfort, but it's amazing how good things are getting