Headphones
I like headphones. I like headphones a lot.
I guess I should explain myself. At the core of my headphilic obsession is: I like music. I’m no musician myself (at one time or another during my childhood I took lessons in piano, viola, and bass guitar, but never stuck with any of them for too long). But I enjoy listening to music.
I also like audio equipment. My father used to run a small project studio out of our home, until we moved when I was in 7th grade. He still has all the equipment, all set up in the new house, but business is awfully slow these days. From watching him work in the studio I gained a familiarity with audio equipment. Through high school I was the Sound Guy for the annual musical production, where I got some real-world experience working with audio.
Around 11th grade, these two parts of my life (audio and music) inevitably collided, and I decided I wanted a good sound system to better enjoy music. But good speakers were too expensive, and would annoy my family. On a friend’s suggestion, I got a Sennheiser HD497. It was wonderful. I put the cheapies that came with my discman on the top shelf of my closet, and I never looked back.
I used to read Head-Fi regularly, and kept up with the latest products and trends, but I got out of the game a while back. I go back now and then, when I need specific info, and the friend who recommended the 497 occasionally sends me an interesting link. Lots of good information there, but trust your own ears above others’ recommendations, and be sure to keep your wallet inside the ride at all times.
Today, I think I’ve finally got everything I need. I have a nice little collection of headphones and paraphernalia, enough to shock and awe most non-audiophiles. It’s not the best in the world, but I like what I hear coming out of it, and that’s what counts.
My rig, including place of purchase, for the curious: (and my own records)
- SOURCES
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- Rio Karma (computers4sure.com) LOST Winter 2005! =-(
- PowerBook, external FireWire HD — 12GB or so of flac and ogg archives of CDs
- Linux server with gnump3d — around 18GB of mp3 and ogg
- INTERCONNECTS
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- Zu Pivot 1.0m mini-to-RCA (eBay, NIB)
- DIY StarQuad mini-to-mini (thanks Iain)
- DAC/AMPLIFIER
- HEADPHONES
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- Sennheiser HD25SP-BA (Concorde version) (eBay, new sealed)
Huge hump in the mid-bass range, and no highs to speak of. Not a good critical listening can, but now and then it can rock. Excellent isolation, and built like a tank: this is what I throw in my laptop bag when I head down to the local coffee shop for some seriousstudyingprocrastinating on laptop. - Sennheiser HD201 (Iain’s Amazon group buy)
Everyone says it, and I’ll say it too: Absolutely amazing sound for such an inexpensive can. Well-built. Would recommend without reservations if you’re looking for anything up to $50. (Broken Winter 2007) - Sennheiser HD497 (Amazon, I think)
The one that started it all. Still my favorite sound, I think. The 497 is my main work can, as it has decent isolation in both directions, and is sturdy enough to deal with the work environment. Sadly, they’re discontinued, displaced by Senn’s glut of new sub-$100 models, but I should grab another one while they’re still available, just in case… - Broken Sennheiser HD497 cannibalized for cable (eBay, thanks to Iain for finding it)
- AKG K301 (eBay, used)
- Grado SR125 (previously owned by Head-fi’ers Murdoch and ajt976)
The SR-125 Blackbird (it’s Stealthy). Modded by ajt976: shaved lettering, black metal grille, shorter cable with 1/8" Switchcraft, with vwap, flat, & bowl pads (but Iain has the flats and I prefer the bowls anyway). It excels at rock and well-recorded acoustic material. - AKG K240 Studio (eBay, pristine condition used, deal of the century at $30)
- Sennheiser HD555 (HeadRoom, package with BitHead)
- Sennheiser HD201 (Iain’s Amazon group buy)
A new one, Rushi’s group buy. Still the perfect work headphone.
- Sennheiser HD25SP-BA (Concorde version) (eBay, new sealed)