The All Purpose Advice Thread

@AStupidHippo that doesn't really give us a lot of info to go on. What are your headphones? What speakers do/did you have/had?
FWIW I have a Logitech Z623 and it's nice enough for me + within your budget, but I generally just use it for YouTube videos, and games.

 

JBL LSR305's could be found new last holiday season for $99 each (so 198 a pair) with free shipping from many retailers such as Amazon, Guitar Center and a few others, especially in the colors that aren't black. They're powered so you'd just need a 3.5mm to TRS cable and you'd be good to go if you can be patient to look for a deal

 

I'm fairly impatient. The JBLs are 285 on AMazon right now. I ordered these instead: http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=13259
They probably don't sound as nice as the JBLs, but it saves me from having to buy an S/PDIF for usb input.

 

Yeah, we see that. I was going to suggest Micca PB42Xs, I have the non-powered versions and their a bit bright but nice for the money. ELAC is another Andrew Jones' offering that's getting good press.
Howabout next time you introduce yourself in the New Members thread and give people a chance to reply to you. I don't understand why you even bothered to post.

 

He/she's been here a while. But mostly just posting right here in the advice thread.

 

Yeah, I saw those. My old geezer need for decorum...

 

You're right. I get it tomorrow. I'll probably return them in a few days (they have a 30 day back money guarantee). Everyone seems to like the 42Xs. Do you think analog out of PC to analog in would work fine? Or should I get a spdif? Also, would you recommend a subwoofer around the 60 dollar range? I found an Acoustic Audio subwoofer for around 60 dollars (82 now).

 

Can't tell you about the subwoofer. I wouldn't bother with SPIDF at this level of gear.

 

Hi Guys,

My current rig - Bifrost Multibit>Mojo 2 (stock tubes)>HD650.

I'm thinking of ''downgrading'' to the Jotunheim with the built in DAC and then using the $700 I recoup for a camera.

How much of a downgrade would this be? I don't desperately need the money but I like to optimize and if the Jot is such a fantastic amp for the HD650 maybe I wouldn't even notice?

My favourite thing about the Mojo 2 is that it ''hits really hard?'' It makes my unmodded HD650 sound not laid back at all. From what I've read the Jot would not be a downgrade but I'm not sure....

 

Might be traveling next year for work, so I figured I might as well start the search for an iem now.

Budget...probably between $200-400 USD. I have plenty of time so I can wait for sales. For instance the shure 535 is $500 but I'm sure I can grab it cheaper if I'm patient.

Sound preferences...My favorite headphones are the HD650. I love my mids. Good, smooth mid to treble transition. Great female vocals. Fast enough bass to keep up with my metal.

I once owned the Shure 215 but thought they were too bassy and treble rolled off too much.

Looking at the Shure 535 currently, I read they have really good mids. I'm honestly out of my field here, I haven't looked into iems for years and even then it was at a much cheaper price than I'm looking at now.

Universal will be preferred since getting ear impressions will likely blow my budget. Comfort is also really important.

 

Consider the Campfire Orion? Excellent low mid to high mid to treble transition, superb resolution and intimacy with female vocals. Only reservation is that the bass may be a bit too murky for metal, the single armature can get overwhelmed in busy passages and smear. This improves with better sources but is still a hindrance. I think it'll be a better option than the SE535 at any rate.

Maybe try to get added to the end of the active loaner?

 

As you like the HD650, I think you may enjoy the SE535. I had SE500s which I think are supposed to sound the same. They buck the common trend of bright IEMs but didn't sound too rolled off for me, nor bloated. Yes, great mids. The SE500 was plagued with self-destructing cables (non fixable) but fortunately the newer versions have replaceable ones.

 

Murky bass could be problematic for me for sure. I listen to a lot of symphonic metal which can get pretty busy and congested. What didn't you like about the 535 in comparison?

One for, one against the 535, haha. The build quality certainly looks really good. Can currently get a brand new 535 for $320 on reverb. (never heard of the site before, but people say it's legit when I researched it)

Open to other suggestions as well. Budget can be extended as long as they go on sale within my budget at times.

 

Maybe someone can comment on the Westone UM Pro 30's. I don't have them but I have enjoyed my Westones more than the equivalent level Shures I've had personally. Made in the US and in your price range even from authorized resellers.

Brad

 

MEE Audio Pinnacle P1 with the comply tips.

 

I have a Lyr 2 and wanted to continue in the of tubes. Are there any tube amps a step above the Lyr that would be suitable for planars AND dynamics? The Utopia might be in the future

As an OTC-hybrid I was hoping the T3 would be sufficient

 

The Mjolnir 2 comes to mind. I get the sense that the only planars the TIII is worth tossing at would be really efficient ones.. i.e. HE-400S, Oppo PM-{x}, HFM HE-1000, HE-X, etc. The TIII isn't ideal for planars that typically like oodles of current to sound their best (i.e. HE-560, HE-6, T50RP/mods, Audeze LCD-{x}, etc.).

 

Is the Mjolnir truly a step up over the Lyr? In the discord chat I go to, many believe the mjolnir isn't worth it which is why I wrote it off in a way

 

I'm in on the Campfire Orion loaner, so will get to try them firsthand.

I also came up with the Noble Savannah and Campfire Nova if I keep a look out for used or sales. Not sure how these would compare yet, still doing some research.

Which Shures have you tried? Westone seems to have a lot of options in my price range.

Do you have experience with these iems?