The All Purpose Advice Thread

Along similar lines, Beyer DT150 (~$100) is kind of a closed back 6XX. Exactly the same comparison as señorhifi: "Sounds really close to the HD6XX (minus of course the resolution and separation, also cheap closed back = a bit cavernous sound)."

Isolation is all right but not the best seal due to square shape of the pads.

 

Though I'll point out that head/jaw shape really affects things. I've got a very wide jawline and the circular/square pads suit me better than the oval ones.

For me, in general smaller pads seal better, though are not necessarily more comfortable. It's a bit of a tradeoff, like most things.

 

Yep. Good point. For me, round or slightly oval pads are good seal but longer (along top to bottom direction) pads don't seal so well at the bottom.

Edit: Ha. Just realized you had already recommended the DT150 on the previous page. Silly me.

 

I own the ER4XR and they are very good for the one reason I own them, which is isolation. In the more focused listening I've done I wouldn't personally put their sound on level with the HD650. They sound pretty good, and their frequency responses is fine with a nice balance of bass and treble, no major sins. But I don’t find them to be exciting or particularly engaging.

When the earplug factor isn't needed I pretty much never reach for them; when it is they are absolutely my go-to because the isolation is top notch (better than some actual earplugs I own). I’ve listened to them for 12 hours straight a couple times this summer (on a motorcycle, where I use them as earplugs) and been satisfied with what I had, but I switched to JVC FDX1 IEMs as soon as I was at my destination because I prefer the sound from those when I didn’t need so much attenuation. I don’t know whether the JVCs are readily available in Spain though. Also most IEMs these days have a shallow fit, which is more comfortable but may not isoalate as well, while the Etys fit very deep and can be a little itchy as a result.

 

I looked for these, but no, EU in general doesn't seem to have them. I could import from Amazon.com, but at that point I'd be paying 350-400€ which is rather out of budget (200-250€ is what I wanted to spend). I will look into it a bit more though. In my mind, the ER4XR was more akin to the HD600 line up in IEM form. Now with your comment, I am not that sure anymore.

Compared to the HD650 what are you missing from it the most? Is it too sterile or boring?

 

I'm not great at describing this stuff, but what I notice between the ER4XR and the HD650 from the same source is the ER4XR has a slightly hollow sound, a certain lack of air, and kind of a weird timbre that I especially notice on the edge of guitars or cymbals. They also feel more closed in, with the music coming more directly from inside the head.

These are all relatively small issues I hear from direct comparison. Please don't take away from this that I don't like the ER4XRs or think they are bad. I think they are very good. But I don't think they keep up with the HD650 from good desktop sources.

 

Okay good to know. Yeah, I was not really expecting them to be on par with the HD650 Kiss, but given all the positive reviews, it made me doubt it. I call it Head-Fi effect, it makes doubt one's own common sense at times. BTW, I am set to get them as the guy just dropped the price by a whole 50€. Would be silly not to give them a go at this point. Maybe I'll report back later on in the ER4XR thread. Thanks for all the useful info!

 

Hi! Looking for speaker recommendations to put on a medium sized desk in a small NYC apt. Midrange clarity is preferred. I currently have Klipsch 2.1 THX. They are not bad, but I feel the low end takes over the midrange and the low-end piano notes are too thick. Max budget $250. Would prefer 2.0 speakers, and avoid additional amps. Recommendations?

I am thinking of Audioengine A2+. But want to hear what SBAF has to recommend. Thanks!

 

I had the A2 (original version) a long time ago. They are decent for the size and price. They have a midbass hump to try and make them sound bigger, and they can end up sounding very boomy. Not sure if the A2+ has improved on this or not.

I have the PSB Alpha AM3 and really like them, but they are over your budget and maybe are too big?

 

I too was ultimately unimpressed by the A2. Enough that I have no interest in the A2+.

Tannoy Reveal 402 fit your budget, @northernLights -- I can't vouch for them but Michael Lavorgna went nuts for them. Might also look around for a used pair of Vanatoo Zeros. I've heard them a couple times at audio shows and thought they were very solid.

 

As the title suggests, I am looking for headphones I might enjoy both Ace Attorney's orchestral and synth tracks with. I have also been really into Guilty Gear - Strive-'s metal tracks. I always enjoy Monster Hunter music too.

I have a Magni Heresy connected to a motherboard equipped with an ESS ES9018K2M. I also have a Creative Labs Katana V2 with a surprisingly good DAC/amp. My current headphones include the DT 770 Pro 250 Ohm and 1000XM4. I just ordered an HD 6XX after reading about it and being curious for a long time.

I play Halo Infinite and Sea of Thieves, but I plan to play a lot of Monster Hunter Rise when it comes out next month.

My budget is $350 but can be a little flexible if the argument or evidence for something better is strong enough.

Here is some of the music I listen to:

The Greate Ace Attorney: Adventures - Ryunosuke Naruhodo - Objection!: https://open.spotify.com/track/1ksTrDAHVVCCdFT3LtVzeC?si=5f48876884104f15

Gyakuten Saiban 4 - The Truth Revealed 2007: https://open.spotify.com/track/5FkQqXka3XtK3p1LIJlNvh?si=7f1b2c19c8824d7c

Guilty Gear -Strive - Alone Infection (Faust's Theme): https://open.spotify.com/track/42baqY1BIAiqyPD5h21pyA?si=9014bef580ac48e8

Monster Hunter Rise - Proof of a Hero: https://open.spotify.com/track/1RvTPaxP1L1oNUYjXCzdtI?si=f803cd29f1714510

 

Hi everyone, I am looking for headphones I might enjoy both Ace Attorney's orchestral and synth tracks with. I have also been really into Guilty Gear - Strive-'s metal tracks. I always enjoy Monster Hunter music too.

I have a Magni Heresy connected to a motherboard equipped with an ESS ES9018K2M. I also have a Creative Labs Katana V2 with a surprisingly good DAC/amp. My current headphones include the DT 770 Pro 250 Ohm and 1000XM4. I just ordered an HD 6XX after reading about it and being curious for a long time.

Current Games: Halo Infinite and Sea of Thieves, but I plan to play a lot of Monster Hunter Rise when it comes out next month.

My budget is $350 but can be a little flexible if the argument or evidence for something better is strong enough.

Here is some of the music I listen to:

The Greate Ace Attorney: Adventures - Ryunosuke Naruhodo - Objection!: https://open.spotify.com/track/1ksTrDAHVVCCdFT3LtVzeC?si=5f48876884104f15

Gyakuten Saiban 4 - The Truth Revealed 2007: https://open.spotify.com/track/5FkQqXka3XtK3p1LIJlNvh?si=7f1b2c19c8824d7c

Guilty Gear -Strive - Alone Infection (Faust's Theme): https://open.spotify.com/track/42baqY1BIAiqyPD5h21pyA?si=9014bef580ac48e8

Monster Hunter Rise - Proof of a Hero: https://open.spotify.com/track/1RvTPaxP1L1oNUYjXCzdtI?si=f803cd29f1714510

 

I am a bit confused by this post. I had borrowed a K371 as well as a HD600 from a local friend and I packed away the K371. Of course, it is not a K361 but I don't expect them to be completely different. They didn't seem close to me at all, the HD600 sounds way better to my ears, the K371 is maybe above average for a closed-back headphone, but it seems to have quite veiled mids, non-localised 'fake' bass, and too little treble. Tried to fiddle with the fit as well, and it didn't really improve. The positive thing is that I didn't feel there were any significant peaks.

https://overearmania.com/2019/10/03/akg-k371/

I don't disagree with this assessment, I just think that these aforementioned differences seem to be way more significant.

The test chain was a Lavry DA11 DAC with a CEC HD53N amplifier. A more neutral amp would have been better, but I don't think the differences wouldn't remain fairly constant between them. If anything, this amp seems to do the best job with low impedance headphones.

 

Oh yeah, they are not amazing or anything, but the tuning within the context of 100$ closed backs is really nice. If you look at FR graphs online, they are indeed close to the HD600. Not bad

 

Recently my Vali2 started making a very loud staticky noise in the left channel. After troubleshooting I decided it was the Vali2’s fault (not tubes or anything else). Listening to my new Vali2+ I hear the same noise except its very faint (left channel again). What might be the reason for the noise? On the same desk is my macbook and a lamp. Should I try new cables? Power comes from a single hub / extension cord. I tried alternate hubs/extension cords during troubleshooting but the noise remained the same. Maybe macbook usb? The Schiit gear does pickup interference from cellphone when within a few feet so I keep that away… please help thank you

 

Which DAC are you using? It may be coming from the DAC?

 

Macbook > Eitr > ModiMBv2

I dont have any other dacs to try. Ill hook up direct to vali2+ using some 3.5mm to rca cable and see if noise goes away. Still doesnt mean macbook usb isnt the problem or eitr.

I have a multimeter. Can that solve mystery somehow?

 

Have you rebooted the Modi MB recently? If not, could be the famous left-channel hash that appears every few months.

 

To eliminate the cause
Connect the amp directly with 3.5mm out and see. If no noise then it is the source.
If it is source then try USB directly to DAC and if no noise then it must be Eitr. If there is noise then DAC might be an issue.

 

Oh really? I bet thats the cause then because I leave ModiMB plugged in. I read that the MB dacs need like 24hrs to sound their best. So I have to unplug, let warm up for 24hrs, then use only for a few days before its starts to sounds like hash. Then repeat? I think its been plugged in 3-4days now so its time to reset.

Is it only ModiMB that does this? What is the cheapest Schiit MB dac that doesnt have this quirk?