Audiophile Thread

[HarleyR]

So I did a search and couldnt find any specific audiophile thread so hoping this can be it.

Discuss here anything on topic. Anything from a home theatre hifi system to headphones and earphones.

I'm currently looking at buying my first pair of IEM's. I am liking the Logitech UE 700's currently $99 down from $250 on the logitech shop. Does anyone have experience with IEM's? anything I should look for particularly? recommendations?

thanks guys!!

[Ferris]

Lol, you do NOT know what an audiophile is. Get back to me when you can discuss the merits of what coaster material sounds better for the feet of your $90,000 turntable.

As for cheap canalphones, speak to Marcus at headphonics in leederville. He can sort out the wheat from the chaff. They have a website, but since he's not a supporter I'm not going to spruik him too hard.

[Barfridge]

^ what he said. A set of canalphones is hardly audiophile.

PS. canalphone discussion thread here - Pretentious arseholes ITT/Canal phones

[HarleyR]

a simple definition of audiophile is an enthusiast of hifi, which I am, however I will be the first to tell you that it is an interest I have not had much time to invest in and I am looking to expand my knowledge and grow a greater appreciation for what it is to be a true audiphile. This thread is just one avenue for me to achieve that.

as for the canalphones recommendation, thankyou

[mekon]

Latest project is trying to run a decent system for music from my library I have ripped from CD or downloaded in a lossless format. Looked at loads of stuff like Musical Fidelity dac/streamer, sonos and other ideas, all quite expensive. Am looking at running a mac mini optic out through another small dac to an old nad amp I have floating around, this is for music in the lounge and dining rooms. Have other setups round the house.

The mac mini puts out 24bit - 192kHz and the dac I'm looking at the same, use soundflower to split the outputs so I can use the mac with my 50inch for viewing visual data and switch the audio output through the dig out to the dac then amp. All done for less than, $700 so better quality and cheaper than the Sonos which was going to be the way I went, all can be controlled with ipad, iphone or useing the wireless keyboard and mouse. Doubling as another computer in the living room.

There's a thread of setups here somewhwere...

here it is:

nice stereo gear - who's got ???

some dudes on here have some nice gear, I'm with Ferris on the definition of an 'Audiophile'. I'm not one, just appreciate what I perceive as good sound quality. What do I know I'm deaf in one ear.

[Harro]

As for cheap canalphones, speak to Marcus at headphonics in leederville. He can sort out the wheat from the chaff. They have a website, but since he's not a supporter I'm not going to spruik him too hard.

This. Marcus is well knowledgable on these topics.

I've just purchased a set of the Audio Techinica ATH-AD700. Review : Headphonic Forums | Australian Headphone Forums • View topic - Review: Audio Technica ATH-AD700

The cans on these things really are massive - its the princess Leia of headphones, they cavoer more than just your ears. once you get over that senation, you begin to realise just how comfortable these headphones are. After half an hour, you don't even realise they are there. Then the sound quality comes through - these things are incredibly well balanced, excellent at directional audio and punchy when you need clean crisp bass.

I hve fallen completely in love with them. Oh and battlefield 3 sounds teh sex on them.

[Ferris]

Yeah, same headphones I got from Marcus. Can't recommend them enough as a gaming headphones set. For what you pay, there really isn't a better alternative in that price range. Whack on a $15 Zalman clip-on mic and you have the best bang for your buck gaming headset bar none.

a simple definition of audiophile is an enthusiast of hifi, which I am,

Sorry mate, I'm an enthusiast of male company, but that doesn't make me a homosexual. Trust me when I tell you that you're NOT an audiophile. An audiophile is to sound equipment what a paedophile is to children. It's fondness way beyond the reasonable spectrum.

haha, just looked at audiophile.com.au. Rank amateurs at best. I'll try to dig you up a proper example representative of the definition.

ok, found something that might be worth looking at. KEF Muons. Speakers. Worth $140k.

Ah, here we fucken go. Stereophile mag. Reviewing cables. Seriously, read this review. If you don't wholeheartedly agree with everything said in the piece, you're not an audiophile.

[mekon]

FYI, I just found out that etymotics have canned (excuse the pun) the er6is. Just after one of mine died. Can't fix it, leads are clearly soldered, must be a tear in the wiring down the left hand cable.

[Ferris]

Yeah, I've ordered a pair of MC2 and MC3s. Can't tell what the fucking difference is on headphones site, so just ordered both. Back ordered. Having said that, I still have a fully functional set of ER-6i's, but the wiring is a little cooked, if you know what I mean. They've gone a little brittle feeling, and retain their (storage) coiled shape when unfurled. I'd love to change the wiring, but I'm not ready to butcher them yet.

The sound isolation is so great, gentle readers, that I use mine as earplugs at the firing range.

[shmoo]

This. Marcus is well knowledgable on these topics.

I've just purchased a set of the Audio Techinica ATH-AD700. Review : Headphonic Forums | Australian Headphone Forums • View topic - Review: Audio Technica ATH-AD700

I know nothing about this kind of stuff, but ages ago (through recommendations on this site i believe) I got some Audio Technica ANC7b's (noise cancelling) and I reckon they're great. Seem to get excellent value for money out of the AT stuff.

I also got them from the same shop. Good people.

Audio Technica: ATH-ANC7b | Headphonic: Australian Headphone Specialists: Buy Etymotic, Alessandro, Audio Technica, Ultimate Ears, Talisman, Meier Audio and more

[justo]

That place in leederville is great. You can go in and test headphones....admittedly, not in ear ones for obvious reasons, but the guy is more than happy to help out as much as possible.

[devolved]

If you have ever listened to an Mp3 file and enjoyed it - your are NOT an audiophile.

[justo]

If you have ever listened to an Mp3 file and enjoyed it - your are NOT an audiophile.

The problem is equipment quality. Most ppl dont realise their expensive bose system wont show the difference.

I have a mate who claims to have been able to tell the difference between a burnt cd and an original.....of course he doesnt have the gear anymore to back that up

[bobinatcat]

This. Marcus is well knowledgable on these topics.

I've just purchased a set of the Audio Techinica ATH-AD700. Review : Headphonic Forums | Australian Headphone Forums • View topic - Review: Audio Technica ATH-AD700

The cans on these things really are massive - its the princess Leia of headphones, they cavoer more than just your ears. once you get over that senation, you begin to realise just how comfortable these headphones are. After half an hour, you don't even realise they are there. Then the sound quality comes through - these things are incredibly well balanced, excellent at directional audio and punchy when you need clean crisp bass.

I hve fallen completely in love with them. Oh and battlefield 3 sounds teh sex on them.

I was going to buy a pair of these, but I wanted something more suited to traveling to i went the smaller (and sturdier looking) ATH-M50's.

Still pretty freakin' awesome.

[Harro]

I was going to buy a pair of these, but I wanted something more suited to traveling to i went the smaller (and sturdier looking) ATH-M50's.

Still pretty freakin' awesome.

Yup, there is no doubt the AD700's are not designed for travelling.

For travelling I use the Bose QuietComfort 15's. Great sound - awesome isolation. No good for gaming though, but great for on the plane or at work.

[agrid]

I used to consider the relative merits of elliptical and parabolic needles ended up buying a Garrot P77 and fitting it to a magnesium holder.

(I can't believe I stored that information for over 30 years)

[Dragunov-21]

For travelling I use the Bose QuietComfort 15's. Great sound - awesome isolation. No good for gaming though, but great for on the plane or at work.

I take it those are active cancelling? How do they compare to a decent pair of expanding-foam canalphones? (or earplugs for that matter)

[Harro]

I take it those are active cancelling? How do they compare to a decent pair of expanding-foam canalphones? (or earplugs for that matter)

They sure are.

There are a couple of differences between the two. One is the level of isolation, the active cancelling headphones do a bit more in my opinion, once the music is playing, even at low levels, it is near impossible to hear anything that is going on around you - including the roar of the plane. They are also more comfortable for longer periods of wear, after an hour or so canalphones tend to start to "get noticed" after a couple of hours, you're well aware they are in your ears. The Bose headphones simply sit on your head - fairly comfortable.

The sound quality from them is damned good - bass is deep, and crisp, mid-rangespot-on and highs sweet, without being ear piercing.

The build quality is also good - nice cable on them without being intrusive and the earpieces themselves are sturdy. I wouldn't want to drop them, but I dont think it would hurt them that much. Battery life is pretty good too, with the AAA battery lasting over 30 hours.

There is one thing with the active cancelling headphones and that is the "noise" produced by them. When you first turn them on - the noise produces a slight amount of "pressure" on your ear drums - it feels akin to changing pressure.

I used to swear by the etymotic Er-6i's, then the Hf-2's, but I'm more than happy with the Bose's.

To be honest, I couldn't justify the $399 price tag - but I brought them with Frequent Flyer points instead - so in effect, got them for free. Bose then even threw in a set of the in-ear IE2's for some unknown reason. Winning!

[likefry]

Anyone had any experience comparing the Bose quiet comfort 15 to the Sennheiser PXC 450?

I want some good quality noise cancelling head phones both for work and when I fly. I've heard the Sennheiser have better sound but the Bose has better noise cancelling.