Any Audiophiles on Oppo?

"Milky" (jordanmielke) 10/01/2013 at 23:57 • Filed to: Audiophile, Headphones, Grado

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I has a question regarding headphones.

First off, I love my Grado Sr125s dearly, but my dumbass slept with them for well over a year and well now they are essentially broke. I have a hard time falling asleep & nice music helps, but now that job has switched to $5 ear buds (learning lessons the hard way). Either way though, I have to figure out what to buy next.

I suppose I should say that I'm looking to only spend around a $100 & I don't want to buy a cheaper Grado (like the 60 or 80) because that would be depressing & I think I want something that sound pollutes less.

Right now I'm leaning towards the AKG K 240's in the above photo. They have some solid !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! & from what I've read don't need a amp to sound good unlike some other headphones that have been recommended to me. Like the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! which from the questions section seems like they need a amp to run off an iPod.

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And I know this is rather stupid but I just don't like the way Sennheiser 555's look.

I feel like I should state they will only played on a 4 year old macbook pro (probably not the best sound card) and a iPod (and I don't want to drop another $50-100 on an amp). Any input would be appreciated!

Decay buys too many beaters > Milky 10/02/2013 at 00:01

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I worked in ( and ran for a little while) a recording studio a few years back, and got t try quite a few quality sets of headphones. The AKGs are a solid choice, but honestly I always found myself coming back to the humble Sony MDR 7506. Even over much more expensive headphones, the Sonys have always stayed as my go-to cans.

dieselwagon > Milky 10/02/2013 at 00:03

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I'm into audio as a musician and amateur composer, not a real audiophile though as they're even more pedantic and idiotic than car enthusiasts.... ahem.

I'd say the Sennheisers are a pretty good bet, i've been very pleased with the sound from both pairs i've owned.

Milky > Decay buys too many beaters 10/02/2013 at 00:04

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To the amazon review page I go!

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Milky 10/02/2013 at 00:04

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For $100, Sennheisers' HD280 Pro is the best set of cans you can buy. They're not much to look at, but they're seriously solid headphones. They do leak a little bit, but I like that as it introduces some 'space' to the sound and it makes them much more comfortable than an air-tight pair of cans.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Milky 10/02/2013 at 00:04

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I'd go for those AKG's.

ChemicalCutthroat > Milky 10/02/2013 at 00:04

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http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-RP-H…

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If you want cheap, and good quality, I can't steer you anywhere else. Mine have lasted for a long damn while. And I love the retro look. No noise cancelling, no fancy shit. But damn they hit hard when you crank em' up. I love them.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Milky 10/02/2013 at 00:06

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I feel like I was meant to see this post...

I consider myself an audiophile, so hopefully I can help...have you ever been to Head-Fi? Best audio website on the internet, hands down. The amount of knowledge contained there is mind-blowing. Definitely do some searching there in addition to anything anybody says here, as everyone there knows their shit.

This is a buying guide put together by them, might be able to get you started: http://www.head-fi.org/a/headphone-bu…

Also, doing a quick search for over-the-ear headphones for $100 or less, many seemed to mention these favorably in every thread: http://www.amazon.com/Creative-EF006…

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Hopefully that helps!

Grindintosecond > Decay buys too many beaters 10/02/2013 at 00:08

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1up to that. An article ran over on another gawker site (I think) on how Monster cable developed entirely the Beats by dre stuff and dre has squeezed them out of sll toyalties.. the comments section was full of guys in recording work or tv production/studio work and they were mostly unanimous in the SONY mentioned above. Some Hip Hop guys have said, by the words of those studio commenters, that they use the Beats stuff publically but in the studio they're on the Sony product.

For space/work/travel reasons I use some in the ear (not buds but in tha canal style) Skullcandy titaniums. $40 and best I've had yet. Really good bass and reduces external noise s bit. Not the best but good and cheap given the options and my limited budget.

HammerheadFistpunch > Milky 10/02/2013 at 00:08

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I have AKG 272's and like them better than the Grado 80's i had. They feel a little cheaper but the the sound is very nice. Natural, uncolored, clear as day. I use them for video production mostly so I wanted a natural sound, and this delivers like any other headphone I've tried for matching a natural human voice. but I also use them for music and I love them there too. I will say that the AKG's sound better with an amp, but I've never suffered for lack of one.

phenotyp > Milky 10/02/2013 at 00:08

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I've always been a big fan of Shure sound isolating headphones. The most detailed sound I've ever heard.

HammerheadFistpunch > Decay buys too many beaters 10/02/2013 at 00:10

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I have sony at work, and AKG at home. The sony is a durable feeling product (I say durable feeling because they break just as easily as anything else) but I dont like the "color" they add to the audio for critical production. The AKG's are the most natural I've found.

rabbitman > Milky 10/02/2013 at 00:12

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I thought I was about to see some beats, thank you for being a true audiophile. Have you looked at in pillow speakers I know it sounds odd and they are no way quality, but it would save destroyed headphones.
http://www.ccrane.com/radios/radio-a…
http://www.amazon.com/Pillow-Sonic-P…

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rabbitman > rabbitman 10/02/2013 at 00:14

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Or these
http://www.sleepphones.com/

F40LM > Milky 10/02/2013 at 00:18

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HUGE AUDIOPHILE HERE. It really would help me if you told me what kind on music you would mainly be listening to. For me, the GRADO's hands down. You might also want to consider a small amp for your macbook, such as the Gizmodo recommended Topping TP130.

Milky > dieselwagon 10/02/2013 at 00:21

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First off, lol at your first sentence. But another vote for the Sennheisers, noted.

HammerheadFistpunch > Milky 10/02/2013 at 00:21

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last note from me: don't get the sennheisers, their low end line is junk. if its from Germany and its cheap...your paying for a brand name and Chinese internals. My friend works in the Harmon group (akg) and his team pulls apart other makers stuff for reference a lot and he tells me that these big brands cheap out on the internals way more than we think. Some are worse (bose) than others.

Milky > dieselwagon 10/02/2013 at 00:21

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First off, lol at your first sentence. But another vote for the Sennheisers, noted.

Decay buys too many beaters > HammerheadFistpunch 10/02/2013 at 00:21

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But they have been produced the same way for like 30 years, parts are easy to come by, and they are easy to repair. We kept the same sets running for quite a few years at my college radio station (massively abused)

I never found them to be particularly colored, maybe slightly in the lower frequency ranges, but the mid-range is one of the clearest and most balanced I've heard (especially in closed cans).

Decay buys too many beaters > HammerheadFistpunch 10/02/2013 at 00:22

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But they have been produced the same way for like 30 years, parts are easy to come by, and they are easy to repair. We kept the same sets running for quite a few years at my college radio station (massively abused)

I never found them to be particularly colored, maybe slightly in the lower frequency ranges, but the mid-range is one of the clearest and most balanced I've heard (especially in closed cans).

Decay buys too many beaters > HammerheadFistpunch 10/02/2013 at 00:22

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But they have been produced the same way for like 30 years, parts are easy to come by, and they are easy to repair. We kept the same sets running for quite a few years at my college radio station (massively abused)

I never found them to be particularly colored, maybe slightly in the lower frequency ranges, but the mid-range is one of the clearest and most balanced I've heard (especially in closed cans).

Milky > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney 10/02/2013 at 00:23

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Lots of votes for Sennheisers'. Didn't realize they had that much of a following. I'll look into those HD280's though.

Milky > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney 10/02/2013 at 00:23

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Lots of votes for Sennheisers'. Didn't realize they had that much of a following. I'll look into those HD280's though.

Milky > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 10/02/2013 at 00:24

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An AKG vote, noted sir.

Milky > ChemicalCutthroat 10/02/2013 at 00:26

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While I don't want noise canceling and I do like the way they look. I can't help but think there would be a noticeable difference in sound between them and the Grados I have.

If this was under $50, sign me up.

ChemicalCutthroat > Milky 10/02/2013 at 00:28

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Maybe? You never know till you try them. And at around fifty bucks you can't really go wrong.

Or you can, and your brain dissolves into silly putty.

HammerheadFistpunch > Decay buys too many beaters 10/02/2013 at 00:28

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dont get me wrong, I liked them alot...until I tried the AKG's

bhardoin > Milky 10/02/2013 at 00:29

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I've never really liked the sound of those Sennheisers. But I haven't tried the other pairs you've got listed. I've got a pair of 100ish dollar Sony MDR studio phones that I really like the sound of. I've beaten them up for years now and they're still pretty solid.

Milky > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment 10/02/2013 at 00:29

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One of my friends recommended the Creative ones too, so I will definitely be checking them out now. Also I've never heard of that site but will be referencing things from there now.

Thanks!

Milky > HammerheadFistpunch 10/02/2013 at 00:34

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Good to know, and another vote the AKG's, noted!

Milky > phenotyp 10/02/2013 at 00:35

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Haven't even heard of them, but will hit up google soon to learn more.

MrCrash > Milky 10/02/2013 at 00:39

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My experience with various brands is limited, but I love my Sennheisers. I've owned a set of HD 580s for about 7 years, and refuse to get anything different. I'd suggest looking at the HD 280s or HD 380s.

Just a thought. Have you looked to see if replacement parts are available?

Milky > rabbitman 10/02/2013 at 00:39

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I am by no means a true audiophile, besides the Grado's all I've ever had was iPod earbuds and skullcandys unfortunately. But I know their reputation for being overpriced and just full of bass.

Either way I didn't even know these existed! Will definitely be looking more into them.

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > Milky 10/02/2013 at 00:40

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The Sony MDR 7506s are my absolute favorites. My band is recording an EP right now, and I have a pair of HD280 Pros, while my bandmate has a pair of MDR 7506s. Even though the Sennheisers are loved and drooled over, we always find ourselves fighting over the Sonys. They have so little bleed it's incredible, and they isolate well enough that when we're tracking guitars (and we're turned past 11) we need to pop one ear off. Note on that: that's mainly to hear the treble. As with any headphones, bass gets through. They also bleed so little that we can use them for tracking vocals with a condenser microphone, which is to be assumed, but I like the mic really high, and we've had no issues so far. Just like most radio stations use Electro Voice RE20 microphones, the four or five I've visited have had a bunch fof MDR 7506s. If you can go try them out at a Radioshack or Guitar Center or something, you can find what's best for you, though. That's really what's important.

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > Milky 10/02/2013 at 00:41

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Sorry for the double post. I'm blaming Kinja.

Decay buys too many beaters > HammerheadFistpunch 10/02/2013 at 00:44

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Funnily enough, I was the other way around, I liked the AKGs (I believe it was a set of k 240 Mkii) then tried the Sonys and stuck with them. But then, the audio world is just as full (if not even more so) of opinions as the car world. My buddies and I at the studio could argue about Mics for hours at a time.

Just4GP > Milky 10/02/2013 at 00:45

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I had the fortune of owning a set of AKG cans a long time ago. I spent the greater part of my teens and early twenties trying to get whatever vehicle I was driving a the time to sound as good. It was an exercise in futility. Though the bass response in my S-10 Blazer was quite an experience.

Milky > F40LM 10/02/2013 at 00:47

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My only issue with that is, I more around a lot. From my macbook, to the iPod, to a school pc, to a school iMac, and then back to something I own. I feel like an amp would be just another something I'd have to carry around.

And this is probably not what you wanted to hear, but what I listen to varies from house to girl rock, soooooo...... yeaaa. I can't imagine thats easy to match up with headphones, lol.

Milky > HammerheadFistpunch 10/02/2013 at 00:50

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As previously stated I don't like them aesthetically (& I goto design school). But thanks for giving me a actual justifiable reason to not buy them.

Milky > bhardoin 10/02/2013 at 00:51

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Anything that can stand years of abuse, is pretty good in my book ... noted, sir.

All Motor Is Best Motor > Milky 10/02/2013 at 00:52

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I'm just happy Bose has only been mentioned once so far, and thankfully in a negative connotation. As a 2 channel stereo audiophile with Van Alstine, Nelson Pass, and Magnepan gear, the worst thing you can do for high end audio is go Bose. I bought my sister a pair of Sennheisers for X-mas last year. I don't remember what model they were, but they were about $180 and they were rated as being capable of being driven my iPods. I THINK it was the Sennheiser 449's. Sound quality is very good. Not a whole lot of bass, but overall a clean sound. They needed to break in though, when I listened to them.

Milky > MrCrash 10/02/2013 at 00:54

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Damn thats a long time, must be some good quality.

But I have not looked into replacement parts, the wire is coming loose from the right side and from what I can see there is no way in there to get at it. Even if I could I wouldn't have the slightest idea what I'm doing.

Milky > Just4GP 10/02/2013 at 00:57

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Haha I'm assuming thats a vote for the AKG's then.

F40LM > Milky 10/02/2013 at 00:57

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I know what your going through. I also have a wide genre range, and a huge library. I personally keep a basket of different headphones and use the ones which meet my mood. The Sennheiser's might be the best all-rounders if you have nothing else. AKG's if you're going the be house heavy, and the Grado's if you want to be able to differentiate between each interment, and hear each perfectly and crisply.

Milky > All Motor Is Best Motor 10/02/2013 at 00:59

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Sennheisers seem to have quite the following, assuming that must be for a reason. I will look into these 449's.

Milky > F40LM 10/02/2013 at 01:07

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A basket of headphones! You are a audiophile.

I do REALLY like my grados but I don't want to spend as much money this time on headphones & there is no sense in knowing you're downgrading. I still think I'm leaning towards the AKG's but also have to look more into Creative Aurvanas. Either way I'm going to debate it for a day or two.

Also, damn your library is huge.

TheOnelectronic > Milky 10/02/2013 at 01:11

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I run the M50's off of a cell phone all the time. Only takes about half volume, no discernible difference using an amp.

The thing to remember about any "audiophile" discussion is that it's 30% bullshit, 40% confirmation bias, 20% imagined differences, and 10% good advice.

Kailand09 > Milky 10/02/2013 at 01:11

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I own the ATH-M50's. They aren't going to give you super bass, and that's exactly what I'm not into. That isn't to say they do well with bass, but I see them as a pretty neutral headphone.

Overall, they are the best headphones I've heard in the price range. They (along with many other full sized cans) could use more padding in certain areas, but they are pretty damn good for the price.

Milky > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 10/02/2013 at 01:19

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Damn 4.7 out of 5 stars on amazon reviews is nothing to shrug off. On the list of possibilities.

Milky > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 10/02/2013 at 01:20

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No worries, kinjas been a b***h for the last few days to me.

Milky > TheOnelectronic 10/02/2013 at 01:24

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Well it seems like you and a person off amazon reviews disagrees .... So who is the 90% lies and who is the 10% truth!?!?!

Milky > Kailand09 10/02/2013 at 01:25

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Starting off with a negative so you gain my trust, tricky tactics there .....

..... but noted.

Milky > Kailand09 10/02/2013 at 01:26

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Starting off with a negative so you gain my trust, tricky tactics there .....

..... but noted.

All Motor Is Best Motor > Milky 10/02/2013 at 01:35

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They seem to be more on the high end side of the mainstream headphone brands. I don't know nearly as much about headphones as I know in 2 channel audio, unfortunately. I wish I could tell you more about the Sennheisers I bought my sister, but I didn't have a lot of time to listen to them, and I haven't heard them since they've broken in. My sister says they're better now they're broken in, and she loves them, but she's no audio freak.

TheOnelectronic > Milky 10/02/2013 at 01:38

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One of two things is true. Either I can't hear well enough to appreciate the details, or most people are just justifying spending major cash on headphones. I can't tell you which of those it is, but I can tell you that in my experience, the M50's work quite well being driven by small sources, and that I have not been able to tell a difference with or without an amp. My D2000's, on the other hand, definitely benefit.

Also, MBP's have a pretty good DAC. Apple's products generally have good sound hardware, as Jobs was a bit of a stickler for audio quality.

MrCrash > Milky 10/02/2013 at 01:54

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They are definitely built well. You can tell they are used, but they still sound amazing.

Before you give up on those Grados, try calling the manufacturer. I tried looking for a dis-assembly guide, and saw that they offer repairs outside of the original warranty for relatively cheap.

Kailand09 > Milky 10/02/2013 at 02:01

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LOL. Nah, I'm just trying to give a short fairly unbiased review of them.

I just feel like other headphones are made for one certain type of sound, whereas the ATH-M50 can fit the broad range. They are also good to use for studio monitors for the neutrality they offer, instead of what I call the "artificial" headphones that really pump up bass or other EQ.

They are not, however, a $500 pair of open cans, but get the job done far better than most for $150.

Next for me would be the Sony's, as the MDR has always been a solid can. Can't really go wrong with AKG's or Senns either, though you don't like the look of senns.

Honestly, just do some homework on what you want. Read a little from head-fi (read: DON'T sit for hours there - you'll lose the point). You can't go wrong with any of the companies you've listed so far, and there are a few other goodies in the price range as well.

gmctavish needs more space > Milky 10/02/2013 at 02:14

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I have no experience with Grados unfortunately, but I do have a pair of Audio-Technica M50s, and they're fantastic. I usually run them off my computer speaker amp (I have big old three-way Akais for computer speakers :P) but I also run them just plugged into my iphone, and while you do have to turn it up most of the way, it's got enough power for them to sound good, just don't expect as much bass as when amped, obviously. But i can't recommend them enough, they sound like headphones that cost 2 1/2 times more.

bhardoin > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 10/02/2013 at 02:32

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Seeing another Sony guy on here makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > bhardoin 10/02/2013 at 02:40

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When it comes down to it, some people like some things more though. Go with what you like best is always my advice. If a $30 product is your favorite, buy that product. If the $100 product is your favorite, go with that.

But the MDRs are best at this price point. There's a reason they've been in production since 1991.

phenotyp > Milky 10/02/2013 at 04:54

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Holy shit you got about a billion responses.

Hermann > Milky 10/02/2013 at 07:38

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Wearing a pair of 280's right now. And I can assure you they are just marvelous. I'm not a Audiophile, I just like nice and clear sound. These fit perfectly and I love them. From the coiled cable that can be used for the iPod in your pocket to a laptop 10ft away, the heavy construction that will allow you to not care for scratches or them falling down, the cushion that seals around your ears and sits them on a tight fit, blocking just enough noise... and then comes the sound.

I use them directly on my MacBook or with a Fiio E5 on my phone. And I haven't been able to use any lesser Headphone since. It's just so clear and pure, so balanced and rich. It has transformed some songs and movies for me.

I consider them one of the best $100 I've ever spent.

Milky > TheOnelectronic 10/02/2013 at 07:59

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You used enough for acronyms for me to be convinced that you know what your talking about.

The M50's are putting up quite the fight for first place right now according to Oppoland.

Milky > Kailand09 10/02/2013 at 08:03

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Somebody else recommended Head-fi too, so I will for sure be checking that site out.

But honestly at this point the headphone game around $150 seems like the diesel truck game at $60k, can't really go wrong with any of them.

Milky > gmctavish needs more space 10/02/2013 at 08:08

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Got damn, a lot of people like the M50's, must be a for a reason.

Milky > phenotyp 10/02/2013 at 08:10

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I know, and I'm grateful. But I still have to go through all of these recommendations!

Bruno Martini > Milky 10/02/2013 at 08:56

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Honestly I drool at the thought of getting a set of grado cans. However unfortunately I am a cheap bastard. By cheap I really mean cheap. However I do know what sounds good and what does not.

For earbuds, especially for the price. I go for the 7.11 club ones. The monoprice 8320. Soon for the 9927. They do need some burn in. I used a white noise app on an old android phone set to 100% volume for 3 days. They really warmed up in sound after that. These headphones do need a good audio source. If you have a mediocre amp built into your device get a external mini amp. They are power hungry buds.

For cans. Well. I went monoprice again. I bought the 8323's and honestly say they sound fantastic... for the price that is. They are very durable and sound good, they do well on mid range and lows, their highs are not that great.

TheOnelectronic > Milky 10/02/2013 at 09:39

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Haha, that's just laziness. I have no more than an enthusiasts interest in the topic.

Milky > Bruno Martini 10/02/2013 at 09:47

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Ha, I feel like you hate me then for abusing mine the way I did. But, and I don't intend for this to be rude, I feel like there would a noticeable difference in sound from headphones in this price range.

Bruno Martini > Milky 10/02/2013 at 10:20

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You never know how bad or how good they sound until you try them. As for hating you? Why would I? The fact is that I am cheap, frugal as they say. However I fully appreciate that anyone who spends money on something has the right to do with that item whatever they wish. Furtunetly for me, I can afford just about any grado model. I can apreciate the quality and craftsmanship. However I do not feel the price justifies it. I hope you don't take this the wrong way, however I have seen many an "audiophile" become a price snob, do not fall into the trap. Headphones.... are like a piece of clothing, sometimes brand x fits more to your taste than brand y. I view cans as a throw away device, same as earbuds. Therefore I try them as I see them and judge them on merits and faults based on a price point. The 8320's became a legend on headfi. They truly are good buds. For about 7bux you pick up a pair of buds that are comparable to 50dollar or more set.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Milky 10/02/2013 at 12:39

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No problem. Ever since I found it, my life has improved 100% haha

NaturallyAspirated > dieselwagon 10/02/2013 at 12:52

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I love your opening paragraph. I'd put myself in the same boat.

I've owned the Sony MDR-7506, the Grado SR80, a couple of Sennheisers, and my current cans are the AKG 240. I think the AKGs are my favorite of the bunch. I found the Sonys to be too uncomfortable for long listening sessions, but the AKGs with the (included) velvet ear pads I can wear pretty much indefinitely with no issues.

Milky > Bruno Martini 10/02/2013 at 13:45

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That advise could be taken for all of life, well said sir, and noted.

Just4GP > Milky 10/02/2013 at 16:19

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You got it. And if you don't like them, I'd be more than happy to hold on to them for you for a bit.

Lathrash > Milky 10/03/2013 at 14:50

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FYI, when I bought my M50s, I got them from an eBay retailer (Pro Audio Mart I think) for $90 new. They were an authorized retailer for Audio Technica. I don't know if they still sell that cheap, but if you go for the M50, it would be worth trying the "make offer" option from them.

Milky > Lathrash 10/03/2013 at 16:24

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That is definitely cheaper than the $130 or whatever they are on amazon, I'll check it out. Thanks for the tip.

BJ > Decay buys too many beaters 10/08/2014 at 12:44

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Resurrecting an old thread with a relevant question: do you know of a comparable Sony model that is around-ear? I can't take the pressure of headphones on my ears.

Decay buys too many beaters > BJ 10/08/2014 at 12:50

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I always considered the MDR-7506 to be an around the ear headphone. I'm not sure of a larger equivalent Sony model, but I think the Sennheiser HD280 is a bit bigger with similar performance.

BJ > Decay buys too many beaters 10/08/2014 at 13:01

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Hmm, I'll have to find a pair to try out; there's a Sony store not too far from the office. The specs on the Sony site say "closed-ear", I'm not sure what means exactly.

Decay buys too many beaters > BJ 10/08/2014 at 14:26

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Closed ear means the drivers are not ventilated on the back side. The positive of this is more sound isolation and the negative is a tendency to lose a little bit of dynamic detail compared to open cans.

Basically open cans will probably sound better if you are going to be listening to very nuanced music (classical in 96/24bit flac would be a good example) in a VERY quiet room. Good closed cans are 98% as good and work in noisy environments.