5 Things You Need To Know About the Headphone Hobby

[@ftlaud911]

Like the channel. Very down to earth and honest. In the end just remember to enjoy the music. That is the whole point. Some people get way too passionate and ruin the whole point of the hobby. Also be aware of the law of dimishing returns. Prices double for small improvements after a certain point. Can get out of control quickly.

[@joelatkins5433]

I enjoyed that. Not too long ago, someone told my friend he didn't know music because his audio equipment and EQ all favoured the lower frequencies, I tried explaining to my mate that his passion for audio is all that mattered, you aren't a sound engineer of any sort, so you aren't expected to please anyone but yourself. As soon as I heard you say the same thing and show a level of passion and frustration at the same time, you got my subscription pretty quick. I look forward to your other videos Currawong.

[@rcobsesssed]

I’ve been out of the hobby for a number of years but I remember your screen-name on Head-Fi from 10-12yrs ago. Good to see you’re still going strong!

[@starmartyr]

Just realized that's where I know the name from, haha

[@vicequi8785]

Thank you for posting this video. I found it to be a useful companion to your five dislikes video. Your emphasis that the user should evaluate their needs as opposed to just going with a recommendation is something sorely lacking in many hobbies. Keep up the good work.

[@GiullianSN]

as always...Much needed Wise words needed in this hobby. Well done again, mate.

[@MrPhins]

Great advice on listening levels. As a 50-something guy who spent decades as a morning show radio host at a rock station in my 20's & 30's and blaring music into my headphones for 4-6 hours a day and near or behind the stage at many concerts, it's just not worth it. On the positive side, I don't have to worry too much about frequency response. My high frequency hearing loss is significant enough that it doesn't matter.

[@whollymindless]

The day you find out just how much you've lost really makes you question why you didn't start critically listening earlier.

[@Zonno5]

turning down my headphones right now

[@m3g4byte]

One thing I like about Currawong is he speaks at a regular human speed and you don’t have to set KZbin playback speed to 2x to avoid falling asleep. Thanks for respecting your audience’s time Currawong!

[@dasninjastix]

Intended usage is huge, it's an excellent observation and you explained why it matters extremely well. I'm by no means am audio expert but I'm now constantly asked by friends and family to make recommendations when it comes up in discussion. I definitely prefer channels like yours that deal less with subjectives and more so with form and fit. Not to disparage anyone else, but just like sound preference, my information preference has more to do with are the headphones of a certain build quality, what do they offer for their type (features), and what is the intended or expected usage. I can definitely use a video like this to help folks save time, money, and aggravation in the future. Much obliged!

[@wesspangler]

Looking at all the quality gear, I have always wanted to sit in that chair for a day!

[@Currawong]

I just had some friends 'round who did! I have video too...

[@RocketLauncherwithInfiniteAmmo]

Great video and in particular, that one point about people getting psychologically attached to their own opinion is very true, but was an astute observation to make, because I have experienced that in a lot of walks of life, not just in hi-fi. It can be about an opinion of a film or anything, and I have probably even been guilty of it myself. Again, great video, thanks for making it.

[@tedmanasa907]

Really appreciate your discussions of these topics that are equally-if not more-important than gear.

[@grahsam6670]

1.) DON'T DO IT! 2.) You better have some deep @$$ pockets. 3.) Exactly how good is your relationship with your significant other? 4.) Make sure you have a lot space for all the amps, cables, and pads that will follow. 5.) Seriously...don't do it.

[@panjimartiandaru3081]

XD

[@raksh9]

1. DO IT! 2. Take the challenge to increase your finances. 3. Who needs a significant other when you've got sweet headphones? 4. All hobbies need space. 5. DO IT!!

[@timmdelfs7127]

Do it, because with speakers things get even worse!

[@noth606]

Lol, I don’t spend that much and I am really enjoying the headphones I have. In total I’ve spent like 400, I have an o2 amp, Sony nw-a45(mrwalkman mod), HD595, HD580, MDR-1A. All bought used getting good deals.

[@kickyouinhalf]

I'm not an audiophile, I'm just an enthusiast who enjoys nice things like most people. I just picked up a Beyerdynamic DT 1990 pro and run this off of the headphone jack on my Yamaha A-S801 amp while I decide on a headphone amp or integrated dac/amp. I don't know anything technical about music other than just enjoy listening to the detail and clarity. I don't believe you need to spend thousands of dollars, but it is worth spending some money just like anything else if you're looking for quality. Prior to purchasing these headphones, I was using using KEF q100 with polk sub and have hyperx cloud 2 headset for gaming(also surprisingly excellent for music as well). But I just wanted to see the difference in music quality between the new headphones and the old headsets. For now, without a dedicated headphone amp/dac, I'd say there is definitely a difference in detail and clarity right across the board. Especially, in vocals and classical music. I listen to everything from rock, house, trap, Thai folk, old Chinese pop, Mudvayne, hip hop..........etc. Within reason, You do need a little bit of money but not thousands unless you're a sound engineer, music production or doing something that pays well enough to not really care or at least justify why you need it.

[@512bb]

That is very good advise bases in intellectual honesty which is a very rare commodity these days, a man with wisdom indeed! Thank you.

[@gordontailee]

As someone who's rekindled his love for audio gear and has newly entered the world of headphones, I've been really appreciating your honesty and reviews. In particular, the ones that go against the grain like hyped beyond belief devices such as the Topping D90. I also use to think certain headphones work for certain genres, but then realized that even within genres you have a wide spectrum of dynamics and frequencies. I think another good piece of advice is to buy when there's an actual need or dissatisfaction since there's no perfect device or headphone and this hobby is all about different levels of compromises. Keep up the great work! 👊

[@starmartyr]

I'm a lifelong speaker guy also more recently into mid to higher end headphones. Lots of research and learning differences, it never ends! What did you figure was wrong about the D90? Although I do roll my eyes when people sell one DAC for one double the price when both measure the same... Or one perfectly measuring solid state amp for another. Dont expect any difference there. Some people want matching stacks above all else too which is a little silly to me, but aesthetics are important sometimes so that's fine I guess. I do think some headphones are better at some things than others and if a lot of people have that same experience it shouldn't be dismissed. Like say how the HD800/s is super analytical and might not be enjoyable for some genres. It has it's place, but may not suit some things. Same goes for many other headphones. Of course most want the ones that do well in as many areas as possible but I doubt there is any one headphone that does everything perfectly. It's also very subjective of course so that's hard to quantify anyway!

[@gordontailee]

@@starmartyr Pairing audio gear is worse than pairing up wine and food. Lol Nothing is wrong with the D90, just not my cup of tea for my ears and gear. I prefer the R2R and multibit DAC's as they usually make stuff sound a bit more natural. With the D90/A90 stack, I found stuff to be more fatiguing and overall, I feel the gear's a bit overpriced for what you get. Everyone's mileage will vary since there's too many components, sources, and ears out there. If curious, buy from sellers that have a good return policy like apos.audio. Cheers!

[@Flying_turnip187]

Excellent advice man!

[@gumbyno5808]

Nice video! Always nice to see these kinda videos which make newcomers into the hobby feel welcome and help us not get lost in the sheer volume of information and misinformation online

[@SoundWaveTrax]

Damn, that's a lot of headphones.

[@CaveyMoth]

This hobby will consume your time, AND your space.

[@AlbinoTigerBarb]

@@CaveyMoth most likely your money

[@CaveyMoth]

@@AlbinoTigerBarb That, too. But I have nothing better to buy.

[@Currawong]

....and not enough shelving.

[@robvandendolder3157]

Thank you. Well balanced sensible advice 👍😎

[@CharlieB3723]

Very good advice regarding listening volume levels 👍🏻

[@gregoire8376]

Another practical and honest review. This hobby needs more reviews like these that Currawong delivers. Thanks

[@artemisXsidecross]

Another excellent comment and concur about your view and volume and the increased quality of micro-electronics and the lower cost and increased quality. Also would concur that listening and music are an art and there is no absolute. Thank you for your reporting.

[@wesspangler]

I really appreciate these videos, and for newbies to the hobby these are so valuable. Good stuff man! You are definitely one of the ambassadors of the hobby.

[@deanchur]

First thing I learnt about getting into headphones is that I can no longer criticize women for having so many shoes. "Yeah, but these headphones have a wider soundstage than the other pair, which are also open back so they're not great for going out with, which is why I have those closed backs but they're pretty big so I got this other pair that are smaller but..."

[@starmartyr]

This is perfect 😄

[@starmartyr]

Also I have a lot of shoes myself, so I can't argue on that point either haha

[@j5nnyt]

😂

[@mrcrunch8000]

I'm glad to see you put emphasis on a reviewers musical taste. It took me a while and a lot of bad purchases to learn the music a reviewer tests with can greatly influence their opinion on a headphone. Learning that also helps with the misuse of the terms "warm" and "elevated bass". Just as important is the reviewers daily driver headphone that they are adjusted to. I noticed I can have two not only different but conflicting opinions on the same headphone and it is entirely dependent on the headphone I was using most at the time.

[@novisnick6928]

I’ve been away and have missed you and the Discord. You look great, thanks for what you do.

[@Currawong]

Hope to see you back in there sometime!

[@roydominicmacasero4597]

Awesome! Thanks for the wisdom Currawong!

[@Ilovepizzandnb]

well said, I really enjoyed your input and your reviews on headphones! thank you

[@kssarh]

I wish more people stressed the importance of volume levels. Not only in terms of health, but also that our ears have a very skewed FR curve in relation to volume, and finding gear you enjoy listening to quietly is pretty important in resisting the temptation to turn things up.

[@johnhayes8476]

Always great advice! Thanks!

[@thiscorrosion900]

Exhibit A: learn the difference between "Pleasure" headphones, and "studio ref. monitor' headphones. A lot of people buy the latter and hate them, due to to their flat, boring response. If Sony says they're good for mixing or radio applications, you probably don't want them for just playing music. A lot of people don't know the difference.

[@kurthertel4299]

I've never understood why people get all butt-hurt because someone criticizes a bit of gear they own. Unless I designed and/or built it, I just don't get it. If I didn't cook the meal, I cant be bothered about your opinion re it's taste. Love the channel Amos. Cheers.

[@Nephilim-81]

So well done and said. 🤟🏻

[@bahathir_]

Istarted my headphones journey in early 1990's. I had Sony MDR-CD3000 headphones and 2 DAT decks, Sony DTC-555ES and SOny DTC-59ES as my main DAC /headphones amp. My CD transport is SOny Discman D303, connected to DAT deck using optical SPDIF. FOr travelling, I had Sony WM-DD9 with ceramic earphones Sony MDR-E484. The highest end headphones I ever tried was Sony MDr-R1, the unforgetable experience.. After many years, I change my hedphones hobby to IEMs. :) I have custom 4 BA drivers IEM, psb e4mu hybird IEMs, dan bunch of cery cheap IEMs. I also have iBasso D10 Cobra DEC/headphones amp, and used it with PC, laptop, smartphoens, Raspbery Pi, smartTV, .. Today, I don't care much about audio quality., if we can enjoying listening to it.. Thank you for the nice video.. Sayounara.

[@aceofspades6667]

IMO anyone new to headphones stick with midfi... I'd go Focal Elegia off addorama for $430 USD, Soncoz LA-QXD1 (balanced DAC) $199, THX 789 $299 off drop.... This would be a great starting point and you can scale up from there with better headphones... Which I would suggest going used off headfi type classifieds.

[@tendayimavhima]

Lookung forward to my HeddPhone

[@edSuwanDiyAudiophile]

hello, i always with your post, great knowledge for me, keep on the honesty . i'm sorry for a stupid question from me "I'm a newcomer to headphones and I don't have Exotic and expensive headphones and no have experience with it. The question is - "Can the sound of the headphones give a stage: wide, depth and layer (the 3Dimensions) , like I usually hear in my audio room? wide as I can understand it with two ears, but the depth and layer that I haven't gotten is like in the room, because my experience is formed not only from the quality of the driver but the reflection from the room also plays a role, while in headphones with a minimal chamber and a separate sound source for each ear what it got. thanks. regards ed

[@Currawong]

You wont get depth so much. Some headphones reproduce it to some degree, like the Focal Utopia. The only other option is something exotic like the MYSPHERE, but you don't get full-range sound with them.

[@praxis22]

Buy the Sony XM3's, wear IEM's underneath. No plane noise, just music the way you like it.

[@CaveyMoth]

I've always wanted to do this. I only recently got ANC headphones, finally.

[@wiliyantoadinata9170]

agreed on the tube amp talks , using tube amp means more clarity ( to my taste ) ,even my kraken sounds so good with tube lol

[@ratzifatzi603]

After keyboards, and mice... Now it's headphones..

[@ThePolyesterPimp]

Yeah I have a pair of beats pros for listening to my big dumb music, kpop, hip hop, and the like. But I use my sennheiser hd59x for video games, movie watching, and other music. I enjoy both pairs of headphones.

[@CaveyMoth]

I have a Focal Elear for the really high quality stuff, yet I still go back to my low priced Philips X2 for the "fun" music. I can't believe the X2 is so cheap nowadays...

[@krayozmines]

Why dont u use the sennheiser for the dumb music too? Just curious

[@evshrug]

Love the concept of this video. Amused that every time you talk about the headphones “behind” you, it looks like you’re pointing at your head 😁

[@Elc22]

I would agree with most of this, though the biggest thing I dont quite agree 100% about is the quality of sound. There are many situations where the headphones or IEMs are objectively bad or in general "worse" than others around the same price bracket. Though the moment you get generally good quality headphones, it really goes into the realm of diminishing returns, and gets much more into subjective comparison. and yes, the "fanboyism" is a problem in general for many hobbies, its tiring at times. with almost any hobby, the rabbithole gets DEEP if you decide to go down it. Most people likely are perfectly fine just taking a stroll near the entrance, before leaving, and that is perfectly fine.

[@carlsitler9071]

$100 to $200 can be a huge difference, even by the same company. The Asgard 3 not only sounds better than the Magni, it is twice as powerful.

[@Leroyy536]

Obsession that will drain your pockets, you will never be happy.

[@takuan650]

Interesting and informative video. Thank You. I am new to audio equipment and have a music collection on my laptop computer for which I ordered a pair of relatively high quality headphones. I also play Jazz guitar and have a pair of 'Classic 99 Meze' cans which are fine to play through my amp - equaliser with. I don't find them terribly nice to listen to 'Fusion Jazz' on my laptop though (Mac Book Pro). The 'Meze's' are a bit warm and soupy. My new headphones are 55 Ohm - 104 decibel (Focal Clear). Do I need an amp? If yes what kind and what cables do I need to connect the amp to my laptop? I am a total novice but like a high quality listen experience and are happy for any advice from anybody.

[@Currawong]

I reckon you've realised more than you think -- if the Meze are "a bit warm and soupy" then you might want to find headphones better suited to fusion jazz. An amp wont change the overall sound of headphones. If you're only listening inside in your own room/apartment/house and it's quiet, maybe look for a good pair of open-backed headphones?

[@CaveyMoth]

I don't think that an amp and DAC will change the sound significantly- And besides, these Focal cans are very easy to drive. What you probably want to look into is headphone calibration, or reverse EQing. The idea is to remove the colorations in a headphone's sound. Check out this Head-Fi thread about a free solution called AutoEQ: head-fi (dawt org)/threads/eq-settings-for-700-headphones.885196/

[@starmartyr]

I own them as well, nice jump for your second pair! I think that though they're sensitive and fairly low impedance I still think an amp will do them the best justice. There are so many good low price options now there's no reason not to get one especially if you pick up some other cans as well. Amp/dac combos will solve both at once as well. Lots of options from Fiio, Topping, Monoprice even. Look for one with USB, which almost all are now. Additional connections are handy but may not be needed. Even the little dongle dac/amps may be an improvement. Search around and you're bound to come away with something better than using onboarding sound.

[@derekw.5108]

I think you confused power gain (10x log) with voltage gain (20x log)! Loudness in "dB" is proportional to the power and square of voltage. Hence, the volume (SPL) actually increases by 4 times instead of 2 for every 6dB rise. Similarly, the volume (SPL) increases by 100 times instead 10 for every 20dB rise. Users control the volume (SPL) by turning amplifiers' volume knobs which adjust the output VOLTAGE! Thus, you only want to increase the voltage by 1.414 (root 2) times instead of 2 in order to double the volume (SPL) or make it 3dB louder. I think this is where your confusion came from.

[@derekw.5108]

Formulae: Loudness (in dB) = 10 x log(power gain) Loudness (in dB) = 20 x log(voltage gain) p.s. Power is proportional to voltage square: P = V^2 / R

[@Currawong]

Thanks!

[@TorToroPorco]

I think many of us in this hobby who can afford it have more than 1 headphone. I’ve spent much more on my headphones & IEMs than on my DACs and headphone amps thus far although I foresee my spending going in the other direction moving forward. If one does a fair bit of listening outside of one’s home while commuting or in public spaces that requires different gear and compromises as well. One headphone just isn’t enough for me.

[@watchtvatmyplace6691]

Music is life 🎵🎵♥️

[@Leroyy536]

Collect beach shells , it s cheaper and more of them.

[@arielext]

When expressing a power ratio, the number of decibels is ten times its logarithm to base 10.[2] That is, a change in power by a factor of 10 corresponds to a 10 dB change in level. When expressing field (root-power) quantities, a change in amplitude by a factor of 10 corresponds to a 20 dB change in level. I always was learned that +3db was twice as loud and +10dB is 10x as loud. You are referring to the amplitude and not the power in the video? I'm a bit confused. Thing in the end is: don't listen too loud :)

[@Currawong]

I don't think I worded it well, as I didn't script the video, and expected someone to come along and correct me, so yes, amplitude. Thanks.

[@krayozmines]

Yr videos are amazing

[@llr3zall151]

You have the most informative channel for headphones on youtube by far! Other channels may be funny or entertaning, but if i am ever going to buy something, i will be cheking your videos! Btw, i was wondering if you have any information on questyle amps? I hear they are slightly bright. Do you think they would be a good match for darker headphones like the audeze headphones or the empyrean?

[@Currawong]

I haven't tried the Questyle amps for many years, so I couldn't say for sure. I reckon that, rather than a "bright" amp, an amp with plenty of power, able to bring out the dynamics of the music, is what is most ideal for planar headphones.

[@llr3zall151]

​@@Currawong What is your opinion on the ifi pro idsd dac/amp? would you recommend it for planars like the empyrean? Does it have enough power? what is your personal pick for a dac/amp combo for planars? Thanks! (btw, i listen to all types of music, classic, pop, electronic, jazz, you name it!)

[@Currawong]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2mqm515a7iSkKc

[@quirky_hehe]

I wish he would review the LCD-X. There is so much hype around them and would be interesting hearing his take on them. It's like the highest amount I think normal listeners would buy in my opinion.

[@classicmartini]

G'day from Sydney. I bought the lcd-x about 5 weeks ago after auditioning The Usual Suspects. What would you like to know?

[@quirky_hehe]

@@classicmartini I actually purchased them too and they are coming to my door today. I mainly would like to know how they compared to similarly proceed headphones. I'm a metal/techno listener and would like to know how they sound. My DAC/AMP is a Asgard MB. What about you?

[@classicmartini]

@@quirky_hehe I'm using a modest Mayflower Arc. It's more than enough. Don't get past 15% volume, 20% is blaring (not bloated, quite enjoyable, but I want to retain my hearing). _ While the "X" can be driven off phones/ipads etc, there is noticeable "presence" to the sound through a powered dac/amp. _ The X is heavy, I just incorporated a few extra squats into the gym routine and they are now tolerably heavy, perhaps my neck muscles adjusted as well? _ The DO eq well - you can simulate the FR of other headphones, or just bring out the tonal qualities of an artist/track/movie that you prefer very easily. Obviously not the "width" of, say, The Arya, but damn close to simulating its sonic properties (to my ears anyway). _ Took me a while to find source material that could make their dynamic potential really shine - ended up at Tidal. ie tidal.com/browse/track/139873186 - Movies are great too, just did a re-watch of Infinity War and Endgame, all those snappy quips that are hard to 'catch' at the cinema came through crisp and clear. _ p.s I have the optional microphone from Audeze, the one game I play, with my children, doesn't "scale" with better audio, so went back to the PC37x, I only game for about 2 hours a week anyway. - Zoom calls are fun "what the hell is THAT on your head".

[@painpeace3619]

U should listen iron maiden....

[@dennisalvin7307]

awesome video! what headphone do u suggest for Jazz? i listen to a lot of Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, Oscar Peterson, Chick Corea, Dave Brubeck, John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, Ahmad Jamal.... thank u!

[@CaveyMoth]

I'd recommend the AKG Q701/K7XX. It shines with music like this. With very good audio positioning, forward mids that make drums and brass instruments shine, and fast, responsive bass that never overwhelms the track.

[@einsatzgruppen777]

Cavey Möth thank u for the suggestion, i appreciate that!

[@BarnabyBarry]

So what is your opinion or your readers on headphones/amp systems-total costif you wanted to get the best (but not beyond the law of diminishing returns)

[@dorkvader5332]

@Currawong: I have Sennheiser 300Pro headphones.Can you recommend a headphone amp.

[@ks3824]

My car measured at 135 decibels when I was into car audio. I'm surprised I'm not deaf. Lol

[@CaveyMoth]

I want a vehicle that uses active noise cancellation to remove engine and road noise. That would be so nice...

[@upy0ur5]

@@CaveyMoth then it would probably block out ambulances and semi trucks honking while running a red light. Lol

[@jackdallwitz5086]

135?! Now that is some serious üntz.

[@CaveyMoth]

@@upy0ur5 Survival of the fittest! Maybe it could use AI noise recognition to only cancel out the common road and engine noises

[@upy0ur5]

@@CaveyMoth I never trust AI but funny story and off topic a bit. My mom rented a 2002 Hyundai Accent bare bones (roll up windows and noisy interior, you know the kind) when her car was in the shop and we were listening to music at volume level 8 out of 40 on the sound system. Couldn't hear the ambulance sitting right behind us and got a ticket for obstruction. Lmao

[@arthurwatts1680]

Cmon Amos - you've been around the hobby long enough to know that WE know everything about pretty much everything. Forget headphones - we're experts on physics, engineering and psychology. Curiously, you can find us in pretty much any hobby dominated by males between 18 and 68 : photography, horology and performance cars spring to mind. You dont have to start a forum - you already have the power to ban people from Head-Fi - but if you do it will be with an implicit understanding of just how effing *clueless* most of us really are ;) Seriously, most of us could have settled on an 'end game' rig years ago, whatever it cost in any given year. We are a dream demographic for those looking to sell to people who will buy the same product (headphone/amp/source/cables) year after year. I retract what I said earlier about headphiles being completely clueless - we know all about obsession masquerading as a hobby.

[@Currawong]

I should do a video on the Dunning-Kruger effect. It'd certain by timely. BTW, I've not been a moderator on Head-Fi for some years now.

[@arthurwatts1680]

@@Currawong I stand corrected - I rarely go back to HF these days.

[@robertobuatti7226]

I'm from Melbourne, Australia and have spent quite a bit on audio gear and I have a question, I have an iPhone XS and don't have an Apple music subscription and am not into streaming but have my Itunes library synced up to my phone and I would like the option under the settings of the phone to select a higher bit depth and sample rate than 16 bit 44khz which on my P.C. with my sound card which is a Sound Blaster Audigy I'm able to select higher bit depth which is 24bit 96Khz over the standard 16 bit 44Khz and now music sounds so much better on my P.C. even with compressed mp3's music files, but I heard you have to be an Apple music subscriber to get this option with their phone's but I want this option for my offline music, do you think Apple will ever let users choose their bit depth and sample rate, plus I have purchased many open and closed back headphones in the last year that aren't that hard to drive such as the Sennheiser HD 560's, 599, 598 and a couple of others with many dongle DAC/amps such as the Fiio Ka3, Fiio BTR5, Audioquest Dragonfly Cobalt, Red and Black, Shangling UA2, and some others from different companies to improve the sound of the iPhone but the music always sounds compressed and not clear coming out of the iPhone, I have very bad OCD and high anxiety in life and these issues frustrate me quite a bit, I also recently purchased the Hiby R5 gen 2 dap because it has more options for audio and have installed Poweramp app for music which let's me upsample music to a higher bit depth and sample rate at 192Khz 32bit, but that Dap doesn't have all my Itunes music that's synced up to my iPhone that's why I asked if Apple will give users more options for audio natively offline without any music subscription.

[@petermartin9494]

If you want a great place to start from when entering into this hobby get the Audio Technica R70X. You will get excellent value for your money and they will reward upgrades in your other components. I can not recommend those highly enough.

[@quiksilver87]

I heard they are very flat sounding

[@SveinOlavGlesaaenNyberg]

Just curious, as a guy who uses high-end IEMs for listening to audio books (of all things): How do you know when the reader speaks too loud? I walk sometimes in the woods and sometimes more in the city. IEMs=JH Roxanne, if it helps the question.

[@alphasuck6538]

Hey! I’m checking out headphones for my vinyl. I have a real simple set up. Pioneer sx 636 and a Lafayette t6000. Any recommendations? My hearing is sensitive cause all the loud music I used to listen to :/ kids

[@arthurhaywood2184]

Saying that you had to spend around $500 to $600 to get good sound out of headphones is BS. Both Sennheiser & Beyerdynamic have been making great sounding headphones for well over 30 years. Grado, Sony & Koss also made some decent cans. All of them did it for much less. I still own a Sennheiser HD 565 & an original pair of HD 25's that still sound great.

[@danielm.2491]

As a newcomer i find it very hard to enter this highly enjoyable field. I see all those dacs, amps etc etc but it does not make much sense to me. when do you need a pro ican, when is a pro disd favorable? I am keen to spend some money but not shure which path to go. I started with an ifi hip dac for an entrance and moved on to a fiio m11 together with some mid or higher end IEM (SD5). now i want to opt for a stationary system like the pro idsd but am not shure how to feed it. can you use your mobile for that (qobuz) is that recommendable? as mentioned i am having a hard time do distinguish between the gear i need and how it works even though that might sound silly.

[@Currawong]

That's a very good question. Give me some time to think about a video to answer that.

[@sulinteractive]

What were the 1st "Entry Level" High-End open back headphones that you mentioned?

[@Currawong]

Not sure, but usually I say that about the Sennheiser HD6XX (HD650).

[@sulinteractive]

@@Currawong Thanks for the reply!

[@Audfile]

Ten times Lauda... that's Senna, right?

[@Currawong]

ROFL!

[@raksh9]

I had to Hunt for a witty reply but couldn't get the Formula

[@jusjash]

Say, give us some sound demo live the channel Oluv Gadgets does. That would be a big plus for your channel.

[@Currawong]

That won't work with headphones though.

[@painpeace3619]

@@Currawong why?

[@prabinpaudel5572]

I think mastering is also a very big point. A lot of albums which I loved on my sub 10 dollar headphones sounded harsh when I just upgraded to 30 dollar koss kph30i. And it's still on the lowest end of high fidelity audio. I'm afraid if I create an audiophile system costing about 3-400 dollars 30-40% of music I love would get unlistenable. 😅

[@kaz8297]

Prabin Paudel no, it doesn’t really get like that. Many of headphones in this range get kinda harsh in my opinion your music shouldn’t get unlistenable.

[@prabinpaudel5572]

@@kaz8297 I meant boring and dull more than harsh. I've started enjoying stage, imaging and layering more than the song itself.. 😅

[@philchia4764]

Just one point -> You're listening for YOUR enjoyment.... does not apply if you're a music producer. Mix flat, tweak for $3 headphones.

[@Michael-xl8dz]

"Wow" My question is my cellphone has a DAT IN IT'S A LG V20 what do you think of this Dat system?

[@testdev4596]

Sorry, what was that 200$ pair at 1:25?

[@Currawong]

Drop Sennheiser HD6XX. They are an inexpensive version of the Sennheiser HD650.

[@RasMajnouni]

Me: Newbie,27 hours searching online-Bought Sennheiser Momentum 2 True Wireless earphones it has Blue Tooth 5.1 Since MP3 players with 5.1 BT are rare & $$$. Was told that I can use MP3 with Blue Tooth 4.2 & Sennheiser 5.1 BT with the SAME audio quality. Will use MP3 ,ONLY will listen to uploaded KZbin songs SHOULD I still try to find MP3 player with 5.1?? Thank YOU..PS Would a transmitter help?(Told U, I am Newbie)

[@rockwayne5186]

Hello Sir,.....ur videos r really very informative & thorough.......I just have a question........will an mp3 file perform better than flac in a pair of cheap earphone or headphone.......or will the flac will have an edge........thanku

[@Currawong]

It's unlikely you'd notice a significant difference with cheap headphones and other gear.

[@rockwayne5186]

@@Currawong I noticed that when I play mp3 files through my cheap sony earphones it performs fine........I tried flac hoping it will perform better but strangely it gets harsh & fatiguing.........why is that..... ..I'm confused as I thought that flac is better & it should perform good if not better in any gear.........can u explain why that is not.........I know it's a very idiotic question but still..........thanku

[@ImranShamsul]

What office chair is that?

[@ryanchenoweth5673]

That they can easily damage your ears compared to speakers

[@shahmirkhan5373]

Keep the sound near 85 decibels and you'll be fine

[@ryanchenoweth5673]

Shahmir Khan not necessarily ☝️

[@LA-db9xj]

Humm! I didn't know that "headphoning" was even a hobby. Alrighty then!!

[@TSiAhmat]

Okay this is maybe a dumb question, but is there really a noticeable difference in sound between 32 and 600 Ohms? (With the same headphone) I hear a lot of people saying it's "clearer" or more "warm", but is it really that different/´"better"?

[@Currawong]

That's very hard to say. The different impedance may affect the amplifier used, as many perform a bit differently when a larger voltage swing is required.

[@samlee2562]

Also if you want The Best Headphones i.e. the Raal SR1a.... 🤖😉....you're gonna need a speaker amp ✊!

[@Currawong]

I need to get a pair in, but at meets they were insanely good. Schiit Audio now makes an inexpensive amp that powers them, so if anything has really potentially culled the high-end, it's that set-up.

[@SuperEnforcer88]

Hi, Currawong! Why your review about Verum is private?

[@Currawong]

www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/hsmffo/drama_garuspik_creator_of_verum_one_talks_about/

[@SuperEnforcer88]

@@Currawong thank you for answering. And that guy is crazy!

[@samlee2562]

When I was 14 I went to my first gig, it was Biffy Clyro at Camden underworld and afterwards my ears were ringing for 2 days 🤕 ringing for an hour or so after a gig has happened a few times since but that first time was nuts 🤤 I'm 32 now and my hearing stops around 17khz... Does anyone know if that's bad and if the rest of my range could be damaged...?? 🤔🤞

[@Currawong]

Most people have their hearing range drop down to the mid-teens. I'd say 17kHz is good.

[@GIChow]

@@Currawong Yep at 50 I can't hear tones much above 13k, judging from the various frequency sweeps on KZbin, though may be able to perceive something above that range. Apparently this kind of degradation is normal with ageing though of course protecting one's hearing by not listening long at loud volumes is probably wise (and with good headphones/earphones one doesn't need to crank the volume to get satisfying frequency response). Btw at a concert where I was near the front and massive speaker stacks last year I put some Monk style earbuds I had on me in from time to time to attenuate the sound. I also put my fingers lightly to my ears on occasion when approaching painfully loud though that can affect the view of those behind! Like your common sense advice. I have a lot of moderately expensive gear (up to Genelec studio monitors) but a set of good cheap earphones can still move me as much..and the convenience of TWS and being able to listen all around the house or lying in bed brings a new dimension and use case to the hobby.

[@lesternoguera1539]

just wondering sir since im new to audiophile whats a good headphones around 600$ below

[@krayozmines]

Hd600? Idk but its sth i wanna get when i get $$

[@davidmason8212]

Do you prefer lcd 2 fazor over hifiman ananda ?

[@shadouxg7150]

Which headphones do u have right now?

[@Stormfury1403]

I've always wondered: I know a dap is likely more expensive than a desktop set up for the same performance with headphones. But, if you get a FiiO M15 or a 'high end dap', are they performing like a high end desktop set up? Or are you really just paying for portability?

[@Farazao]

Lucidity.

[@woopygoman]

Will you ever consider maintaining your own wall of fame? I think that would help a lot of noobs get into the hobby.

[@Currawong]

I think to have a wall of fame, I'd have to have reviewed a lot more gear. If I had a wall of fame, I'd feel like it would miss a lot of deserving gear that it's difficult to arrange a review for.

[@hamedshahr]

6. Don't spend thousands of dollars on headphones before trying a high-quality EQ.

[@Currawong]

I reckon an EQ can help with headphones

[@massivemikeh]

@@Currawong How about Foobar2000 eq? Does your comment apply to ALL EQ's done in the digital domain? Cheers.

[@ericmc6482]

@@massivemikeh Yup. Tone controls (analog) work pretty well to balance overall sound, but when running good phones and reasonable amp I find eq is not required or desirable. Headphones with issues or preset eq (like Beats, Ultrasone etc) aren't properly cured by eq and can still get fatiguing regardless of 'remedies' like graphic eq. Good headphones sound clear and natural and to the novice perhaps initially laid back or lacking, longer term listening usually reverses this initial impression. Trust your ears, sound that does not yell/shout into your ears is the key beware the initially impressive boom/tish, listen for nice sounding fine detail and highs/lows extension ans higher efficiency/sensitivity free sounding delivery for long term satisfaction. Good luck.

[@cristiandarie]

I noticed the same. For this reason I was looking at something like Schiit Loki for basic EQing but haven't decided on that just yet.

[@CaveyMoth]

I can't stand my Focal Elear without reverse EQing. It makes a massive difference. And I'm willing to accept the disadvantages, like loss of dynamic range.

[@coolwheelz5190]

IEM's are cute, but not serious headphones...just used for convenience...IMHO...

seems like you never tried kse1200, tia, and alot more stuff

[@coolwheelz5190]

@ Nope, send them to me and I will try them...I've tried many and they just don't measure up...until then, my opinion stands...

[@666PANDEMONIUM]

Well, as Currawong just mentioned for guys like us who are sitting in a chair or on a couch with open back planars and dedicated components iems may see like a joke. However, I can not take my Meze Empyreans into the middle of the library and play music at 90db.

IEM is not just cute! theres alot of serious IEM! o have both iem, ciem, full! every single one with some spice

@@666PANDEMONIUM planar is a joke! try some VOCE or Utopia them we talk \m/

[@pauljohn5584]

It's funny that your viewers would rely on you for information like "loud music is bad for your hearing".

[@Currawong]

It's rather scary how many people don't actually know how easy it is to damage their hearing, so I add it in my videos now.

[@pauljohn5584]

That IS scary. For them. But yeah, good for you for reiterating what seems obvious if it isn't exactly obvious for some. Forgive me if you've already commented on or done a video for sonar works headphone correction software- I'm new to your channel- but what are your thoughts on this? Have you tried it?

[@biteme263]

If I am actually considering purchasing a product I never listen to one reviewer, even if its someone I trust. I am going to search out every review on that product and consider what the say. I will even look at some written reviews although a lot of those I don't trust quite as much especially if they are from publications and not independant (same with videos). I tend to not trust someone that never has anything bad to say. It seems they love everything they hear or review. Most likely because they are getting paid for it or that company is a sponsor or advertises in that publication. In some cases it is simply because they only publish reviews on things they liked. If the they didn't like it or it was junk they simply refuse to do the review or publish it so they don't trash on the company. This is where you kind of need to get a feel for the reviewer I guess. So if you are looking for a product and can't seem to find any reviews for it, or very few there is probably a good reason for it. And one of those reasons is it simply wasn't worth their time to do or they didn't want to make the company look bad. So they just take a pass on it. After that I start looking at forums to see what actual customers think of it but you have to take some of that with a grain of salt as well. And if at all possible I want to see or hear the product in person. Which to be honest is getting much harder in this day and age. Not a lot of places carry mid end gear that you can demo. Especially niche stuff. Its either going to be entry level or baseline stuff at big box stores or really high end stuff at audio shops. And there are not many of those left either. Especially headphone amps and dacs, those are nearly impossible to demo in my area from what I can tell. I found two places in my area that actually had headphone amps and they were in the thousands of dollars. One place wanted to sell me a 5,000 dollar macintosh headphone amp and stupid expensive cables for my 350 dollar sundaras lol. One place had some dac/amp for 400 bucks that I had never heard of and couldn't find any reviews on and it only put out like 60 mw into 30 ohms. Pro Ject Head Box S2 digital I think it was. I'm sure it was a fine product but I think I probably could have gotten something just as good for less money.

[@kickyouinhalf]

Hi, can you or someone recommend an amp component or amp/dac for dt1990 pro? I use it to listen to all kinds of music( dance club, pop, old Chinese pop, classical, alternative(mudvayne), mongolian thoat music, heavy metal, trap....). I would also like to know if there is something that could be recommended for casual gaming(first person shooter, diablo, or general purpose). I'm just an enthusiast looking to improve sound quality. I don't do any analyzing or production. Any help is greatly appreciated.