The All Purpose Advice Thread

I’m not familiar with them so I’m just looking at amazon reviews but these are currently under $40 with a coupon promotion on amazon. Brainwavz B100 Balanced Armature Professional Refrence Monitor Earbud Earphones https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRZ0PD7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_.5gvBb4P7BTHH

 

Hey guys, I recently picked up a 115V EC BW2 and I am moving to India next month. I probably want to take the BW2 with me to India and will be using it with a step-down transformer like this: http://deltatransformer.com/detail/76/step_down_transformers.html

My question: Are transformers like these typically noisy, that I would need a power conditioner or an LPS?

 

My main setup for years has been a Lyr 2, Bifrost Multibit, and HD650s, which makes everything an easy listen. I recently bought an Auralic Taurus which completely transformed the 650s. I really like the increased bass extension, dynamics/slam, detail, and soundstage. However, the treble is a bit much for my tastes on both my 650 and LCD2C. I listen to a lot of rock, and cymbals simply don't sound realistic and there's just too much bite in general, which is fatiguing over longer periods, to my ears.

Is there an amp, with preamp capability, that will preserve the bass extension, dynamics, and soundstage of the Taurus but cut down the bright treble? Should I just get a Loki and dial down the 8k? Do I just need headphones with smoother highs?

 

Loki isn't a bad option, I used it for a while myself. Sonarworks perhaps? RME ADI-DAC2 instead of a different amp?

I understand if you're against using EQ. I tend that way myself.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. He went with a KZ ES4 hybrid. Hopefully it’s what he’s looking for.

 

I’m looking for a pair of cans to use at work, want closed back for isolation and around ear. They ought to be comfy, around ear only. Sound wise, preferably something with no nasties, maybe similar to a modded 650 or like HEKs.

Also, preferably under 300 bucks.

No PM-3s, ATH-M50x or porta pros

Haven’t looked at closed cans for a long time, so any help is appreciated

 

Senn 598Cs? I like it. Has some artificial sounding treble issues but wouldn’t call it nasty. Has the house sound. Just not technically proficient like a 650. More bass impact; sounds tuned to appeal to normies.

 

Can a stock hd650 be reterminated to 4.4 balanced?

 

Yes.

 

Looking to source a balanced cable (4.4 pentaconn) for my gr07 2017. Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

Just recently asked someone on head-fi for an extra t h i c c 4.4mm pentagon cable if you'd like one but custom smaller/more flexible with mmcx, but honestly for earphones aliexpress has a bunch ranging from simple ones to 8-core gold plated if you're willing to order chinese (they really love their earphones).

 

I'm kinda considering a pair of headphones for work. I currently have an old Sennheiser PX100-ii which works just fine, but I think I'm just looking for an excuse to try new toys. I haven't kept up to date on all the newest gear these days that aren't stupid expensive. My mid-fi phase was around the early 2010's where I went through most of the usual suspects in the $200 range including a lot of DJ options.

Stuff I'm looking for:
- relatively discrete; no suspension headbands or the like, no bling
- mild preference for over-ear (not crucial, but I generally find over ear more comfortable than on ear); don't want super big either, again for the sake of being relatively discrete (I'd consider Hifiman and typical Senn HD6## to be too big)
- open or closed, minimal sound leakage, prefer not totally isolating so I can still hear my colleagues when needed
- maaaaybe bluetooth? I've got a small usb dac/amp, so anything needed moderate power is ok too
- either wireless mic or inline mic for business calls would be a super plus
- compactness/portability is a plus, but I can also tuck them into a drawer so this isn't a firm requirement
- sound preference: leaning towards the airy yet dark side; my reference is a heavily dampened HE-6
- budget: somewhat flexible and I'm vulnerable to upsells, but let's aim for under $500 unless you know of something magically delicious
- other: I don't have a big head per se, but I've got a wide square noggin' which does affect fit sometimes; vertical axis rotation/adjustment is important for me to get a seal (for example, V-Moda headphones don't move in that axis and I can't get a seal with their larger headphones)
- other: I've got a neck like a wrestler, so weight isn't too much of a concern
- other: but I have small ears

Stuff I've considered:
- Sennheiser Momentum - simply classy look, super comfortable, I like the chocolatey sound; I haven't tried the wireless version yet
- Senn HD25 - not too comfy, but standard and reliable; any mic cables available?
- B&W P7 - haven't heard it, I like the looks though
- Oppo PM-3 - comfy, very plain "office" aesthetic, sound is not disagreeable; no mic though
- Aeon - heard it for the first time last weekend; good sound (still not crazy about Mr Speakers tuning), too blingy though

 

Will only chime my two cents with regards to the quoted above and I have a wide noggin as well.

PM-3 would have been a good headphone if Oppo didn't decide to call it quits. It's pretty comfortable for long listening but the pads will disintegrate on you and finding a replacement has become much harder.

Aeon Flow: open sounds much better than closed, both are pretty light on the head with minimal clamping but I felt the leather pads made my ear sweat really fast and found it hard to wear for extended periods. Also you will look extra wide with how much the headphone will extend from the side of your head (this may or may not bother you).

 

Does anyone have any experience with this stick-on headphone hanger?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DNLLTIE/



Or can anyone recommend another one that isn't so industrial looking? Simpler is better, and shouldn't extend much above the hanging surface as I have limited clearance below.

I'm planning to mount it on the side of my cheap little shelf to hang my incoming Clears. It's 30cm high. Is that enough clearance for the cables coming out of the cups? I've heard the Clear cables are stiff and don't want to overstress the connectors.

 

Hey @gixxerwimp , here is one that looks sleek. But the problem if you use such a hanger is, the headphone would be rubbing against the wall of the shelf and can get scratched.

https://www.amazon.com/OAPRIRE-Head...d=1533133945&sr=8-8&keywords=headphone+holder

 

Thanks @EagleWings, but that one reduces the amount of clearance below the headphones. Guess I could wait until I get them and see how much height I have to play with.

 

@gixxerwimp
A nail and an ABS pipe coupling from the hardware store is simple and costs a literal $1. Spend $2 for a plastic cap if you want it to look a smidge nicer.

 

That's a great idea, @Armaegis. Plumbing looks a bit different here, but I'll check out the hardware store and see what's available. Not sure how well the MDF will take a nail or screw, but if I can find a short length of pipe and put a cap on it, I can stick it on with some VHB. WAF is a consideration however. She doesn't yet know that another pair of headphones is going into my little corner of the living room. Something "ugly" stuck to the side of the shelf isn't going to help.

 

MDF takes screws fine, it's pretty dense. If it's going through a veneer though, there's not going to be any repairing it if ever take the screw out.

 

Dude, just a thumbtack plus something vaguely cylindrical will do. Even the cap from an aerosol can will do.
https://www.google.com/search?q=abs...ws3cAhVG94MKHQKVBk4Q_AUICigB&biw=1476&bih=844
The cap part really doesn't need to be attached, it's just hanging and distributing the weight so you don't dent the headband padding. I usually use a chopped up piece of pool noodle or pipe insulation. I've got one hanger on my shelf that is literally an old cd spindle held up with a twist tie.