[wupah]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simca;13495560
I did throw in some DAC/AMP combos, but perhaps I could toss in some stand alone amp suggestions, still, these cost a lot of money and I think people would honestly be better off researching this in more depth than a simple "highly recommended" thread can offer.

Some people like cheap amps. IMO, I wouldn't pay for a stand alone amp unless I dropped 600 dollars on one. See what I mean?

Absolutely, I was just thinking that you might have some insight on which standalone amps are good value. Took me a while and a lot of forum reading before I purchased mine. And I paid more than 600$

In the end it most likely comes down to personal preference.

either way I like this list, nice work!

 

[blur510]

Nice post Simca!! much respect homiez..

 

[Live_free]

Awesome guide, but the Ultrasone Pro 550s you mentioned as being 150 are mostly found around 200, and more common at 180. So you may want to change that.

 

[chinesekiwi]

Just need a few corrections to make it more accurate:

*the MMX300 is a DT770 32ohm.

Quote of the slight differences sound wise between the different impedance models:

from http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/513393/guide-sonic-differences-between-dt770-dt990-models-more#post_6938759
Quote:

- 32Ohm
The 32Ohm model of the DT770 is closer sounding to the 250Ohm and 600Ohm models than it is to the 80Ohm model. The most striking difference is that they have far less bass than the 80Ohm model, but also are fuller sounding. The bass on the 32Ohm's is tight and controlled but rather light on impact. If I had to rate it's impact I would say it's like the DT880/250, but even less than those. The high while quite extended and detailed but has a slight edge to them, but not grating or strident sounding. All of the DT line (DT770-DT990) has a treble oriented sound, so the DT770 will emphasize this. Now the mids, while fuller than the 250Ohm and 80Ohm models, are there but still recessed to a degree. The mids are clear, detailed, and possess decent transparency. Now the soundstage is smaller than the 80Ohm and 250Ohm and has an "in your head" sound to it. The dynamics of this model seem slightly lower compared to the 250Ohm version, but it's hard to tell.

*Also I'd put the Ultrasone PRO550's in the 'compromising gamer' section udner the $150 section, as the S-Logic works much better in the Pro(line) series than the HFI series.

* A great 'rock/metal' headphone for $300 is the Alessandro MS2 as well, which is of course liek the MS1, a Grado OEM.

* The Alienware Ozma 5 is not the same as the PRO550. The Alienware Ozma 5 is an OEM'ed HFI-580. The HFI series is noticeably different than the PRO series.

* Also maybe passive setups for speakers?

 

[Spooony]

What about the DTS-610 for those who like their gaming 5.1 via digital?

Twin 18" Elemental Designs A7-900 thats epic yeah!!

Great thread OP

 

[chinesekiwi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Live_free;13498214
Awesome guide, but the Ultrasone Pro 550s you mentioned as being 150 are mostly found around 200, and more common at 180. So you may want to change that.

$160

http://www.adorama.com/ULPRO550.html?utm_term=Other&utm_medium=Shopping%20Site&utm_campaign=Other&utm_source=gbase

Was going as low as $150 on ebay.

 

[chalkbluffgrown]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spooony;13498266
What about the DTS-610 for those who like their gaming 5.1 via digital?

Twin 18" Elemental Designs A7-900 thats epic yeah!!

Great thread OP

You are posting that over and over about the Creative DTS-610 here and at the HardOCP forums. Why must you keep doing that?

Recommending something you like is cool, but why so much?

 

[Simca]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Live_free;13498214
Awesome guide, but the Ultrasone Pro 550s you mentioned as being 150 are mostly found around 200, and more common at 180. So you may want to change that.

$153 dollars on Amazon homey.

Add to cart and check out the savings.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinesekiwi;13498264
Just need a few corrections to make it more accurate:

*the MMX300 is a DT770 32ohm.

Quote of the slight differences sound wise between the different impedance models:

from http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/513393/guide-sonic-differences-between-dt770-dt990-models-more#post_6938759

*Also I'd put the Ultrasone PRO550's in the 'compromising gamer' section udner the $150 section, as the S-Logic works much better in the Pro(line) series than the HFI series.

* A great 'rock/metal' headphone for $300 is the Alessandro MS2 as well, which is of course liek the MS1, a Grado OEM.

* The Alienware Ozma 5 is not the same as the PRO550. The Alienware Ozma 5 is an OEM'ed HFI-580. The HFI series is noticeably different than the PRO series.

* Also maybe passive setups for speakers?

How could I forget the Alessandro MS2s Doh! Definitely will add that. Did I mention the MMX300s were anything but DT770s 32 ohm? I'll add the Pro 550s to the compromising gamer list. Are they 580s? Could have swore they were 550s. Cool though, I'll make sure to change that.
Quote:

Originally Posted by chinesekiwi;13498278
$160

http://www.adorama.com/ULPRO550.html?utm_term=Other&utm_medium=Shopping%20Site&utm_campaign=Other&utm_source=gbase

Was going as low as $150 on ebay.

$153 Amazon.

 

[chinesekiwi]

the HFI series is different from the PRO series. There's the HFI-580 and PRO550. Both are part of a different series of headphones from the same company.

HFI series = HFI-580, HFI-680, HFI-2200LE, HFI-780 (older versions being HFI-550, HFI-650, HFI-750)
Pro series = PRO550, PRO650, PRO750, PRO900

Don't get me started on how confusing German headphone model naming is!
(Hint: beyerdynamic are the worst for confusion!)

 

[cgg123321]

Good stuff, this will come in handy to show friends in the future

 

[chinesekiwi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cgg123321;13498734
Good stuff, this will come in handy to show friends in the future

However to simply look at a guide and say 'I'll buy that' is really :/ as all factors must be considered e.g. comfort, their current sound setup, how they intend to use it etc...

No point buying high-end headphones to be plugged into onboard for example.

 

[Simca]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinesekiwi;13498724
the HFI series is different from the PRO series. There's the HFI-580 and PRO550. Both are part of a different series of headphones from the same company.

HFI series = HFI-580, HFI-680, HFI-2200LE, HFI-780 (older versions being HFI-550, HFI-650, HFI-750)
Pro series = PRO550, PRO650, PRO750, PRO900

Don't get me started on how confusing German headphone model naming is!
(Hint: beyerdynamic are the worst for confusion!)

I hear many people are not a fan of most of the HFI series. Compared to the Pro series they're a bit of a let down.

 

[chinesekiwi]

Yeah, the PRO series overall is better sounding but some prefer the sound signature of say the HFI-780 for trance over the PRO series. the PRO series is of course generally more expensive. the S-Logic tech is also reported to be more effective in the PRO series as well.

 

[cgg123321]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinesekiwi;13498761
However to simply look at a guide and say 'I'll buy that' is really :/ as all factors must be considered e.g. comfort, their current sound setup, how they intend to use it etc...

No point buying high-end headphones to be plugged into onboard for example.

I was mainly referring to the sections explaining the situation concerning headsets and how turtle beach isn't the audiophile equipment. Obviously it won't be a "oh I must follow this list to see what I should buy" but a reference point to get started.

ie: the transition from multimedia PC speakers to bookshelf speakers/monitors.

 

[Simca]

Yeah, this thread was mostly meant for the following reasons:

1) To give people an idea of what they should be looking at given their circumstances and budget.

2) Get certain types of products OUT of their mind, just as headsets FTMP.

3) Allows you to see what's better and for how much more. Some people simply have no idea where they may be going whenever they get enough money saved up. The list is almost like a Skill Tree in a game. It'll help people learn what's above.

4) It's meant to spark interest in RESEARCH rather than just be an end-all, buy now guide. They should be looking at the recommendations, researching the product in more depth than this simple guide could provide (despite it taking me like 4 hours to complete).

When all is said and done, I believe someone that has COMPLETELY read this guide should be quite a bit more knowledgeable about audio equipment than they were before having read it.

Some may feel even more confused, but I hope that being confused gives them a hunger to learn more about audio.

Again, the biggest thing with me is trying to make it simple by listing the most recommended products, but also sparking the will to research these products and OTHER products so their needs will best be suited.

 

[Spooony]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chalkbluffgrown;13498298
You are posting that over and over about the Creative DTS-610 here and at the HardOCP forums. Why must you keep doing that?

Recommending something you like is cool, but why so much?

I didnt recommend anything. Asked the OP to have a look at it because theres not much of a other option to get it on your receiver full 5.1 via digital.If you manage to find one let me know

 

[kpopsaranghae]

Imo, the BX5a's should be up there for the $240 range. They have fantastic highs and punchy mids. Bass isn't that deep, but that's the same with all 2.0 monitors with this driver size. Comparable in many ways to an Audioengine A5 but for $60-80 less.

Sent from my SGH-I897 using Tapatalk

 

[RallyMaster]

Excellent write-up, Simca. Quite an undertaking here!

 

[Cacophony]

Good, if Polk Audio wasn't in here this whole list would be invalid.

 

[Simca]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpopsaranghae;13501972
Imo, the BX5a's should be up there for the $240 range. They have fantastic highs and punchy mids. Bass isn't that deep, but that's the same with all 2.0 monitors with this driver size. Comparable in many ways to an Audioengine A5 but for $60-80 less.

I'll look into them. I have heard about them, but the buzz just honestly hasn't been there for those much. If those turn out to be a gem, they'll be sure to make the list.
Quote:

Originally Posted by Cacophony;13502377
Good, if Polk Audio wasn't in here this whole list would be invalid.

lol.

Speaking of which, help me out with the following:
1) In what way can I make the titles and sections stand out.
2) In what way can I make the thread more appealing without splashing it full of colors and making some people annoyed by all different types of colors.
3) I need more passive speakers to recommend, but I'm all knowledge full of powered speakers. Toss me some great passive speakers for the price.
4) Recommend good and popular receivers for people wanting to go the receiver route.