Headphones. A few questions pls.

[nick_j007]

Hi all.

I've been reading through various threads on this subject, but thought to ask my own question as what we listen to might dictate your suggestions?

I have a Denon UD-M30 unit that is currently sitting idle and I thought it would be nice to bring it into the lounge but just keep a pair of headphones nearby enabling discrete listening. I imagined it would be good to listen whilst the girls watch Corrie and all that crap. An ebay link showing the unit is here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Award-winning-Denon-CD-R...

I was close to buying the Grado SR125i's. My budget in in the £150 mark.

Would I benefit from a headphone amp?

Will the Grado's leak sound and annoy the TV watchers? Equally will the keep the TV sounds out?

I like ambient, classical, jazz, nothing too heavy. I can't imagine listening to dance music and lying back keeping still, so chill out stuff on the whole.

Thanks in advance.

Nick

[rhinochopig]

I have the 80s and they sound very very good. But you will be very very very very disapointed at the build/materials qaulty - think late 80s Ross or Alba.

I run mine via an fiio e11 amp, which is incredible for the money - 40 quid. Every review of it and its siblings have nothing but praise for them. As good as amps costing many many times more seems to be the conclusion. Just pick the model that bestsuits your set up.

Try one with an ipod and prepare to be blown away. It really is night and day difference.

[nick_j007]

rhinochopig said:

I have the 80s and they sound very very good. But you will be very very very very disapointed at the build/materials qaulty - think late 80s Ross or Alba.

I run mine via an fiio e11 amp, which is incredible for the money - 40 quid. Every review of it and its siblings have nothing but praise for them. As good as amps costing many many times more seems to be the conclusion. Just pick the model that bestsuits your set up.

Try one with an ipod and prepare to be blown away. It really is night and day difference.

Thank you. I do like the sound of an amp, but will look at that later. Is the amp you refer to battery powered then?

[rhinochopig]

nick_j007 said:

rhinochopig said:

I have the 80s and they sound very very good. But you will be very very very very disapointed at the build/materials qaulty - think late 80s Ross or Alba.

I run mine via an fiio e11 amp, which is incredible for the money - 40 quid. Every review of it and its siblings have nothing but praise for them. As good as amps costing many many times more seems to be the conclusion. Just pick the model that bestsuits your set up.

Try one with an ipod and prepare to be blown away. It really is night and day difference.

Thank you. I do like the sound of an amp, but will look at that later. Is the amp you refer to battery powered then?

It depends on the model, but the e11 is so it can be used with portable devices. Charges via usb and uses a lion phone battery. A lot of stuff i've tried in the past i've found to be snake oil but these really are worth the money. Someone from ph recommended it to me.

They also do dacs to that get rave reviews for similar money. Good if you want to use a tablet or laptop as an occasional music server and still get top qaulity sound.

[Toffer]

rhinochopig said:

Try one with an ipod and prepare to be blown away. It really is night and day difference.

ipods are really that bad at producing music? Save your money and buy some hi-fi... gramophone players sound very good to me (they play music from vinyl gramophone discs or "records"...wonderful!)

[rhinochopig]

Toffer said:

rhinochopig said:

Try one with an ipod and prepare to be blown away. It really is night and day difference.

ipods are really that bad at producing music? Save your money and buy some hi-fi... gramophone players sound very good to me (they play music from vinyl gramophone discs or "records"...wonderful!)

You missed my thread about vinyl then; the audio equivalent of an open roaring fire IMO. My record player had been given away years ago and my collection was languishing in the loft. Then a shiny new project turntable arrived just before Christmas. It's quite exciting searching charity shops looking for vinyl from the 70s and 80s

But I do like the ipod though. For walking the dogs in all weathers, with a headphone amp, and some decent in-ear buds, the sound quality with a high bit rate MP3 can be surprisingly good. On a nice day up on the moors, when I'm not likely to bump into someone, I can often be found sporting a pair of Grados looking like a dhead.

[nick_j007]

rhinochopig said:

You missed my thread about vinyl then; the audio equivalent of an open roaring fire IMO. My record player had been given away years ago and my collection was languishing in the loft. Then a shiny new project turntable arrived just before Christmas. It's quite exciting searching charity shops looking for vinyl from the 70s and 80s

But I do like the ipod though. For walking the dogs in all weathers, with a headphone amp, and some decent in-ear buds, the sound quality with a high bit rate MP3 can be surprisingly good. On a nice day up on the moors, when I'm not likely to bump into someone, I can often be found sporting a pair of Grados looking like a dhead.

One has to respect that

[jinkster]

Bang and Olufsen Form 2 - stunning! about £100 ish

[oola]

jinkster said:

Bang and Olufsen Form 2 - stunning! about £100 ish

I was in B&O last week and had a look at these ... not sure if they're form over function ... sounded reasonable but then I didn't have a direct comparison in there.

Do you have a pair??

[nick_j007]

I decided to opt for a pair of Grado 80i's. I wasn't convinced I would appreciate the difference of the next level up so will stick with these. Thanks for the help everyone.

Nick

[cuneus]

nick_j007 said:

I decided to opt for a pair of Grado 80i's. I wasn't convinced I would appreciate the difference of the next level up so will stick with these. Thanks for the help everyone.

Nick

Good choice - though if I take them to the gym everyone stares at me.

[nick_j007]

cuneus said:

Good choice - though if I take them to the gym everyone stares at me.

Haha. I can imagine. I see they do a model that sits on the back of the neck which are well rated...might be more suitable ol boy?
http://www.gradolabs.com/page_headphones.php?item=...

Nick