music Any Audiophile bronies out there?

[Stellafera 3,836]

Not really, but compared to most people my taste for $60 headphones (ATH-M30s for the curious) is in audiophile territory. I'm rather glad I don't have headphones expensive enough for bad sound quality to be too noticeable because of my laziness to find FLACs and whatnot.

 

I tend to be impressed by soundstage the most, and barely even pay attention to bass and the like. Heavy bass gives me a headache, anyways.

Edited June 30, 2013 by Stellafera

[Flutter's lover <3 8,210]

 

Wire is wire.  WHen it comes to audio, it doesn't really matter the cord you use.  I've even seen companies go as far as to say that the signal has to "Travel a certain direction down the cord".  Which is completely absurd.

Take for example, a simple HDMI cord.  You see them go for 15$, and you see them go for 90$.

Realistically, there is no difference.  Different braids of copper, or "special "OptiFibre tubes run through the core" are all just marketing gimmicks.

The only real functional difference in cords that I know of, are the connectors.  Are they copper or gold plated?  That's about it.  I see no reason to spend more then $50 on a set of cords.

Seeing this has always driven me crazy, and it bothers me that some companies are trying to get away with that.  You're totally right.  Normal wire is totally fine.

 

Although some people will suggest that many strands of thin copper will transmit audio better than few, thicker strands.  But I suppose the functional difference is debatable.

 

 

Yea, wire is wire for the most part. though I will agree many smaller strands is better than fewer thick strands...because a bunch of smaller wires offer less resistance vs a single big cable. Therefore you et better sound, better power, better everything...no matter the situation the wire is used in. That's why heavy electrical wire have braided cables of many wires. It allows the cable to carry more amperage and current and you end up with a more "clean" signal

 

The HDMI cable for my xbox cost me $10 and it works just as good as my friends $60 HDMI cable. It's companies that try to ellyou on their product..msot of it is gimmicks.

[cd_solidsnake 122]

Where did you get that $1000 price tag?

Sure you aren't referring to a Technics turntable?

 I'm sure that's what you were referring to because you mention that it would cost you $1000.  

If it's vinyl you're looking to listen to, you can just go to the music store or hobby store, and get any vinyl tables.  I've seen them go for $200.

 

Well, I got it wrong. These are not for producers, but for DJs.

 

 

And these are those headphones. The lovely Ultrasone Signature DJ headphones and cost aprox. $1000 (I believe that these are now even more expensive).

 

It is an amazing luxury to have these. Seriously, everything is so well made... The frequency response goes down to 5Hz, or so they claim.

 

Anyway. I'll buy 'em... WHEN I EARN AT LEAST $5000 A MONTH

[Level3rd 128]

Well, I got it wrong. These are not for producers, but for DJs.

 

signature-dj-small.jpg

 

And these are those headphones. The lovely Ultrasone Signature DJ headphones and cost aprox. $1000 (I believe that these are now even more expensive).

 

It is an amazing luxury to have these. Seriously, everything is so well made... The frequency response goes down to 5Hz, or so they claim.

 

Anyway. I'll buy 'em... WHEN I EARN AT LEAST $5000 A MONTH

 

You do realize that most human hearing caps out at ~20 Hz?  I've got a pair of HD280's with a low-end response of 8Hz, which is almost completely useless.  Most music never goes below 30Hz.  The frequency response should not be used as a measure of quality.  It's only a small factor,

[websterhamster 203]

For my extremely humble home studio I have a Logitech 2.1 setup for my desktop, and for monitoring/listening to my Ipod I use a pair of AlphaLine headphones. Not perfect, and like the OP said there is some vibration noise when I crank up the sound on my desktop, but it gets me by. I also wish higher quality equipment wasn't so expensive!

[cd_solidsnake 122]

You do realize that most human hearing caps out at ~20 Hz?  I've got a pair of HD280's with a low-end response of 8Hz, which is almost completely useless.  Most music never goes below 30Hz.  The frequency response should not be used as a measure of quality.  It's only a small factor,

 

I do know that fact, but it is still impressive. And btw, most reviewers have give these headphones either 4/5 or 5/5, which is considerably awesome when you consider that they cost $1000. I think that it means you pay for something of real value (every reviewer has praised its sound).

 

Now, I know that for a lot less I can get something good, but still, I'd like to see why they're so praised by reviewers.

[Danze 15]

Despite them being generally regarded as a rip-off for the price compared to lesser known brands, I do really like my bose AE2 headphones. I have noticed some trouble mixing some low end bass sounds with them, since I don't own any near half-decent speakers  that I could use for mixing, but in terms of regular listening the sound is really great. The bass sound is still really great, but just falls short for mixing.

 

The main reason I like the bose though is just that fact that I find them so damn comfortable. I wear glasses and sometimes with other headphones it really starts to bother my ears after a while if I'm wearing glasses under my headphones. With these I could practically live and sleep with them on and never notice a thing. So really even though I could probably get the same sounds quality for a lot cheaper, I'm fairly happy with the bose.

 

Past that - as far as really high end quality stuff, I don't think I have a keen enough ear to hear the difference. I enjoy good sound but I probably wouldn't call myself an audiophile. A pair of thousand-dollar headphones would be a waste on me. That, and a lot of music I'm into tends towards more of a low-fi sound anyways, so really high quality headphones doesn't really add much. 

[A Blithering Div 247]

Yea, wire is wire for the most part. though I will agree many smaller strands is better than fewer thick strands...because a bunch of smaller wires offer less resistance vs a single big cable. Therefore you et better sound, better power, better everything...no matter the situation the wire is used in. That's why heavy electrical wire have braided cables of many wires. It allows the cable to carry more amperage and current and you end up with a more "clean" signal

 

The HDMI cable for my xbox cost me $10 and it works just as good as my friends $60 HDMI cable. It's companies that try to ellyou on their product..msot of it is gimmicks.

 

Not true. It's actually the other way around although resistance is negligible in both cases. The reason its often thousands of smaller strands is for flexibility.

 

Where did you get that $1000 price tag?

Sure you aren't referring to a Technics turntable?

 I'm sure that's what you were referring to because you mention that it would cost you $1000.  

If it's vinyl you're looking to listen to, you can just go to the music store or hobby store, and get any vinyl tables.  I've seen them go for $200.

 

Second, a good pair of Hi-Fi headphones shouldn't cost you more than $200.  Even a good pair of "Production" style headphones shouldn't cost you more than $150,

I'm not sure where you get the $1000 price tag from, that's just a little too high for "Vinyl listening".

Wire is wire.  WHen it comes to audio, it doesn't really matter the cord you use.  I've even seen companies go as far as to say that the signal has to "Travel a certain direction down the cord".  Which is completely absurd.

Take for example, a simple HDMI cord.  You see them go for 15$, and you see them go for 90$.

Realistically, there is no difference.  Different braids of copper, or "special "OptiFibre tubes run through the core" are all just marketing gimmicks.

The only real functional difference in cords that I know of, are the connectors.  Are they copper or gold plated?  That's about it.  I see no reason to spend more then $50 on a set of cords.

Seeing this has always driven me crazy, and it bothers me that some companies are trying to get away with that.  You're totally right.  Normal wire is totally fine.

 

Although some people will suggest that many strands of thin copper will transmit audio better than few, thicker strands.  But I suppose the functional difference is debatable.

 

First, it isn't entirely uncommon for someone to pay out the wazoo for a new turntable. Better needle, pickup mic, yadda yadda yadda. Second, Hi-Fi headphones can easily cost a grand. More so if they require an amplifier (looking at you HiFiman). Is there a difference? I'd wager so but I don't have the gear to test it. Is there a point of diminishing returns? Of course there is. There is for just about everything, but in this case its much higher than $200 for each. I myself use the apparently popular Sennheiser HD280s and they're great for $80, but I know the HD650s will mop the floor with them.

 

Lastly, the only time paying for cable makes sense is if you're sending a signal over long distances. That's about the only time ultra pure, gas injected übercopper and (more sensibly) shielding are going to have an effect. But yeah, I usually laugh at the people who actually buy them. Bonus points if they bought this as well.

[GeneralDirection 1,097]

*sigh* I wish I could afford to be. Having great-sounding PC speakers, headphones, car sound system, and iPod dock are all very important to me, but I can't afford any of it. :3 For my PC I recently bought the Logitech Z623 system and I think it's pretty good; definitely better than anything else I've had. I don't have formal headphones per se, so I use the earbuds that I also use for my iPod. I  have Sennheiser MX470s, which I think are also pretty good for being $30. I have no dock yet, and my car speakers are stock garbage that I wish I could replace. Just no money for nice things right now.

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,828]

I'm quite the audiophile. I've got a pair of skullcandy heshes that crank out some really awesome high quality sounds. I have so many earbuds that broke due to volume overload. 

[Buttonmash2026 1,090]

Here is another Audiophile. I have a Harman Kardon and three boomboxes I had been buying at the second hand stores. Including a portable DAB and a portable CD player.

 

[alexdehooves 28]

turning up the volume on my record players speaker 

and Pink Floyd's  in the flesh ? fills my ears and brain 

That record player is the best i have when it comes to awsome sound

[GhostPony750 959]

For the best quality, buy vynils.

It's huge and take alot of space, but it's the best quality you can afford.

 

I bought Marley headphones, I guess it's great, but not perfect sadly.

[Away 2,077]

I thought this was funny xD

 

[jjj 46]

I'm quite the audiophile. I've got a pair of skullcandy heshes that crank out some really awesome high quality sounds. I have so many earbuds that broke due to volume overload. 

 I see you have a great pair of headphones, however I still think they don't match the PERFECT quality for audiophiles as ourselves. I recommend going to the pawn shop and trading those semi-decent Skullcandy headphones and invest in getting a pair of Dr. Dre's Beats. Beats are one of the most stylish, amazing quality, headphones out there. You won't be disappointed, mate.

[Kon 19]

I have some cheap Sony MDR-ZX300's, which are $30.00

 

I also have a pair of earbuds I received for Christmas, and they do pretty okay I guess. Fits all snug into my ears and all I need is a little EQ since by default the Bass is just overpowering everything else. I hope to get a better pair of headphones some day however. 

[Away 2,077]

No offense to anyone who owns these headphones but Skullycandy and Beats aren't considered audiophile headphones.

 

Audiophile brands include:

AKG

Audeze

Audio-Technica

Beyerdynamic

Denon

Grado

HiFiMAN

Sennheiser

Shure

Stax

[Azure Envy 1,093]

My current setup is a pair of Sennheiser HD 598s connected to the amplified headphone out jack of a Sound Blaster Z. Probably blasphemous by audiophile standards, but it does a pretty decent job overall.

[SubZ3ro8 0]

I'm not only an audiophile because i also make music for bronies.I use a pair of razer kraken, a novation launchpad s and a hp laptop.The link of my soundcloud account is on my profile page

 

[Cosmik Vek 770]

I consider myself an audiophile, because I love to always have the best quality earphones for listening music, and it's the same for music file, 'cause now I always download my music at 320kbps or the best quality possible

Edited February 14, 2015 by ObliveonBr0ny

[shy0wl 484]

I'm not a huge audiophile per se.  I have skullcandy aviator headphones (only because I have basically no money and wanted some good headphones  ). I've been eyeing a pair of Sennheiser urbanite-xl headphones, I don't know how good they are or anything.  I care about good quality sound but it's not my #1 priority 

[SCS 7,538]

I'm definitely an audiophile. I always try to get music in the best quality I can. When I rip CDs to my computer, I don't use any of the standard programs either: I use a program I found called Exact Audio Copy that is far more powerful and effective at copying the music over to my hard drive with as little degradation in sound quality as possible.

 

Most of the songs on my computer are in uncompressed formats such as FLAC or WAV. Their sample rates range from 41k-192k (the highest my computer can output), and their bit rates range from like 300 to 9,000 or something. It only gets that high when I mess with an audio file in Audacity, usually when I'm putting together compilations for myself.

 

The sound quality is excellent, but it takes up a lot of hard drive space. I have almost 2 TB of storage space, but right now I have about 833 GB free space.