Understanding Impedance - Of course what I'm about say doesn't apply to every pair of headphones or earphones, but here it goes: One important thing to note when picking a set of cans or IEMs is whether they are high impedance or low impedance. Low impedance head-gear usually requires little to no amplification in order to reach it's full potential, while high impedance head gear requires more amplification or voltage in order to sound how it should. Low impedance head-gear usually ranges from about 10 - 80OHM; High Impedance head gear 250 - 600OHM. High impedance head-gear usually suffers from less sound distortion and static noise.
What's a DAC - A Digital to Audio Converter converts a digital bitstream to an analog signal. Can be a separate "box" that connects between a CD Transport or CD Player and a pre-amplifier. Damping (Damping factor, etc.): Refers to the ability of an audio component to "stop" after the signal ends. For example, if a drum is struck with a mallet, the sound will reach a peak level and then decay in a certain amount of time to no sound. An audio component that allows the decay to drag on too long has poor damping, and less definition than it should. An audio component that is overdamped does not allow the initial energy to reach the full peak and cuts the decay short. "Boomy" or "muddy" sound is often the result of underdamped systems. "Dry" or "lifeless" sound may be the result of an overdamped system. If you have a poor sound-card and need a DAC or a better one you will probably experience a bit of distortion, which may be audible even without anything playing.
What's an Amp - A device which increases signal level. Many types of amplifiers are used in audio systems. Amplifiers typically increase voltage, current or both.
Description of Soundstage - A listening term that refers to the placement of a stereo image in a fashion that replicates the original performance. A realistic soundstage has proportional width, depth and height.
Closed Vs. Open Headphones - Usually this refers to headphones exclusively. Closed headphones leak sound less and generally provide better isolation from external noises. Open headphones may go loud enough to cover up external noises but generally leak sound to anyone present in the room and generally do a poor job with sound isolation. Open headphones are generally lighter and are more "lively" sounding with better soundstage. Closed headphones usually sport a greater bass impact, but obviously these generalities about sound vary greatly.
Portability - Usually this is a discussion involving headphones. Portable headphones are generally lighter, have lower impedance, and some of them fold up. Generally all IEMs (earphones) are portable given their small size, although some may benefit from amplification.
Supra-Aural (On-Ear Headphones) Vs. Circumaural (Over-Ear Headphones) - Circumaural headphones have ear pads that fit all the over the ear rather than resting on the ear. The results generally lead to added comfort and isolation, though there are some notable exceptions, and lately on-ear headphones have made large strides in both departments. Circumaural headphones also tend to sport wider soundstages and increased bass impact. Supra-Aural headphones are generally lighter, foldable, easier to drive, and thus more portable.
Earbuds Vs. IEMs - Earbuds sit very shallow in the ear (these are what come with iPods) whereas IEMs actually are meant to be inserted all the way into the ear. IEMs provide better isolation, generally better sound, and generally better comfort as well. They are mostly what are going to be recommended, although the Yuin PK3s are a notable exception.
Encoding in lossless - Lossless files such as APE/WAV/FLAC/ALAC offer the best archival quality. They are known as lossless files because they don't suffer from any loss of quality or artifacts when encoding from an audio source such as a CD or LP. Therefore utilizing them to encode to lossy files presents by far the most optimal choice. A well encoded lossy file which starts from a lossless source can sound quite good, nearly
identical.
Lossy Files - Despite what some sites seem to perpetuate, I don't believe utilizing lossy files is the end of the world. They present the most efficient use of space, and as long as they are well encoded most people would be hard pressed to identify them when compared to Lossless ones even with relatively high end gear. Lame is probably the best MP3 encoder, V0 is a very popular variable bitrate choice, as it seems to offer a
nice combination of quality and relatively small file size. For lower bitrates I really prefer AAC/Ogg, which seem to be more efficient and present a greater spectral range at bitrates of 128kpbs and lower. However, keep in mind that they're not compatible with as many players and music programs.
[Sound Descriptors]
[Glossary of Audio Terminology]
When Asking For Recommendations - keep in mind what has been presented in this section. Be specific, the more specific you are the better suited the recommendation will be for you.
Good recommendation example:
Hello headphone peeps I'm looking for a closed portable headphone to be used mainly for hip hop and rock. I have about two hundred dollars. I live in Europe btw. (You could also insert a nice sound descriptor from the link in there to do illuminate what type of signature you desire).
(Closed)
- Blue Lola
- Sony MDR-1A
- Audio Technica MSR7
- Monoprice M565
- Beyerdynamic DT-250
- NAD VISO HP50
- ADL H118
- Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro (80 OHM)
- Yamaha MT220
- AKG K553
- M-Audio HDH50
- Audio Technica ATH-900x
- Soundmagic HP150
- Fostex T50RP-MK3
- Brainwavz HM5
- SRH-840
- KRK KNS8400
- Koss ProDJ200
- Takstar Pro 82
- NVX XPT100
- JVC HARX700
- Samson SR850
(Open)
- Sennheiser HD650
- Hifiman HE-400i
- Monoprice Monolith M1060
- Fidelio X1
- Beyerdynamic DT880
- AKG Q701
- Sennheiser HD 599
- Sony MDR-MA900
- Audio Technica ATH-AD900x
- Soundmagic HP200
- Grado SR225e
- Beyerdynamic DT990's Pro
- Audio Technica ATH-AD700
- AUDIO-TECHNICA ATH-TAD500
- Grado SR80e
- Lasmex L-85
- Takstar HI 2050
- Philips SHP9500
- Superlux HD 668B
- Master Dynamic MH30
- Focal Listen
- V-Moda M100
- Beyerdynamic DT-1350
- KEF M500
- Audio-Technica ATH-ESW9
- Audio-Technica ATH-WS99
- Meze 99
- Beats Solo 2
- Audio Technica M50x
- V-Moda XS
- Sennheiser HD 25
- RBH Sound HP-2
- Don Scorpio Dolphin
- Creative Aurvana Live
- Ultrasone HFI-580
- Noontec Zoro II HD
- JVC HA-S680
- Sennheiser PX100
- JVC HA-S500
- JVC HA-S400
- Beyerdynamic DT 235
- Koss PortaPro
- Panasonic RP HTF600
- Koss KSC75
- Sony MDR-1000X
- Bose QC35
- Parrot Zik 2.0
- Audio-Technica ATH-DSR7BT
- Plantronics BackBeat PRO
- Supertooth Freedom
- Pendulum Stance S1
- Headphone Divine
- Audio-Technica ATH-WS99BT
- Massdrop Plus Universal IEMs
- MEElectronics Pinnacle P1
- LZ A4
- RHA T20i
- Ortofon E-Q5
- Brainwavz B400
- Dunu DN-1000
- Brainwavz B200
- Bowers & Wilkins C5
- Final Audio Heaven IV
- TONEKING NINE TAIL
- Audio Technica ATH-IM02
- Audio-Technica ATH-CK9
- GR07 Classic
- 1-More Quad Driver
- Yamaha EPH-100SL
- Alpha & Delta AD01
- MEE Pinnacle P2
- JVC HA-FXT90
- Kinera H3
- Audio Technica ATH-IM50
- TFZ King
- Astrotec AX-35
- TFZ Series 4
- Ostry KC06a
- LZ A2S
- Soundmagic E80
- TFZ Series 3
- Fidue A65
- Zero Audio Carbo Basso
- Zero Audio Tenore
- Vsonic GR06
- Hifiman RE-300H
- Bette 1+1
- Vsonic VSD3S
- Tin Audio T2
- NarMoo S1
- Brainwavz Delta
- Xaomi Piston 3
- KZ ZST
- Rose Masya
- Shozy BK
- MusikMakerTY2
- Dunu Titan 5
- Dunu Titan 3
- Dunu Titan 1
- Ediumun v3
- Shozy Cygnus
- Mr. Z Full Metal
- Moondrop VX-Pro
- Auglamour RX-1
- Mr.Z Tomahawk
- Apple Earpods
- VE Monk
- Schiit Jotunheim
- Fostex HP-A4
- Aune X1S
- NFB 11.32
- Mayflower Arc
- ZERO 637U 24
- Monoprice Monolith Desktop THX
- Schiit Modi 3
- Emotiva A-100
- Dragonfly Red
- Monoprice 111567
- Fiio E10
- Schiit Fulla
- Darkvoice 336Se
- Gemtune APPJ PA1502A
- Elemental Watson Class-A
- Little Dot MKIII
- Schiit Valhalla 2
- Schiit Asgard 2
- Bottlehead Crack
- Project Ember
- Massdrop x Alex Cavalli Tube Hybrid Amp
- Nobsound NS-08E
- Schiit Vali 2
- xDuoo TA-01
- Xduoo TA02
- Bravo Ocean
- Cambridge Audio DacMagic 100
- AudioEngine D3
- SML Magic
- Schiit Modi 2
- JDS OL DAC
- Micca Origen+
- Audioengine D1
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