The Best Audio Gadget you have

Being somewhat an audio enthusiast myself, I was wondering what do you folks do for personal audio from your Notebook. I strongly feel a set of headphones would be darn hard to beat

I'll start it of by saying that at one point my headphone inventory included the Ferrari of Headphones - The Grado RS1. I also had the Grado SR325i, SR80, SR60 & Sennheiser HD497. Circumstances forced me sell them off and I now have only a Westone UM2 & Echo Indigo DJ PCMCIA sound card, which I consider to be a satisfactory portable music rig.

 

I have a pair of Sennheiser HD570's realy comfortable (i forget im wearing them) good sound. Sennheiser's are definatly the best. I think im going to get one of those creative PCMCIA sound cards, but there still a 100 quid

 

Sony MDR-7506. I prefer headphones that don't color the sound as much.

My other components aren't up to date and I've never tried to do anything with my laptop.

Anyone wanna buy a Korg X5DR?

 

Shure e3c's....which are ok..

I shoulda went for the e4c's though!

 

Technics RP-DH1200 but i didn't really buy them for my laptop. hehe

 

I like my Pioneer SX-950 powering New Large Advent speakers. I have a hard time finding something that sounds better in its price range.

 

I am using Bose headphones, and honestly, I don't see how headphones can get any better. I was considering Sennhieser headphones, but I have learned to love Bose (mostly from my mom's car).
Soon, I plan to get a Creative Audigy ZS 2, and a Creative Gigaworks S750. I would love to get Bose, but they..
1) are much too expensive in speakers (though probably worth it)
2) They don't offer any 7.1 speaker configurations.

Speakers:
http://creative.com/products/product.asp?category=4&subcategory=461&product=9306

Card:
http://creative.com/products/welcome.asp?category=244

 

I do a lot of music recording and basicly run any audio from my computer to my rme fireface, then send that to my mackie HR824 studio monitors and the sound is amazing. but thats stuff for recording anyway.

 

Apple iPod Video (5G) 60 GB and Shure e4 headphones

Definitely worth it.

 

USB Sharkoon Dynamic 5.1 headphones with Majestic driver so I have equalizer that wasn't there before (you will not hear from them that it is possible though )
Without it the headphones are great on DVDs and CDs but stink on MP3 (too much bass in my opinion), so with Majestic 5.1 driver it works great now.

Cheers,

 

I picked up some Sennheiser HD-280 Pros a while back and have been loving them ever since.

 

Not headphones, but my iAudio U2 with 2GB flash memory is my most prized posession. I also have some basic headphones, the Sennheiser PX 200s. I don't usually buy expensive headphones because I tend to be rough on my electronics and I'd rather break $30 headphones rather than $150 ones.

 

The best audio gadget I have is probably my Denon RCD-M33 CD player and SC-M53 speakers, but I've also got a set of Grado SR-60s (love 'em) for listening at home and a set of Shure E2cs (good bass...) to use with my Rio Carbon when I'm on the go.

 

Dad has a 10.4 surround sound system. Me - Bose noise cancelling headphones.

 

Sennheiser HD-25.

But the best audiogadget I have is iRiver H340!

 

Really nice to see so many folks here having some really good quality headphones and other audio gear.

Since you have a really good headphone, I would highly recommend getting the Echo Indigo DJ (has line-out) or the Echo Indigo IO (with line-in) over the creative option. The creative has all the bells and whistles like optical out, 7.1 surround capability and much cheaper than the Echo Indigo which has none of these, but as far as sound quality goes, it completely & utterly blows away the creative. Though it is retail priced at around $190, I got mine on EBay for $135 shipped. It may have gone cheaper by now and I think will do more justice to your wonderful headphones.

 

Bose headphone are poor value for the money. Also triports have average build quality. Grado SR60 at around $65 is a better value.

I have Sony MDR-SA1000, Etymotic ER6, Westone UM2 and I am getting AKG K701 very soon. I also have Ray Samuel's hornet (headphone amplifier) and I am getting Jan Meier's new Aria which is combo of DAC (Digital to Analog Converter to use with laptops) plus amp.

For more info on headphone related stuff go to headfi.com.

 

I had Echo Indigo IO and the I had great time using it with my Sony MDR-SA1000. Unfortunately it broke when I dropped my laptop. But customer service at Echo Audio did not respond to my query.

Another good option for a dac is Fubar USB dac. its priced at $120 is garnering great reviews at headfi.com.

check review
http://www.absolutelydelightful.com/wishlist/fubar-ii-usb-dac

Link to the product
http://www.firestone-audio.com/cgi-bin/product.asp?pdtseqnm=2

 

Hey tullnd,
I have Sony MDR-V500 (BTW are astonishing for the price i got them at )
What is the difference between yours (tullnd) and my MDR-V500s?
On quality of the MDR-V500 These far outdo the standard iPod headphones (with the magnets, I don't know what everyone thinks about them :S )
-TBird

 

I have a pair of earbuds I got for $3. But I hate headphones so I never use them.

My best audio gadget is my HT subwoofer. Velodyne VRP-1200 baby.

 

That's all based on opinion. Maybe they are not the highest in build quality, but they are most definitely far from the lowest (much above average from my understanding). It isn't like I plan on throwing them around or anything to damage them anyways. The most important factor for me is sound quality, and they do not disappoint. Chances are, the "Grado SR60" headphones are cheaper for a reason. If given the chance, I would put money on it that they do not sound as clear or surrounding as headphones from Bose.

 

It is based on opinion - correct Hellmanns.

I own the Bose Triports. Best headphones I have every used. Pricey? Yep. Worth it? Depends - to me, yes. Unbelievable sound quality.

 

I hope this won't turn into a debate on bose sound quality, but the Bose (both the QC2 & Triport) does not stand a chance in comparison to the venerable Grado's lowest model SR60 (only $69) in terms of sound quality (period), let alone Grado's high end models (..like the RS1 @$699, PS1 @$1400). The SR60 is unanimously accepted as the entry level into the High End Headphone Audio. Previous to SR60's release, Sony-MDRV6 costing $140 held that title, but the $69 Grado-SR60 made the Sony sound like a cheap kids toy audio & Bose is no where even in the picture.

Grado SR60 is the Headphone that has won maximum awards as far as headphone goes in the world till date. It is the only Headphone to have received the most prestegious STEREOPHILE -"PRODUCT OF THE YEAR" in two categories, "The Accessory of the Year" and the prestigious "Budget Component of Year". FYI, Bose has never been reviewed by Steriophile as they do not even consider them worth reviewing, let alone win any of their awards.

I would highly recommend everyone who doubts the Grado SR60 being anything other than The best value in whole of Audiophiledom to read the following discussion of it.
http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=106429&highlight=sr60+appreciation+thread

For a discussion of the BoseTriport
http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=127609&highlight=sr60+appreciation+thread
BEWARE: Its generally making fun of the Triport, but hey, its better to be informed so that you get the best for the money that you pay.

Its personal taste, i agree, but thats no excuse for stating the Bose is better than the SR60 in terms of sound quality, thats simply like saying the earth is flat and the sun goes around us, its simply too much to accept.

 

I have the sharkoon 5.1s too but find my big ears hurt if I'm using the headset for extended periods (2hours+)

Can anyone reccomend a similar headset (I use it for BF2) that is not as tight fitting?
thanks
gerryR

 

Hi, gerryR,

Actually I had the same problem. If you wear glasses it is even worse. I solved it in one delicate way. I just streched the darn thing. It has metal frame that can be bent and it doesn't loose its ability to press on ears. You can't see that it is bent, because of the very rubbery plastic around. So it still looks very good afterfwards, don't worry. Actually now when it is streched it fits into bag perfectly in a flat way (before it was quite lumpy). I also don't feel the pressure anymore, and sound is actually better. I noticed that bass was too strong before. Now I even solved thing with equalizer (I use majestic drivers) and it is absolutely perfect.

Cheers,

 

B4 I became member of Headfi and read about all reviews I also drooled over bose products. Thankfully I never bought any high end can b4 reading reviews.

When ipod nano released Bestbuy had Bose Triport along with nano and it sounded so thin. I had my ER6 ( got it for $60) and it beat the pants out of triport.

I guess as long as people are happy with what they have good for them. I just request them to analyze bit more (read audiophile reviews) before buying any expensive headphone.

 

Its not that Grado SR60 is cheap for a reason. They are priced exactly what they are worth. Bose products are way over priced bcos they spent gazillion dollors in marketing. I guess that's working as lots of people with limited knowledge in the subject seem to think Bose products are the best.

 

The MDR-V500 are DJ style phones. Means the foldable head band usually allows them to be twisted so you can place on cup on an ear, and leave the other exposed.

Also, they're tuned differently. My 7506's are studio series headphones. Very, very popular in the recording industry because of the clarity they give, especially on vocals. Allows engineers to notice lots of things that get colored on many other speaker systems.

I find that most of those "surround" headphones or many with multiple drivers tend to over-do the bass and muddy up the midrange. These keep it very clear. Of course, if it's a poor quality source, it's even more obvious with these headphones...but I usually try to EQ it out on the machine then.

I'm addicted to this style from back in my recording days. If you ever do any lyrical work, you'll quickly appreciate these over many of the other headphones out there.

 

Gonna try that as soon as I get home, cheers!

must try the majestic drivers too.
thanks again

 

i konw u said notebook but my best audio gadget is the mp3 player in my 06 civic =)

 

I am not going to continue to argue for I have never owned Grado headphones. Frankly, I have never even heard of them until now. I only hear good things about Bose, and from my experiences, the things that I hear are true. You can convince people that those headphones are a better deal - it might be true - but yes, it is all on personal taste. I personally prefer Bose sound over any other brand, period. Every penny spent on Bose products is worth it to me.
Bose is the most known brand for innovative audio. That says a lot right there.

 

I am going to take that as an insult. I would not say that I am anything short on knowledge of audio quality. Reasonable knowledge is basically just knowing what you prefer between multiple products anyways.

Edit:
I would just like to add what I consider a "limited-knowledge audio consumer."

Someone who goes to 'Sound World' and picks up 2-1,000 watt amps and 2-12" subwoofers and cranks the bass way up so their riced out car practically falls apart and says that they have the best sounding stereo in the world. Hopefully I am not offending anyone here.

 

Bose isn't crap. They're known for making decent sound out of small setups. Their cubes do NOT produce the full range of sound that many audiophiles desire and can often notice. However, they do well at producing a full sound with small drivers and are able to be mounted inconspicuously in rooms that you don't want to dedicate to a towering set of ribbon drivers and woofers.

However...if you're someone who truely pays attention to the quality of the audio reproduction, Bose will not satisfy you. There's a reason that Bose doesn't release their numbers for frequency response on many models. They know that they can't produce the full spectrum and they don't want to advertise that. They are efficient for what they do, but accuracy is not king.

It's like buying a Kicker car stereo amplifier over an A/D/S. The Kicker is fine, but for those who really pay attention, the A/D/S would be required over the Kicker.

If you're happy with your Bose, then good for you.

Most of these people who have their fancy headphones would cry if they heard their music through the ones I listen to....unless you spent some time in a production studio and developed a taste for hearing every single nuisance in a singer's voice. Otherwise it'd drive you crazy.

edit - i'm not referring to Bose's theater/stadium/pa series speakers...as they aren't meant to produce the full spectrum anyways...but follow a similar pattern of efficiency first...that is more appropriate to that venue.

 

I kinda agree with you, but you can never be sure unless one hears it for himself/herself. I was frankly astounded by the amount of new sounds I started hearing from my same old music with the Grados. Things even as an electrical engineer I had no idea were embedded in the recordings, like the sound of the vocalist taking his breath between lines or the very minute sound of friction that occurs when an acoustic guitarist runs his fingers over the strings. I never knew that all these extremely subtle sounds were all embedded in the recordings, one only required a quality equipment to hear it.

I was never a sound freak, I just wanted a headphone, so did some research and decided to go for a product that many sound fanatics have repeatedly & overwhelmingly recommended. Now that I have heard it, its become extremely hard to go back. I have begun to throughly appreciate the nuances in detail, extreme clarity, the realisticness of the sound and many other other aspects which I never cared for previously. And most importantly, I have begun to appreciate the wonder that our ears are even much more.

I guess my point is not that a Bose will never ever give you this kind of detail, which is more than obvious to me. You can pump up the volume as much as you can on it and still won't get a whiff of what I am talking about here. My point is that for the money you pay for a Boss, you can get one that can. I have heard the Triport on several occasions, have even spent a day with it and I can vow on the fact that its sound is just at par with the $40 Sennheiser HD497. You spend that same $120 required for a Triport on a Sennheiser, Grado, AKG, Byerdynamic or an Audio-Technica (with some research as some of them have made a few flops too), you get something vastly superior. Its only through discussions in forums like these that people come to know of the various drastically superior choices, just like I did.

I agree cent percent that you are absolutely happy with a Boss, but I do hope that does not deter you from trying something else in the future. You may never know and may just like the other alternatives. And some day, you may even join us in saying that about the only thing Bose innovates is in fooling people with their ever improving technical jargons . If after so much innovations as they claim they have, still making products far inferior to others is what should be saying lots.

 

You all have made a good share of points. I am very satisfied with my headphones, and that is all that matters to me. I am calling 'truce' right now because this whole topic has gotten a little off, and I would not like to carry it any further from the original topic.
A rather interesting discussion though, I must say

 

I totally agree. Truce.

 

logitech Z-2300's ^_^, best 2.1 system available, bloody loud! soo soo nice

 

Well said about Bose.

 

I bought a Sony Dream Machine clock radio at Valu Village for $5.00 that has its speakers ported and arranged much like that overpriced Bose Wave system. Sounds great, and tells time, too...

 

For someone who has not even heard of brand like Grado (I hope you have heard of Sennheiser,AKG,Beyerdynamic,Ultimate Ears,Sensaphonics,Audio Technica) I dunno what "multiple products" you compared with. If all you have heard of stock ipod earbuds and ones on display at best buy, I am afraid you have heard nothing. Go to a store like Guitar Center and you might get the opportunity to hear better cans.

Just like you would go to an automobile engineer or an auto mechanic to get more info about a product, you would go around more audiophile reviews before deciding on audio equipment. More so in this case bcos its more of niche market.

Also something is rarely is best bcos its most well known.More pentium 4 desktops sell than AMD desktops. Dell sells more computers than others. That doesn't make either one of them the best.

Bottomline is hear opinion without bias and from people who show some amount of knowledge in that matter.

Its great you are happy with bose but I would recommend everyone to read reviews and opinions at www.head-fi.org before buying any expensive can.

 

No, I would not compare closed headphones to buds. The buds stand no chance. I originally wanted a pair of Sennheisers, but I decided to go with the Bose even though they were $50 more (mostly because the BestBuy that I had planned to purchase from did not carry them). I trusted that I would be more satisfied with these anyways. I did not choose these headphones without research though. I went on numerous sites and read reviews, and too many people recommended the Bose to pass up that chance. Plus I am 'wowed' by the system in my mom's STS. That is by far the best I've heard in a car.