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Yea its not like beats are terrible. Its just that they are overpriced. Definitely look better than anything on the market.
I think sampling rate for a DAC is different from how KHz is applied for compressed audio formats like MP3. CDs are sampled at 44.1 KHz."Explorer has extended digital bandwidth, playing audio up to 192 kHz sampling."This DAC looks interesting for $119. Theconsensus on Head-Fi is positive. I like that it's small
Meridian Explorer
Isnt 192 low? Spotify is at 300 something now.
That said, Meridian has some good stuff in mid-hi end audio, IIRC
Oh.Eephus said:I think sampling rate for a DAC is different from how KHz is applied for compressed audio formats like MP3. CDs are sampled at 44.1 KHz.Koya said:"Explorer has extended digital bandwidth, playing audio up to 192 kHz sampling."Eephus said:This DAC looks interesting for $119. The
Meridian Explorer
Isnt 192 low? Spotify is at 300 something now.
That said, Meridian has some good stuff in mid-hi end audio, IIRC
I have no idea what I'm talking aboutOh.Eephus said:I think sampling rate for a DAC is different from how KHz is applied for compressed audio formats like MP3. CDs are sampled at 44.1 KHz.Koya said:"Explorer has extended digital bandwidth, playing audio up to 192 kHz sampling."Eephus said:This DAC looks interesting for $119. The
Meridian Explorer
Isnt 192 low? Spotify is at 300 something now.
That said, Meridian has some good stuff in mid-hi end audio, IIRC
That makes sense at least.
Still makes sense.I have no idea what I'm talking aboutOh.Eephus said:I think sampling rate for a DAC is different from how KHz is applied for compressed audio formats like MP3. CDs are sampled at 44.1 KHz.Koya said:"Explorer has extended digital bandwidth, playing audio up to 192 kHz sampling."Eephus said:This DAC looks interesting for $119. The
Meridian Explorer
Isnt 192 low? Spotify is at 300 something now.
That said, Meridian has some good stuff in mid-hi end audio, IIRC
That makes sense at least.
Audio Technica ATH-M50x's sound fantastic and look slick. They are probably the best sound for your money cans you can get. They are great for the home, but they are just too big imo to be wearing around outside. As a daily commuter, I'd feel a bit self conscious and feel like they would be bit of a hassle to store, even with the ability to fold them.
Sample rate and bit rate are two different things. lots of articles you can google about this. Spotify 300 number is bit rate - kbps...is among the higher band for mp3's, but is still heavily compressed. A good quality audio file would be at least twice that high. As for sample rate, not sure if 192 hhz is possible, but if it is that is extremely highEephus said:I think sampling rate for a DAC is different from how KHz is applied for compressed audio formats like MP3. CDs are sampled at 44.1 KHz.Koya said:"Explorer has extended digital bandwidth, playing audio up to 192 kHz sampling."Eephus said:This DAC looks interesting for $119. The
Meridian Explorer
Isnt 192 low? Spotify is at 300 something now.
That said, Meridian has some good stuff in mid-hi end audio, IIRC
M50s i think were mentioned about 10 times. Is there anything different about these other than the detachable cable?matuski said:
I'm no audio expert, but these are better made than the M50s imo. Cushioning is softer but firmer? Hard to describe but instead of a foam feel it is a plush leather feel. Feels lighter and way more comfortable.
Are they really that big? Was number one on my list until I read this. Kind of a bummer.
They are basically the same size as any full size studio monitors. Not bigger than Beats or bose or any of the others IMO. I see people wearing headphones this size everyday here in NYC. However, for me, i use my in ear monitors when commuting as i like to be able to fit my headphones in my coat or pants pocket. Full size monitors can be difficult to store when your out and about. If i was just going to one office and back, i would wear my 380s. But if im going to be out and about, its almost always my VSonic IEMs. When traveling id go with one of my full sized closed headphones.
While full sized/over ear cans are fairly ubiquitous there are still many people like myself who feel that they are too large and heavy to wear on the go, while also feeling like most IEM's lack the sound signatures they are seeking. I think on-ears are a good solution for people like that and are definitely my preference if I were to wear nicer headphones when travelling (I generally prefer cheapie in-ears for daily drivers to be honest).
I kind of think that's amazing, though it's a personal preference. Personally, I'd prefer to be either an in-ear guy, or a full-size can. I'm not sure what the benefits are of the mid-size, over-ear variety. That seems like nearly all of the trouble but with a compromised sound.
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INteresting feedback on these... and at $33 seem to be solid value for a good, not great, set of phones:
i would agree. also dont sleep on good IEMs. they can delivery outstanding sound comparable to on ears.
It comes down to on-ears having the right mix of aesthetics, comfort, and sound quality for me. Definitely a personal preference thing. Agree there are some great IEM's out there. Just can never bring myself to drop money on them (I'm always quick to lose them).
Good info and nice pics in that thread. Looks like a 10% price increase since I ordered. If they aren't decent I'll just re-gift them.
Got these in. Nice packaging.
The isolation might help make them decent air travel set, but they definitely fall short in overall performance. Highs simply are NOT crisp or detailed like the Grados (artifacts of the poor high-end response?).
Great review. thanks. Sounds pretty solid for $33!!Got these in. Nice packaging. Basic but solid "Leather?" hard side case for the phones. The phones themselves seem fairly well constructed. I like the removable braided cable. There's a bit of cable noise transmitted into the cups due to abrasion along the line or contact with the plugs as they enter the headphones. It's not dramatic, but these may not be the best set for active use. The ear cups are a nice leather and feel very comfortable with no pressure points. No complaints on the physical construction of the phones themselves.
Ran some tests based on the headphone test website here. The results:
LOW END RESPONSE:
VERY good low end. These even picked up at 10hz level, which my Grado SR80e's did not. The response curve stabilized by 20hz and maintained fairly flat through the spectrum to 200hz.
HIGH END RESPONSE:
These come in (For me) around 16khz, compared to 17-18khz with the Grados. I attribute the lower level of the Grados to (likely) some high-frequency hearing loss (late 30's, lots of concerts/live music). However the fact that these come in at a lower level has me concerned it may the be phones, not my ears. Will A/B Them with the Grado's tonight. ALSO there is a significant dip in volume between 10-12khz. Nothing crazy but it's quite noticeable. Otherwise, the response feels fairly flat.
SPECTRAL FLATNESS:
Fairly flat here across the full specturm, aside from the noticeable dropout in the 10-12khz range again.
DYNAMIC RANGE:
Closed off nicely... I was able to pick up the 66db below scale voice clearly... and the 72db below scale somewhat. Quite good isolation.
QUALITY: Bass Shaker
NO rattles or other build-quality issues. Well made headphones.
DRIVER MATCHING:
Slight left lean on lower freqency shifting to a slight right lean on higher frequencies... with some wobble on the way. Nothing dramatic but these are certainly not matched nearly as well as the Grados, which hold dead center for the duration of the sweep.
BINAURAL TEST:
Not as "clean" as the Grados... but good spatial positioning / sound stage.
MUSICALITY:
These are decent but there is a pretty profound gap between them and the Grados, and even my Sennheiser IE4 Ear Buds ($60).
There's definitely some "muddy" qualities in complex tracks with a lot going on (ie Dave Matthews #41) where individual instruments are tougher to isolate. Heavier tracks (CKY "Flesh Into Gear") show the same muddy quality with the heavy/thick guitar style the band uses. With the Grados the synth work stands out better and the drum work doesn't get lost in the guitars.... not so much with these. Switching into a more electro/pop style (MGMT "Time to Pretend") allowed these to do a little better, but not much. Vocals felt a bit lost behind the synth. Bass almost sounded a bit clipped (though I wasn't listening at a very high volume). Finally a vocal test (Radiohead "Street Spirit / Fade Out") was a bit surprising. They did a good job of replicating Yorke's voice and the Greenwood's guitar... but there's just not much detail there :(
For $33 it's tough to be disappointed... but these are thoroughly unimpressive. Perhaps I was spoiled by the Grados.... but these seem to even fall short of a $50 pair of Sennheiser ear buds as well.
I've got my Senn HD25-1 IIs in my hands at work now and they are amazing. Have been great on the commute to/from work and also while at work. Super light and for an on ear headphone they drown out the outside noise very well.
A big drawback with Grado's imo - once you start to really enjoy them and get used to their sound, you might become curious about how much better they would sound with a higher end amp or DAC, or how much more interesting all of your music will sound with a higher end pair like the RS1's. Things can get expensive very quickly.hahaha dont do it. just buy a new pair of closed headphones!!!!
HiFiMAN EF2A - IN THE HIZZIE!!!In a weird merging of threads, I got a great pair of Grado SR80e's for XMAS today. Was touched by the gift. I'm currently listening to We Were Promised Jetpacks with them and they sound great. Anyway, no bowl pads yet, but an upgrade is certainly on the way. Now I can only imagine about the DAC and tube amp…
Moving clocks run so slow…
What source are you playing the music through?HiFiMAN EF2A - IN THE HIZZIE!!!In a weird merging of threads, I got a great pair of Grado SR80e's for XMAS today. Was touched by the gift. I'm currently listening to We Were Promised Jetpacks with them and they sound great. Anyway, no bowl pads yet, but an upgrade is certainly on the way. Now I can only imagine about the DAC and tube amp
Moving clocks run so slow
JUST got home from our trip to MD. Haven't had a lick of time to check anything re: settings etc, but OMGZZOMG... seriously, the Hifiman EF2A is just unreal for the price (under 200).
Plugged and playing (again, with the Senn 598's) and it's quite literally an additional dimension to the music. Depth and staging that I have not heard in a LONG time (since my tubed amp amp, and even better in many ways as it's HPs). Strongly recommended this early on.
My one curiosity is a closed headphone. Love the detail and all with these, but that in your ear-face is sometimes a little missing as compared with closed... though when listening loud, these things simply rock.
For now, off my M$ $urface.What source are you playing the music through?HiFiMAN EF2A - IN THE HIZZIE!!!In a weird merging of threads, I got a great pair of Grado SR80e's for XMAS today. Was touched by the gift. I'm currently listening to We Were Promised Jetpacks with them and they sound great. Anyway, no bowl pads yet, but an upgrade is certainly on the way. Now I can only imagine about the DAC and tube amp
Moving clocks run so slow
JUST got home from our trip to MD. Haven't had a lick of time to check anything re: settings etc, but OMGZZOMG... seriously, the Hifiman EF2A is just unreal for the price (under 200).
Plugged and playing (again, with the Senn 598's) and it's quite literally an additional dimension to the music. Depth and staging that I have not heard in a LONG time (since my tubed amp amp, and even better in many ways as it's HPs). Strongly recommended this early on.
My one curiosity is a closed headphone. Love the detail and all with these, but that in your ear-face is sometimes a little missing as compared with closed... though when listening loud, these things simply rock.
The list $250 momentum on ears are only 99 right now. I don't know how I can't buy one.
