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Headphones for Hackers

priceonomics.com

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Re: Headphones for Hackers

#111

Post by sciurus »

jamwt wrote: post #96

I've listened to Grados, various Sennheiser, etc.. and they're all fine. Good even. But there's just one thing I don't get about the "headphone scene". I've done various things as a musician over the last 15 years, and the cans you see EVERYWHERE are the Sony MDR-7506. Period. If it is good enough to mix and master, if it is good enough to monitor professional vocalists in the studio, it is good enough for you! These…

I've been happy with my Sony MDR-V6, which I think are almost identical the the MDR-7506. $100 on headphones seems pricey if you're used to earbuds, but these sound great, travel well, and should last forever.

Wikipedia on the MDR-V6, MDR-V600, MDR-7506, MDR-7509HD, and MDR-CD900ST: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_MDR-V6

Re: Headphones for Hackers

#112

Post by Jaecen »

Any debate about the quality of various headphones is pointless, as Priceonomics has already indisputably answered that question among the models listed.

If you remember back to their post about phone price deprecation (http://priceonomics.com/phones/#cell-phone-depreciation), you might recall their statement that, "... we firmly believe that resale value is the best objective indicator of product quality." In this current article, they state that "... the popular Bose QuietComfort 15 stood out as having the best resale value."

There you have it: incontrovertible proof that the Bose QuietComfort 15 is the highest quality headphones in the sample set.

Re: Headphones for Hackers

#113

Post by msutherl »

jamwt wrote: post #96

I've listened to Grados, various Sennheiser, etc.. and they're all fine. Good even. But there's just one thing I don't get about the "headphone scene". I've done various things as a musician over the last 15 years, and the cans you see EVERYWHERE are the Sony MDR-7506. Period. If it is good enough to mix and master, if it is good enough to monitor professional vocalists in the studio, it is good enough for you! These…

I'be done A/B with the Sony's and the Sens and I can attest that they sound very similar. I went with the Sony's. However, I must say that the sound is nowhere close to my Grados. If you want closed-back headphones with a nice balanced, transparent sound and good sound stage, you're going to have to spend much more than $100. After doing a lot of research, I can recommend the Beyerdynamic DT-770's with a decent headphone amp ($50) as probably the best deal on closed-backs that are durable, beautiful, and rival sub-$200 open-back phones.

My biggest complaint with the Sony's/Sens', aside from lack of detail, is that they have a lot of sibilance, which becomes fatiguing after an hour or two. I wear my Grados whenever I can (but can't when other people are around due to sound leakage).

Re: Headphones for Hackers

#114

Post by allertonm »

bwarp wrote: post #79

I've got a pair of Sennheiser HD-25 SP-II headphones (they are monitor headphones and spend a fair amount of time whacked into the front of a Korg Trinity). I paid 30 GBP for them in 2004. I've replaced the cable once for 20GBP after repeatedly running over it with a desk chair for 5 years and replaced the earpads once for about 10GBP. I would not swap them for anything. They run rings around headphones which are 5-1…

These are my choice for coding too, very good balance of sound isolation and quality. Very solidly made too. Hard to find in Hi-fi stores but music equipment places carry them (popular for monitoring & ENG work.)

Not sure that they beat high-end phones though. I have some HD650s at home, and trust me, they are nicer to listen to (but being open, would annoy the hell out of my co-workers.)

Re: Headphones for Hackers

#115

Post by msutherl »

Jaecen wrote: post #112

Any debate about the quality of various headphones is pointless, as Priceonomics has already indisputably answered that question among the models listed. If you remember back to their post about phone price deprecation ( http://priceonomics.com/phones/#cell-phone-depreciation ), you might recall their statement that, "... we firmly believe that resale value is the best objective indicator of product quality." In this…

Bose is a scam. Everybody who knows audio equipment knows this. Period.

Re: Headphones for Hackers

#116

Post by ColinDabritz »

What about headsets (with an integrated microphone)?

Do many hackers (in startups or elsewhere) not need a mic? My use case is usually gaming but use cases like remote collaboration, calling people with a VOIP solution, recording voice for use as sound assets all seem like they would be common enough use cases.

Do most of us prefer separate solutions like a webcam integrated or desktop mic?

If not, what headsets are good? I've been getting by on relatively cheap headsets but the cords almost always fray and need replaced inside of year. I'm reluctant to spend more than $100 on a 'high quality' set like the 'Sennheiser PC 360' without experiencing them directly, but the reviews help. What are the good options out there?

Re: Headphones for Hackers

#117

Post by bherms »

I am somewhat of an audiophile (sound engineer for various bands, musician, etc) and have really come to love a few different headphones for different reasons.

Right now I have a small array of headphones:

While mixing for bands I use AKG K171's

While walking around town, I use my AKG Q460's

At the gym I use Bose Triport In Ears (forget the model #)

At work (in the office) I use my Q460's, but plan to upgrade eventually to Audeze or Ultrasones.

At work (at home) I use my AKG Q701's.

There is a lot of variation in the sound, but my philosophy is this: 1) general listening, use any over-ear, closed-back phones that sound good with an iPod. 2) Mixing, you need something with great isolation, but never buy "noise-cancelling". 3) If you're alone and don't want to bother neighbors, a good pair of open-back cans will give you amazing sound and a ridiculous sound stage. 4) Gym, just something comfortable and decent sounding. 5) At the office, good sound, closed back for minimal bleed.

Keep in mind for many of the higher end cans you'll need a good amp and DAC to get the most out of them.

Re: Headphones for Hackers

#118

Post by Jaecen »

msutherl wrote: post #115
Jaecen wrote: post #112

Any debate about the quality of various headphones is pointless, as Priceonomics has already indisputably answered that question among the models listed. If you remember back to their post about phone price deprecation ( http://priceonomics.com/phones/#cell-phone-depreciation ), you might recall their statement that, "... we firmly believe that resale value is the best objective indicator of product quality." In this…

Bose is a scam. Everybody who knows audio equipment knows this. Period.

Surely you can't argue with Priceonomics' "objective indicator"!

Re: Headphones for Hackers

#119

Post by _feda_ »

Ive been using a pair of broken samsung earphones for a month or two. Only one earphone works and the other is completely crushed but hey it does the job... sort of.

Re: Headphones for Hackers

#120

Post by TomatoTomato »

ColinDabritz wrote: post #116

What about headsets (with an integrated microphone)? Do many hackers (in startups or elsewhere) not need a mic? My use case is usually gaming but use cases like remote collaboration, calling people with a VOIP solution, recording voice for use as sound assets all seem like they would be common enough use cases. Do most of us prefer separate solutions like a webcam integrated or desktop mic? If not, what headsets are…

TripleFi 10vi has a replaceable headset cable. Also works with most customs -- using the cable on my JH16's right now.
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