new audio setup

[djewell314]

i have a new computer and am curently using a pair of crappy headphones and want to upgrade.

i was originaly looking to eventualy get some cheaper in ears($100 or so) for travel, a pair of m50s, and some nicer open back headphones

but now im thinking of just a nicer pair of in ears and a nicer pair of openback head phones and wass wondering what some good ones were.

i do some gaming and primarily listen to classic rock and alternative indie but also some orchestral and classical.

[kirBi]

What's your budget?

[djewell314]

What's your budget?

maybe aound $500 total but im not 100% sure

[rhyseyness]

Sennheiser ie80's are supposed to be awesome.

Linus released a review of them yesterday.

What's your budget though?

 

EDIT: I just saw your budget

[djewell314]

Sennheiser ie80's are supposed to be awesome.

Linus released a review of them yesterday.

What's your budget though?

 

EDIT: I just saw your budget

his review was acctualy why i thought about getting better in ears and m=not the m50s

[rhyseyness]

his review was acctualy why i thought about getting better in ears and m=not the m50s

I have a pair of ATH-M50, and I love them.

However I don't think you should buy those and the ie80's.

One or the other will probably suffice for whatever use case, but I'm no expert.

[djewell314]

do you think that the ie80 would be diverse enough alone or should i also get some open back headphones?

 

[kirBi]

A lot of options available for $500

 

For open headphones:

Beyerdynamic DT880/990

Sennheiser HD558/598

AKG k701

You might even be able to get Sennheiser HD600 if you decide against getting an in ears. One of the best headphones in this price range IMO.

 

I would personally choose beyer since it is a good all-rounder, but for instrumental music sennheiser might be better.

All of the headphones above will benefit from an amp. You can get something from Fiio (E11 maybe?) or get Objective 2.

 

For in ears, I would strongly suggest getting Etymotic Research ER4-PT. It's one of my faverite.

IE80 is good, but personally I think it is a bit overpriced. Still a solid choice tho.

[djewell314]

A lot of options available for $500

 

For open headphones:

Beyerdynamic DT880/990

Sennheiser HD558/598

AKG k701

You might even be able to get Sennheiser HD600 if you decide against getting an in ears. One of the best headphones in this price range IMO.

 

I would personally choose beyer since it is a good all-rounder, but for instrumental music sennheiser might be better.

All of the headphones above will benefit from an amp. You can get something from Fiio (E11 maybe?) or get Objective 2.

 

For in ears, I would strongly suggest getting Etymotic Research ER4-PT. It's one of my faverite.

IE80 is good, but personally I think it is a bit overpriced. Still a solid choice tho.

i want a pair of in ears for travel and headphones for computer use and it was 500 total

[bradscoolio]

Reference In ear monitors: 

Etymotic ER-4's ~$300

(these things are the shiz, reference monitors have the flattest reproduction you'll find, closest to the source files intentions that is)

 

Open back headphones:

Bayredynamic DT990 Pro's ~$150

(on sale atm, $150 off) 

[kirBi]

i want a pair of in ears for travel and headphones for computer use and it was 500 total

 

ER4 costs sub $300.

DT990 Pro and HD558 cost sub $150.

Fiio e10 costs around $50.

DT880 Pro and HD598 cost around $200, now you get to choose what to buy.

 

I added HD600 in case if you want to go full headphones.

[djewell314]

Open back headphones:

Bayredynamic DT990 Pro's ~$150

(on sale atm, $150 off) 

these are 250ohm?

do i need and amp or dac for these?

[kirBi]

these are 250ohm?

do i need and amp or dac for these?

 

DAC is not necessary, amp is strongly recommended.

[djewell314]

DAC is not necessary, amp is strongly recommended.

o2 or e10

[djewell314]

ER4 costs sub $300.

DT990 Pro and HD558 cost sub $150.

Fiio e10 costs around $50.

DT880 Pro and HD598 cost around $200, now you get to choose what to buy.

 

I added HD600 in case if you want to go full headphones.

also whats the difference between the 880 and the 990

[bradscoolio]

o2 or e10

 

For a 250 ohm pair, the e10 will be fine, just flick the gain switch to high on the bottom of unit. 

 

*edit: o2 would be the better option, it's just so much more expensive while the e10 represents an amazing value performing very close to the o2

[kirBi]

o2 or e10

 

Depends on your budget. Fiio makes some good stuff but O2 measures better.

 

 

also whats the difference between the 880 and the 990

 

The frequency response of DT880 is flatter.

FR of DT990 is slightly more V-shaped, so they sound "fun"

[djewell314]

For a 250 ohm pair, the e10 will be fine, just flick the gain switch to high on the bottom of unit. 

 

*edit: o2 would be the better option, it's just so much more expensive while the e10 represents an amazing value performing very close to the o2

are the inputs digital or analog

 EDIT:  i was accidentaly looking at the dac version of the e10 fo $80

[bradscoolio]

are the inputs digital or analog

 

e10's input is digital, usb. It has to be, It's a DAC and headphone amp AIO.

[djewell314]

ER4 costs sub $300.

DT990 Pro $150.

Fiio e10 costs around $50.

looks like i will probably go with this setup

[kirBi]

looks like i will probably go with this setup

 

Welcome to the land of audiophiles, where the wallet weeps in silence.

[ShearMe]

Fiio e10 costs around $50.

 

I was on sale for that price once, but it's usually around $80

[djewell314]

Welcome to the land of audiophiles, where the wallet weeps in silence.

lol

[kirBi]

I was on sale for that price once, but it's usually around $80

 

I just checked that. E11 is still around $50 so that will be an option if he wants to save ~ $20.

[djewell314]

e10's input is digital, usb. It has to be, It's a DAC and headphone amp AIO.

what are peoples thoughts on the fiio e11