The headphones thread! [Sorry about your wallet]

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › The headphones thread! [Sorry about your wallet]

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#1082154 7-Jul-2014 07:24

You need to be clear what you want, high quality music or noise cancellation. They generally don't go together. Bose are overpriced, sound quality last time I checked wasn't that good, but noise cancellation is very effective. The Sony's are actually a really good balance, good NC if you get that model, and really quite good sound. I haven't tried the others but they're all meant to be decent.

Like I said though, work out what you want, NC or good music, and let us know. NC only works on very low frequency noises like airplane noise or building air conditioning, not on phones, people, and only to a limited extend on engine noises.

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#1082158 7-Jul-2014 08:13

Actually, if you want good sound quality and decent noise cancellation you want the Polk UltraFocus 8000. I had them earlier this year, nice headphone.

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#1082210 7-Jul-2014 09:43

timmmay: You need to be clear what you want, high quality music or noise cancellation. They generally don't go together. Bose are overpriced, sound quality last time I checked wasn't that good, but noise cancellation is very effective. The Sony's are actually a really good balance, good NC if you get that model, and really quite good sound. I haven't tried the others but they're all meant to be decent.

Like I said though, work out what you want, NC or good music, and let us know. NC only works on very low frequency noises like airplane noise or building air conditioning, not on phones, people, and only to a limited extend on engine noises.

If I have my blackbox M10's on, I can't hear my wife or kids talking.

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#1082217 7-Jul-2014 09:57

networkn: If I have my blackbox M10's on, I can't hear my wife or kids talking.

Is that because of the active noise cancellation, the passive cancellation, or the music playing?

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#1082235 7-Jul-2014 10:16

timmmay:
networkn: If I have my blackbox M10's on, I can't hear my wife or kids talking.

Is that because of the active noise cancellation, the passive cancellation, or the music playing?

Active. I should clarify I can hear that they are speaking but it sounds a long way away and I would struggle to make what they are saying.

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#1082260 7-Jul-2014 10:46

Thanks for the replies.

Networkn;
Thanks for the offer, If I go the active noise canceling route I'll get those contact details. I really rate the BlackBox C20's and would happily buy their other products, but at this stage I'm probably not going to get a ANR headset.

NZtechfreak:
Your assumption on the audio quality is correct. I'll look around for the HP50's. Any comments V the Sony MDR-1R? I really like the KEF's except they're on-the-ear and I much prefer over-the-ear. While I've pretty well decided against an ANR headset I'll do some research on the Polks.

Timmmay;
See above re ANR V audio quality. Thanks, I'm pretty well versed on the abilities of ANR headsets, I've been using them for work for over 15 years. You are right, you cannot expect good ANR and good audio for the same dollars as just ANR or just audio. Were you commenting on the Sony MDR-1R, they're not noise cancelling?

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#1082267 7-Jul-2014 10:51

I can't remember the details of the MDR-R1, but from memory there are a few models, some with NC some without.

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#1082279 7-Jul-2014 10:54

The Polk ANC isn't as good as the QC15, but sound quality blows the Bose away. Check the Inner Fidelity review of several ANC headphones, he comments VERY enthusiastically about the Polks, sentiment I agree wholeheartedly with. If you're decided against ANC though then I'd definitely go the HP50 as you're not a fan of on ear. The cups of the HP50 are quite small though, so you might want to try them on for size - if you're in Auckland Paul Money HiFi has them in store.

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#1082383 7-Jul-2014 13:17

Looks like it'll be the HP50's.

How small are the cups? Is it more the shape/design that makes them look small?

I've been accused pf having a big head AND big ears, but in reality I think they're normal size.

I have a pair of Philips SBC HN110's which have what I'd say are small cups and I fit them no problem. They measure 65mm by 30mm.

I'll see if anyone around here has them in stock. I don't really want to have to drive for an hour 30 to check them out.

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#1086129 9-Jul-2014 23:10

Well as luck would have it, there was no local stockist for the NAD Viso HP50’s when I went looking on Monday. I rang the distributor to check, that turned out to be a fortuitous call, as they were coming to Hamilton the next day to talk to their new dealer “Sound and Picture Specialists”. They were bringing a demo unit down and suggest that if I called Sound and Picture I could order one for pick up the next day, assuming I liked what I saw.

At the duly appointed time on Tuesday, I called in to have a look at the HP50s, well really to pick them up, as I’d already decided they would do the job. I must say I was more than impressed with the quality/presentation of the packaging. If the phones themselves matched the packaging they would be very good.

I have to report they are very good, while it’s early days, there has been no post purchase regrets. Though my wife was a little surprised at the price, especially since we bought her a $40 headset/mic combo for use with Skype recently. I think she’s getting over the sticker shock.

It’s not all positive though. The cable is on the short side. I’d read other comments about the cable length and I have to agree, it could easily be 50% longer. Though, with the detachable cable, this issue can be resolved.

The other issue is the padded head band. It is a narrow band so you do end up with a pressure point where it contacts your head. At times I find the band causes an uncomfortable pressure on the top of the head. The headband needs to be wider to spread the load, light as it is. Otherwise the HP50 is a very comfortable fit around the ears and does a very good job of passive noise reduction.

One other pet peeve of mine is the pandering to iPhone, iPad and iPod users. The writing on the packaging specifically mentions Made for iPod, iPhone, iPad. WTF? It is designed to work with any device, it’s a headset after all. Yes, it comes with a dedicated cord that allows you to remotely control your music from one of these devices, or you can use the other cord if you don’t have an i i i device. The Blackbox C20’s are the same with their cord and the Made for iPhone etc. Are Apple owners so dumb they need to know it will work with their device?

Having got those bitches off my chest, the HP50 is a well designed, good looking headphone. One very neat feature is the ability to plug the cord into either earcup. Very handy when the positioning of the plug socket would otherwise mean the cable would have to cross in front of you and get in the way.

I dug out my vintage Akai ASE 22’s to compare. They’re like chalk and cheese both in comfort and audio quality. Though to be fair the AKAI’s ears pads have probably hardened a bit with age, the HP50’s are way more comfortable especially around the ears and as I mentioned above do a very good job of passive noise reduction. Also there’s no disputing the HP50’s are 1000% better in the audio stakes. If the HP50’s are still going strong in 30 or so years I’ll be very happy. In the meantime I’m going to enjoy the excellent audio qualities of the HP 50’s.

I’ve been giving the keyboard, and stereo a bit a hiding since yesterday and re-aquainting myself with some music I haven’t played for a while including dusting off some vinyl. It’s amazing what detail you hear with a good set of headphones.

Thanks for all the feedback, it certainly helped with the decision.

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#1087023 11-Jul-2014 11:50

Noel Leeming has a Sale on Headphones currently

Are the Sony MDR10RBT Headphones better than the Photive ones I purchased from Amazon?

They have them on sale for $150.

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#1087024 11-Jul-2014 11:52

Finch: Noel Leeming has a Sale on Headphones currently

Are the Sony MDR10RBT Headphones better than the Photive ones I purchased from Amazon?

They have them on sale for $150.

Yes

Stu

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#1087026 11-Jul-2014 11:55

They've been repeating that sale every other week for a while now. Must be running out of space at the Sony logistics centre!

I bought a pair of the MDR-10RBT a few weeks back from Noel Leeming at the same discounted price of $150. Very pleased with my purchase. Good bang for buck at $150 IMHO.

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#1087028 11-Jul-2014 11:57

networkn:
Finch: Noel Leeming has a Sale on Headphones currently

Are the Sony MDR10RBT Headphones better than the Photive ones I purchased from Amazon?

They have them on sale for $150.

Yes

Cheers mate. Sorry was a bit vague with "better" was just excited to see them at that price.

Is $150 a good price for them?

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#1087029 11-Jul-2014 11:57

BigHammer: They've been repeating that sale every other week for a while now. Must be running out of space at the Sony logistics centre!

I bought a pair of the MDR-10RBT a few weeks back from Noel Leeming at the same discounted price of $150. Very pleased with my purchase. Good bang for buck at $150 IMHO.

Excellent. Answers my question above.

Thanks guys :)

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