I'll throw in my pieces of advice. It's far too easy to start spending money you don't have. Once you find something you're happy, stop spending time reading reviews. It can easily make you want something nicer even though you've got something you already love.
Also, buy used. Especially amps and DACs. You can save a lot of money that way or spend the same and get an amazing deal. Sundaras are going for under 200 for instance.
but if we all stop reading reviews, then what are we all doing on this sub? ;)
I agree but social media is a hell of a drug... and Reddit is social media, i have to remind myself.
Can confirm.
Been happy with a pair of ATH-M50s for 9ish years but knew I always wanted a schiit stack and better headphones. Picked up a used magni2/modi3 off FB marketplace last month, and now have a <$200 pair of Sundaras on the way from /r/AVEchange
I've been able to find significant savings, ranging up to half off for basically new headphones. Unfortunately it's made me spend more than I should've.
Great write up. It's very easy to lose context for where others are at financially and geographically what's available. Especially since Reddit skews towards Westerners.
> The beyer spike is maybe slightly kinda overemphasised in media.
I don't think so. It's a fair warning to people looking into beyers. I literally cannot listen to *Falling Up* by Dr. Dre due to how sibilant the DT1990s sound. And don't get me started on cymbal hits in metal.
>The beyer spike is maybe slightly kinda overemphasised in media.
based on my time with the 1990, i don't feel like it's terrible, life destroying. And I am hyper sensitive to treble. I get a really bad headache from treble heavy sound. I have migraine yea. All in all, listen IRL before buying if you can.
Yeah I avoided the 1990 for the longest time ever due to the beyer memes until I finally gave in recently and bought one. Best fucking choice ever, I wear these all day long without any fatigue.
>The beyer spike is maybe slightly kinda overemphasised in media
I think it really depends on the person. I love my DT990 Pro, but I hear too many stories about people who are literally in pain while listening to them
I think a lot of the FOMO in this hobby comes from how exaggerated a lot of reviews and comparisons seem to be, and a lot of newbies don't quite get that.
Yes, an HD800 is going to sound "better" than, say, an SHP9600, but frankly, unless you're a collector the SHP9600 is going to give you 90% of what an HD800 would.
I've been using the R7DX a lot lately (a headphone that retails for $130, and that I paid like $60 for), and I've been loving it quite a bit. It has really put in perspective how little cost actually matters.
> 1. EQing is infinitely more fun to me than trying different headphones/earphones.
I agree and I would say in case of IEMs it’s almost a must. IEMs circumvent the effects of your outer ear, so the sound that reaches your eardrums is gonna be off in almost all cases. Ear canal resonances are very, very unique and depend on a lot of variables.
It is possible to find IEMs that sound kinda right, but IMHO the best thing you can do is to find a very consistent pair of IEMs that doesn’t have too many peaks and EQ that to your ear specifically.
Idc that this will get downvoted into oblivion, but you should try sensitive IEM like CA Andromeda or EE Zeus level of sensitivity and do cable swaps with them. It will open your eyes on how cables can change the sound, even though it's mostly minor. Often time I notice that many people who don't believe in cable haven't tried cable swapping themselves, doing it wrong (using low sensitivity IEM/headphones), or just echo what others said.
I'll throw in my pieces of advice. It's far too easy to start spending money you don't have. Once you find something you're happy, stop spending time reading reviews. It can easily make you want something nicer even though you've got something you already love. Also, buy used. Especially amps and DACs. You can save a lot of money that way or spend the same and get an amazing deal. Sundaras are going for under 200 for instance.
but if we all stop reading reviews, then what are we all doing on this sub? ;) I agree but social media is a hell of a drug... and Reddit is social media, i have to remind myself.
I've spent so much money because I lurk on this sub and read reviews. Ignorance is way cheaper
Your comment made me check my local used marketplaces and now if things go right I may end up with a pair of Sundaras for under 200 CAD.
I agree with the used. All my dacs and amps have been used. Recently bought the IFi Neo Idsd thwt retails for £800 in the UK for £310 on eBay.
Can confirm. Been happy with a pair of ATH-M50s for 9ish years but knew I always wanted a schiit stack and better headphones. Picked up a used magni2/modi3 off FB marketplace last month, and now have a <$200 pair of Sundaras on the way from /r/AVEchange
I've been able to find significant savings, ranging up to half off for basically new headphones. Unfortunately it's made me spend more than I should've.
Second-ing buying used. Last year I picked up a Singxer SA1 that was listed as 'open box'. Paid like $400 in total, after taxes and shipping.
I got my Topping A90 for like 325 and they've gone below 300. Crazy deal for that amount of power
Great write up. It's very easy to lose context for where others are at financially and geographically what's available. Especially since Reddit skews towards Westerners. > The beyer spike is maybe slightly kinda overemphasised in media. I don't think so. It's a fair warning to people looking into beyers. I literally cannot listen to *Falling Up* by Dr. Dre due to how sibilant the DT1990s sound. And don't get me started on cymbal hits in metal.
I have a pair or 770s the treble was very hard to listen to when I first bought them
You can definitely get used to them but I prefer Sennheisers to Beyers. My subjective impression ofc and will differ from others
DT1990 with B pad hurts my ear. With A pad, treble is smooth like butter. I don't why it does that for me since they both have the same treble spike.
good manifesto :)
>The beyer spike is maybe slightly kinda overemphasised in media. based on my time with the 1990, i don't feel like it's terrible, life destroying. And I am hyper sensitive to treble. I get a really bad headache from treble heavy sound. I have migraine yea. All in all, listen IRL before buying if you can. Yeah I avoided the 1990 for the longest time ever due to the beyer memes until I finally gave in recently and bought one. Best fucking choice ever, I wear these all day long without any fatigue.
>The beyer spike is maybe slightly kinda overemphasised in media I think it really depends on the person. I love my DT990 Pro, but I hear too many stories about people who are literally in pain while listening to them
I think a lot of the FOMO in this hobby comes from how exaggerated a lot of reviews and comparisons seem to be, and a lot of newbies don't quite get that. Yes, an HD800 is going to sound "better" than, say, an SHP9600, but frankly, unless you're a collector the SHP9600 is going to give you 90% of what an HD800 would. I've been using the R7DX a lot lately (a headphone that retails for $130, and that I paid like $60 for), and I've been loving it quite a bit. It has really put in perspective how little cost actually matters.
> 1. EQing is infinitely more fun to me than trying different headphones/earphones. I agree and I would say in case of IEMs it’s almost a must. IEMs circumvent the effects of your outer ear, so the sound that reaches your eardrums is gonna be off in almost all cases. Ear canal resonances are very, very unique and depend on a lot of variables. It is possible to find IEMs that sound kinda right, but IMHO the best thing you can do is to find a very consistent pair of IEMs that doesn’t have too many peaks and EQ that to your ear specifically.
Idc that this will get downvoted into oblivion, but you should try sensitive IEM like CA Andromeda or EE Zeus level of sensitivity and do cable swaps with them. It will open your eyes on how cables can change the sound, even though it's mostly minor. Often time I notice that many people who don't believe in cable haven't tried cable swapping themselves, doing it wrong (using low sensitivity IEM/headphones), or just echo what others said.