Calling all Audiophiles

[Gasaraki]

First off, I was wondering if anyone could recommend what to look for in good headphones, and to maybe get some recommendations. I like having good sound, and it's more important to me than the average music listener, I just don't know enouhg about it all to get the best qualities, within a somewhat reasonable pricerange. Meaning I would be willing to spend maybe $100-$150 or something like that, but anything more and no way.

If I had the hard-drive space I'd probably have my entire music collection in .APE, or FLAC, or whatever the best high quality encodes are as well. Thing is, 80 gigs is rather limiting so I stick with 320kbs MP3s. Can someone recommend something better that's not QUITE such a large file like an .APE?

[blackadde]

you are better off heading over to http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/ and asking there. for that price range i'd probably get some etymotic canalphones.

[Sex)packets]

check out http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/ for info about different file formats.

is lossless an absolute req. for you? otherwise you can just re-encode your entire collection to VBR mp3s using LAME+exact audio copy. quality is nearly as good as 320 kbps mp3s yet you save a lot of hard drive space.

[Gasaraki]

Thanks for the tips, and no, lossless isn't a requirement cause I don't really have the space for it. If I had a gigantic drive like 300gig or something then yes, but not with my puny 80gig. How do I re-encode that way? Should it just be in whatever convertor I use?

And on that note, what would be some good programs to use for that, and/or ripping and burning CD's, hopefully free.

[Sex)packets]

Exact audio copy combined with the LAME encoder is an excellent program to rip cd's with. you should find all the info you need at the hydrogen audio forums.

[Manx]

http://www.jr.com/Templates/Guides/headphones.tem?JRSource=nsa&nsa=1
http://www.goodcans.com/

A couple of decent guide to headphones. I'd say that Frequency Response is the most important feature for over-all sound. There are a lot of headphones that specifically boost the bass ranges if you're into bass, so ask to hear some of those while you're shopping.
I'm listening to a pair of Sennheiser HD201's right now. I use them for reference because they have a very flat sound, but they are pretty good for listening and very comfortable. It wear them about 10 hours a day at work listening to music and screwing around with sampling software. They cost about 25$ A good all around headphone is the Sony MDR7506 that goes for about 100$ I've never listened to a pair, but everyone I talk to seems to like them.

[thurst]

are you talking about headphones for like your daily commute or headphones to just chill with in your crib?

for the commute i'd recommend the eggos, the only place i know that imports them is www.minidisco.com

for other things cop some sennheiser or sony studio headphones...if you have mad cake cop some grados.

[Gasaraki]

At the moment, I'm more looking for a pair that I can use the walk around with. A pair just for home I'd be willing to spend a bit more on, just not at this time in my life. I don't make much money at my job yet.

Oh and I should also mention that I can't buy any of those in-your-earphones since the shape of my ear can't seem to hold them in. Headphone(or clipons) types are more comfortable anyway

[Gasaraki]

check out http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/ for info about different file formats.

Hey, do you know if ther's a way to contact anyone on that site without registering? I made a mistake on my account(my email address) and it's too late to change since I can't even activate my account

[Sex)packets]

i wouldn't know. i mostly read anyway. you could always just read the forums, or make another acct.

[Anemis]

you are better off heading over to http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/ and asking there. for that price range i'd probably get some etymotic canalphones.

Actually, from personal experience really wouldn't recommend etymotics. Tinny bass response and muddy sound in general. Not only that but they're quite fragile. I've had two and in both of them one of the headphones has gone quiet.

I recently got a pair from this place: http://www.westone.com/music/ and they're just a hell of a lot better in every way, but both the etymotics the westones are mainly for portable use, they block out ALL outside noise (so be careful when crossing the road). At home I listen to a pair of Sennheiser HD 497s. Great sound quality for their price (£50 so about $100, probably less), but they leak noise and are huge, so you'll look like an ass wearing them outside.

Edit: Oh and yeah I use LAME to rip mp3s as well. Really accurate rips.

[koogy]

grado sr-80's. godlike. best $95 you can spend on headphones

[Gasaraki]

Yeah from what I had been reading, sennheiser HD 497 and those grado sr-80 sound like a great idea, but only for home. At the moment I need something I can walk around with.

[TheIlluminati]

As the wisemen at HeadFi will tell you, K81DJ.

[epsilon_]

Westone UM1's just google. extremely high quality headphones.