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Munnybear
259
Aug 7, 2017
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A kinda specific question... If I am currently rocking a set of Audioengine HD3 speakers... are there still any reason to buy these earphones? Will they provide noticeable improvements?
jxliu
1267
Engineer
Aug 8, 2017
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MunnybearHonestly, if you're in an environment where you can run speakers, you should just run speakers. Speakers are going to sound better than headphones at any given price point.
Jackula
1743
Aug 9, 2017
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jxliuUnless you've got a crappy room then headphones can be better. Room acoustics makes a bigger improvement to speaker setups than anything else in the signal chain.
Munnybear
259
Aug 9, 2017
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Jackulaits just a normal study, nothing special... I've been thinking about moving my bass which is currently beneath the table under my feet kinda in the center of the pair of speakers. My options are basically, keep it in the center, but below the table (closed space between drawers and PC towers) or move it to an more open position but to my right at 3 o'clock. Any suggestions?
Jackula
1743
Aug 9, 2017
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MunnybearIn general, if the sub can fill your room or is acoustically invisible, it can be placed at 3 o'clock, but not against a wall so they'll have some room to breathe. For music I tend get a bit picky, I would put them somewhere where the distance between your ears to the sub is roughly the same as your speakers. If you had two subs I'd place them next to or under each speaker, but if it's one then being in the center is optimal.
Munnybear
259
Aug 9, 2017
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JackulaInteresting, thanks for the tips! with the breathing distance, to what length would you consider not against the wall? I guess the other question is... how would I tell if its accoustically invisible? play bass only sound and see if it's coming from any direction? Right now having it placed in the center of the room, under the table, I feel I am sitting in a bath with waves coming at me.
Jackula
1743
Aug 9, 2017
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MunnybearHa! Sounds like a relaxing study, not like most I know :)
Yes, just play something bassy / rumbling with good volume and see whether it fills the room or "it comes from over there!"
When I set up my home theatre room, there was an equation I used to calculate the distance from wall. That was 2 years' ago and I don't remember it anymore. I recall it depended where your sub fires from and the size of your room. Generally bigger rooms = more room to breathe, rear firing sub = more room to breathe. I'd say start with 2ft if you've got a rear firing, or 1ft for everything else, and see how you go.
Yes, just play something bassy / rumbling with good volume and see whether it fills the room or "it comes from over there!"
When I set up my home theatre room, there was an equation I used to calculate the distance from wall. That was 2 years' ago and I don't remember it anymore. I recall it depended where your sub fires from and the size of your room. Generally bigger rooms = more room to breathe, rear firing sub = more room to breathe. I'd say start with 2ft if you've got a rear firing, or 1ft for everything else, and see how you go.
Munnybear
259
Aug 9, 2017
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Jackulathanks again! they are Audioengine S8, hence downward firing. Does it matter if I place it on floor or carpet?
Jackula
1743
Aug 9, 2017
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MunnybearCarpet is better as it will help with absorption and vibration, if you don't have carpets then a rug will still be better than directly on timber or tiles. For obvious reasons carpet for the whole room would be the most ideal, but not possible sometimes :(
TempuraSwindler
38
Aug 10, 2017
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MunnybearBasically, at the same price, and assuming an acoustically not awful environment, speakers will sound more neutral with a more "as intended" musical presentation, while headphones will be more transparent and resolving. Headphones also have an intimate presentation which you can't get with speakers. They also offer privacy and help avoid disturbing others. I'd say there are very good reasons to have both.
Jackula
1743
Aug 10, 2017
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TempuraSwindlerThat's generally my experience too. With speakers I tend to focus on realism as the stage is right in front of you, the sound stage is huge as you take and front row seat. Headphones I tend to focus on the micro details and overall sound signature.
Not all loudspeakers are neutral sounding, some are voiced for an intimate listening. They also respond much better to gear and you can tune them for the sound you enjoy.
I do enjoy my speakers a lot more, but it's sometimes impossible when you've got people sleeping in adjacent rooms, or neighbours calling the cops on you :(
Not all loudspeakers are neutral sounding, some are voiced for an intimate listening. They also respond much better to gear and you can tune them for the sound you enjoy.
I do enjoy my speakers a lot more, but it's sometimes impossible when you've got people sleeping in adjacent rooms, or neighbours calling the cops on you :(
Munnybear
259
Aug 10, 2017
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JackulaI ended up changing the layout underneath my table to create more space for the sub to "breath". I don't think i am experienced enough to tell if it helped, but my room is much cleaner now >_____>.
I also drew the conclusion that I should get a pair of earphones instead of headphone/OB for the sake of private listening and commute. Tried the Nuforce HEM8 - felt impressed, then the shop keeper recommended I try Westone W40 - felt more impressed, then he pulled out an "expansive" cable for the W40 and took my heart. I then realised... there was also a W60, which the shop keeper said.. I probably shouldn't try as I will most likely not be willing to settle with the W40 there after - he which he was 100% right. So since I couldn't afford the W60 and everything else just wasn't as good, I simply walked out after half an hour of earphone testing... : )
I also drew the conclusion that I should get a pair of earphones instead of headphone/OB for the sake of private listening and commute. Tried the Nuforce HEM8 - felt impressed, then the shop keeper recommended I try Westone W40 - felt more impressed, then he pulled out an "expansive" cable for the W40 and took my heart. I then realised... there was also a W60, which the shop keeper said.. I probably shouldn't try as I will most likely not be willing to settle with the W40 there after - he which he was 100% right. So since I couldn't afford the W60 and everything else just wasn't as good, I simply walked out after half an hour of earphone testing... : )
Jackula
1743
Aug 10, 2017
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MunnybearSounds like you are happy with your purchase, that's all it matters! I keep telling people that they should listen to all their options and make a personal choice. Opinions and consensus are fine, but they are not good indicators for audio performance.
Congratulations with your purchase :)
Congratulations with your purchase :)
Munnybear
259
Aug 11, 2017
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JackulaI didn't buy any tho… haahahahaha, so hard to pick a pair of earphones
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