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Zippa
22
Jun 8, 2017
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Ok so I'm very nooby when it comes to audio-stuff and have a few questions about these Headphones; 1. Are these headphones made for like music/gaming or mainly for your phone? 2. If they are made for music/gaming, do I need an DAC/AMP to get out the most of these (I'm mostly listening through Spotify premium and don't have some special soundcard) 3. What does Planar Magnetics mean? (English isn't my native language if that seems like a stupid question) If someone answers, thanks in advance!
Jun 8, 2017
pwnerman
453
Jun 8, 2017
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ZippaPlanar Magnetic is the process and design of the headphones that creates the sound. Instead of using a traditional cone driver that vibrates back and forth to create sound planar magnetic uses super thin sheets of metal and a magnetic current which when electricity runs across it makes the metal vibrate creating sound. That's a very simple explanation between the two. You are going to want an amp/dac. Even a cheap Fiio will make quite a difference.
Jun 8, 2017
Zippa
22
Jun 8, 2017
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pwnermanThanks man, you really helped out!
Jun 8, 2017
indi_guy
163
Jun 8, 2017
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Zippa1. Music only, will not be able to drive from phone 2. DAC is a essential part, amp is needed for this headphone. 3. Already explained above.
Jun 8, 2017
Zippa
22
Jun 8, 2017
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indi_guySo they would not be suitable for gaming at all?
Jun 8, 2017
RealtorJoem
23
Jun 8, 2017
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Zippayes, i have sony MDRV6 studio and a pair of gaming hyper beast and the sony studio monitors are so much better for my games and music. Because these are large headphone you will need a mini pre amp for phone. The computer has a preamp built in that should be more powerful than a phone. however pre amps are not costly, check out dayton productions, you can get one for $20 and its good quality. PreAmp is just a device that plugs into your computer headphone input and has a power supply , volume control and thats it. Go with a T-Amp as the quality is best. stick to the ear buds for phones and mp3 players, uses less battery and much smaller for on the go. these babies are for home use.
Jun 8, 2017
RealtorJoem
23
Jun 8, 2017
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RealtorJoemand to add, my buddy said you need the gaming headphones and that is why i bought them over my sony monitors the MDRV6s .. long story short my friend was just sold on some marketing idea "let's call them gaming headphones that way we can sell to people who play games" stick with Sony or this drop is awesome. keep in mind sennheiser, and Shure. gaming headphones are a gimmick in my opinion. yes, they have a microphone but so what, my webcam mic works fine, i happen to have a blue snowball mic that will blow a built in headphone mic like tyson in his prime.
Jun 8, 2017
Scrintch
8
Jun 8, 2017
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RealtorJoemThe company is "Shure" not "Sure" in case anybody is wondering
Jun 8, 2017
RealtorJoem
23
Jun 8, 2017
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Scrintchthanks for the correction.
Jun 8, 2017
indi_guy
163
Jun 9, 2017
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ZippaFor gaming you need a big soundstage with good 3D sound reproduction so that you can distinguish from where the sound is coming from. While T50 has decent stage(even with closed back) it's not 'very' good for gaming IMO. I would look at HD558/598 if you are looking strictly for gaming.
Jun 9, 2017
Jay_F
90
Jun 12, 2017
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ZippaAlmost any Planar headphones works amazing for gaming... The design of the Planar Magnetic structure responds so much quicker to inputs, allowing a much more detailed listening experience. I have played hundreds of hours of World of Tanks with my Modified T50RP headphones and found that nothing comes close in this price range to how detailed these headphones are. You will need an a fair amount of power to drive these to their full potential... However with that being said I have used these many times with out an amp... While you do loose a lot of the bass response and the volume can not go nearly as loud... they still perform well with mid bass to treble. Just the sub bass tones are very limited.
Jun 12, 2017
Zippa
22
Jun 12, 2017
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Jay_FHey thanks for the info! Do you have any advice on what AMP or DAC for these?
Jun 12, 2017
Jay_F
90
Jun 12, 2017
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ZippaI use the Fiio E17... for what it can do for the money it is well worth it. Here is a link for example: https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Headphone-Amplifier-Extreme-Stereo/dp/B00VET0NZ8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1497279856&sr=8-2&keywords=Fiio+DAC%2FAMP
Jun 12, 2017
Jay_F
90
Jun 12, 2017
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Jay_FOH I should see if we can get a drop going for the Fiio E17 :)
Jun 12, 2017
Zippa
22
Jun 12, 2017
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Jay_FThanks man, you've been great!
Jun 12, 2017
Zippa
22
Jun 12, 2017
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Jay_FDo you think the NuForce HA-200 amp would suffice for them? Or are they Overkill/too weak (yes I know nothing of audio ;P)
Jun 12, 2017
Jay_F
90
Jun 12, 2017
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ZippaFor $100 or less there are some other great choices: 1) Schiit Audio makes the Fulla 2 ($99), it is a desktop DAC/AMP that is way more powerful they most things in this price range and size. 2) Fiio EO7K ($70) Similar to the Fiio E17, just the "older" model so you can save some money. 3) TOPPING NX2 ($35) Powerful and portable, with good battery life. 4) Creative Sound Blaster E3 ($90) Portable and a well known name. All depends on who your trust right? 5) NuForce uDAC3 ($90) Well made desktop DAC/AMP along the same line as the Schiit Fulla 2
It all depends on what you want to be able to do with your device and headphones... Please feel free to hit me up with any more questions you have, I will do my best to answer them.
Jun 12, 2017
Jay_F
90
Jun 12, 2017
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ZippaThe NuForce HA-200 is an nice dual monoblock amp... however my issue with it is the XLR only connection. Leaving you with the need for either an adaptor or a whole new cable. To be honest if it was my own $350 to spend I would pick the Schiit Audio Magni/Modi 2 stack, for about $100 less... OR Go with the Schiit Audio JOTUNHEIM dac/amp... for only $50 more over the HA-200... Since I really like to have options when using things... and being limited to a XLR connection is not something I would seek out. Of course that is just my personal input on the subject :)
Jun 12, 2017
Jay_F
90
Jun 12, 2017
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Jay_FOH sorry about that it is not an XLR only amp... I was mistaken, I don't have any personal experence with the NuForce HA-200... However minus that mistake I would still choose the Schiit Audio over the NuForce stuff...
Jun 12, 2017
Jay_F
90
Jun 12, 2017
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ZippaTo directly answer your question, the NuForce HA-200 would be a great choice to drive any headphone, minus Electrostatic headphones, like the Stax
Jun 12, 2017
Zippa
22
Jun 12, 2017
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Jay_FAlright thanks! Will concider a little bit longer on what AMP or DAC go get then.
Jun 12, 2017
Jay_F
90
Jun 12, 2017
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ZippaWell now that I realize the NuForce HA-200 is on here for $180, that is a no brainer. For that Price the NuForce HA-200 is a steal :)
Jun 12, 2017
Jay_F
90
Jun 12, 2017
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Oh I agree... for the $250 price range the JDS labs c5d is seriously powerful... and does not "color" the music like the Fiio Dac/amps tend to do. It is a great size and form, making it easy to carry with you when you "stack" it with a smartphone. I agree if you were looking for an portable DAC/Amp in the less than $300 range the JDS labs c5d is a hard one it beat.
Jun 12, 2017
musical_farts
567
Jun 12, 2017
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Jay_Fyeah i love it. im pairing mine with a fiio x1 first gen until i can either find a better one or afford the higher end ibasso dap. im not as big a fan of the original x1 but that stacking kit makes it worth it for me.
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Jun 12, 2017
Jay_F
90
Jun 12, 2017
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musical_fartsawesome setup... here is my portable setup, the Pyle DAC/Amp is just a rebadge Fiio E7 using the iPod touch as source through the dock port for digital info so that the DAC can do its job. I either use the Shure earphones on the go or my Fostex T50RPs at the house.
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Jun 12, 2017
musical_farts
567
Jun 12, 2017
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Jay_Fthats rad. im a big fan of shures IEM and fiio dac/amps but my hifiman he400i / schiit fulla 2 are the daily rig at my desk at work. im super lucky that my employer supports my habit not only by paying me but encouraging me to have my audio stuff at my desk. whatever helps provide focus helps us ship products.. and the headphone mount throws people off when they tour the lab.
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Jun 12, 2017
Jay_F
90
Jun 12, 2017
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musical_fartsLOL, when I first saw the picture, I was about to ask where you were deployed (I am currently sitting in KAF) since the center tube for the A/C is the same stuff we use for our A/C over here... Yeah my next purchase for my house in Florida is going to a pair of Magnepans MMGi and MC1 speakers paired with the Crown XLS1002. Figured down the road if I was still needing more bass I would throw in the Maggie DWM Bass Panel run from a Crown XLI800 set to dual mono mode since the DWM uses two voice coils for added punch.
Jun 12, 2017
Jay_F
90
Jun 12, 2017
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I agree... 5k is not something taken lightly... I thought $650 for a single pair of speakers was a lot :P... Of course I am looking at $650 for the MMGi, $850.00 for the MC1, and $350 for the XLI800 so about 2K for everything not including receiver I already have. The Denon AVRX2300W is running the Klipsch R-28F 5.1 speakers right now, but soon I will have that amazing full size Planar mid bass with quasi ribbon tweeters... they are nothing short of heaven. ;P
Jun 12, 2017
Jay_F
90
Jun 12, 2017
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OH I agree Klipsch speakers are great... just going to upgrade to the Maggies for the main living room and stick the Klipsch in my bedroom. :)
Jun 12, 2017
Jay_F
90
Jun 12, 2017
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Yeah Cali is crazy expensive, main reason I live in Florida, and maybe with in the next 10 years I will be living in WA
Jun 12, 2017
Zippa
22
Jun 13, 2017
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Jay_Fhey one more question if you don't mind, do you think these have better sound and comfort compared to the Fidelio x2s'?
Jun 13, 2017
Jay_F
90
Jun 13, 2017
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ZippaThe Fidelio X2s are really comfortable, so no complaints from that side of the house. The drivers on the Philips are 50mm "speakers" so they perform very differently than the Fostex Planar do. Well they both produce sound so really the outcome is the exact same ;P... IF you were comparing the stock NOT modified T50RP then I would say get the Fidelio... BUT since this is a drop for a nicely modified now named T-X0 headphones (modified almost the same exact way I did my own) I lean towards the Fostex... same comfort level (Fostex are a bit heavier feeling on the head, so keep that in mind). The Soft thick ear cups, and double headband design is so damn comfortable it allows you to wear them all day long without pain. The clap force is easily adjustable for both since they do use that heavy metal outer headband, so you can just apply force to "mold" them to provide the perfect amount of force. NOW when it comes to driving the headphones, the Fostex need power to reach their full potential, and once they do I have not heard anything come close to the way they sound for 400 bucks or less... so for me there is no competition when it comes to comparing sound signatures. The Fidelio is going to be easier to drive , have a bit more open sound stage, at the cost of sound leak... so of course keep that in mind. Plus if you use the Philips in a noisy environment you are going to hear that noise much more so then the Fostex.
Hope this answers the question. :)
Jun 13, 2017
Zippa
22
Jun 13, 2017
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Jay_FPerfect, thank you very much!
Jun 13, 2017
Jay_F
90
Jun 13, 2017
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ZippaAnytime :)
Jun 13, 2017
TekilaShot
555
Keyboard Club Member
Jun 15, 2017
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Jay_FThanks I'll get a TOPPING NX2 instead of a Fiio Q1 :)
Jun 15, 2017
Jay_F
90
Jun 15, 2017
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TekilaShotNice choice!!! TOPPING NX2 is a really nice portable DAC/Amp... great battery life so when driving the Planars (which a not power efficient, at all LOL) you will still get plenty of run time. I personally think it is the best portable amp for the money. Heck at $36 you could get two of the NX2s for the price of one of the competition, and have the ability to go days without needing to charge up.
Jun 15, 2017
musical_farts
567
Jul 23, 2019
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Jay_Fdid you see the new magnapans they released a month ago?
Jul 23, 2019
Jay_F
90
Jul 23, 2019
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musical_fartsThanks I didn't realize that Magnepan had released a new speaker... The LRS look amazing... can't wait to check them out, first chance I get. From all of the reviews I can find, it looks like the LRS are a top down speaker, instead of the similarly priced bottom up MMG... SO I am really curious what they sound like in person. Guess my next vacation, I will have to hit up the local high end audio shop.
Jul 23, 2019
Jay_F
90
Jul 23, 2019
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musical_fartsOH and thank you very much for the heads up on the new Magnepan LRS good looking out!!!
Jul 23, 2019
musical_farts
567
Jul 24, 2019
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Jay_Fyou bet! i saw them in stereophile magazine and i want to check them out myself.
Jul 24, 2019
Jay_F
90
Jul 24, 2019
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musical_fartsYep read the article on the stereophile site about the Magnepan LRS... Really interesting stuff... They look great and the I like what is being said in the reviews.
Jul 24, 2019
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