Headphones

Xenagogue · Mar 27, 2017

I have a pair of Bose noise cancelling headphones from years ago. (Dull out a riding mower 98% with it on and riding!) Great for bounty hunting and ports, not so much for trading/exploring. (Which usually I have TV/video streaming service going.)

Note: Headphones =/= Ear buds.
Headphones are over the ear with a band over the head.
Ear Buds go in your ear canal.

I will never voluntarily buy Ear Buds, they have bad quality most of the time, little to no features of value, and never stay in my ears. (Not to mention uncomfortable.)

jasonbarron · Mar 27, 2017

Zeeman said:
Most people tend to have (relatively) better quality headphones than speakers. I'm int he fortunate position of having owned and run a high and home theatre/automation company since 2000, and thus, have managed to acquire some really good stuff over the years (handy hint, spend the money on the really good speakers first time around - they will last you many decades!).

With that as a qualifier, I have yet to find a set of headphones to match a properly set up, good quality surround system. The sound time have done an outstanding job, and the the surround can't be matched in those pretend 7.1 headphones. Of course, not everyone can have . a5.1/7.1 set up, and on that note, I'd suggest good quality stereo headphones. I've had to use headphones of late (for keeping neighbours happy reasons), and have been quite happy with my set, and would totally agree with the op that it is an excellent way to get a great experience out of ED, if a good 5.1/7.1 system is out of the question.

Z...

You sound pretty knowlegeable with this stuff, so maybe you can give some advice. I just bought a pair of Phillips Fidelio X2's and I really like them, but I'm considering an amp of some kind to boost them. My computer is a bit aged and just has some crummy realtek onboard sound and it's not loud enough for my taste, so what do you think I should do? I'm looking at a FiiO E10K USB DAC and Headphone Amplifier for $75 on Amazon.

Gunnet · Mar 27, 2017

jasonbarron said:
FiiO E10K

You'd obviously want to take my opinion with a grain of salt compared to somebody like Zeeman, who actually knows what they're talking about. But I use one of these and have been very happy with it.

jasonbarron · Mar 27, 2017

Gunnet said:
You'd obviously want to take my opinion with a grain of salt compared to somebody like Zeeman, who actually knows what they're talking about. But I use one of these and have been very happy with it.

Thanks for the input, Gunnet. What kind of headphones are you using with it?

Xenagogue · Mar 27, 2017

Remember those crappy Sony over-ear plastic, metal band, speaker headphones that came with the 90s Walkman? Holy crap, those still work for me.

On another note, what do you, as an obvious audiophile, think of Bose headphones? Also, can you sense a difference in sound between wired & wireless headphones?

Gunnet · Mar 27, 2017

jasonbarron said:
Thanks for the input, Gunnet. What kind of headphones are you using with it?

I use Shure SE215 earphones with it. I often need the isolation earphones offer, and not having a headband/earpads is nice in the summer.

They're lower end than your headphones, so I guess it's possible you would pick up issues with the E10K which I'm not hearing.

PiLhEaD · Mar 27, 2017

If you've not played ED on headphones, then you've not properly experienced the genius that is FDev's sound design team.

I use the excellent EdTracker velcro'd atop my Hyperx headphones - a great combination.

To put into context, my Hyperx headphones are not that far short of my studio quality Sennheiser headphones. Not on par, but close enough given their comparative cheapness.

My second career being music production.

MrFailfactory · Mar 27, 2017

I used to use speakers for PC gaming, but when I became a raider in WoW, I needed a headset and mic. I also used to play Splinter Cell 2 multiplayer (2x2 spies vs mercs), and once I heard the difference that headphones provide (like, hearing the spies' footsteps clearly), I haven't gone back to speakers for PC gaming. I still used them for console gaming, but I recently purchased console headphones, and now I use those full-time.

I have had a set of Razer Carcharias (sp?) since 2011 - most wouldn't consider them to be high quality, I imagine, but I really like them. They deliver sound the way I like to hear it in terms of depth and balance, and I will be quite sad if they ever stop working.

The only time I use earbuds is if I'm working out, and I keep the volume to less than what I normally prefer - the design of those things just screams permanent hearing damage in a short amount of time, and I'm just not interested in that.

Comrade Napoleon · Mar 27, 2017

henry1491 said:
If you've not played ED on headphones, then you've not properly experienced the genius that is FDev's sound design team.

I use the excellent EdTracker velcro'd atop my Hyperx headphones - a great combination.

To put into context, my Hyperx headphones are not that far short of my studio quality Sennheiser headphones. Not on par, but close enough given their comparative cheapness.

My second career being music production.

I fully endorse this. I use those Headphones also and the sound quality is very, very good. I compare them to my vintage Stax electrostatic Lambda headphones, bought in 1976, Stax produces high end head speakers. (prices today from 800 - 5000 $US

).

Cheers Cmdr's

Kingston@# · Mar 27, 2017

I prefer 5.1-7.1 ss. base is so power full it makes my chair vibrate as if I'm really on the ship.

I don't have any neighbours so all's good for volume

use headphones as well though they do seem to have more sounds or maybe some sounds aren't as noticeable in 5.1-7.1 setup.

StiTch · Mar 27, 2017

Different gigs really.

You don't buy speakers for the clarity and fullness of range you'll get over headphones.

You get them for...wait for it!...immershun

Anyone with a good set of speakers and perhaps the buttkicker type speakers that sit on your chair for low-freq rumbles will still rarely say they get the same clarity and depth headphones bring. But does that matter when you have a massive, childish grin on your face?

- - - Updated - - -

henry1491 said:
To put into context, my Hyperx headphones are not that far short of my studio quality Sennheiser headphones. Not on par, but close enough given their comparative cheapness.

My second career being music production.

Seconded for anyone interested in what to look at.

Coming from the OTHER side of music - being largely the musician with far less audio engineering - I can still say I did a double take when I tried a set of the HyperX cans on. Does want to be burned in but the audio quality from 'em is surprisingly strong and clear for what's considerably mid range priced gaming headphones.

Zeeman · Mar 27, 2017

StiTch said:
Different gigs really.

You don't buy speakers for the clarity and fullness of range you'll get over headphones.

...

I don't know, at my level of business, that is exactly what people buy speakers for. Though, as I said, buying good headphones is significantly cheaper than good speakers...

Z...

StiTch · Mar 27, 2017

Zeeman said:
I don't know, at my level of business, that is exactly what people buy speakers for. Though, as I said, buying good headphones is significantly cheaper than good speakers...

Z...

Okay, your average person doesn't*

Short of having a room with nice acoustics and dropping cash on either monitors (not that exciting) or coloured speakers (expensive for both accurate and exciting sound).

I found a real difference for me was having a proper amplifier in the middle, but I have no idea on this planet how people without a respectable knowledge of sound can pick an amp that works for them.

PiLhEaD · Mar 27, 2017

Zeeman said:
I don't know, at my level of business, that is exactly what people buy speakers for. Though, as I said, buying good headphones is significantly cheaper than good speakers...

Z...

Tbh I often think that these days one might as well mix on a pair of Pure radio speakers, and some 19.99 ear buds...... after chucking the whole mix into mp3.... actually auditioning a mix via various mp3 compressions is important.... minor grumble over....

I love my Dynaudio monitors, just warm and excited enough, but clinically revealing as well as eye wateringly expensive. I auditioned a pair of <very well regarded> monitors the other day and they sucked all the life out of some very well produced sample tracks, like Billie Jean etc. Gave them a wide pass.

Noctover · Mar 27, 2017

Dont even own speakers for my PC Anymore.

I lie actually, got some 7.1 in the cupboard, headphones all the way

.

RwD · Mar 27, 2017

Since Elites sound design is just amazing i cannot not play without my Sennheiser headset. Speakers are great but you don't hear all the little details you do with the headphones.

the100thmonkey · Mar 27, 2017

I like the speakers on TVs. They sound the best.

imski · Mar 27, 2017

I never had the option for speakers for my setup and always used a gaming headset, but since I've had the Vive and now plug in my B&W P7's it's been wonderful (and it was always pretty damn good).

SeaFireliv · Mar 27, 2017

I always use headphones now, especially since I`m older now and don`t feel the need to `announce my presence` with loud noises any more. Good headphones allow you to know and be aware of everything around you- Great for sa.

Magic Man · Mar 27, 2017

Can recommend the HyperX headphones too - build is suspiciously very similar to some Beyerdynamics...
Also have a pair of Beyer' DT150's, Philips Fidelio X1 and a set of Sharp HP-400H from the early '70s that were my Dad's. MASSIVE headphones! - surprisingly good sound though and still work well after all these years...