This thread serves as a Q&A section for all new/existing audiophiles seeking advice on their next headphone purchase!

The rules are simple, no flaming/bashing and try not to spam (posting irrelevant post).
You may ask us any headphone/earphone related question, and we will gladly assist you. Don't be shy!

When asking, please remember to STATE YOUR BUDGET. Better if you give exact numbers... "not so expensive la" is not considered a budget

Other info such as the following will also be helpful to get faster and more accurate responses:
- Your rig (mp3 players, amps, sound card etc)
- What type of usage (movies/ gaming/ music etc)
- File format used in your source (i.e. flac, mp3 etc)
- Genre of music you listen to (classical, jazz, metal, etc)
- Headphone/ earphone type (closed, open, circumaural, IEM etc)
- Other requirements (if any) (mic, volume control, 5.1ch, 7.1ch etc)

Possible reference sites for reviews:

Headfonia
In Ear Matters
Head-Fi
Headphones / IEM by WhatHIFI ratings
CNet IEM reviews
InnerFi

From previous thread
Multi IEM review - 214 IEMs reviewed (ljokerl @ Head-Fi)
Shootout - 82 portable headphones reviewed (ljokerl @ Head-Fi)
How to choose the perfect pair of headphones/earphones (lifehacker.com)
To Amp, Or Not to Amp? (inearmatters.net)
Portable amp roundup! 56 portable amps reviewed and compared (Skylab @ Head-fi)
Custom IEM Resource Thread - Summary Reviews, Info, Custom IEM Manufacturers (average_joe @ Head-Fi)
IEM List (inearmatters.net)
Concise multi-IEM comparison (inearmatetrs.net)
12 Earbuds compared (swbf2cheater @ Head-Fi)
Audio Glossary

This post has been edited by noobandroid: May 6 2013, 06:40 PM

Some audio terms used in this thread and their meaning:

Circumaural headphones:
Sometimes called full size headphones, these are made in a circular fashion that surround the ear completely.

Closed back:
Closed back (or sealed) headphones are designed to reduce the effect of external noise on your listening and also to keep the noise made by the headphone drivers from leaking out and disturbing people around you.

Ear Bud:
Ear bud headphones are small in size and are placed directly outside the ear canal.

In Ear Monitors (IEM):
In Ear Monitors (IEM) also known as Ear Canal Headphones (ECH's). These earphones are placed into the ear canal and effectively seal your ear with their small rubberised ear-tip sleeve (can also come with various tips). They are small, lightweight and very portable.

Noise cancelling headphones:
Noise cancelling headphones reduce the perceived noise from outside with the clever use of small microphones located inside the earpiece and active electronics within the headset. The basic principle is that the noise signal for the outside world is inverted and then summed with the signal from the audio source. The result is that the ambient noise from outside is effectively cancelled out, which lets you enjoy your music.

Open back headphones:
Open back headphones (sometimes referred to as vented) are designed to allow sound out through the back of the earcup. This design gives a character to the sound that is often described as having an open soundstage, or natural. One reason for this is that there are less reflections than a closed back (or sealed) design.

Supra aural:
Supra aural headphones have pads that sit on top of the ears, rather than around them.

NOISE CANCELLATION DOES NOT EQUAL TO NOISE ISOLATION, get the facts straight:
Noise cancellation works by cancelling out constant noise from outside surroundings, like machine sound or motor sound, or jet plane turbine sound, you will still hear people talking, baby crying, car passing by, people beside you blasting music while break dancing, a couple quarreling etc. Noise isolation is for silence from surrounding sound regardless what it is.

Noise cancellation is a premium priced technology, and the reason behind it is it uses to external mic for left and right to obtain the constant noise, and the headphone produces a counter noise wave to cancel out the noise, so you don't hear machine sounds. BOSE claimed to be the first to create NC headphones, so they might get patent fee from it, who knows.. Expect something around RM1k for a NC headphone

Pictorial guide to earphone and headphone types
On-Ear

Over ear / around the ear / full size / circumaural

Noise Canceling Headphones

IEM

Universal CIEM

Molded CIEM

open back headphone

closed back headphone

TS I suggest we include ambiance in the info section, meaning where the user will use the headphone/setup. Some people do not know the benefit of noise isolation or use portable setup at home, where desktop setup may be more beneficial.

What say you guys?

hi guys need opinion

I am looking for a bday present for gf

tot of getting her a headphone as daily use (probably musics while on her way to work) and home use (movie/musics)

I want to ask regarding this headphone
V-moda LP

got offer from the forumer in this forum for RM 550

for this price range and the product, what do u think?
kindly give me some input and guide me..

Any other alternative between price range 300-500?
big thanks

Hi,
I'm looking for an IEM for listening to Music.
I use MSi notebook & Handphone Sony Xperia.
Mostly listening to Rock, Dance Pop, R&B, & Techno Pop.
My budget is about RM280... >.<

Can anyone help me?

This post has been edited by SharonQ: May 6 2013, 08:05 PM

- Your rig: nexus 4, macbook pro
- What type of usage : only music
- File format used in your source: mp3/ apple lossless/flac
- Genre of music you listen to: vocal / rock / pop
- Headphone/ earphone type: over the ear IEM, fits in ear nicely and doesnt protrude.
- Other requirements: better if braided cable / comfort for long time hearing [eyeing on se215? ]

would your gf like the design for v-moda? v-moda is known to a lot of audiophiles for having nice design and sound quality which is better than beats. But do know that most of v-moda headphones have bassy signature so does your gf like to lsiten to house,electronic, dubstep? because the crossfade LP isnt the best pairing for instrumentals and vocals and classical music if thats what she likes.

try out munitio billets? or can go get Beyer XP series!

so whats your budget?

maximum Rm500

Phonak Audeo PFE012 or Shure SE215?
Both are quite the opposite, one is BA driver another is Dynamic... you can try both in Jaben to see which you prefer =)

This post has been edited by Lego Warfare: May 6 2013, 11:36 PM

how's ckm500 sound compared to beyerdynamic xp3?

Hmmm

TDK BA200 RM400+ for online if local maybe around RM600, Se215 good choice , Westone UM1, Hippo Pro BA One RM489.

if dont mind non over ear can check out Head Direct RE400, FAD Adagio III(bassy and laid back mids), Klipsch S4.

havnt tried the ckm500 before but the beyer xp has really good value to performance ratio

Hello guys..I'm looking at the vsonic gr07 bass version iem..anyone using it and how is the performance compared to sennheiser cx-400? My rig: laptop/note2

Edit: thanks!

This post has been edited by dilemmadilemma: May 8 2013, 01:16 AM

How about Sennheiser PX100 and PX200? budget while portable, easy to keep with good sound as well.

Beyerdynamic XP series or Final audio adagio II =)

Shure SE215, Hippo ProOne and Westone UM1, these are the choices with over the ear design that has competitive price


CKM500 should be much thicker sound signature, while XP3 provides more impact and speed.


Personally i will recommend GR07, i don't think CX400 will be performing same quality compare with 07

IEM also got over ear?
Rm500 can get ultimate ears TF10 already

Main use : pc/sony walkman
Usage: Movies & music.
Format: mp3
Genre : Anything but heavy metal
Earphone : IEM only

Budget less than rm400. Must have decent clarity. Known for it's durability.

- Your rig : Smartphone / Lenovo P770
- Type of usage : Musics & Movies
- Format : MP3 / aac / WMA
- Genre : R&B, jazz
- Type of earphone : IEM
- Budget : Below rm100

Thx in advance guys as my S3 earphone is not suitable for p770, so looking for alternate option for entertaining purpose.

One of my friend told me to get FA Consonance instead of XP series..
So how about Fischer Audio Consonance? Is it better to buy it than beyerdynamic xp3?

Sorry for asking to much, because I'm looking for a versatile one...

My current Phonak 132 is starting to show some issues. Might need to get a new one soon.

Your rig: iPhone 4s, iMac through ordnance .25 amp
What type of usage : Music
File format used in your source: mp3, flac
Genre of music you listen to: Rock/ Pop/ Ambient/ OST
Headphone/ earphone type: Something with similar or better clarity, accuracy and smoothness then the Phonak 132 with better bass. The Phonak 132 are really enjoyable and I'm not a basshead, but they really isn't any bass on them unless amped.
Other requirements: Remote/mic would be good. A 2 years warranty or more would be good.

Budget : Around Rm1000

wouldnt know I havn't tried the FA consonance. I've only tried what has been available at jaben D: but if you want my other suggestions you can of course try Headdirect RE-400 and Dunu Topsound Trident, i've personally used the dunu tridents and they are really good entry level IEM's. THe RE-400 on the other hand Clieos sifu highly recommends it saying it is the best you can get in it's price range and if you get it the only upgrade you should go for is top of the line like Westone 4 and above.

at that budget maybe you can save up a lil more than to get maybe the Westone 4r,Shure se535,PFE 232 the top of the lines but if you can't spend more maybe try the TDK BA200 i'm using it and damn its really nice. Or you can check out the Dunu Tai-Chi it's Dunu Topsound's current flagship model it has exchangeable parts to change the way it sounds like and comes with loads of accessories.

Oh yeah cant forget about the UE900 as well hahaha xD

This post has been edited by siles1991: May 11 2013, 08:21 PM