Hey guys, I was looking to buy a new IEM but rn I have two choices which is Mackie CR-Buds and KZ ZSN Pro. Which of these two are better than the other ya? And if you have any other suggestion in the price range of these IEMs please do suggest.

Question o.o. Is there anyway to take care the ear pads and avoid “oxidised and peeled off”.

from my experience those peeled off only happen due to wear over years of usage or normally the pads material is expired after long time even if u didnt use it.
just avoid using it while your ears is wet or humid from water or sweat
and maybe keep it in hardcase

Ohhhh understood. Was planning to get a headset for my ps5, I think I better get speaker. My ears easy to get sweat :/

Currently using Bose Soundlink On-Ear but, the earpad is going to fall off again after I replaced it about a year ago. So, I'm thinking of getting a new one. Looking for:

- around-ear headphone which is comfortable to wear for long hours. My coming online classes will be between 6 - 12 hours/day
- mostly for music, online learning
- wired + Bluetooth
- budget up to RM500

Edifier NeoBuds PRO | 25th ANNIVERSARY EDITION 🔥




This post has been edited by Edifier: Aug 27 2021, 09:08 PM

Hi, anyone know where can I get moondrops' blessing 2: dusk? All the usual online sellers seem to not have it in stock. Thanks

any recommend earphone and suitable use for iPhone.
Budget around 200-300

OK, I am rather super confused with myself now. Early this month I bought the Philips Fidelio X2HR. I came across a few issues, and I couldn't really identify them. To add to the confusion, I am now even more uncertain with exactly what I want...

I think the issues are more about myself than the headphone itself to be honest.

1. Comfort
I'll start with my first major gripe of this headphone, that is the comfort. I read lots of reviews about how comfortable this headphone is. But after wearing for 2-3 weeks, I still could not tell if it is really comfortable. Wearing it for few hours each night, I could really feel my head/neck feeling stiff and tired especially the next morning. Could blame it on my lack of exercise since MCO 2020 & stuck at home. I feel the headphone weight (360g) could be the culprit here. When wearing it, I am self aware to not move around much, basically without myself realised it, I have stiffen up my neck & head, because I find the headphone weight is a bit unbalance, especially the top headband. A slight tilt on my head could result in the headphone shifting in front/backward. I can't drink or eat properly with the headphone on. And I feel like every few minutes, I'll have to adjust the headphone (earpad) position to a more comfortable position. It is as if there is a lot of room within the earpads, that I am constantly looking for the best center position for my ear. I am not even sure if it is because of the hard clamp force, or just because the heat building up within my earpad. Or is it because my head is too small, and the suspension design , didn't support by my upper head, and the whole headphone just keep moving around.

I must say that, this is my first over the head headphone, previously using Koss porta pro and a 1more Triple driver, airpod pro. So it could be just because I am not used to headphone , Yet.

2. Sound /soundstage
I choose this headphone over others, primary due to its impressive soundstage. I always think I prefer a very wide open sound , and not in my head or ear kind of sound. I like the listening to speaker kinda feel. And this headphone definitely deliver in term of soundstage. But I do realise because of my preference, it brings me other issues that I am not aware of.

I see reviewer saying the mid is a little recess in this headphone. And probably because of that, I feel like I ended up increased my volume louder than I should, just to hear the softer sound (especially the beginning of some songs), but once the song reached the "loud" part, I have to turn down the volume because it suddenly becoming unbearable and fatiguing (it could also because of Treble or bass)

I also think part of the reason i bump up the volume, is due to the openback nature of the headphone. I never thought it could be a problem before this, since I used it primary in my room, at night. BUT, in fact, the ceiling fan in my room actually is quite audible when I try to listen to song detail at lower volume. Ends up I have to increased the volume quite a bit... and end up becoming fatigue after just sometime .. or just too troubled with volume up and down in each songs. and end up stop listening completely.

---------------------------

I really start to wonder if I should even get an Openback headphone to begin with. Maybe I should get a closed back, or even just stick with IEM. But I don't really like the feel of something stuck in my ear for too long neither (but I never tried any good iem ). Or I should just go closed back headphone, but that I feel like it will heat up my ear pretty fast.

So, I will continuing to search for my ideal headphone... I really just want something that I can wear for long hours, without even realise I am wearing something, and get focus and dive into my work (while enjoy the music , without being overly analytical with the sound detail). Comfortable & not fatiguing is my goal here.

I will like to hear some suggestion /recommendation based on my preferences above. Can a good IEM be comfortable.. and sounds good at the same time, without sounding catastrophic? Should I try another open headphone , just to be sure open-back is simply not for me? I am looking into HD6xx or HD58X due to its Light Weight (260g). And I know these 2 headphones sounds intimate, and like right in front of you (which is the opposite of what I thought I want), but I am willing to try , maybe it suits me in the end as I no need to bump up the volume too much compare to a very open soundstage headphone like the X2 ? Or just get closeback headphone..

I think you need to try several headphones to probably understand better the strength/weakness of each type of headphones, and get a better idea where the X2HR sits among these. Best for u to wait until after this pandemic, then go store try several headphones. Only thing is dunno when is that possible.

In the meantime, get yourself familiar with the X2HR. It shouldn't be that uncomfortable. Try to adjust the sliders to get the most comfortable position, instead of trying to center your ears. Personally i usually adjust so that the top of my ears touch the upper inner edge of the earcups. So my ears bear some of the weight as well, like wearing glasses. The headphones should feel like it's just "resting" on your head, like it's just flown in like a bird and gently land on your head. Also, is your room aircon? If not, any kind of headphones can get uncomfortable really quick for some people.

What are you using to drive your headphones?
Good sounding IEMs generally cost much more compared to Headphones. Comfort is subjective to each person though. And 6XX requires more power to drive compared to X2 and 58X. You can also consider Hifiman headphones. You can contact Starpickers to arrange a delivery audition on headphones within your budget.

Maybe you not used to the headphone weight that's why you feel head/neck stiff. Last time I also feel neck stiff when start using 500g headphone but now used to it already. Having back and head support on your chair could also help to reduce the pressure on your neck.
Maybe the band too wide that it sit loose on your head. I don't have this headphone but seeing the design it should be fairly comfortable. Maybe can try bent inward slightly to make it more tight fit?

The sound from soft to loud depends on each song's dynamic range compression mixing. Usually orchestra will have less compression, meaning there's some instruments that is very loud while there's some that is very soft. Pop and modern music usually adjusted to make all sound almost equally loud. This is depends on the composer preference. I see X2HR is having more of boosted lows and highs, if your preference is on the mids, such as listening to vocal, that would make it more worse. 1 way to compensate it is by using equalizer and increase 200hz to 1000hz range, if you don't mind using equalizer.

Ambient noise also greatly affect open back headphone. If your fans producing 40 or 50 dBA, you will find it hard to hear any sound that is softer. You have to increase the volume to be above ambient noise. If you listening to song that have less compression then it would make everything more worse. I would try to reduce as much ambient noise as possible if I were you as I feel open back give better soundstage and also sound more natural. Also having less ambient noise means less volume need to be increased which is good for eardrum.

I would suggest give it some more weeks. After you used to it you'll find those issue is not an issue anymore.

Thank you guys for replying me seriously

I also wish I can just walk in to Jaben & other stores to audition all the headphones I have in mind. Now I can only trust the online reviewers and try to decide which to bet on.

On the X2hr there is no slider, it is just the suspension strap, which i find if I try to have them push down to support the weight of the headphone on my head, the earcup definitely rested on my ears. That's why I am puzzled if this design is too big for my head? Anyway I will try your tips on having the ears supporting the headphone from now on and see if that will improve on the comfort.

And my room has aircond, but I only on them, when I think it is too hot, as I work long hours.I do feel a lot of time i need to just let my ear breath fresh air...when removed, my ears will literally says "Aaaahhhh~~ cooling"



Currently im using Hidizs S9 Pro to drive my Fidelio.

I am actually considering upgrading to Hifiman Sundara.. but same time worry it will be too heavy, and the design is also suspension kind.

Starpickers can arrange delivery audition?? but I am now in Port Dickson, I don't think that is possible.. I wish there is somekind of headphone rental services in malaysia.


Yeah, suddenly I feel I wish I have a chair with Neck/head support because my current chair is low back unfortunately... and before this never feel the need to have a chair with headrest.

It is drizzling outside now, and with my usual ceiling fan levels, I am getting around 44dba. With Aircond on, and laptop at full power, it could reach 47db... So that explained why I can't listen to normal volume.

I can't lower my ambient noise any further. I need the ceiling fan to keep me from sweating & be more comfortable...

I will just keep continue using it , and hopefully it will gets better, but I am a little skeptical. I am thinking to get a Moondrop Aria just to compare if I will enjoy IEM better or Open back headphone in terms of overall comfort and listening experience (though I definitely can't get my open widesound stage anymore with iem)

The Sundara weights around the same as the X2 so if weight it an issue you should consider lighter options. You can try ATH-R70X, it is more neutral compared to X2 with good soundstage as well. Only issue is your S9 might not have enough power to drive them well. You definitely need to use them in balance connection with your S9.

My ZMF Auteur weights nearly 500g and heck i myself find it uncomfortable as well, only able to use them for a couple of hours. But damn i love the sound so no choice for me but to put up with it. For me, my threshold is below 400g, i find HD800S comfort the best out of all the headphones i've tried. HD6XX series are much lighter, however the clamping is quite tight and need to be broken in before it gets comfortable. You can consider HD600/650 although the soundstage is towards the intimate side.

You can try contacting Starpickers if they are able to send you what you want for demo, but given the distance they will probably charge you a deposit for the price of a demo unit. They will refund you upon return though.

Thanks for the recommendation of ATH-R70X. I never heard of that before this.. but after some searching, I like the low profile look , and at only 200g, I feel kinda interested. But the price is on par with Sundara, and seems like not much people selling R70X locally, and seems like not as famous as it is quite an old headphone an yet with not much reviews online.

I'll contact starpickers bout demo, I don't mind paying deposit or even a renting fee, just to get the headphone suitable for me. I don't enjoy the process of keep buying and selling repeatingly.

Hey guys, Im looking for noise cancellation earphones. Want to mask out the footsteps of my neighbour above me

Do they work? If yes, which one is ok? Did some research and saw sony and bose has good reviews

Thanks a bundle

Any Grado Prestige user here? Are they recommended headphone?

I am kinda looking into their SR80x or SR325X series..

You mentioned comfort as one of your main concern last time. In that case, I dont think Grado should be considered. Grado users please correct me if I'm wrong, but Grados are known to be uncomfortable.

G-Cush is amazing But not many likes butchering their ears with the increased trebles when changing to this

If footsteps are like very sudden noises, might not cancel the noises out effectively. It is most effective when there’s a constant sound, like machines, or engines, airplane sound. Can read up on how ANC work. And check YouTube there are a lot of demonstrations actually, the good ones on how ANC sound like. Or else just get an ear plugs?