the Interceptor's general AUDIO thread

[maxtortheone]

Will try, thanks!

[m102486]

Can anyone suggest a good site for mini shelf system (cd/mp3, no ipod) reviews/ suggest something relatively affordable and of goo quality something that would last long below $130 but sound nice. I Thinking of placing it on my bed side table.

[RaptorJesus]

Any headphone gurus out there? Im looking to step up my headphone game. I saw some Etymotic ER-6is going for like 50 bucks on amazon a few days ago. Any thought or criticisms? I don't really like over the ear headphones since I mostly listen on the go, otherwise music is through speakers.

Im willing to spend up to 110-120 USD.

I hear good things about Shure, Etymotic, Klipsch, and some others. Durable is a plus, I hate when headphones have thin wires with little shielding. Also no cloth braid on the wire, I noticed on my OEM Zune headphones that shit would scrape on my clothes and make a lot of noise. Huge bass isn't that important, I mostly listen at low-mid volume. I listen to lots of radio shows/podcasts on the go so a clean sound in appreciated.

[nsx_23]

Hmm, if you're willing to go second hand, $100USD will net you some pretty decent IEMs on head-fi.

The ER6 is a fine IEM, but a bit on the "plain" side. Whats your source, and what do you normally listen to?

[RaptorJesus]

Originally Posted by nsx_23

Hmm, if you're willing to go second hand, $100USD will net you some pretty decent IEMs on head-fi.

The ER6 is a fine IEM, but a bit on the "plain" side. Whats your source, and what do you normally listen to?

I need it to be driven off a Zune 80 GB, so that rules out any open air design headphones unless I buy a portable headphone amp, which is too nerdy even for me.

IEMs seem the way to go, but secondhand is not an option for me. I dont want to stick something into my ear thats been in another persons ear. Maybe if they were family, but even then I dont like sharing personal items.

The type of music is super diverse, I need a headphone for everything. All of it is 320kbps or FLAC if Im using my laptop to listen, but the genre ranges from Baroque to thrash metal to folk or spoken word(audiobooks and stand up comedy).

[Dr_Q]

Dear FinalGear audiophiles,

I'm looking for a nice 2 or 2.1 system to be hooked up to a computer (it will be a laptop in this case). From what I've seen in this thread people often ask for advice on which to buy but I have absolutely no idea. Instead of me asking which is the better could you advise me on a suitable system? I don't want to spend huge bucks on getting the best of the best but I want to get something of quality that will last. Any recommendations would be great!

[the Interceptor]

Originally Posted by m102486

Can anyone suggest a good site for mini shelf system (cd/mp3, no ipod) reviews/ suggest something relatively affordable and of goo quality something that would last long below $130 but sound nice. I Thinking of placing it on my bed side table.

Sorry, overlooked your request before.

I'd recommend a micro stereo system from a known brand (Sony, Pioneer, Philips, Sharp, ...), probably used from eBay. There are no big differences in those systems, so you can go for what suits you. Just check on size and equipment to make sure it fits your needs.

Originally Posted by Dr_Q

Dear FinalGear audiophiles,

I'm looking for a nice 2 or 2.1 system to be hooked up to a computer (it will be a laptop in this case). From what I've seen in this thread people often ask for advice on which to buy but I have absolutely no idea. Instead of me asking which is the better could you advise me on a suitable system? I don't want to spend huge bucks on getting the best of the best but I want to get something of quality that will last. Any recommendations would be great!

This would be a nice system: http://www.teufel.eu/PC-Multimedia/Concept-C100.cfm

... or this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Edifier-C3-S.../dp/B001F51IVO

Really depends on what you want to do with it and how much you're willing to spend though.

[Dr_Q]

Thanks Interceptor, I just put an order in for some Concept C 100s, with a bit of luck I'll get this before Christmas. I will give you an update when they get here as to how they're sounding.

[nsx_23]

I'm trying to decide whether I should custom-tip my TF10pros and get my Westone 3s put into a custom shell in HK....

[Crazyjeeper]

Here is a very long, and very interesting video about why audio quality matters. It a round table discussion by several audiophiles and engineers about levels of quality.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY5hI98HEi0

I know its long, but it is worth the time.

[Psirus]

I just finished watching it, and it was indeed very interesting.
It also triggered some random thoughts:
First of all, I wondered how much sense there is to vinyl when talking about electronic music. I mean it has been created digitally, there is no room, no mics, no tube preamps and whatnot. Will a vinyl of such music sound better then the CD?
I know some producers have there DAW set up for 44,1 KHz and 16Bit, because the endresult (the CD) will not be better anyway and you can save a lot of resources (CPU and such).
Often, they will set it higher for bouncing (creating the final mp3, wave, whatever), but what's the point if most of the samples are 44,1KHz, 16Bit, often less, anyway?
Also, I really like listening to music and have a decent set of speakers. After watching this, I'm thinking that my soundcard may be a "holding back" some of the potential of my setup.
Furthermore, I really like having the convenience of digital audio, may it be mp3, vorbis or flac. Is there are way to get high quality digital playback, like the discussed, without robbing a bank?
Is there even much sense in spending a lot of money on speakers and such, without switching to vinyl?
Well, enough of random thoughts....already very unstructured.
EDIT: I just thought that I must have missed something: They talked about that CD is already crap, and I have never had the opportunity to listen to anything better than that, other than live performances. I have to do a real comparison. I already got a turntable, but it is a DJing kind and the needle is worn. How much am I going to spend for a proper needle and a preamp?

[Nabster]

Originally Posted by Crazyjeeper

Here is a very long, and very interesting video about why audio quality matters. It a round table discussion by several audiophiles and engineers about levels of quality.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY5hI98HEi0

I know its long, but it is worth the time.

Two and a half hours?

Bah, I think I'm going to hate you. Although at least now I have something to watch without torrenting something new.

[shad_68]

Anyone got recommendations for good earbuds or IEM?

I actually had Sennheiser IE-8s for a while, but didn't use them all that much, so really, they were a bit overkill for my purposes.

That's why I'm looking for something a bit cheaper this time, 50€ is the limit I have in mind. But I don't really have a clue what would be sensible choices in that regard.
As a few pointers of what I'm looking for:
- used to have AKG K518s, loved them. Superb sound, but having a full size headphone, even such a small one and collapsible really was very annoying on the go after a while. So yeah, IEMs or earbuds preferred.
- obvious choice would probably be a set of Koss KSC75s, which I also had some time ago. But again, they're a bit too clumsy and big already.
- no special preferences in terms of sound, I listen to rather varied array of music, probably a bit rock-centric. But I'd still prefer something with a rather neutral sound, not something muddy and bass heavy.

Any tips will be greatly appreaciated!

[Thomas93]

What are the best headphones for £50. Sorry for being such a cheapskate

[nsx_23]

shad_68, once you get used to the IE8, I don't think anything cheaper will sound good to your ears.

If you still have them, just use them instead.

[Crazyjeeper]

Originally Posted by Psirus

I just finished watching it, and it was indeed very interesting.
1. It also triggered some random thoughts:
First of all, I wondered how much sense there is to vinyl when talking about electronic music. I mean it has been created digitally, there is no room, no mics, no tube preamps and whatnot. Will a vinyl of such music sound better then the CD?

2. I know some producers have there DAW set up for 44,1 KHz and 16Bit, because the endresult (the CD) will not be better anyway and you can save a lot of resources (CPU and such).
Often, they will set it higher for bouncing (creating the final mp3, wave, whatever), but what's the point if most of the samples are 44,1KHz, 16Bit, often less, anyway?

3. Also, I really like listening to music and have a decent set of speakers. After watching this, I'm thinking that my soundcard may be a "holding back" some of the potential of my setup.
Furthermore, I really like having the convenience of digital audio, may it be mp3, vorbis or flac. Is there are way to get high quality digital playback, like the discussed, without robbing a bank?

4. Is there even much sense in spending a lot of money on speakers and such, without switching to vinyl?

5. Well, enough of random thoughts....already very unstructured.
EDIT: I just thought that I must have missed something: They talked about that CD is already crap, and I have never had the opportunity to listen to anything better than that, other than live performances. I have to do a real comparison. I already got a turntable, but it is a DJing kind and the needle is worn. How much am I going to spend for a proper needle and a preamp?

I won't do the clever multi quote thing, but I'll number your questions and try and answer them.

1. It will only if either the electronic samples used have greater resolution than 44.1/16 or if the CD version if compressed to the point the the tips of the waveforms are clipped off and therefore that information is missing.

2. I suppose because most people know that 44.1/16 was a compromise and want to either distribute a higher resolution form or cut a vinyl version at some point.

3. Yes. The best way is to get a high quality DAC (Digital to Analogue Converter). I personally have the Asus Xonar Essence STX soundcard in my computer along with a vintage receiver and some average speakers and it was a marked improvement over standard onboard audio.

4. Yes, to a point. However, you will only get so far with amps, speakers, etc, if you have a compromised source. If you are, for example, running some Logitech Computer speakers, much better sound will be achievable by upgrading to a better speaker system without having to upgrade the source. I will admit that for the most part I am quite happy listening to my CD .flac files, they are good enough most of the time. I just like having vinyl for when I want to listen, and do nothing else.

5. You can get a good entry level cartridge like the Audio Technica AT-95e for about 50USD. A basic preamp will be about that much as well, unless you have a receiver with a phono input, then you won't need a phono amp.

Hope that is understandable. I'm a bit tired.

Originally Posted by Nabster

Two and a half hours?

Bah, I think I'm going to hate you. Although at least now I have something to watch without torrenting something new.

Yeah, I was also when I saw the time, but once I got into it, the time flew.

[Nabster]

Yeah I did watch it. Not a bad watch at all. I do agree with at the end where they talk about the perspective of audio quality depending on whether or not the person has been exposed to high quality.

I was perfectly content in my ways before I started delving into higher quality equipment. I'm at the point now where I can't stand my laptop because the speakers are so horrible. When I first got it, it didn't bother me, but in the span of 2 years I've upped the quality of the system I have in my room that I listen to all the time, and tomorrow after I deposit my paycheck I'm going to be on ebay looking at more components to increase it further. It's a vicious cycle. I really need to invest in quality speakers though.

[Crazyjeeper]

Ah yes, the upgrade cycle. I remember when I thought my late 90s Aiwa shelf system was the pinnacle of audio excellence. Now when I hear it I think, where is the midrange, why is the treble so weak, and why is there so much bass.

What sort of speakers do you have now?

[Nabster]

I've just got smallish Sony speakers in 6.1 with a 10 or 12" powered subwoofer. They came in a set when I moved to surround sound from the old big boombox unit. I've also got an old set of Bose 401 floor speakers from my parents but they aren't hooked up. The parents currently have Paradigm units in the living room (on my old Sony receiver no less ) and I'm a bit jealous of them.

Speakers I'm not so concerned about upgrading since I know when I buy quality ones I'll have them for a long while. It's the components I'm worried about. I went from Sony to my current Denon receiver and Luxman components and I'm now looking at (older) Bang & Olufsen components as upgrades. I shudder to think where I'll be component wise in 5 or 10 years.

This audio business along with my obsessive pen habits won't be good to my bank balance at this rate.

[Crazyjeeper]

Yeah, my ever growing LP collection is a constant drain on my bank account. Considering I've only been buying them since last march, I'm a bit surprised that at last count I had 106.

I've been really happy with my 1970s Japanese amps and turntables so far. As for speakers, I my Infinity Qb speakers. They are simply, spectacular.