A question about headphones

I can’t see that open-back headphones appeal to me. I am about 20’ away from my rig and although I would consider a cable, what’s the consensus on BT headphones or a combo BT / cabled?

If you can’t have any sound leaking out of the headphones and want a more closed-in and intimate soundstage then closed-back headphones can be fine, but if you prefer a more expansive soundstage and a more “out of the head” imaging/soundstage experience then open-back is the way to go. I’ll also add that most of the best headphones extant are open backed. Also, if you at all care about sound quality ditch the Bluetooth and spring for a cable. End of story. While I almost always recommend a headphone amp with any decent headphones, I’ve read McIntosh may design their headphone section differently and may be perfectly fine, especially just to get started. I’d check with Mac to see how your pre’s headphone section is configured, but eventually a $500+ headphone amp will likely provide meaningful improvements.

All that said, if I’m recommending headphones in the $500 range it’s the Hifiman Ananda with their newer Stealth magnets that’s being offered at a substantial discount right now — $599 down from $999. They’re also relatively easy to drive so your Mac shouldn’t have too hard a time with them, at least to get started. I own their $1600 Arya Stealths that are stellar and I’m gonna have to spend almost double to get a meaningful upgrade, and these Anandas incorporate much of the Arya’s technology. I can also help with a headphone cable if you decide to go this route. Anyway, that’d be my recommendation FWIW, and welcome to the wonderful world of headphones. Hope this helps, and best of luck.

https://store.hifiman.com/index.php/ananda-stealth-magnet-version-open-box.html?utm_source=storewebsite&utm_medium=landingpage&utm_campaign=FallSale20221014

I like rich base. Do open-back designs lack this? I have heard ’bright’ and a lack of base.

With the latest, better open-back designs I don’t think you’ll be at all disappointed at either end of the spectrum and whatever little you might give up will be more than made up for in benefits in other areas.. Just my take. BTW, The Anandas I recommended above I believe come with a generous trial period.

Could I put some RCA Y-splitters on this cable before it goes to the sub and then add a headphone amplifier? The amp would be close to where I would listen with headphones.

In theory I suppose this could work, although you’d obviously have to turn the subs off while listening to headphones, which isn’t a big deal. Another option, just to get started, would be to use a headphone cable extender and just use the headphone output from your Mac. Here’s one that might be long enough and doesn’t cost too much…

https://www.parts-express.com/Grado-15-ft.-Headphone-Extension-Cable-1-4-M-F-232-470

All depends on how much you wanna spend getting into this. Do I think running a y-splitter into a good separate headphone amp will sound better assuming you use a quality splitter? Yes, absolutely. But it will obviously cost quite a bit more going that route. If I’m you I might start with the $69 Grado extension cable into a good set of ‘phones and go from there until you get “the itch.” Plus it’ll give you some time to determine what sound characteristics you’re looking for in an amp and research what amp would work best. But if you wanna go bigger you’ll certainly get no argument from me. Last thought, if you’re concerned with audio, noise-cancelling and/or Bluetooth headphones should not be in your vocabulary. Period.

Last point, if you have a good store in your area it’d be best to go listen to some headphones if you can. But, that said, many online places offer return policies so definitely take advantage of this if you can.

Congrats!  And that’s for the follow up. 

RCA Output 2 on my preamp ran directly to the line inputs on my SVS SB-2000 Pro sub.  I plugged these directly into the line in on the LYR 2.  Line out on the LYR 2 goes to the sub.  When the headphones are connected, the inputs to the sub disconnect by themselves automatically.  The only manual step I have to do is turn off Output 1 on my preamp that feeds the balanced input to my power amp.

Neat little setup there!  Nice job figuring that out and picking some nice pieces, and glad the sound is giving you what you were looking for.  I’d absolutely encourage looking for some open-back ‘phones.  You seem to really like the Hifiman sound, so something like the Ananda Stealth or Arya Stealth (which I own) should be high on your list.  Anyway, congrats again and enjoy!

@r042wal I’ve read that McIntosh configures their headphone output differently and that taps into their amp section.  I’m not really a Mac amp fan, but I don’t know why more amp manufacturers don’t take advantage of their amp sections for headphones in this way.  ???  Then, I don’t know what I don’t know.  

But have fun! I love my Sennheiser HD800s… open backed and simply phenomenal. But until I had a phenomenal high current tube amp they were like many people describe them too trebly and a bit lean. Not at all in my system.

I think @ghdprentice nailed it.  Just like with home systems, HeadFi systems in the end are all about synergy.  No substitute for that and trial and error.  The more work you put in, the more you get out.  Such is audio.  

Heh heh. Damn those pesky unknown unknowns. I prefer to think of it as ignorance is bliss. Much easier that way.  Of course in this day and age you could always just make up your own alternative facts to explain/rationalize anything and just keep repeating them until they become known knowns.  Ugh.