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How many are serious headphone users?

I much prefer to listen to my speakers than headphones but there are times when that is not practical. I have an old pair of Sennheiser HD580‘s that are OK but nothing special. The fact is, I rarely use them. I guess that’s why they have quietly turned 25 without much notice.

I was thinking of exploring all that is new with headphones. Two that have caught my attention are the Sennheiser HD800S and the Focal Clear’s but I haven't heard them. My guess is that I would need a suitable outboard headphone DAC/Amp for a desktop setup. My concern is about how much use they would actually get. I rarely use what I have now but I rationalize that because of the mediocre sound (compared to the 2 channel).

How many are serious headphone users and what percentage of time do you listen to the cans compared to 2 channel?


mikexxyz
jim204
881 posts
 
I listen to headphones all the time except when I go to my pals house every Wednesday and then we listen to his two speaker setup. At home I listen to Sennheiser HD800 with the Sennheiser HDVD 800 Headphone Amp. Unless you are willing to listen to them regularly they will probably never get broken in , mine took weeks and I use them for hours every day. These headphones can sound bass light until they come on song and then they can give glorious sounds. | do hope I havn't put you off !!!!
mikexxyz OP
66 posts
 
Thanks for the input Jim.  You haven't put me off but in some ways confirmed what I thought: That you are either a serious headphone user or not.
prof
3,450 posts
 
Shirley you can’t be serious if you use headphones!
inna
7,141 posts
 
Just got Grado RS-1 Classic buttonless, as new, bought on ebay from Europe. By audiophile standards I never seriously listen to headphones because I don't use external amp. Yet. I listen to a lot of music on youtube and sometimes Nakamichi cassette deck that has onboard amp - not particularly good. Before I used Grado 225e. I am thinking of adding headphone amp/dac for computer listening and another one for tape and records late night listening.
Senn., Focal, HIFIMan, Audeze, Grado - a matter of taste and sometimes depending on what you are listening to at the moment.
Stax electrostatic, of course.
So I am getting more serious than I was before.
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