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

A couple of things come to mind.  First, I only plan to use these in my music room so why would I want noise-cancelling?  It seems the money spent on that feature could be better served elsewhere.

My preamp has two sets of outputs, RCA 1 / XLR and RCA 2 / XLR.  I have it configured so output 1 is XLR and not RCA so it feeds my power amp.

Output 2 is RCA and I have a 20' dual-RCA cable off of this going to my SVC-2000 Pro sub.  The sub is closer to my listening position.

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.  Thanks.

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

@r042wal It seems you are ’new’ to headphones / headphone systems. I encourage you to keep the first steps simple.

Figure out which headphone(s) you like / enjoy / appreciate. The easiest way to do this is to start with a mainstream option. The advantage is the price point, ease of trial and return, up to date in terms of wireless specs/codecs, and a quick re-sale via a local site like craigslist. You can usually listen / audition at your local best buy or equivalent store.  Most of these options will come with ANC, but it can be turned off. ANC does come handy and you may wish you had the option when you realize so. They are also fully portable and will not restrict you to your audio room.

If you go wired, it moves from a bit more complicated to much more complicated. You are already trying to make the step of using aspects of your current system...which can be fraught with issues and a domino effect (typically not in a good way and in dollars spent) for someone just starting out.

There are mainstream options within your budget that are both wired and wireless.

The first sentence of your opening post points to "needing your wife to enjoy her sleep." Open back headphones are typically superior sonically but they do bleed sound.

There are tradeoffs all around. And it is not straightforward.

I’ll reiterate: since you are new to this start basic. Learn. Move on with a greater understanding and to better and wider options.

All of the major players in the mainstream wireless space have decent offerings within your budget, and with budget to spare.

If you want to dig deeper, go over to headfi.org

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.