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Which headphones??

Okay, so I'm now leaning towards getting a nice headphone set-up. I am thinking that I'll probably get a couple pairs of headphones when It's all said and done because there just seems to be benefits and negatives about different designs.

Initially, I'd just like to use the headphone amp in my z dac. I am looking at a pair of sennheiser hd 598 new in box for $200 on c-list. These cans seem to get good reviews but I figure I'll want something with a closed design later on so that I can block out exterior sounds also.

I really want something with a great soundstage and imaging, I want it to sound as good as my stereo system, or close to it!

Thanks for your help with this one!!
128x128b_limo
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
just recently decided to purchase Mytek 192 DAC-preamp-headphone amp with BeyerDynamic T70 closed headphones. This combo made me forget my speakers for already more than a week.
got the deal cut to $2k for both brand new components including all taxes from Moon Audio. having this combo you're guaranteed to hear only music and nothing or no one else!
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
I can't stress enough the need to try each and any headphone you plan on using as they are very particular and unique to each and every set of ears. No two will sound alike to any two people you care to mention. Listener bias is the only deciding factor.
Nonoise
Agree with this. Another reason to audition is comfort. I have never been able to use over the ear phones for any length of time, max out at about 30 mins. What does work for me are in ear monitors. Their sound can be quite good also.
b_limo's avatar
b_limo OP
2,274 posts
 
Thanks everyone! That was the second time beyer T70 came up. I'll look into those more, and also some HiFiMans, and sennheiser 600/650's.

Next question; how do you tell a headphones "sensitivity" rating? Lower ohm's more sensitive?
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
How do you tell a headphones "sensitivity" rating?
Sometimes it is explicitly specified, as sound pressure level (in db) for a 1 volt input.

In other cases it may be specified as SPL for an input of 1 mw (1 milliwatt, which is 0.001 watts). To convert that to voltage sensitivity use the equation

P = (Vsquared)/R

Where P is power, in watts.
V is voltage, in volts.
R is impedance, in ohms.

For example the T70 is spec'd at 250 ohms, 104 db/mw.

The voltage required to generate 104 db would be:

V = Square root of (0.001 x 250) = 0.5 volts.

To calculate the SPL that would be produced in response to a 1 volt input, so that you can compare to other phones which are spec'd based on a 1 volt input:

1 volt/0.5 volts = 2

db = 20 x (logarithm of the ratio of two voltages) = 20log2 = 6 db

104 + 6 = 110 db SPL for a 1 volt input

Best regards,
-- Al
b_limo's avatar
b_limo OP
2,274 posts
 
Lol, so that's what it sounds like to my fiance when I talk to her about stereos or cars ;-)
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