The Audiophile Thread

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

Are we talking ear buds, or the big kahunas?

Big kahunas

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

Big kahunas

Sony has several different ones in the under $50 range on Amazon. No clue as to which would be the best though.

Speaking of headphones, I got my Sennheiser HD 201's today. Best $13 headphones I've ever had. Glad it has a super long cord---was contemplating a wireless set but i've had bad experiences with those.

[Blzer]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

Sony does have a few under $50, but the noise-canceling ones aren't that good of headphones. I know your mom isn't too concerned about the overall audio quality, so those can still be laid out on the table.

As far as a better pair in general (though not specifically touted as "noise-canceling"), these Sennheiser's aren't bad:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sennheiser+-+Over-the-Ear+Headphones+-+Stealth+Black/2989122.p?id=1218370118014&skuId=2989122#BVRRWidgetID

[RAZRr1275]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

Though not noise cancelling these are closed which means that they don't leak sound and you won't be able to hear anything listening to them at normal levels unless someone is quite loud - They also sound really good for the price - I know they're 10 dollars over your budget but it's worth it.

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD4...4698575&sr=8-1

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

Though not noise cancelling these are closed which means that they don't leak sound and you won't be able to hear anything listening to them at normal levels unless someone is quite loud - They also sound really good for the price - I know they're 10 dollars over your budget but it's worth it.

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD4...=operasport-20

I have the 201s and they are pretty comfortable. The 448s are twice as heavy. Don't know if that will factor into the OP's decision making process.

[RAZRr1275]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

I have the 201s and they are pretty comfortable. The 448s are twice as heavy. Don't know if that will factor into the OP's decision making process.

I have the 448s - I find them super comfortable

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

Sony has several different ones in the under $50 range on Amazon. No clue as to which would be the best though.

Speaking of headphones, I got my Sennheiser HD 201's today. Best $13 headphones I've ever had. Glad it has a super long cord---was contemplating a wireless set but i've had bad experiences with those.

We got some Sony mdr-xb500

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

That's a great deal on those 448s.

[Molarmite]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

I'm looking for speakers for my new TV. I don't need anything fancy as speakers aren't a huge deal to me but I would like an upgrade from my stock speakers. Price range is around $100 hopefully. Would a soundbar work just fine?

I mostly play video games and watch TV shows on it but I do watch movies occasionally and it would be nice to have speakers that take advantage of the action movie sounds including good bass. Surround sound would be a plus but not needed.

I basically know nothing about speakers so ask me questions or give me suggestions. Thanks.

[Blzer]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

I'm looking for speakers for my new TV. I don't need anything fancy as speakers aren't a huge deal to me but I would like an upgrade from my stock speakers. Price range is around $100 hopefully. Would a soundbar work just fine?

I mostly play video games and watch TV shows on it but I do watch movies occasionally and it would be nice to have speakers that take advantage of the action movie sounds including good bass. Surround sound would be a plus but not needed.

I basically know nothing about speakers so ask me questions or give me suggestions. Thanks.

I would recommend the Best Buy exclusive Insignia NS-B1112 speakers like I have if you were looking for something more music apt, but if you're looking to just use straight L-R channel speakers with dialogue and stuff, they would be far too warm for your liking IMO. I'd also recommend a center channel for sure, so at that point it's all about making sure that your fronts match your center.

[Molarmite]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

I would recommend the Best Buy exclusive Insignia NS-B1112 speakers like I have if you were looking for something more music apt, but if you're looking to just use straight L-R channel speakers with dialogue and stuff, they would be far too warm for your liking IMO. I'd also recommend a center channel for sure, so at that point it's all about making sure that your fronts match your center.

Well I will very rarely if at all use it for music. So would a soundbar be what I want instead regular speakers?

[Blzer]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

Well I will very rarely if at all use it for music. So would a soundbar be what I want instead regular speakers?

All I meant was if you're purely going for front L-R speakers, there are better options than the Insignia speakers I was pointing to. I personally have them as my fronts, but I also have a Polk CS10 center channel (among the rest of my current 7.1 set-up, as you see higher up in the thread).

Either get a two-channel system with clear fronts in the dialogue department (but bass will take a hit, so subwoofer might be needed), a three-channel system with a center speaker (fronts can help provide bass that way, and the Insignias aren't terrible with low stuff, but nothing even remotely close to what a subwoofer will give), or try out the soundbar, but you will lose out on having good sounding sides, and you will still need a subwoofer.

Any which way you spin it, if you want half-decent dialogue and bass, you'll probably be spending closer to $200 than $100.

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

I'm looking for speakers for my new TV. I don't need anything fancy as speakers aren't a huge deal to me but I would like an upgrade from my stock speakers. Price range is around $100 hopefully. Would a soundbar work just fine?

I mostly play video games and watch TV shows on it but I do watch movies occasionally and it would be nice to have speakers that take advantage of the action movie sounds including good bass. Surround sound would be a plus but not needed.

I basically know nothing about speakers so ask me questions or give me suggestions. Thanks.

For $100 or less, you'll be looking at a starter set.

This would be an upgrade over tv speakers (250W at $100 shipped--no taxes in most states):
http://www.amazon.com/RCA-RTD317W-Ho...=operasport-20

Sound bar + wireless sub combo (100W at $100 shipped after taxes)

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Hitachi-Soundbar-with-Wireless-Subwoofer-SBW100-Refurbished/19397293

Like Blzer said, you have more options at $200.

Keep in mind, eventually you'll probably want to move to a home theater setup that has a dedicated receiver (starting at $200) and higher quality speakers (starting at $100).

[mudtiger]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

How about Home Theater Setups? anyone have a custom setup?

Thanks to a newegg sale, I just upgraded my 6+ year old receiver to a yamaha a3000 for christmas. It's a beast. The remote is terrible though, but every receiver remote I've ever had has been terrible. There is an ipod app to control it that isn't bad.

Front speakers are yamaha ns-a1638 towers, center and surrounds are boston acoustics, and the sub is a bic america f-12. Good bass without being too boomy for sub 200$.

I've got two more boston acoustics that I used to use as surround backs but I don't really have a place to put them - room is open to the kitchen so there isn't a back wall. I may use them as front presence speakers or try to get creative and mount them somewhere behind the couch.

Screen is my 3 year old baby, a samsung 55 inch a950 led back light display. It still blows away sammys being made today in picture quality, though I have seen a un8000 that comes close.

[l3ulvl]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

I have been rockin Sennheiser hd595 with a my fiio e7 for the past year for my computer headphones. I'll use my my Beats studios when I travel or are around the house.

I know people bash on Beats by Dre, but I got them 120 bucks refurbished and are worth every penny! I just prefer to have the bass hit hard when listening to hip hop and are way easier to travel with than my Senns.

As for reliability with beats, its definitely an issue. I have friends who have their ibeats fall apart. Mine have been ok except for the wires have got lose and 1 right now does not work. Sennheisers, I've stepped, sat and crushed them with my bean bag. Still working perfect. I gotta say also they are the most comfortable headphones I have. I can sit there for hours without having to take them off.

If your looking for travel or workout earbuds, I use Bose MiE2 in ears and are amazing. I get really good bass and the ear bud rarely falls out when working out.

I remember seeing your post about the Sennheiser 595 HDs with the amp, then looking them up on amazon and seeing they were on sale like half off and pulled the trigger. They're comfortable and have a decent sound, but I'm disappointed with the bass. I feel like I want to try a different pair and see how the bass goes, do they let you test headphones at Best Buy? Would love to take in my ipod and test out a few pairs for sound. I don't have a lot of disposable income though, but I listen to so much music and live in a tiny apartment now where I can't blast my **** unless getting revenge on the loud **** downstairs, so I figure good headphones are in the budget.