[GTALUG] ot: perhaps, headphones?

[Erica Peterson]

You may have better luck picking a few common brands and going to the manufacturer websites.  Sony, for example, will let you select multiple models for comparison across features: https://www.sony.ca/en/electronics/headphones/t/headband-headphones

FWIW, about 5 years ago I got a Sony MDR-7506 headset -- admittedly, not based on any sort of audiophile specs, but because I'd seen them used in recording studios and figured that was a strong point in their favor.  I'm still very happy with it but with two small quibbles: (1) the cable doesn't detach, so it would be a pain to replace if I were to damage it, and (2) the material covering the pads degrades after a few years.  I just replaced the pads with "Wicked Cushions" from Amazon, which are made to fit popular headset models.  The Wicked Cushions are great so far.

Erica

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Original Message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

On Friday, January 14th, 2022 at 1:02 AM, Nicholas Krause via talk <talk at gtalug.org> wrote:

> On 2022-01-14 12:50 a.m., Karen Lewellen wrote:
>
> > Hi there,
> >
> > You know something I have a hard time picturing what closed back
> >
> > actually means.
> >
> > to my imagination open back means nothing behind my head, which is my
> >
> > preference. are closed back those behind your head then?
> >
> > I agree on 32 for impedance..but sometimes they are higher. even with
> >
> > no amp involved.
> >
> > Kare
>
> Karen,
>
> Open Backs have open grills or leak sound through the outer part of the
>
> ear cups. They don't isolated sound the way most headphones do. You
>
> don't see them outside of the audiophile market. The problem with
>
> closing or isolating sound is frequency issues basically. Sound stage is
>
> one big improvement on them as you can let the drivers actually breathe.
>
> Most consumer amps in cellphones or whatever can get about 60-90 ohms if
>
> your asking. So anything beyond that is not good. This is a problem for
>
> IEMS in the audiophile market as they have to gear them for cellphones
>
> actually so most are around 32-48 ohms from memory.
>
> Nick
>
> > On Thu, 13 Jan 2022, Nicholas Krause wrote:
> >
> > > On 2022-01-13 4:25 p.m., Karen Lewellen via talk wrote:
> > >
> > > > Hi there,
> > > >
> > > > Fine and interesting list.
> > > >
> > > > To be sure, the idea of noise cancellation, or any variation's is a no,
> > > >
> > > > not just because of the sense of position, but because I have
> > > >
> > > > something
> > > >
> > > > talking in my ears when I use them in this particular setting..no phone
> > > >
> > > > ringing, door bells, or the all important music playing in the
> > > >
> > > > background.
> > > >
> > > > As I have been a radio producer, and professional singer for many many
> > > >
> > > > years, over the ear headphones are the most comfortable, speaking
> > > >
> > > > personally.
> > > >
> > > > I truly dislike earbuds, they tend not to stay in my ears, to put
> > > >
> > > > pressure on my ear canal etc...and the buttons are a no, mic interferes
> > > >
> > > > with the machine.
> > > >
> > > > The most important thing, for this particular set of headphones
> > > >
> > > > though is
> > > >
> > > > A combination of frequency range, sensitivity, impedance, and driver
> > > >
> > > > units...oh and input power.
> > > >
> > > > a few settings in the wrong direction, and the headphones will make me
> > > >
> > > > dizzy..literary.
> > > >
> > > > And those numbers can be device specific, what I will use for my
> > > >
> > > > reading
> > > >
> > > > edge, differs for what I use for production, or music listening, or
> > > >
> > > > whatever.
> > > >
> > > > It is part of why once found I may buy more than one pair.
> > > >
> > > > Cannot fault you for using the same ones since the 80's. Had a set
> > > >
> > > > once
> > > >
> > > > I got from radio shack that I used for more than a decade as well.
> > > >
> > > > Goodness but I miss radio shack.
> > > >
> > > > Kare
> > >
> > > Greetings Karen,
> > >
> > > I would not find the model in the previous email. However, my two sense
> > >
> > > are over ear can mean different things. A current pair of headphones was
> > >
> > > stated that but it's more what Hugh was calling something else.
> > >
> > > The other things were I normally prefer open backed as it's the only way
> > >
> > > to not screw around with frequency issues. I've my reasons. As to
> > >
> > > standard closed backs AKG, Sennheiser, Sony are the big good players
> > >
> > > from memory. I'm not sure of the site design for your needs so sorry :(.
> > >
> > > Your original pair was around 200 dollars from memory and they all
> > >
> > > have something good in that price point to my knowledge.
> > >
> > > As to weight normally anything under 400 grams is fine for most people.
> > >
> > > And for impendance it should be 32 ohms or less if your not using an
> > >
> > > actual amp.
> > >
> > > Take care,
> > >
> > > Nick
> > >
> > > > On Thu, 13 Jan 2022, D. Hugh Redelmeier via talk wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > | From: Karen Lewellen via talk talk at gtalug.org
> > > > >
> > > > > > | If you desire a visual idea then perhaps google jvc ha-s44x.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Thanks.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > From past discussions, I know your shopping technique isn't like
> > > > > >
> > > > > > mine.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > But I'll mention my considerations on the off chance you might
> > > > > >
> > > > > > find them
> > > > > >
> > > > > > useful.
> > > > >
> > > > > > > Most wired headphones are electrically / electronically
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > interchangeable. Of course that's a good thing. It also means
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > that > there
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > are a lot to choose from.
> > > > >
> > > > > > There are lots of issues of sound reproduction quality, but to be
> > > > > >
> > > > > > honest, all should have sound quality that is good enough for a
> > > > > >
> > > > > > reader
> > > > > >
> > > > > > (as I understand it).
> > > > >
> > > > > > I would imagine that the main issues are comfort -- a very
> > > > > >
> > > > > > individual
> > > > > >
> > > > > > thing. Oh, and durability -- not something in the specs!
> > > > >
> > > > > > Here's what I glean from the specs of your old headphones:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > -   closed (i.e. they try to block sound from your environment)
> > > > > > -   over-ear [I find such headphones uncomfortable fairly quickly]
> > > > > > -   5.57 ounces
> > > > > > -   button controls (what do they control?)
> > > > > > -   1.2 m cable [the units are unspecified but 1.2 ft would be
> > > > > >
> > > > > >     very short]
> > > > >
> > > > > > Do you use the buttons? What for?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I think "over-ear" means that these clamp on your ear as opposed to
> > > > > >
> > > > > > clamping on your head around the ear ("circumaural"). I find
> > > > > >
> > > > > > over-ear
> > > > > >
> > > > > > very uncomfortable after a few minutes but I seem to be in a
> > > > > >
> > > > > > minority.
> > > > >
> > > > > > Do you really want to have sound isolation from the room
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ("closed")?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I imagine "situational awareness" would be useful.
> > > > >
> > > > > > Out of habit, I use ancient Sennheiser HD430 phones. They are
> > > > > >
> > > > > > circumaural, light, open [i.e. I can hear things going on in the
> > > > > >
> > > > > > room], good enough sound. They have replaceable cables and ear pads
> > > > > >
> > > > > > (but now hard to find). Out of production since 1986. I find that
> > > > > >
> > > > > > even these get uncomfortable after a while.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > My current favourite is ear-buds. The ones with a selection of
> > > > > >
> > > > > > soft
> > > > > >
> > > > > > tips, not the hard ones. You can get decent inexpensive ones from
> > > > > >
> > > > > > China.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I have, for example:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002184896879.html
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Currently C$16.84 without microphone. I paid less.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > There are many other brands that are likely fine.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > There is an enthusiastic following for "Chi-fi".
> > > > >
> > > > > > TWS (true wireless stereo) headphones are amazingly convenient
> > > > > >
> > > > > > if you > have
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Bluetooth. But you don't. There are a lot of adapters to convert
> > > > > >
> > > > > > analog
> > > > > >
> > > > > > to Bluetooth but I don't have any experience with them.
> > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > >
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> > > > >
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> > > >
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