[GTALUG] ot: perhaps, headphones?

[Nicholas Krause]

On 1/14/22 15:52, Karen Lewellen wrote:
> Hi nick,
> I still owe you a response to your note about cellphones, audiophiles, and
> in the ear monitors...imagine a scrunched face  here.
> Speaking personally, one does not enjoy quality music on a cellphone smiles.
> This audiophile uses a real stereo with real speakers  with her real vinyl collection.
> To answer your  question, I was given too much anesthetic during an eye surgery resulting in a vascular accident to a very  tiny part of my brain. In the area that processes speech.
> There are solutions,  perhaps consult the book  "the brain's way of healing." or even the CBC special.
> Anyway, one result is issues with some frequencies.  Aside from headphones, rather a few cell phones, even cordless phones  create the same  impact,  I can get dizzy,  with some far far worse factors if exposure  continues for a long time.
> My cell for example is a lg flip phone, not  a smartphone.
> It seems? that the closer to analog, the happier my brain happens to be.
> Because I am a singer, some of the doctors discussed  in the above referenced book  began healing this part of my brain, neural plasticity is a magical thing.
> Could not finish due to expense at the time however.
> Intend returning, with everything crossed staff with the Listening centre here in Toronto remain well.
> Long answer to a short question, but long before I had a solution, I was choosing my audio gear very carefully, and my needs differ depending on the device in question.
> One set of headphone needs for my talking computer, another for my stereo, a third for my portable Walkman etc.
> Does this make sense?
> Kare

That helps now. So your talking about wave form issues with digital conversion. Most high
end DACs get rid of this. As for headphones, that would be some part of the frequency not
sure what. Most really high end headphones don't have this issue. I'm not a expert but
that's probably in the mid high to high frequencies if your talking core less. It
seems that's my best guess. You probably want PCM 96khz or above at least to get as close
to analog as possible if that's your comment. As you mentioned unless you have a actual
good DAC, it's not going to matter here.

As for IEMs, the market is much better now. Sure it's not as good as true open backed or
really, really high end loudspeakers i.e. Class A. I look at them more as it's not terrible
from my very picky perspective for portable use. I'm very picky even more than most of the
audiophiles I know. I was in the middle of researching my own vinyl setup actually that
meets my standards. So far I'm figured out that moving coil is the only way to go. Not sure
when it will happen through.

Nick

> 
> 
> 
> On Fri, 14 Jan 2022, Nicholas Krause wrote:
> 
>> Karen,
>> What do you mean by dizzy actually? Normally that or fatigue is a comfort or sound sensitivity issue.
>> For example, these days I've very sensitive to frequencies in the mid range and mid treble. That's
>> about 400hz - 1khz and 6khz-10khz. You may want to figure out if your sensitive to sound issues in
>> certain parts of the spectrum. Or perhaps you mean something else. This is just my experience with
>> various people.
>>
>> Good luck with your search through,
>> Nick
>>
>> On 1/14/22 15:10, Karen Lewellen wrote:
>>>  Hi  Erica,
>>>  The Sony Mdr-7506 headphones have been a staple of audio production for
>>>  honestly decades.  I got my pair in hmmm2004 or 2005.
>>>  However, this is a fine example of my personal issue...I cannot use them.
>>>  The impedance on this model is 24, and they make me dizzy.
>>>  I do have production assistants use them, and in all these years the ear
>>>  pads remain flawless.
>>>  That being said, I may be reaching out to  Sony directly, as my e-mail
>>>  exchange with JVC is becoming rather frustrating smiles.
>>>  best,
>>>  Kare
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>  On Fri, 14 Jan 2022, Erica Peterson wrote:
>>>
>>> >  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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>>
>>
>>