mitchwagz
Well-Known Member
If mixing, wouldn’t you want a more flat response? I would look to the 880 model if you can swing the slight price increase. I really liked them when I had them! I’m sure the 770 is great too though!
What's Going On Up There- The Headphone Thread
- Thread starter Slimwhit33
- Start date
displayname
Well-Known Member
My headphone amp has largely been in limbo for several months as I removed it from my main system because it never saw use there, and I've been running my 4xx off of my laptop for convenience in my office during the work day.
I've been thinking about getting a DAC so I could get my full use of my headphones again, and my wife was kind enough to make that happen for Christmas.
I present to you, the Schiit Head stack: Schiit Modius + Arcam rHead. Connected via Zu Mission XLR cables.
I've been thinking about getting a DAC so I could get my full use of my headphones again, and my wife was kind enough to make that happen for Christmas.
I present to you, the Schiit Head stack: Schiit Modius + Arcam rHead. Connected via Zu Mission XLR cables.
Rip_City
Well-Known Member
I responded with the above in the What's your 2021 "Gear" resolution? thread. But, being without headphones since the beginning, I wanted to obtain a pair for nighttime listening. Open to recommendations.
Budget is $250-350. Partaking in "No Buy January" allows the budget to have some give.
kvetcha
Well-Known Member
What sort of character are you looking for? I find my Mezes light, comfortable, and posh-sounding. Lush and slightly base-forward, but fun and very enjoyable. And they look great.
displayname
Well-Known Member
Closed back, open back, weird/wireless, do you have an amp already?
Rip_City
Well-Known Member
Sorry, should've been more descriptive.
Meze 99 Classics? I do like low-end favored music (ambient, electronic, pop), and something closed backed, as they will not be used for gaming. I'm not too much of a "critical listener," if that makes sense.
Closed back, wired, and already have receiver (Onkyo HT-R430).
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kvetcha
Well-Known Member
Yeah, the 99 Classics (or 99 Noirs on drop.com - same headphones, fewer extras, $100 cheaper).
I think you’d dig them for those genres.
Rip_City
Well-Known Member
After thinking and looking around for a few hours, I just puchased the Meze 99 Classics (w/silver) on eBay. Got them for 10% off, so slightly under $280.
Should be here in ~10 days.
kvetcha
Well-Known Member
I hope you enjoy them! Report back.
Rip_City
Well-Known Member
Wow, they just arrived this morning!
I'll give 4-6 albums a run and provide some thoughts!
kvetcha
Well-Known Member
I hope you enjoy them!
kvetcha
Well-Known Member
Splunders
Well-Known Member
I've not heard the 80s, but I have the 225s. They sound incredible. So transparent with tons of air and space. That said you will never see a review saying they are very comfortable. Be warned that if you plan on wearing them hours a day, days a week, you might want to investigate aftermarket ear pads that might be a bit cushier. Grado seems to have spent 95% of the cost on the transducers and the remainder on the ear cups and headband parts.
I think I'll go with the 80s and a pad swap then
Though apparently the 80s have a more comfortable pad to people
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Rip_City
Well-Known Member
Yes. Although I work an odd work schedule, I was able to get around to trying a few albums in the last few days, with Wednesday set aside just for examining + wearing for a lengthy period of time.
The package presentation is quite excellent: sleek box with magnetic design for open/close, and memory foam lining insides. Hard case is durable, with two different size Kevlar cables for convenience. No dedicated left/right ear is, for my preference, very much appreciated (with corresponding left/right splitter cable). Not to mention, the headphones look fantastic, too.
Comfort
Undoubtedly the most comfort I've experienced with a pair of headphones, especially for several hours of continuous wear. Easily adjustable, and soft pads. Despite being lightweight, the wood construction feels durable, and I'm sure longevity won't be a problem here.
Sound
As you said, @kvetcha, they are very bass forward. The driver used in the electronics must be of extremely high quality; they are efficient as hell. For >80% of my music library at night, this translates well. Ambient music sounds deeper and separation is very pronounced, electronic music pounds and is extra punchy/fun; same for pop music. It is, as you commented earlier, a very fun pair of headphones. I would not recommend these for guitar-driven music (indie rock, most forms of metal, punk, etc.), as it seems that guitar elements get slightly drowned out.
Given that the receiver I use is not of remarkable quality, it would be my next upgrade step...won't be until mid-year, though. Wondering how the SQ will jump accordingly. Just know that I am 100% satisfied with my purchase. Also got the headphone stand that @dansomeone mentioned earlier from Monoprice (which arrived same day as the Mezes) and it serves its purpose well.
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kvetcha
Well-Known Member
I will say that they offer a slightly-less cushy set of ear pads on their website (that are the defaults for the 99 Noir) that do tone down the bass bloom a bit. I personally preferred the default pads, but it might be worth a look.
I’ve got a pair I can send you, actually.
Rip_City
Well-Known Member
I've had the Meze Classics for just under 2 weeks and well...I love 'em. They have been great at work, too. Hope these'll be keepers for years.
Sorry for taking over a week to respond. I appreciate the offer, but you should keep 'em. I'm plenty happy with the default fitting.
kvetcha
Well-Known Member
Well, let me know if you change your mind! I'm not using them.
I'm happy you're happy.
my review of these grado SR 80e's
pros:
very nice timbre to things, feels very nice (especially useful when my dac has a bass boost that makes the not at all bad bass on them have a lot more boom and power)
SUPER easy to drive (i have the hip dac on LOW gain and at like 10 o clock so either the hip dac would be too powerful for say an IEM or the grados require super low power)
actually dont feel cheap
not bad in the clamp department, feels perfectly good there, stable but not breaking you
cons:
switch the pads (buy L pads or geekrias donut hole pads... the S cushions just feel off and not really comforting)
the comfort isn't as bad as the horror stories, i can wear it for over 2 or 3 hours.... but the pads DO get warm on your ears though that isn't as much an issue for me.. the real issue is that the headband has no comfort and there is a notable line of metal RIGHT where my head fits that is frustrating
too loud and this thing will be SUPER sibilant
definitely like what i got and probably will love them even more with time or modifications or fixing the headband with an aftermarket one (any recommendations that fit the grado leather?)
pros:
very nice timbre to things, feels very nice (especially useful when my dac has a bass boost that makes the not at all bad bass on them have a lot more boom and power)
SUPER easy to drive (i have the hip dac on LOW gain and at like 10 o clock so either the hip dac would be too powerful for say an IEM or the grados require super low power)
actually dont feel cheap
not bad in the clamp department, feels perfectly good there, stable but not breaking you
cons:
switch the pads (buy L pads or geekrias donut hole pads... the S cushions just feel off and not really comforting)
the comfort isn't as bad as the horror stories, i can wear it for over 2 or 3 hours.... but the pads DO get warm on your ears though that isn't as much an issue for me.. the real issue is that the headband has no comfort and there is a notable line of metal RIGHT where my head fits that is frustrating
too loud and this thing will be SUPER sibilant
definitely like what i got and probably will love them even more with time or modifications or fixing the headband with an aftermarket one (any recommendations that fit the grado leather?)