Recent comments in /f/headphones

TagalogON t1_j29ofdx wrote

Reply to Is the Fiio BTR7 using AptX Bluetooth? And will I hear sound degradation compared to wired? And will Quedelix release a newer model soon? by ostuniman

Yes, the FiiO BTR7 has AptX and so on. For sound degradation, it depends on your environment and how loud your listening levels are. Some people will hear the inherent Bluetooth compression more, others will be able to ignore it after a while or so.

At safe hearing levels and also when outside, people probably won't be able to easily tell the difference due to the external noises competing with the sound/music. Like even when at home at louder volumes some people also can't tell between wired and wireless, when using LDAC, AptX, etc.

This is the BTR7 thread for more info from FiiO and more regular people: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/fiio-btr7-portable-bluetooth-amplifier-color-ips-display-high-performance-dac-es9219c-2-thx-aaa-28-2-amps-3-5-4-4mm-outputs-one-click-%E2%80%9Cdongle%E2%80%9D-mode-fw1-88-firmware-is-available-in-2022-11-28.963808/page-90

Look into the FiiO BTA30 Pro if you want LDAC for PC: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/fiio-bta30%EF%BC%8Chi-fi-desktop-bluetooth-receiver-transmitter%EF%BC%8Crca-optical-coaxial-interface.926876/page-39

Or ya actually recently some people are using LDAC through Windows 11 or so, check here: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/aptx-adaptive-aptx-lossless-usb-transmitters.961856/page-45#post-17277046

The LDAC for Windows is supposedly from here, it's like in beta mode or something right now: https://www.bluetoothgoodies.com/a2dp/

Or just get those $15-20 AptX Adaptive transmitter dongles, here's more (direct) updated info about the AptX Adaptive USB transmitter dongles (KB8P, KB9P, YET-T10P): https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/zr41fe/which_lossy_codec_to_use_compress_with_before/j12cdwt/

Though ya just get the Qudelix 5K instead as it's like half the price at $110.

For the Qudelix 5k, expect no newer model or successor to it in 2023 and possibly beyond. This is because Qudelix is finishing up their Qudelix T71 gaming/7.1/etc. device for now, see here for more info: https://forum.qudelix.com/post/qudelixt71-12037543?pid=1334122761.

And it seems other companies, like FiiO, etc. are not really spending money and time to make a competitor any time soon to the Qudelix 5K, so it's just the Qudelix 5K for like 3 years and possibly half a decade now.

The Qudelix 5K has no competition for value and features. They just recently released the v2.0 update, and wow, it's just unparalleled software achievement: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/zsjmng/qudelix_5k_v20_update_released/

Here's a bit more info/resources/etc. about the Qudelix 5K Bluetooth amp/DAC dongle as it's often out of stock these days: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/zgk4s8/equalizer_apo_doesnt_for_me_best_alternative/izhf43z/ and https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/zsjmng/qudelix_5k_v20_update_released/j18t8qo/

This thread link talks about the Qudelix 5K, AptX Adaptive dongles, and specifically Apple devices: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/zc1znn/qudelix_5k_arent_these_issues_a_big_issue/iyuh35j/

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Designer-Edge-5394 t1_j29mz9c wrote

Reply to Bought Hifiman Edition XS and not really impressed by GhoZsK

I haven't tried the Edition XS, but people seem to be like them and rank them as a good performer for the price range.

Coming from Focals and Sennheisers, I had the same feeling as yours about Arya Stealths. Keep in mind that they use a different driver technology and obviously have a different sound signature. Also, in your case, you're more used to the closed-back sound of m50x and wh-xm4. I don't think changing your amp will help much. Just give them some more time so that both your headphones and your ears/brain burn in and get used to the sound signature 😉.

Again, not suggesting to change your amp, but if you would like to try them on something else, give ifi DAC/Amps a try because they're less sharp as compared to the FiiOs and you may get a fuller sound from the XSs.

Happy listening anyways 🙂

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LifeAspect t1_j29m1g9 wrote

Reply to Multiple headphones - How do you cycle through your collection? by Djee-f

for me it depends on the mood. While I use the HD800 the most, when I wanna listen to rock I go for the Atriums and when I wanna listen to EDM etc I go for the Verite. For gaming the HD800 is king and is just the most comfortable out of the bunch when all I am doing is chat on discord with friends.

I run them all from the same source. When I am gaming I mainly use the headphone output on the RME, when I am "actually listening to music" I swap to the tubes :D

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GhoZsK OP t1_j29l6tu wrote

Reply to comment by VisceralVoyage420 in Bought Hifiman Edition XS and not really impressed by GhoZsK

i'm not into EQ because i used to randomly move and adjust some frequencies when i was like 16-17 yo and shitty Headphones. sometimes sounded better, sometimes i messed up. i'll try it more seriously when i have time. but i can't promise anything

edit: Most of the time sounded worst tbh. I thought it sounded better cause bass goes brrrr

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LifeAspect t1_j29kg10 wrote

Reply to comment by Practical-Cup9537 in HD800s earpad shootout. From left to right: DEKONI SHEEPSKIN vs ZMF LAMBSKIN vs OEM VELOUR …… the winner is … ZMF. Extra softness, a hint of extra bass, no clampy by ostuniman

to be fair, the alcantara pads for the HD800 (the stock pads) are amazing...They also give them the sound sennheiser wanted them to sound like, a few pads like eg dekoni are imo a bad match with the HD800 and I'd go stock pads with the HD800 any day. Still need to try the ZMF Pads.

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rjmoyer2 OP t1_j29h6m6 wrote

Reply to Out with the old, in with the new! by rjmoyer2

I had accumulated a fair amount of budget DAC’s and amps so I decided to put the stuff I don’t use up on eBay. All told, I raised about $1200 dollars so I took that and bought a 109 Pro as well as a Matrix Audio Mini-i Pro 3 and considered the difference as an Xmas gift to myself. The Matrix adds a lot of versatility, connection wise, while being a very clean looking all in one unit. In terms of the 109 Pro’s, I love the sound! It provides a great contrast to my darker LCD-2’s. My only gripes against the 109 Pro is I hate the rubbery cable, so I’m gonna get an aftermarket one, and the black finish inside the wooden cups seems to be made of plastic. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how much I love the headband. It applies enough tension to keep the headphones secure on my head while not giving me a migraine. It’s very well done.

Just another chapter in my audio journey.

Does anyone else have the Matrix DAC/Amp or the 109 Pro? If so, what are your thoughts on them?

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IAmAgainst t1_j29g41o wrote

Reply to comment by MichaelEmouse in What is the next step from HD 560s? by cronuss

I have the 560s and the Aryas and the latter make the 560s sound quite cheap in comparison. I think the 560s sound great and I love them for regular use, but if I'm listening to the Aryas and switch to the 560s, the difference is night and day. Obviously that doesn't happen unless I intentionally want to compare them.

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