Portable Audio

BH · Post by BH » Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:51 pm

What does everyone use for their portable audio pleasure? I'll let the thread live for a bit then start to share the well into a grand that I've spent on an mp3 player a pair of headphones and a headphone amplifier... Just curious to see if anyone else shares with me in this audio niche.

Post by **stipud** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:54 pm

80gb iPod video, Sennheiser PX200's, and Etymotic ER-6i's.

BH · Post by BH » Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:56 pm

Do you like the 6i's? I wasn't all the impressed w/ them but I did like the 4's. And you can't go wrong w/ a pair of Senns...

Post by **AVICJR** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:58 pm

30gb Ipod video. I have the alpine adapter for my car, plugs directly into the HU and can access it through there. I want one of the newer Alpine HU because they have the full speed capability. I can only access one playlist/album at a time.

I love the capability of all my fav. songs in the palm of my hand.

BH · Post by BH » Tue Dec 12, 2006 11:04 pm

AVICJR wrote:30gb Ipod video. I have the alpine adapter for my car, plugs directly into the HU and can access it through there. I want one of the newer Alpine HU because they have the full speed capability. I can only access one playlist/album at a time.

I love the capability of all my fav. songs in the palm of my hand.

Main point of the thread is the headphone system not the mp3 player. But appreciated.

Post by **Francious70** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 6:16 am

Older iPod shuffle and I just use some crappy Koss over ear headphones. i really don't use it very often.

Post by **stipud** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 7:54 am

BH wrote:Do you like the 6i's? I wasn't all the impressed w/ them but I did like the 4's. And you can't go wrong w/ a pair of Senns...

I don't sit and listen to music all that often, normally it's just on the go, or randomly around the office, so I just use my Sennheisers 99% of the time. They are great for the airplane when I sit for long hours and don't need to put them in and out all the time, but when I first got them my ears became majorly irritated by wearing them.

The treble is good, midrange perfect, but it lacks on bass. With my laptop EQ it works perfect, but the iPod EQ and amp leaves much to be desired. The Senns sound perfect with treble boost on the iPod however.

Post by **Bfowler** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 8:56 am

8g ipod nano. it looks super slick

within the next few months you all will see a thread about its glorious integration into my cars interior

Post by **bdubs767** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 9:16 am

None, becuase I only really listen to music in the car and to use the ipod as a source is kinda stupid with its low sonic quailties I have been reading about...but have heard of a few upgrades that can be given to them, nto sure what tho?

BH · Post by BH » Wed Dec 13, 2006 11:08 am

The iPod really isn't much of a slouch! You back it up w/ a nice amp and it becomes a healthy output stage.

Post by **stipud** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 11:11 am

Wallet... keys... cellphone... iPod...

My pockets are full man. Who has room to carry around an amp?

I guess I can sort of understand at a desk, but even that is a bit obsessive (says the guy with the expensive car stereo

).

Post by **bdubs767** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 11:15 am

Then I have a question with I pod....

If I were to get the alpine unit to hook it up directly to the alpine head unit through AI-net, I believe, would the head unit be receiving the signal from the IPOD digital or analog?

Post by **stipud** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 11:18 am

Analog probably, but at least a line level output, unlike the headphone jack that had it's output limited due to French laws.

BH · Post by BH » Wed Dec 13, 2006 12:33 pm

I have an older 60G iPod Photo which isn't as limited and doesn't have the volume limit feature in it which I like but I pretty much only use the iPod for a line level out to drive outboard amps even though I have a very efficient pair of headphones.

dedlyjedly · Post by **dedlyjedly** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 1:15 pm

anybody have any headphones suggestions for something to pair with my 80gig video ipod? I'd like to keep it under $100, but i've been known to ignore budgets for the right piece of equipment.

I likely will never add a headphone amp as this system will almost exclusively be used portable and on-the-go.

thanks for your input.

Post by **stipud** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 3:27 pm

I liked the Sennheiser PX100's, but they were very open (everyone can hear you). I have the PX200's now... the 100's sounded a bit better, but the 200's are more comfortable and don't radiate any sound. Awesome portability on both.

Grado SR-60's (or something like that?) were really good too.

www.headphone.com has been a good site in my experience.

HoseHead · Post by **HoseHead** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 4:02 pm

1Gb iRiver with FM tuner.
Beat up old set of JVC headphone speakers transplanted into a set of industrial monster ear defenders.
Cable runs inside my shirt with slack around me sack.
I work with loud equipment as a hobby. Need the protection, but listen to music and news while working.
It's all gotta be 5 years old now, never a failure.

HH

BH · Post by BH » Sat Dec 16, 2006 5:02 pm

dedlyjedly wrote:anybody have any headphones suggestions for something to pair with my 80gig video ipod? I'd like to keep it under $100, but i've been known to ignore budgets for the right piece of equipment.

I likely will never add a headphone amp as this system will almost exclusively be used portable and on-the-go.

thanks for your input.

There are some very nice portable headphone amplifiers. And also some really nice bags that make them even more portable. Honestly if you want to go w/ a really nice pair of headphones the amp makes a big difference. You wouldn't run deck power in your car if you had good speakers would you?

BH · Post by BH » Sat Dec 16, 2006 5:03 pm

stipud wrote:I liked the Sennheiser PX100's, but they were very open (everyone can hear you). I have the PX200's now... the 100's sounded a bit better, but the 200's are more comfortable and don't radiate any sound. Awesome portability on both.

Grado SR-60's (or something like that?) were really good too.

www.headphone.com has been a good site in my experience.

The Grado's have been an audiophile favorite for MANY years. They are only slightly lacking in the style category. They look like old wood cans but they are very nice listening phones!

BH · Post by BH » Sat Dec 16, 2006 5:06 pm

HoseHead wrote:1Gb iRiver with FM tuner.
Beat up old set of JVC headphone speakers transplanted into a set of industrial monster ear defenders.
Cable runs inside my shirt with slack around me sack.
I work with loud equipment as a hobby. Need the protection, but listen to music and news while working.
It's all gotta be 5 years old now, never a failure.

HH

You should look into the new IEM headphones. They go into your ears like earplugs and provide wonderful isolation from the outside world and give you fantastic audio quality. I really love my Etymotic ER-4Ps but wanted more comfort for very extended use (8 hours a day). I find that the custom ear molds I had done by an audiologist are the most comfortable headphone I could ever imagine! I'll post a picture when I get a chance.

Hontzo_MD · Post by **Hontzo_MD** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 11:11 am

I have the 60gb ipod/video, set of big old MB Quart headphones, I am shopping for a set of in-ear style, and an amp though.

Post by **fuzzysnuggleduck** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 1:48 pm

4GB iPod nano w/ Sennheiser PX100

Sounds great for a tiny little combo but I really wish the open design of the PX100 didn't require it to leak so much sound. On a quieter train ride, the people beside me can hear my music with some degree of clarity even though I don't have it turned up very loud simply because the PX100 tends to be leaky.

dedlyjedly · Post by **dedlyjedly** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 2:45 pm

BH wrote:
There are some very nice portable headphone amplifiers. And also some really nice bags that make them even more portable. Honestly if you want to go w/ a really nice pair of headphones the amp makes a big difference. You wouldn't run deck power in your car if you had good speakers would you?

Well, I just got some Sennheiser HD280Pro's and they've been very good. the attenuation of outside noises is fantastic. they are an exceptional sealed headphone. I must admit though, I'm intrigued as to how much better they could be. My 80 gig video ipod seems to be limited on the volume output as mentioned previously, but even before max volume the headphones begin to break up.

any suggestions for affordable and more importantlly very portable headphone amps to take advantage of these headphones?

joyride · Post by **joyride** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 9:20 pm

Sony Vaio 40 gig. I couldnt settle with the terrible sound of the ipod. The output is much better on the Sony. Typically use the stock headphones walking to class, but I have some old Sony ones that work great and are comfortable to wear for long periods of time (cant remember the model).

I was also thinking of new headphones, but the in ear style that Ive worn irritate me after 15 minutes. However, I have never work a set that is over $100. Do the expensive ones still irritate people?

BH · Post by BH » Fri Jan 05, 2007 1:52 am

dedlyjedly wrote:
BH wrote:
There are some very nice portable headphone amplifiers. And also some really nice bags that make them even more portable. Honestly if you want to go w/ a really nice pair of headphones the amp makes a big difference. You wouldn't run deck power in your car if you had good speakers would you?

Well, I just got some Sennheiser HD280Pro's and they've been very good. the attenuation of outside noises is fantastic. they are an exceptional sealed headphone. I must admit though, I'm intrigued as to how much better they could be. My 80 gig video ipod seems to be limited on the volume output as mentioned previously, but even before max volume the headphones begin to break up.

any suggestions for affordable and more importantlly very portable headphone amps to take advantage of these headphones?[/quote]

The amplifier that I designed and built for my office is a slightly beefier version of this:
http://www.headphone.com/products/headp ... ro-amp.php