..... for Altec Users.
Not too exotic, please. Old ears, here.
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..... for Altec Users.
Not too exotic, please. Old ears, here.
VOTH...
Voice of the Head? :biggrin2:
Better than Voices in your head.:cool:
Beyer and AKG make some good stuff not too expensive.
I watch out for nice oldies. I'm a fan of the old Koss pro 4AA
Vintage Optimus Koss Pro/4AA Over the Head Stereo Music Headphones ~ Great Sound on eBay!
I prefer paying 60-75 for clean old ones. You can get reissues for 99.
Average review on Amazon is 4 stars.
http://www.amazon.com/Koss-Pro-4AA-S...owViewpoints=1
http://www.hostboard.com/forums/hbmc...2012/11/67.jpg
I have to agree with OG, those old forty pound feeling double A's are still my very favorite headphones, i preferred them even over the ESP-9 electrostatics. Too bad you can't still get the original type oil filled ear cushions, i believe they made a difference in LF, probably by creating a more uniform seal.
If you prefer an "open" chamber type headphone, the industry standard AKG 240M are very good if you're not into high SPL's. They sound very good, but for an open chamber "lightweight" style headset i prefer the Sennheiser 4XX series.
What I usually recommend for $100 headphones:
Amazon.com: Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone: Musical Instruments
Measurements here: http://www.headphone.com/headphones/sony-mdr-7506.php
Reasonably flat response, reasonably comfortable etc. The headphones I own that sound like my system with 511s are these:
Amazon.com: beyerdynamic DT 880 Premium Headphones (250 ohms): Electronics
Measurements here: http://www.headphone.com/headphones/...mic-dt-880.php
Excellent detail, flat response etc., but $250. You'll definitely want a good headphone amp for the DT880s; the Sonys are more forgiving.
^ That seems like a good price for Beyer's, i haven't heard any of their modern headsets.
I also forgot to mention the Denon AH-D5000, used they'd be in the 300-500 range. You can occasionally still find them new, but they usually fetch upwards of a grand. Awesome headphones.
All you have to do is send the older headphones back to Koss and they will replace the cord and cushions. I think it cost about $5 or $10 plus shipping. I've had a couple of pairs done that way before. BTW, the Koss pro 4aa is my favorite still...Quote:
Originally Posted by bowtie427ss
I was aware of this. Problem is, the new cushions are foam filled. The original mineral oil filled ear cushions applied uniform pressure around their circumference, sorta like how a water bed conforms to the shape of the body equalizing pressure at all points. They were awesome in "live" environments as the cushions would seal effectively enough to negate most of the acoustic energy in the room allowing you to hear only what's in the mix............. a monitor mixer's best friend.Quote:
Originally Posted by hemicuda
Well, it's been a few years since I sent mine in. I got the gel cushions when I sent mine in. Good to know that they aren't doing that anymore and using foam... I agree with you about the mineral filled ones. I use them all the time mixing my (and other) bands locally. I also use them for recording and mixdown in my studio. They sound great for everything. I love how they sound using them on my digital drums with a headphone amp!
Like everything else made today you get "CHEAP" replacement parts !Quote:
Originally Posted by bowtie427ss
Wow, those Koss sure bring back the memories. I spent far too many hours under a pair of those in my teens and early 20s. Happy hours, to be sure.
These days I wear Sennheiser HD580 cans. That series of Sennheiser is about the only I can tolerate for tonal balance. So many other cans sound boomy, muddy or screechy to me.
the Sony MDR7506 I have at work and they are pretty good, too.
Also had those Koss in my teens, came to hate them due to how uncomfortable they were, painful in fact. Ears also sweated. Have them collecting dust somewhere in the house.
One size does not fit all.:DQuote:
Originally Posted by SD-50
I never used headphones didn't like the sound so close to my ear drums (uncomfortable) and there is just something artificial about them... Always preferred my Altecs !
Yeah, but when I was young all I had was AR3a speakers. And the closed cans allow you to listen to any goofy thing you want without embarrassment. :)
I do prefer speaker listening, tho, by a long shot.
For standard over-the-ear headphones, I prefer the Sony Model 7506 previously mentioned. However...
I've switched to in-ear monitors, Jerry Hardy JH-7 custom and Ultimate Ears 700 off-the-shelf. HIGHLY recommended.
A decent off-the-shelf set runs approx US$100-200 so it is worthwhile to try. JH also offers closed-ear and open-ear options on their customs.
-Bob
Back in the 70s I had the pro 4a, too. But you can't really wear those in public spaces, like the gym, unless you're looking for a lot of attention. I remember them becoming uncomfortable after only a few songs, though they sounded great.
I've tested several $25 to 150 lightweight portable headphones for use outside of the home and my favorite is the Koss Porta-Pro, which is about $50 new.
Another thing I like about Koss is their lifetime warranty. Over the years I've damaged the cord twice and then sent them to the Koss plant in Milwaukee, along with a $13 'handling' check. They attached new cords and shipped them back promptly, with new ear cushions too.
Embarrassment ? Nah.. I listened to a lot of Frank Zappa, and loud growing up.So I wasn't embarrassed one bit ! :Big smile:Quote:
Originally Posted by Panomaniac
The cushions on the phones I could never get used too.With any kind of extended listening my ears would start to hurt.
Frank 'potty mouth' Zappa definitely had to be confined to headphones in my neighborhood :)
Thank you for the very interesting input. Like some others I am sensitive to the 'clamp' pressure and find close fitting 'phones hot and sweaty to wear.
Sadly, my trusty 40 y.o. sennheiser HD420 have succumbed to terminal foam rot and cannot be refurbished. I will look into some of the models mentioned here.
This seller claims these fit.
Amazon.com: Ear pads GENUINE SENNHEISER HD400 HD410 HD410SL HD414SL Ear Cushions Earpad Foam: Electronics
OG, I will give them a try.
It says in the ad Marshall they may have to be stretched a bit to fit the HD420's...
For the price figgered worth a try.
Attachment 1625
I enjoy my AKG Q701 and Sennheiser HD650 either with the LittleDot OTL tube amp/preamp or the Schiit Lyr(Please ignore the piggy in the background). DAC is the Schiit Bifrost. Actually, I am using the HD650 more and more as I find it sounding close to my Altecs in sound. YMMV of course.
I pulled the outer cloth covers from the HD 420s and found that one of the inner foam pieces was intact but shrivelled. It appears that it was a DISC of foam approx. 3 inches in diameter, thickness probably 1/4 inch, held in place by the outer cover.
I found these pads on Ebay: eBay Australia: Buy new & used fashion, electronics & home d
I should be able to cut a couple of replacements.
The Koss headphones definitely bring back great memories! The Sennheiser HD580s are legendary for their smooth tonal balance, and the Sony MDR7506 remains a reliable, clear option for everyday professional use. Although for work I found a good option on the wantek website