Howard is first, excepting clear scans, but good hearing is nothing to sneeze at.
Here are (hopefully working--I will check them after posting) links to my headphones and amp, listener.
Grado headphones [Click] This is the more important of the two. I bought the Grado SR60i headphones about three years ago, but am going to treat myself to a fancier pair. I went for the entry level because I couldn't find any locally to try and didn't know what to expect. Grados are said to be a little "bright" for some people's tastes--that means they emphasize the upper frequencies a bit more, which is just what I need. There is no bargaining on Grado prices--they are what they are. If you can find a local dealer where you can try them out, that's the best way to go. I see that dealers in VT are alleged to be Creative Sound in Williston (802-878-5368) and Speaking Volume in Burlington (802-540-0107).
I replaced the no-name Chinese tube with a reputedly better one (reference if desired). Got the connector(s) I needed from Radio Shack. Put some felt feet on the bottom to hold the amp up off the desk (it does get hot). It does improve the sound, but is less important than the headphones.
The tube I substituted for the stock one was an Electro-Harmonix 12AU7 sold by Tube Depot through Amazon for $11.95. The aficionados said it was better. As with the headphones, the amp and its tube are said to sound better after they are used for a while.
My high frequency hearing loss was enough that when I went for my pre-induction physical I was classified 4-F. I often have difficulties understanding people with higher-pitched voices, those who speak softly or who do not look directly at me as they speak; I also have difficulty picking voices out of background sounds (e.g. at a party or on a busy street). I adapt by guessing from context, sometimes with embarrassing results. I will never forget my embarrassment when my 10th-grade Spanish teacher (who was a small woman with a high-pitched voice) asked me a question in the plural; I did not hear the "s" on the end of the subject, answered in the singular and was corrected in front of the class. When I testify in court and the acoustics are poor (as the usually are), I often cup a hand behind an ear; it does help. When exposed to VERY loud music (e.g. in a karaoke club), things turn into an audio blur, or white sound--and if someone speaks loudly into my ear in an attempt to communicate, it only makes it worse, and can even cross the threshold of pain (as indeed the music itself can if I am too near the speakers). I can't hear the top few notes on a piano. I share these symptoms with you for comparison with your sweetie's case. If his symptoms are no more severe than mine, good headphones are likely to give him considerable enjoyment, and a headphone amp will make it even nicer. If his ears are worse, better try before buying.
As I said, I went for the entry-level Grado headphones, the 60i's. The next ones up, the 80i's, come more highly recommended and outsell the 60's. (Part of that is probably due to psychological resistance to buying the least expensive model of anything.) Some people say the Grados don't have enough bass; it's not that they don't reproduce the bass, they just don't *selectively* amplify it the way some headphones do. That's fine with me.
Another thing about the Grado headphones--they have low enough impedance that a iPhone or iPod can readily power them until you get up to the really fancy (and rather pricy) models. If one is going to use them that way (at least part of the time) one should check whether they come with an 1/8 inch connector and how heavy the cable is. The more expensive they get the more likely they are to have 1/4 connectors and the heavier the cables become.
Listening right now to a Chicago Blues compilation I picked up used at Rasputin's for a whole $2.95. With my new amp and low-end Grados, of course. I HAVE NEVER HEARD IT LIKE THIS. Wonderful...
Howard is first, excepting clear scans, but good hearing is nothing to sneeze at.
ReplyDeleteHere are (hopefully working--I will check them after posting) links to my headphones and amp, listener.
Grado headphones [Click] This is the more important of the two. I bought the Grado SR60i headphones about three years ago, but am going to treat myself to a fancier pair. I went for the entry level because I couldn't find any locally to try and didn't know what to expect. Grados are said to be a little "bright" for some people's tastes--that means they emphasize the upper frequencies a bit more, which is just what I need. There is no bargaining on Grado prices--they are what they are. If you can find a local dealer where you can try them out, that's the best way to go. I see that dealers in VT are alleged to be Creative Sound in Williston (802-878-5368) and Speaking Volume in Burlington (802-540-0107).
Bravo Audio Ocean headphone amp [Click]
Or here [Click]
I replaced the no-name Chinese tube with a reputedly better one (reference if desired). Got the connector(s) I needed from Radio Shack. Put some felt feet on the bottom to hold the amp up off the desk (it does get hot). It does improve the sound, but is less important than the headphones.
--Alan
As Central Valley fog disappears, fruit crops decline, too [Click] Makes sense. Loss of winter fog also allows a great deal of water to evaporate from the ground, increasing irrigation needs.
ReplyDelete--Alan
Kiddle just arrived! Pretty day. Only downside is that on long weekends, the city peeps arrive, too, and drive their ATVs up/down/all around.
ReplyDeleteRestful for t hem, not for locals.
DeleteAs mentioned a few days ago, I've been reading Dick Francis, an old favorite. His books are always engaging and often intense, if seldom lighthearted.
ReplyDeleteCan't say as I am acquainted with him. Will have to look him up.
Delete--Alan
Alan, thanks for the great links and info! The prices seem reasonable to me, so I have bookmarked the sites. :-)
ReplyDeletelistener--
DeleteThe tube I substituted for the stock one was an Electro-Harmonix 12AU7 sold by Tube Depot through Amazon for $11.95. The aficionados said it was better. As with the headphones, the amp and its tube are said to sound better after they are used for a while.
My high frequency hearing loss was enough that when I went for my pre-induction physical I was classified 4-F. I often have difficulties understanding people with higher-pitched voices, those who speak softly or who do not look directly at me as they speak; I also have difficulty picking voices out of background sounds (e.g. at a party or on a busy street). I adapt by guessing from context, sometimes with embarrassing results. I will never forget my embarrassment when my 10th-grade Spanish teacher (who was a small woman with a high-pitched voice) asked me a question in the plural; I did not hear the "s" on the end of the subject, answered in the singular and was corrected in front of the class. When I testify in court and the acoustics are poor (as the usually are), I often cup a hand behind an ear; it does help. When exposed to VERY loud music (e.g. in a karaoke club), things turn into an audio blur, or white sound--and if someone speaks loudly into my ear in an attempt to communicate, it only makes it worse, and can even cross the threshold of pain (as indeed the music itself can if I am too near the speakers). I can't hear the top few notes on a piano. I share these symptoms with you for comparison with your sweetie's case. If his symptoms are no more severe than mine, good headphones are likely to give him considerable enjoyment, and a headphone amp will make it even nicer. If his ears are worse, better try before buying.
As I said, I went for the entry-level Grado headphones, the 60i's. The next ones up, the 80i's, come more highly recommended and outsell the 60's. (Part of that is probably due to psychological resistance to buying the least expensive model of anything.) Some people say the Grados don't have enough bass; it's not that they don't reproduce the bass, they just don't *selectively* amplify it the way some headphones do. That's fine with me.
--Alan
Another thing about the Grado headphones--they have low enough impedance that a iPhone or iPod can readily power them until you get up to the really fancy (and rather pricy) models. If one is going to use them that way (at least part of the time) one should check whether they come with an 1/8 inch connector and how heavy the cable is. The more expensive they get the more likely they are to have 1/4 connectors and the heavier the cables become.
DeleteListening right now to a Chicago Blues compilation I picked up used at Rasputin's for a whole $2.95. With my new amp and low-end Grados, of course. I HAVE NEVER HEARD IT LIKE THIS. Wonderful...
--Alan
"...What has attracted me to Grado thus far has been the high audiophile quality sound of their less expensive headphones. Even though the Grado’s are not as comfortable as some of their competitors headphones, for the price, they are the best sounding headphones out there! The SR60’s are a great introduction to high quality sound from headphones at $69. At $95, the SR80’s to me are one of the best buys in audio!! The SR125’s and SR225’s are even better headphones at $150 and $195, but we are getting into diminishing returns here. At twice the price of the SR80’s, the SR225’s are only slightly better..." [Click] (Review a bit out of date--has links to updates.)
Delete--Alan
puddle…Sure do hope those city slickers go find something else to do for awhile! (Probably will be firecrackers, right?) Enjoy that son. :-)
ReplyDeleteYour reading prowess is impressive, Cat!
ReplyDelete