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I use Bose QC35 headphones whenever I travel, but AirPods for work, walking around, or working out. Here's my workout setup

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I love my Beats Dr Dre Monster Studios... mind you, they were for free!

To be fair, they're obviously doing something right and catering to what some/many consumers want. So i'm glad consumers are getting what they want and enjoying their music. :)
 
Beats aren't just over-priced, they are a triumph of the arts of marketing and are an example of the success of pure hype over any sort of serious substance.

There are far better (if perhaps less fashionable) headphones available, such as Grado, Marshall, some Sennheiser, Audio Technica, to name but a few, and my own current favourites, Bowers & Wilkins.

I've just bought a new super dooper 4K blu ray player (cost a small fortune (OPPO UDP-205)) that has a built in headphone amplifier. The player is supposed to be "Best in class" Audio performance and should make my B&W P7's sound even better. Not tried it yet as only received it yesterday but looking forward to listening to some Beatles CD's later this afternoon.
 
I've just bought a new super dooper 4K blu ray player (cost a small fortune (OPPO UDP-205)) that has a built in headphone amplifier. The player is supposed to be "Best in class" Audio performance and should make my B&W P7's sound even better. Not tried it yet as only received it yesterday but looking forward to listening to some Beatles CD's later this afternoon.

Nice! I love my 203 but the 205 is drool-worthy. With that hardware it might be worth tracking down the OOP Beatles USB containing the 24 bit hi-res stereo FLAC catalog. On Amazon right now it costs the same as my 203 but I've seen it for much less on eBay. Definitely worth creating a price tracker and jumping on it if/when it hits a personally acceptable price point.

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Currently $350 on eBay. If I didn't already have the stereo catalogue twice over, the mono, the recent and phenomenal Sgt. Pepper box... plus the Box of Vision I'd be tempted to jump myself.

 
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Nice! I love my 203 but the 205 is drool-worthy. With that hardware it might be worth tracking down the OOP Beatles USB containing the 24 bit hi-res stereo FLAC catalog. On Amazon right now it costs the same as my 203 but I've seen it for much less on eBay. Definitely worth creating a price tracker and jumping on it if/when it hits a personally acceptable price point.

beatles-stereo-usb.jpg



Currently $350 on eBay. If I didn't already have the stereo catalogue twice over, the mono, the recent and phenomenal Sgt. Pepper box... plus the Box of Vision I'd be tempted to jump myself.


Thanks. Just had a look. Why so expensive?
 
Thanks. Just had a look. Why so expensive?

Long out of print and I think was ~$200 when released in/around 2009. That was a year before I began succumbing to audiophilia. These days that would have been my purchase instead.

I've never used the streaming capabilities if my Oppo 93 or 203 but I've read many who purchased the 95/105/205 largely for that feature and the quality DAC in that deck.

The $350 USB on eBay show it still sealed. I'm sure on camelcamelcamel.com you can see the 3rd party sales history on Amazon. In fact, I'll set up my own tracker there in case a crazy bargain ever shows up. I'm already knees-deep in the lads so I suspect I'll never bite into that Apple. Saving my shekels for possible White Album, Abbey Road and even the unlikely Let It Be/Get Back super deluxe editions that could enter the 2018-2020 release pipeline.

Baby, wish I were a rich man.
 
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I use Bose QC35 headphones whenever I travel, but AirPods for work, walking around, or working out. Here's my workout setup

02524100842644-vi.jpg

How do you like the AirPods? I've been thinking of getting a pair but I want to know if the price is justifiable.
[doublepost=1503969368][/doublepost]Here is my updated headphone setup. Just got the Micca OriGen+ which will be taking over duties from the retiring AudioEngine D1. So far there's excellent sound from the Micca and features not found on the D1. Features include a high/low gain switch, both 3.5mm and 1/4" headphones jacks, optical/analogue combo line out, output switch so no need to unplug headphones for rear output to become active, and rear input switch from usb to optical. Still rocking my Sennheiser 598 and Sony MDR-10rbt.

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I like my Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro, good quality and nice sound, there is 2 cables in set, one standard, second with microphone. Mini jack cable is replaceable so there is no problem if something will happen with cable. Made in Germany.

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I'll admit I thought they were over-hyped, standard Apple issued, cordless headphones. Got them on a whim knowing that if I didn't like them I could sell them in an instant. I'll admit they're extremely convenient for taking calls at work or just walking around. Like I said, I don't use these for heavy listening, but the form factor and convenience factor is great! The price is as high as I'd go for them and I look forward to future firmware updates that add additional features (like iOS 11).

How do you like the AirPods? I've been thinking of getting a pair but I want to know if the price is justifiable.
 
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I like my Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro, good quality and nice sound, there is 2 cables in set, one standard, second with microphone. Mini jack cable is replaceable so there is no problem if something will happen with cable. Made in Germany.

71XcEREJrwL._SL1500_.jpg

Gorgeous. I'm not familiar with this headphone or the brand. Aesthetically, it's something I'd buy on looks alone. Probably keep it for display purposes. Clean now...

I'm a big fan of Bose. I have the first set of Quiet Comforts that came out, the latest QC35s, and the Bose Soundsports.

I've got a pair of the original around ear headphones they built sometime in 2003 or 2004. I bought them 40% off so I wasn't being swindled it being Bose. They were 3 earpad pairs in before I got better. Good headphones, but a bit tinny at higher volumes. I also wasn't a fan of the skinny wiring. There are sub $20 earbuds that deliver better performance across the range than them.

I'll admit I thought they were over-hyped, standard Apple issued, cordless headphones. Got them on a whim knowing that if I didn't like them I could sell them in an instant. I'll admit they're extremely convenient for taking calls at work or just walking around. Like I said, I don't use these for heavy listening, but the form factor and convenience factor is great! The price is as high as I'd go for them and I look forward to future firmware updates that add additional features (like iOS 11).

I used to think this, too. I used to buy iPods back in the day and I was very impressed with Apple's earbuds. Sure, they were a touch pricier compared to similar, but they lasted and took decent abuse before they crippled themselves through that abuse. I think Apple still sells the original ones alongside the newer designed ones right before the Airpods. I've seen people with the Airpods in public and I think they look quite silly. I suppose in 10 years when other companies follow Apple's trend-setting ways, it won't look silly.

The problem with Apple's earbuds, IMO, have been the poor grip material they choose to use, and quite a lot of sound escapes because there's no good seal on bud to canal. So users end up moving the volume scale higher and higher, inducing damage to their ears. Sealing earbuds can be used at a much lower volume, people around you won't know what you're listening to, and block out a lot of external sound. The effect is quite similar to a pair of quality around-ear headphones.
 
Gorgeous. I'm not familiar with this headphone or the brand. Aesthetically, it's something I'd buy on looks alone. Probably keep it for display purposes. Clean now...
Because this brand it's generally targeted for professionals but they are also have some nice consumer products.
Beats or Bose are generally overpriced because they putting a lot of money for marketing.
 
Because this brand it's generally targeted for professionals but they are also have some nice consumer products.
Beats or Bose are generally overpriced because they putting a lot of money for marketing.
I just looked them up. Oh, they're Beyers. I've got a bunch of their stuff. Never seen this before, though. Agreed, Bose is terrible for the price you pay. I'm not very familiar with Beats, and I'd feel silly wearing them.

As I said, Panasonic and a couple others make earbuds that blow the entry Bose stuff away for $20 and under. It's pathetic, but that's Bose for you.

Will you be switching the white pads out for velours in black or keep it factory like? $190 for those cans is pretty cheap. I'm tempted. Most of the reviews I'm seeing are for the older variant and not the refreshed ones. What are your thoughts so far pre-burn in?

I tend to recommend people swap to velour, but do the research. No aftermarket kit is the same, and some affect sound differently. The HM5s for example, improve the base response in Sony's monitoring cans. Great stuff. I got into velour after buying a pair of DT770s in 2011, I believe. I've still got the OEM pads. Unlike leather or pleather, they don't make your ears sweat. I've got a few Pearstone kits for my Sonys and other applicables but the company is defunct now.
 
Well, just got these and they are the most expensive pair of headphones I've ever bought. At £699 they're not cheap but will hopefully last me many years to come.

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I am a big fan of the headphones made by Bowers & Wilkins; I have the P3s (which I used to use a lot until I bought the P5s), the P5s (which I absolutely love and which travel with me everywhere), and the P7s, (which are my 'go-to' headphones when I am at home and want to appreciate and immerse myself in listening to something).

But - as of yet - I have never seen the P9s; I hope you really enjoy using them, and, do, please, let me know how you find them.
 
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I am a big fan of the headphones made by Bowers & Wilkins; I have the P3s (which I used to use a lot until I bought the P5s), the P5s (which I absolutely love and which travel with me everywhere), and the P7s, (which are my 'go-to' headphones when I am at home and want to appreciate and immerse myself in listening to something).

But - as of yet - I have never seen the P9s; I hope you really enjoy using them, and, do, please, let me know how you find them.

I absolutely love them. I bought, knowing I could return them (bought from Amazon. B&W still provide a 2 year guarantee) if not fully satisfied (which I am).

I’d describe their sound as "complete" and "full". Some have said that they’re a bit bass heavy and I have noticed this on a few tracks but this is not something I mind.

One of the things I’ve noticed over the past 40 plus years of listening to The Beatles is that I always hear something "new" and these headphones also bring new sounds out. I hear symbols in places I hadn’t before, or the fingers of John/Paul/George moving up and down the fret board. It’s amazing.

I’m still "running them in" and will do so for around 200 hours. This is something I’ve done with all my headphones and believe they sound better with time. Next time you’re in London try and visit Selfridges as they have them in stock and for sale in their Technology department. There you’d be able to try them out.
 
Super... I was all set to buy some P3s until a friend of mine gave me some Dr Dre Monster Beats Studios.
I love these phones!
Overpriced and so cool they're uncool, I really don't mind.

Love the bass... I'm a bass player.
 
Beats Studio3. I know they get slated a lot but to me they're at least above average and much improved compared to version 1. My P7s are still superior sound wise. But i wanted something wireless with noise cancelling.

More importantly the Beats were on sale (AND i had an Amazon giftcard) whilst the Bose QC35s and B&W PX weren't, and i still balk at thought of spending over 200 for any headphones. Having been burned by Bose.

I had the original Bose QC2 in 2004 which felt apart. Then i received the revised replacement model in 2005, and whilst they served me for over 8yrs, i was still disappointed by how they ultimately felt apart. First the ear cushions become flaky and shriveled, then the plastic hinges just crack into pieces. Tbh that made me wary of splashing out on another pair of QCs. i don't abuse my tech, in fact i'm extremely gentle.

My P7 meanwhile has been rock solid.

So...there we are. At least if this breaks i won't be as disappointed since i paid less than half of retail

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I find a lack of PX-owners. If any of you own them and have tried QC35, which would you recommend and why? I'm torn between them. From what i've gathered, the QC35 is more comfortable, but the PX have better audio-quality. I find the ANC and bluetooth very attractive since i'm rocking a 7+.
 
Beats Studio3. I know they get slated a lot but to me they're at least above average and much improved compared to version 1. My P7s are still superior sound wise. But i wanted something wireless with noise cancelling...so i don't have to hear my roommate having sex all the time.

More importantly the Beats were on sale (AND i had an Amazon giftcard) whilst the Bose QC35s and B&W PX weren't, and i still balk at thought of spending over 200 for any headphones. Having been burned by Bose.

I had the original Bose QC2 in 2004 which felt apart. Then i received the revised replacement model in 2005, and whilst they served me for over 8yrs, i was still disappointed by how they ultimately felt apart. First the ear cushions become flaky and shriveled, then the plastic hinges just crack into pieces. Tbh that made me wary of splashing out on another pair of QCs. i don't abuse my tech, in fact i'm extremely gentle.

My P7 meanwhile has been rock solid.

So...there we are. At least if this breaks i won't be as disappointed since i paid less than half of retail

View attachment 744652

Glad to see another pleased P7 owner.
 
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KZ ZS5:
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They are for the budget audiophile enthusiast. Each earphone is crammed with 4 drivers, two dynamic and two balanced armatures. I'm surprised how great they sound for the price I bought them for ($15).
 
Bought myself a pair of Bose QC35II's to replace my damaged QC20's, these things are amazing, love them so much! Lightweight, good sound, great noise cancellation, Bluetooth, fab!

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Beats Studio3. I know they get slated a lot but to me they're at least above average and much improved compared to version 1. My P7s are still superior sound wise. But i wanted something wireless with noise cancelling...so i don't have to hear my roommate having sex all the time.

More importantly the Beats were on sale (AND i had an Amazon giftcard) whilst the Bose QC35s and B&W PX weren't, and i still balk at thought of spending over 200 for any headphones. Having been burned by Bose.

I had the original Bose QC2 in 2004 which felt apart. Then i received the revised replacement model in 2005, and whilst they served me for over 8yrs, i was still disappointed by how they ultimately felt apart. First the ear cushions become flaky and shriveled, then the plastic hinges just crack into pieces. Tbh that made me wary of splashing out on another pair of QCs. i don't abuse my tech, in fact i'm extremely gentle.

My P7 meanwhile has been rock solid.

So...there we are. At least if this breaks i won't be as disappointed since i paid less than half of retail

View attachment 744652

So torn on finally taking the plunge on them but havent found them on sale as of yet to do so.

Have been leaning between these and the QC35 but LOVE the seamless Apple item integration which is huge for me. How have you found the sound quality in your opinion.
 
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