Underrated audio gear from REDDIT (r/headphones)
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- čas přidán 29. 12. 2023
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I'l second the roadie wrap and IEM storage. And add...
- A collection of different ear tips. When fitting IEMs, having a supply of tips of different sizes, fit depths, and shapes can significantly improve comfort, fit security, and even sound.
- 3.5mm connections. Balanced connectors are all the hotness, but the humble 3.5mm is just so good for swapping between sources. Go from DAP, to phone, to laptop, to desktop, handheld gaming system, etc. and never have to fumble for an adapter.
- Good STANDBY battery life. Be it on DAPs, portable DAC/amps, Bluetooth headphones, whatever -- if I haven't used it in a couple of weeks, pick it up, and it still has a charge, that's the difference between a product I'll keep around and use occasionally and one I'll put away in storage and forget about. IMO it's the difference that makes Bathys way better than AirPods Max.
3.5mm impedance adapters (Most notably for IEMs).
With my apple dongle connected to Windows, just 30 ohms of resistance gets me from a 0-5 step comfortable volume range to 0~18.
BONUS: The apple dongle is only detected by windows and considered "on" when something is plugged into it , so the adapter lets it be permanently active (even without a transducer connected), which makes A/B'ing a little bit quicker.
I second this. When listening to music on my phone with Moondrop Aria (32 Ω, 122dB/Vrms) i use a 75 Ω impedance adapter and channel imbalance on Wavelet EQ app set to -9.9 db on left and right to get to a comfortable volume. I additionaly set the graphic EQ lower on all frequencies to get some adjustment room.
It's nice if your IEM doesn't have a wonky impedance curve; otherwise, the tonality shift due to the high output impedance can be hit or miss. For example, the Campfire Audio Andromeda and Truthear 0:RED would become excessively bassy.
@@subbybass1432some people use impedance adapters for the Andromeda's specifically to boost bass
Pretty cheap solution for people who think they need to upgrade their audio gear for a lower noise floor for their sensitive IEMs. Been using one for my campfire Andromedas for years
No you guys are absolutely wrong. Impedance adapters skew with FR
Recently got a Fosi SK01 Pre Amp/Headphone Amp - it has completely changed how I listen to audio.
It has completely replaced EQ APO for 99.9% of my headphones.
It satisfies my analogue-over-digital control style and daisy chains perfectly from DAC > Pre Amp (SK01) > Stax SRM-313 > Speaker amp
So I've got ONE SOURCE / PRE-AMP (+ tone controls) for headphones, speakers and electrostatic amp.
getting a hart audio cable for my sundara is one of the biggest "upgrades" to my audio setup
the weightlessness while wearing was more noticeable than i thought it was going to be, how easy it is to wrap up, and the improved looks over the stock cable makes me enjoy looking at my headphones while im listening to a different pair or my speakers
i also recently got a kanto headphone stand, another "upgrade" that i just want more of, its tall and lets the non-detachable cables of my ad1000x freely hang where other stand would put pressure or rub against them
speaking along the line of the PCPanel, i have a goxlr mini, an audio interface with a mixer like the pcpanel built in, and never having to fiddle with game/chrome/chat/music volume is something i cant go without anymore, i run my audio through the software of that and it outputs a "broadcast mix" i "plug" that into voicemeeter and output it to my benchmark dac1usb, no audible difference in quality/technical performance and the latency is so minimal you only notice with a/b
Woo! Thanks for the shout out at the end there!
If your headphones are a little lacking in comfort, a good set of replacement earpads and a nice head cushion and strap goes a long way.
Also, a soldering iron and some 3.5mm connectors. I've fixed multiple broken pairs of headphones and even converted some to have a 3.5mm out so I can use any cable with them. Very worthwhile.
Nice to see the pc panel getting some love. I’m coming over from custom keyboard and streaming gear land and dipping my toe into audio, and tbh there’s a lot more use for the pc panel in audio eq than for streaming probably, but I love my pc panel pro regardless. Neat software and a well built little device.
I’m just amazed not many big reviewers have looked at the HarmonicDyne Zeus Elites. Extremely comfortable and fun headphones
Qudilex 5K. I heard about it on Reddit just a few months ago. It’s what I’ve always wanted, but didn’t know exists. That paired with the iPhone 15/15 Pro is quite a capable setup.
What OTC cable do you use?
Agreed! I just wished the iPhone would support aptx or ldac. Or, since I don’t own an iPhone 15 like you, a USB-C to lighting cable with integrated camera connection kit would be great. Right now I have to use the dongle AND a cable
The included USB 2.0 cable works, and any USB C cable I own and tried works. I highly recommend finding a cable that is super flexible, thin, and lightweight, to prevent overstraining the female connector on the iPhone. USB-C isn’t as bulletproof as lightning, but it’s still pretty good. I found a UGreen usb-c cable that advertises itself as being silicone. It’s weightier than the stock apple cable, but significantly lighter and more flexible than any other usb cable I’ve ever owned. USB-C to C 2.0 cables exist, but can be hard to find, especially good quality ones. 3.0 is typically much thicker and stiffer. (BTW, apple sells USB-C cables that look like the one that comes in the box, but they are not. They are 3.0 60W, which is the minimum required standard for companies to sell and market USB 3 cables)
I’m a console gamer and the Steelseries Nova Pro Wired DAC running out to the XDUOO MT-602 is one of my favorite gear things. It really adds something to the audio for PS and XB that’s makes it all shine.
Yes! CapraAudio headphone straps are fantastic. Fixed the discomfort on my focal.
I would say the FiiO BTA30.
A simple desktop DAC/Bluetooth receiver.
A nifty piece of gear that manages to bring over a vintage analog-only hi-fi system to the year 2023.
The s/pdif input allowed our old sound system to be usable with a modern HDTV without having to buy an expensive receiver.
My fav desktop gear is a Numark M6 USB 4 channel mixer. I have 2 turntables, cd player, and my Windows PC hooked up to it. Running XLR outs to my powered monitors plus RCA main outs to my headphone amplifier. I also have a FiiO BTA30 Pro LDAC transmitter hooked up to it so I can use my Audeze Mobius headphones.
ZMF crescent snap - makes Focal headphones way comfier and protects their non-replaceable headband.
USB volume knob, dust guards for headphones on the wall (like small shower caps), USB 3.0 extenders so I can use every port on the mobo easily, a label printer like Dymo to mark each power and USB cable so I know which is which in the jungle of cables (wrap around cable with clear tape so it looks fine), voicemeter or some other way to measure volume.
My favourite piece of underrated audio gear is definitely the Avantone planar headphones, i don't hear people talking about them very often. I have a pair and they are awesome for mixing
PCPanel changed my life. It's my favorite gadget at my desk now. Just having sliders for video audio, current program audio, discord volume, my own mic volume, music playback controls and volume, and other various macros all on a little physical panel with sliders and knobs is such a game changer.
I really wanted to get PC Panel when it originally launched but they didn't have European distribution. And I'm super glad that I didn't buy it after all because couple of years later Elgato released their Stream Deck +. It does everything PC Panel does just better, more and is obviously nicely integrated with Elgato ecosystem. I can't imagine using a PC without one anymore.
My LG V30+ and it's Quad-DAC ensconced therein, piped out through it's 3.5mm combo jack. I can easily extract a digital signal, but, the internal DAC does fine for most DAP listening duties.
A home studio USB sound card, good amount of value for a decent DAC and amp and separate output for powered speakers, plus if you use a microphone ever you have a good input for that as well.
Healthy Ears ! - at 6:46, DMS you mentioned “Audiophile Earplugs that give an even frequency response but brings down the volume a little bit” … Please sir can you recommend such a product? What do you wear? .. this is #1 on my 2024 must-buy list!
Dekoni and Sennheiser make some good ones
Thank you DMS!!
I got a PC panel pro or whatever they call the bigger one. It has been amazing. I use it to control audio from different applications like music, chrome, discord, etc. Though I don't use it to switch audio sources since I use a hot key on my keyboard I'm pretty sure it can do that pretty easy. You can mount the smaller one under the desk to be even cleaner for cable management.
For me I think the most underrated audio kit I have is either my schiit loki to be able to change EQ on the fly without software (great for games when bass is too much) or the PC panel.
The Sony Walkman NW-E507 Digital Media Player holds a special place for me as an underrated gear. Purchased around 2004, it remains in occasional use even today. Its sound quality still impresses, standing the test of time admirably.
I have a PC Panel Pro and I love it. I used to use Windows game bar to mix my different windows applications but having it at fingertip is nice. I replaced the volume knobs with nice guitar tuning knobs.
So
Pros:
Can have different volume sliders and knobs dedicated to specific programs or something like the program you are using. you can have 2 programs per slider. So for example; I have 1 slider dedicated to my main game I play so I can control the audio anywhere while alt tabed. 1 slider for browsers such as Edge and Firefox, so when watching youtube or streams. 1 Slider for discord volume, when you have that one annoying person or just want to focus on what youa re doing. And I have the final one controlling foobar.
I don't use many of the knobs, but the left knob is used for controling whatever program is in focus. So any other game other than my main game
Cons:
No MIDI or ASIO support and the software is very minimal
ASIO makes sense since it's a device for controlling windows volume and not hardware. but when using ableton I found myself suffering as I use ASIO and my interface is not in a super convenient spot. So I treated myself to an Element 3 MK II. I set a base comfortable volume and use the pc panel pro for everything unless I need to change ASIO
MIDI support is a huge wishlist feature, there is probably some cost involved with that, but it's a shame that the PC Panel can't also be used as midi controller as I control a majority of my setup through ableton with microphone loop back and self-monitoring
Final:
It's worth it regardless of the cons as you can get the tools you need to still do your job. I prop my PC Panel up at the end of my desk with a "Lisen Tablet Stand for Desk Portable" and it works perfectly. IO had to unscrew the top 2 feed but the bottom 2 fit flush. PC Panel is not super well known and some publicity would do them well, and hopefully get them off their butt for MIDI support
I've been using old(er) receiver as my desk set-up for years now. They usually come with a remote, if needed. They can power desktop speakers (in my case bookshelfs), and most of the older Technics, Denons etc have enough juice in their headphone outlet to power even most demanding headphones. Currently I have Denon DRA-425 that has no problem running HD 650 or even Modhouse Argons 3. I do have EF400 and FiiO K7, but unless finesse is required, Denon does the job quite well. Caveat: More modern stuff (post 2010 or so) do not have such a strong headphone outlet. For someone on a budget, that would be a good combo to have amp for both headphone and desktop speakers, plus they usually come with tone controls. Oh and also: A microfiber towel to lay errant headphones on to, so they dont hit hard table surface when I place them down for a drink break.
CD900ST love ❤️ great choice, editor dms
Also my best gear purchase would be a streamer/source with Bluetooth. Mine's one of the budget Topping all-in-ones. I've been using my speakers a whole lot more now, thanks to the convenience
I still daily drive my Monolith THX 788 and whenever I watch a video with imbalanced audio channels I turn on the Dirac Sensaround feature. I don't like it when listening to music (I use HD 6XX) but for those types of videos it's nice to get audio coming from both channels rather than just one! I never looked for a software version of this but I should in case I ever move on from this DAC+amp.
love the ltx hoodie!
For me it was the Fiio q11 and a usbc adapter that rotates the usbc out 180 degrees to the back of a phone. The q11 is a simple battery powered dac/amp with plenty of power for full size headphones. I used wall tack to stick it to the back of an old phone and voila makeshift device that rivals expensive daps in performance at a fraction of the cost. I use it constantly. It truly is amazing and the usbc adapter keeps the cable on back of the phone and makes it pocketable.
What USB adapter do you have ? My original cable for my USB-C DAC/Amp broke.
the pc panel mini is one of the best things I ever bought
its built to last, simple, useful, sofware could be more friendly but works
Surfans f28. super affordable dap with great features.
-usb dac mode so you can use it as a desktop amp/dac
-in built eq settings
-can drive hd600's
-2.5 balanced and 3.5 un balanced outputs
-takes up to 512 gig cards
-actually really good sound
-only costs 150 bucks
thanks for the upload and tips! superlux hd 660 pro are great over ears nobody talks about and i love mine
Audioquest Nighthawk, sold at 150 used sometimes, while not great for modern music, it's perfect for older R&B/funk/groovy/etc records (most of them sound thin / vocal centric and the NH brings enough oomph to the table, also, that sweet sweet biodyna bass that stomps regular open can dynamic bass in that price category! I agree that it can sound thick and muddy with properly recorded stuff, so beware)
That Zoom F3 is amazing, had it for almost 2 years and I would buy another if it failed immediately. (Luckily its built like a tank so no worries there). That TYGR 300 R you recommended a while back is an underrated champion they live on the desk. Also I picked up the German Maestro GMP 8.35 D Mobile headphones this year and they are amazing
Every Zoom equipment is great, change my mind
I use a watch case for my IEMs, then they are rolled up on the small cushions that are included and it looks good, and there is control over them all
Headband covers, especially the knitted ones, would make any headphone more comfy on the temple
Thumbnail looks like "heyyy vsauce, michael here"
Oh geez. I DIDN'T know that you were a member of Tok'Ra dms :D
Adhesive velcro. You put it on the headband of your single sided cable headphones. You put the other part on a qudelix 5k. You take a 15 cm cable to connect both and you have bluetooth headphone that are really good. I did it first with my PC38X and with almost every headphones that I could. It's really nice to be able to go anywhere with any headphones without having to worry about the cable getting in your way
Heat shrink. Fantastic for making bad cables better, cable repair if theres a spot where its wearing, and combining multiple cables into one. Its a must have for anyone unfortunate enough tk be using an apple dongle.
Blu-ray player Sony UBP-X800M2 to play CD, stereo SACD and Surround SACD through HDMI. Cheap and stacked with features compared to other CD/SACD players.
Also, I've been researching SO LONG for this in Amazon....but if you want to lift your speakers just a bit, I found this to be much more convenient and heavy duty than any other speaker stands (although not that pretty) - "Yagud RV Height Adjustable Aluminum Platform". It may sound silly, but I didn't find anything that sturdy and adjustable for that purpose.
Most underrated thing for me is your Hardwork for the Audio world 🥰
Hey man I have The Sennheiser HD560s I play a lot of games with that and I'm looking for a Dac or Amp should I take
*Ifi Zac Dac V2*
And a early Happy new Year DMS😄
Yes very much. As HD560s doesn't require a dac/amp, but having one will absolutely enhance ur experience.
@@user-ck4fm7os1w Okhh thanks man have a Great Day
Invest a bit more and take Mojo 2.
I have both and ever since Mojo 2 arrived haven't touched Zen Dac V2 with a finger. As always in audio, it's not like it's 'night and day' difference, but enough to make me regret ever wasting money for the Zen instead of going directly for Mojo.
You will not only have better SQ, but also portability for mobile use, optional lossless EQ and crossfeed etc.
To offset the price difference you may consider taking it used from head-fi or other source.
Can you make a video talking about the earplugs you mentioned? I always just use regular earplugs when I go to a concert. Didn't know that there was something better
USB C hub with HDMI out and PD. I use it to connect my tablet to monitor, use one of the usb port to my DAC, and charge my tablet with the PD
I modified the 6xx comfort strip file to use for my HD800s, while attaching it it tiny cable ties to not have to disassemble the headband.
iFi IEMatch. I use a lot of IEMs and the IEMatch makes the
When I'm watching a video on my laptop and the video is really quiet in the recording, I have a EQ preset which is just +10dB to make it louder. The preset is named amplifier.
This video reminded me that I need to get some ear protection for a concert I'm going to soon, thank you good sir!
I can personally attest that the Capra Strap for the HD6XX makes me forget I'm wearing it. Amazing product!!!
I sit about 10ft back from my PC, under my TV, outputting from a Questyle M15 dongle to a 10ft 4.4mm Hart Audio cable, to my Edition XS. The cable can get kinda weighty being so long so a small shirt microphone clip is handy to take some of that weight and adjust for some cable slack between the clip and headphones.
a phone with a 3.5mm jack, i had a Pixel 4a and now a Sony Xperia 5 iv
Schiit Lokius is absolutely on my short list!
You put a Perspex panel on the top of your NFB-11? Bold of you, sir. 🔥
So for cleaning your ears, don't always clean your ears. Once a year if it's giving you audible problems. Otherwise don't do it because the wax is to protect your ear drums and canal from dangerous noise levels. The wax dampens the noise to help protect your ear drums.
I've got a Lokius in both my Audio setups. It's the way to go if you can't be bothered with EQ software. Just tweak the Lokius until you're happy
Antlion modmic wireless. I love it I just use as desktop mic. I put behind my keyboard and a piece of scrap wood thats been nicely grated to hold it up.
Hydrogen Peroxide is my pick for underrated audio gear. As a stagehand, It is also bliss when the cable has good cable memory.
i really like your outro music! i know it's siren screen by ooyy but it doesn't sound exactly the same... did you remix it or something like that?
It’s the original version. The artist changed it after a few years but I still have the original rendered into my outro 😅
Are you ever going to review "The Element MKIII". Thanks
For a beginner, a good Dac Dongle that can power even hard to drive iems with a balanced output. Iems sound better with power especially balanced!
Now I'm going to follow you on reddit
Custom pads. Fenestrated sheepskins on the DT-1990's is such a huge improvement in nearly all aspects
3:25 yes it is an analyzer, it responds to sound, and no I can't get any work done while it's on. It's a problem.
7:17 hey u should do a video on some concert audiophile headphones
I don’t know how it isn’t more of a thing but my Subpac is an absolute game changer for listening to electronic music. Haptic subwoofers need to be for music as well as gaming.
I clean my ears twice a month 😳
I have the Sennheiser HD58X, are what would be my next upgrade? I was thinking about the Sennheiser HD800S. I like to have a soundstage, not the biggest but i need to hear that there is one.
Surprised no mention of WIIM pro. $200 streamer connects to external dac as well and works with p much all music streaming. Lots of versatility and revived antique systems as well
Have any of you ever tried B&O H95 are they really that good? I couldn't find any review (was hoping to see a comparison to Airpods MAX)
video on diana MR coming? or is there a conflict of interest
ts101. I know the pinecil v2 is meant to be better, but coming from a very old weller the ts101 has made modding so much easier. (and it's very portable)
seriously, try soldering to MMCX connectors using a spade tip that's gone black with the amount of buildup on it.
I wish you could review the new Sennheiser hd 490 pro. It's in their pro line but from what i've red and heard, it seems like an hd 600 successor/ upgrade/ update.
Headphones' pads and bands, which are made of indestructable and breatheable materials. Or materials (not velour or similar open material), which can be washed without any fear of deformation of both the material and a sponge inside the material.
hd 599 with ifi uno great combo
sony nw-a306 (high gain version)
very battery efficient and long-lasting from my experience, and not heavier or even bigger than some dongles or bluetooth dac/amps
sad that it's getting discontinued in my country in favor of the lower gain American/EU version...
A physical brick n' mortar store similar or larger than e-earphone Akihabara so we don't have to rely solely on third-person testimonials and allows us to use our own senses to judge whether something is suited for ourselves or not.
thoughts on the dragonfly dac ?
Rumpled buffs❤
Could you please do a video on best portable bluetooth speakers :)
Dap! So much better than a dongle dac
I think the Sash Tres (SE) are underrated because there is no professional review on youtube about the. I consider them to be extremely amazing and a price to quality ratio hard to beat.
Everyone heard this as a really good handheld console, but imo PSP is a really good MP3 player. Idk, it just sounds clean for me and has a good amount of power, but I only used Phillips SHP 9600 and Koss KSC75 on it so maybe I'm wrong.
Before smartphones were really a thing I carried a hacked PSP around. It had all my music, videos, ebooks, and a decent web browser plus tons of great games and emulators. 10/10
Got replaced by a Nexus S and Sansa Clip but I still have it in a drawer.
I don't know if I would call it underrated, but the Qudelix 5k is kinda the GOAT at what it does
I have three watch boxes, filled with Watches...🤣
I never thought about putting my IEMs in there...😆😆
I like impedance adapters. A little goes a long way.
My Teac Cd player broke and I'm using my old Xbox 360 to play Cd's. The upside is that I can use the digital output to connect it to my DAC.
Pieces of damping (like paper towel (hello beyer fans ;), felt or sponge) and a variety of different earpads can go a long way in shaping a headphone's sound or comfort to your liking
Soundpeats Free2 Classic are the best TWS IEMs ever made and they cost only 20$
If you own headphones with removable cables, for the love of all that is holy, GET A TRAVEL CABLE. I have a set of AKG K240 Studio headphones, and the OEM cable is ungodly long (3m iirc?), so I also have a 1.2m cable that I use when traveling, specially when I work in production sets because I prefer my own gear if possible and I know how it's tuned. What I do is, leave the long cable in the studio, unplug the cable from the headphones, and take the short cable.
I do the same for my IEMs
Can you please list these in the description please?
audio switcher to switch between my headphones and speaker from a single output
if you have tube gear, Gloves are very useful to have so you don't stain the tube with hand oil shorten their life
Fosi SK01 is my favorite product of the year.
why did you remove your pixel 8 review?
definitely got to get ma a PCPanel. Forgot that thing exists.
A/B Switcher and a digital multi-meter.
Are Creative zen hybrid headphones good?
Laundry machine for washing earpads every once in a while
DMS where are you? We miss you
Qudelix 5k
Link to the strap for the HD 600s please!