Headphone upgrade. at DVinfo.net

Allan Black · November 6th, 2024, 10:58 PM

Today there’s more headphones for sale than ever before, over the last few years the number has been steadily growing and there’s no indication it’ll slow down. One reason for this is the Covid pandemic, when millions of people around the world started working from home and needed new headphones.

To a slightly lesser degree, now there’s more social media, streaming sites, Podcasts and Audiobooks. Last year in Australia a bit slow to the party, Rode released their first ‘over ear’ headphones and it won’t be long before they release their first ‘open back’ set. Why did they take so long?

Well it takes a while, first they study the market to decide on a competitive price for their market, then their designers construct a few prototypes to that price, to pass around for some local ‘golden ears’ to pass judgment on. Then they start production with advertising. A few years ago I participated in their blind listening tests.

In Sydney as a kid, in 1956 when I started in the audio industry, I used Koss headphones because they were owned by the studio I first worked for. Over the years when pro gear is used by many it can become an industry standard and today Sony MDR 7506s are still in use although they’ve increased in price, $A189 in Sydney, wonder what they cost years ago?

I’ve got a birthday coming up and my grandkids are subtly asking what I’d like for a present. Bruce Brown an associate, first learned electronics then music, playing guitar in studio sessions. Later for the studio he and I worked for, he built a 16track 1” recorder out of an IBM computer deck with custom made heads, designing the amps as well. In 1964 when the Beatles arrived in Sydney, Bruce was contracted to check all their Vox amps before their first concert. Much later he produced AC/DC hits, Olivia Newton John and other pop stars and is now retired after a great career.

Over the years I’ve owned a few different headphones, currently enjoying Audio Technica closed ATH-M50x and Sennheiser open HD600, but it’s time for a ‘birthday upgrade.’ So I mentioned this to Bruce and he suggested I might check out the French Focals and some others. So I did and after checking many reviews and opinions for others, I decided on Focal Celestee closed headphones, and looked around for prices. It must be my lucky day, from a Sydney store I found a $A1399 set on special for $A499, and here they are. No! I’m not promoting them, I have 40 days to return them but I’m enjoying them.

Do multi $$$$$ headphones sound better than $$ headphones? It’s up to you, they’re a personal choice depending on what you’re listening to, with their cost playing a huge part. Now, the question is will new headphones sound ‘better’ after burning them in by using them for a number of hours? No! this is a furphy, it’s physiological, after a few hours you just become familiar with the sound of your headphones, just enjoy them.
Cheers.

Boyd Ostroff · Yesterday, 04:42 AM

Still use my Sony MDR-7506's, with some third party velour ear cups that make them much more comfortable. Hadn't even thought of it until reading your post, but can't remember the last time I wore them. I don't enjoy clamping a big heavy thing around my head, the only time I would wear them was when filming or to get a different perspective on things when editing. But I haven't shot or edited any videos for a couple years now, have just been too busy with other things.

I live alone in a "cabin in the woods" far from the neighbors, and turn the music up as loud as I want. So, no need to isolate myself from other people in the house or block out the world. And, as much as I love all kinds of music (most of my career was working for opera companies, I also play guitar and piano) I'm just not an "audiophile". I also really hate any kind of ear bud that goes into my ear, just don't wear those at all (with the exception of air travel, which I haven't done for the past 10 years).

Glad you found something you like at a good price, hope they meet your expectations. A $500 headphone upgrade just isn't in the cards for me though. :-)

November 6th, 2024, 10:58 PM	#1
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,919	Headphone upgrade. Today there’s more headphones for sale than ever before, over the last few years the number has been steadily growing and there’s no indication it’ll slow down. One reason for this is the Covid pandemic, when millions of people around the world started working from home and needed new headphones. To a slightly lesser degree, now there’s more social media, streaming sites, Podcasts and Audiobooks. Last year in Australia a bit slow to the party, Rode released their first ‘over ear’ headphones and it won’t be long before they release their first ‘open back’ set. Why did they take so long? Well it takes a while, first they study the market to decide on a competitive price for their market, then their designers construct a few prototypes to that price, to pass around for some local ‘golden ears’ to pass judgment on. Then they start production with advertising. A few years ago I participated in their blind listening tests. In Sydney as a kid, in 1956 when I started in the audio industry, I used Koss headphones because they were owned by the studio I first worked for. Over the years when pro gear is used by many it can become an industry standard and today Sony MDR 7506s are still in use although they’ve increased in price, $A189 in Sydney, wonder what they cost years ago? I’ve got a birthday coming up and my grandkids are subtly asking what I’d like for a present. Bruce Brown an associate, first learned electronics then music, playing guitar in studio sessions. Later for the studio he and I worked for, he built a 16track 1” recorder out of an IBM computer deck with custom made heads, designing the amps as well. In 1964 when the Beatles arrived in Sydney, Bruce was contracted to check all their Vox amps before their first concert. Much later he produced AC/DC hits, Olivia Newton John and other pop stars and is now retired after a great career. Over the years I’ve owned a few different headphones, currently enjoying Audio Technica closed ATH-M50x and Sennheiser open HD600, but it’s time for a ‘birthday upgrade.’ So I mentioned this to Bruce and he suggested I might check out the French Focals and some others. So I did and after checking many reviews and opinions for others, I decided on Focal Celestee closed headphones, and looked around for prices. It must be my lucky day, from a Sydney store I found a $A1399 set on special for $A499, and here they are. No! I’m not promoting them, I have 40 days to return them but I’m enjoying them. Do multi $$$$$ headphones sound better than $$ headphones? It’s up to you, they’re a personal choice depending on what you’re listening to, with their cost playing a huge part. Now, the question is will new headphones sound ‘better’ after burning them in by using them for a number of hours? No! this is a furphy, it’s physiological, after a few hours you just become familiar with the sound of your headphones, just enjoy them. Cheers. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated. Last edited by Allan Black; Yesterday at 12:51 AM.

Yesterday, 04:42 AM	#2
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,798	Re: Headphone upgrade. Still use my Sony MDR-7506's, with some third party velour ear cups that make them much more comfortable. Hadn't even thought of it until reading your post, but can't remember the last time I wore them. I don't enjoy clamping a big heavy thing around my head, the only time I would wear them was when filming or to get a different perspective on things when editing. But I haven't shot or edited any videos for a couple years now, have just been too busy with other things. I live alone in a "cabin in the woods" far from the neighbors, and turn the music up as loud as I want. So, no need to isolate myself from other people in the house or block out the world. And, as much as I love all kinds of music (most of my career was working for opera companies, I also play guitar and piano) I'm just not an "audiophile". I also really hate any kind of ear bud that goes into my ear, just don't wear those at all (with the exception of air travel, which I haven't done for the past 10 years). Glad you found something you like at a good price, hope they meet your expectations. A $500 headphone upgrade just isn't in the cards for me though. :-)