Lobby > Headphone, IEM, and Other Audio Related Discussion

Headphone Purchases

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velvetx:
As a newer audiophile member I noticed a lot of things that were said while watching Big Sound 2015 that I thought were important.  One of the things I wanted to bring up is headphone variance. 

Headphone variance seems to be even more apparent especially while critical listening in the TOTL models of headphones and I was wondering how does the Changstar community buy a headphone?  How many models do you try to listen to before making a final decision?  Please note I am talking about how many times do you "audition" the headphone you are looking to buy?  What do you do if you buy a headphone where it doesn't sound exactly as the model you auditioned?

Where do you buy your headphones?  Do you buy from the audio store? Do you buy online?  Is there a specific instance where you would buy online versus the store or visa versa? 

Thanks and I hope this helps people.

kapanak:
To me, it is all about availability and affordability.

In Vancouver, there are luckily quite a number of headphone and audiophile shops with a large manufacturer availability. The price is now more reasonable, given the insanely bad exchange rate Canadian Dollar has against the US Dollar. Prior to that, I used to purchase from Amazon and B&H, and in person from shops in Seattle or Dallas (wife is from Dallas, we visit family there often). These are the methods I use to purchase new products I plan to keep a while. I always make sure I buy from authorized dealers for expensive products and ones I plan to keep long term.

For trying out products, I use the Head-Fi and Canuck Audio Mart used markets, and can usually sell back with little loss.

SeaBupter:
I have to listen to headphones in person before I make a purchase. For me, it's like buying a car - I'd never dream of buying one without taking it for a test drive. I do my listening and purchasing at the Headphone Bar in Vancouver. I find that the new-in-box phones I bring home don't sound exactly like the demo models until after some break-in time.

kapanak:

--- Quote from: SeaBupter on September 24, 2015, 05:12:04 AM ---I have to listen to headphones in person before I make a purchase. For me, it's like buying a car - I'd never dream of buying one without taking it for a test drive. I do my listening and purchasing at the Headphone Bar in Vancouver. I find that the new-in-box phones I bring home don't sound exactly like the demo models until after some break-in time.

--- End quote ---

Eh? We may have ran into each other at some point, haha :)

SeaBupter:
 
--- Quote from: kapanak on September 24, 2015, 05:20:02 AM ---Eh? We may have ran into each other at some point, haha :)
--- End quote ---

That may be - I'm the short, bald guy making out with the HD800s in the back corner of the shop. :)p13

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