A) Can't be true or false...we are assuming.
B) Same as above.
C) Same as above
D) Same as above
E) Same as above
F) Depends on the IEM. Some are excellent and affordable.
G) A killer '89 Mazda RX7 is not a sad state of affairs. It's a cool old car.
H) I don't know? Who?


That said, a rockboxed clip+ and a DBA-02 will get you a long way (for under $300)....IMHO of course.

Personally, I think there are a few good headphones to be had for well under a grand. The HD600 / HD650, modded orthos, Magnums, old Stax like the original Lambdas, the HE400, and lots of really good IEMs both custom and universal.

They've all got their own issues. Nothing I've listened to is perfect. I've found it's more a matter of finding something that pushes enough of your buttons the right way while avoiding enough of the things that set you off.

I'd say Changstar is more about method and less about the specific preferences we all harbor. It's more about talking openly about stuff through measurements and subjective impressions divorced from some overly cautious code of conduct (like honoring manufacturers and trying to not step on peoples' toes because they spent a lot of money or something). I can recognize some stuff I like has certain flaws that for others may be unforgivable. No worries there.

As a cunning linguist and a master debater muppet, you may be able to frame the debate more favorably than I.

Well played.

Yeah, I don't get the sense anyone here is claiming the headphone market is in a fantastic state, or even a relatively good state. It is what it is, and the existence of Changstar is testament to the fact that some of us are dissatisfied with the way discussions have gone on other sites in the past. Obviously we recognize there's a problem. If everything was rosy for us we'd still be on head-fi posting in appreciation threads.

I don't really feel sorry for some kind of "average consumer" construct, because as RD says, what does it matter if they don't know the difference? Chances are they're enjoying their music while I'm sitting here fretting about things that, ultimately in the grand scheme of things, are probably not so important. Now I'm not suggesting those modes of existence are mutually exclusive. Someone can certainly have nice gear and enjoy their music without getting caught up in certain fixations. But in my case, a few years ago I was certainly more into actual music *listening* than I am today. Sometimes transparency itself can become a distraction if we're listening to our headphones and not past them.

I don't claim to speak for other pirates. My views are actually somewhat different than the other admins and mods and ABSers. I fully acknowledge I'm just as much of an archivist, which is why I have a pretty high tolerance for crappy sounding gear. The focus for me often times is on the gear itself, collecting it as an ends rather than a means to an ends (music). The two hobbies coincide for me, but you can't be two places at once. Or at least I can't because my wizard skills aren't at a high enough level yet. I suppose it's a matter of which "mode" I'm in at a given time.

Anyway, I do think there are genuinely very good sounding products to be had for reasonable prices if one knows where to look. If you can find a Stax Lambda and transformer for say $350 for instance. Also with IEMs you tend to get a lot for your money compared to full-sized headphones, provided you are OK with some very specific compromises. I think most of the exciting innovations atm are taking place in the portable sector.

There's certainly a lot of room for improvement though, sure. No one here would claim otherwise I think. When folks here give advice, I think it's largely in the spirit of making the best of the situation, making the most informed decision based on what's available. Unlike certain other forums we don't throw our hands up and say manufacturers are excused because everyone "hears differently" or something.

good points. plus I knew this forum would provide some sympathetic ears to my rants and raves........ In a way, I think even people who don't 'know about sound' can sense when something is not right. In a way their enjoyment of music is diminished a little whether they know it or not and with all the crap going on in the world, I just like the idea of someone being able to go and buy a decent sounding headphone for little $ to enjoy music with.

I've been working on a magnum based phone, and while I know alot of folks around here are not fond of grados, and I count myself in that camp in a way, I feel I got real close to a phone that captures $1000 plus sound signatures for little $. It's based around a wood cup and simple band. I found that the cup's geometry, material and finish is so key and that no one really has been able to design one that does the driver justice. If you check out tyll's site you can see my report card on his measurement page.

The biggest accomplishment for me is the mellowing of the common 2k peak common to all but the top of line grados and the hf2. I managed nice 300hz square as well which other grado/mags don't quite get to. Better than any stax and almost as good as LCD. All the other measurements came out quite respectable for a grado style phone. I believe it is because of the wood choice, cup geom, and finish. I've since been working on it more and feel my next set will surpass the last. The only real poor measurement was the 30hz sqaure. All grados and mags suffer here, but for me the lack of punch and super tight quality to the bass with grados is a plus since I don't understand how people like bass that in any way is punchy when listening to headphones. It's a total distraction for me since there is so little emotional content in bass guitars, kick drums etc. I do like extension though and want to hear all my favorite bass lines as I am a 20 year player and builder of bass guitars. But for me it's the mids and upper end that makes a headphone. I may send in a set for analysis here and also to tyll, the central scrutinzer to see how it compares with my other set.

btw, i've heard about 2 dozen magnum based sets of various forms, diy wood, alum, diff cables etc and let me tell you the sound vary's from 'wow this is shit' to damn, this is about the nicest sound i've heard. So I know that it is the cup that is powerful here. The greatest asset to the grado/magnum is in it's ability to run without an amp. I also have issues with, planar and ortho designs so they are not an option for me. Namely the 'weight' of that technology, both in terms of it's sound signatures and it's actual weight. Dynamic magnum and grado drivers have an air and body that no other has to my ears. The actual weight of LCD's etc and the fact that they lay upon half of ones face is a deal breaker for me. Plus I can't dance with 'em on and you know i' likes to cut the rug once in a while when listening to headphones !