[ElBrento2]

Howdy.  I am looking for recommendations on a set of in-ear headphones to replace my Shure entry level ear buds from about 8 years ago.  I like the new SE315, but need other opinions.  Any comments?

[randytsuch]

Budget?

I see the Shure's go for $200.

I have a set of TDK BA200's which I like very much, but there's a bunch of choices out there.

You will need to make comprises, so it would help if you could say what is important to you, and what you could give up.  Also musical tastes helps.

Randy

[dB Cooper]

What randy said. There is everything from the bass-head Dre's to the relatively flat and "analytical" Etymotics (which I have). Head-fi, inner fidelity, and headroom (headphone.com) are all good sources of info (along with AC.)

[Guy 13]

Hi all Audio Circle members.
Headphones with laid back sound,
what does it mean?
Can someone explain that in other words?

Guy 13

[FullRangeMan]

To me it is retreated, backwards on the sound stage, with soundstage a bit to the back.
But I can be wrong, as Iam not native in english.

[stevenkelby]

To me laid back means relaxing, smooth and easy to listen to for a long time.

The opposite is a Forward sound, more aggressive, sharper, more exciting.

[adydula]

It means that the cans are very "soft' sounding....ie the overall freq response is rolled off on the top and the bottom...and there is no harsh treble or boomy bass...kind of middle of the freqw spectrum...good for listening to the "crap' compressed or high treble enhanced cds that music town makes today...

Alex

[Guy 13]

Hi all Audio Circle members.
Headphones with laid back sound,
(HD-650 might fall in that category?)
is that what I really want ?
I guess I have no choice and audition them.
I have pretty much make up my mind on the HD-650
but I would sure like to also audition the DT-990.
For the Audeze LCD2 they are too expensive
and need a good amplifier to make them shine.
I would like to drive the HD-650 with either the Schiit Valhalla
or the WOO WA-3 (OTL)
Again, I guess I have no choice and audition both units.
The problem with the WOO is that they charge you 15% re-stocking which means it will cost me 75 USD if I don't like them.
That's too much money for me.

Guy 13

[FullRangeMan]

Looks to me every audiophile will like the WA3, but in case you dont it can be used as a fine OTL preamp.

[Guy 13]

Looks to me every audiophile will like the WA3, but in case you dont it can be used as a fine OTL preamp.

Hi FULLRANGEMAN and all Audio Circle members.
If you want to use the WOO WA3 as a pre-amp,
you need to spend 100 USD more on top of the 495 USD basic price.
I choose the WA3 because it was affordable at 495 USD.
I will have to see how I can solve my problem,
which is more a money problem than a choosing the right headphone amplifier
for the HD-650.
Guy 13

[FullRangeMan]

I would suggest one equip at once, not both at the same time to replenty your cash.
I do it all the time.

[adydula]

guy13...

If your as anal as many of us are...the only way your going to know for sure is to audition the cans and amp.

If not you might be in for a not so pleasant surprise...

Get to a headphone meet etc....and listen....headphones are all over the floor as far as how they sound..

Good Luck

Alex

[Noseyears]

Laid back by Stereophile:
http://www.stereophile.com/content/sounds-audio-glossary-glossary-i-m

But, there are different meanings for that term depending on the headphone in my opinion.

If you are afraid of wasting your money, do as what others suggested: Headphone meet, or a hifi store where you can demo gear. Where are you located?

[asmoday]

Hi all Audio Circle members.
Headphones with laid back sound,
(HD-650 might fall in that category?)
is that what I really want ?
I guess I have no choice and audition them.
I have pretty much make up my mind on the HD-650
but I would sure like to also audition the DT-990.
For the Audeze LCD2 they are too expensive
and need a good amplifier to make them shine.
I would like to drive the HD-650 with either the Schiit Valhalla
or the WOO WA-3 (OTL)
Again, I guess I have no choice and audition both units.
The problem with the WOO is that they charge you 15% re-stocking which means it will cost me 75 USD if I don't like them.
That's too much money for me.

Guy 13

I would take a look at the Lyr instead of the Valhalla. I am currently using the Lyr and I think it and the HD650 is a match made in heaven. Jason at Schiit recommends the Lyr for the HD650 over the Valhalla unless your looking at getting into other hard to drive (high ohm) headphones. There just seems to be something magical about the Lyr and the HD650.

[django11]

Howdy.  I am looking for recommendations on a set of in-ear headphones to replace my Shure entry level ear buds from about 8 years ago.  I like the new SE315, but need other opinions.  Any comments?

Just wanted to bring back the original poster's post.

[ElBrento2]

Thanks django11.  My music ranges from Dream Theater and Rush to Zac Brown and to the San Francisco Symphony.  Pretty diverse and the shures had fit the bill.  I'd like other options to consider than the se315.

[Guy 13]

I would suggest one equip at once, not both at the same time to replenty your cash.
I do it all the time.

Hi FULLRANGEMAN and all Audio Circle members.
I want to buy the WOO and the Schiit at the same time to compare them side by side and once I have decided which one is better or to my liking, I would return`for credit  the one I don't want to keep.

Guy 13

[Guy 13]

guy13...

If your as anal as many of us are...the only way your going to know for sure is to audition the cans and amp.

If not you might be in for a not so pleasant surprise...

Get to a headphone meet etc....and listen....headphones are all over the floor as far as how they sound..

Good Luck

Alex

Hi adydula (Alex) and all Audio Circle members.
Here in Vietnam, (Where I am living temporarily)
there are no headphones meet.
I guess I have no other choice than wait until
I am back in my home country Canada.
Even in Canada I will have to import the Schiit and WOO
because both are made in USA.
A little expensive to find out which is better than the other.

Guy 13

[Guy 13]

Laid back by Stereophile:
http://www.stereophile.com/content/sounds-audio-glossary-glossary-i-m

But, there are different meanings for that term depending on the headphone in my opinion.

If you are afraid of wasting your money, do as what others suggested: Headphone meet, or a hifi store where you can demo gear. Where are you located?

Hi Noseyears and all Audio Circle members.
(What a strange and funny nick - name you have)
Headphone meet and hi-fi store are not existent in Vietnam (Where I am now temporaly living) and even in Canada where I come from.
Schiit offer a 30 days trial period, the same with WOO, but WOO charge you 15% re-stocking fees, that's a big loss (75USD) if I decide to buy the Schiit.
Anyway, thanks for the Stereophile link, it's very informative.

Guy 13

[Guy 13]

I would take a look at the Lyr instead of the Valhalla. I am currently using the Lyr and I think it and the HD650 is a match made in heaven. Jason at Schiit recommends the Lyr for the HD650 over the Valhalla unless your looking at getting into other hard to drive (high ohm) headphones. There just seems to be something magical about the Lyr and the HD650.

Hi asmoday and all Audio Circle members.
What a funny and strange nickname you have,
I wonder what it means?
I prefer to stay with a 100% tube headphone amplifier.
I have bad experience with solid state amplifiers,
look as if I am allergic to solid state sound, it make me uncomfortable,
same as when you scratch a school blackboard with your nails...
Thanks for the suggestion, but I will stay with the tube amplifier.
However, I must had that I might take advantage of Schiit 30 days trial offer
and see if the Lyr sound is better than any other solid state amplifier
I have heard in the past.

Guy 13