Arnd LayerSep 13, 2024

Inspired by darko.audio, my current vacation and upcoming sabbatical, I thought I’d improve my dedicated music listening by getting a pair of wired headphones. For now I think about just using an USB-C headphone DAC with my smartphone. If I like it, I might go for a network streamer, e.g. the Fiio R7 / R9. But for that I’d have to remodel a room in order to create a dedicated space. But I could further extend it o also include a speaker setup.

¼

#l8n8music #gadgets

https://darko.audio/2022/09/a-short-film-about-a-kick-ass-500-headphone-system/

Show threadArnd LayerSep 13, 2024

As the nerd I am, I don’t feel informed enough to buy just one of the recommendations. So used the last two day to learn more. I haven’t learned much.
1) my audio shop of choice - Nubert - don’t have more than a handful headphones and most of them are Bluetooth. It looks like their customers don’t have much interest in that kind of product. Another hiFi shop confirmed that. Both didn’t have any appropriate DACs.

2/4

Show threadArnd LayerSep 13, 2024

2) perusing some brand websites - Sennheiser, Beyerdynamik and AKG - just increased my irritation. There are so many models that all seem to do the same. And to make it worse, those don’t map very well with what is available on the big online stores.

¾

Show threadArnd LayerSep 13, 2024

So maybe the fediverse can also add to my confusion. Can you recommend a combination of wired headphone and USB-C DAC with a price point around 500 €?
I’m thinking about an open back circumaural. Is this the richt choice?

My use case is listening to #jazz, #funk, #soul, #hiphop, #neosoul #acidjazz and a bit of laid back #electronicmusic / #triphop in a quit environment at home.

#music #listening #equipment #gadgets #fedipower

4/4

Show threadArnd LayerSep 16, 2024

This all started with me considering getting a new #AppleAirPodsPro. But the update was no update. So I starte looking what else those earmarked ~500€ could buy me.

I ended up with this list of interesting products: https://www.amazon.de/hz/wishlist/ls/UJPXXBRDZ4J2?ref_=wl_share

I ended up odering 2 setups, still below the 500€:
1) beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO with FiiO KA17 as a more staionary setup
2) LINSOUL Kiwi Ears Cadenza with FiiO JadeAudio KA1 as a more mobile setup.
So I'm tipping my toe there, hoping to learn.

Sieh dir meine Liste bei Amazon an!

Show threadArnd Layer
A few days in, I like my decisions so far. Especially the stationary setup with DT 990 PRO and FiiO KA17 gives me a new music listening experience.
I definitely can hear more details than with any other devices I’ve had before. Especially, I can hear more instruments I music I thought I knew before. First it sounded a bit thin compared to more mass market options that produce more bass. But this went away after 15 minutes listening. Definitely an improvement.
Sep 22, 2024 at 9:57amIceCubesApp
Show threadArnd LayerSep 22, 2024

Something positive I hadn’t expected is that my iPhone 15 pro max provides enough power over USB-C for the desktop mode of the FiiO KA17 which also has no problem with the DT 990 PRO‘s 300 Ohm impedance.

The Kiwi Ears Cadenza don’t provide the same clarity and tend more to the powerful mass market sound. I may have to invest more in in ear monitors for the same effect.
But still, they are really nice. And they are more comfortable for me than true wireless in ears.

Show threadArnd LayerSep 23, 2024
When I powered the KA17 directly through the USB-C power port, it pulled ~1.3 W. Powering it from the phone had a visual impact on the battery charge, but an hour or three won’t threaten a whole day runtime so far.