Headphones....JBL, Klipsch, B&W, Shure, Polk Audio....and now PSB and Paradigm

Announced at the just-concluded CEDIA 2011, both PSB and Paradigm have announced new IEMs (in-ear monitors) and headphones....

http://www.soundstageglobal.com/index.php?option=com_igallery&view=igcategory&id=17&Itemid=204

 

What a market headphones have become. Everybody and their brother pumping them out. The original Walking didn't even have this kind of impact. Score another one for Apple. But it makes me wonder if these companies are even close to making their own gear, or just outsourcing it with their name. I bet that goes on... PLENTY.

 

I'd agree... that's a whole new science for these speaker manufacturers... I wonder how many (few) really are designing their own.

 

..
http://www.portfolio.com/views/blog...f-dr-dre-headphone-company-beats-electronics/.

Imagine that 300 mil. for a brand of headphone nobody ever heard of a few
years ago and who desighns and makes them maybe HTC ?

 

Anyone try the Klipsch M40 cans? Sorry I have veered off topic, lol

 

Grado and Ortofon also have in-ear headphone models now. Focal just released their first on-ear headphone set.
-Bill

 

It's a fast growing market. I'm enjoying the ride.

 

Cardas is just now releasing some very interesting ear bud type headphones.

 

Cool. I'll upgrade the cable by modding them with what I cut from a pair of Kloss.


-Bill

 

I own a pair. They sound very good but the sound cancelling feature is not as good as some others. The fit for me is a bit awkward but I have a big head and ears. My favorite are the Klipsch X10 IEMs. They are great at passive noise control, small, easy to carry, and they sound excellent. In response to a previous post, I believe that Klipsch design there own phones.

Back to the topic. There seem to be more and more high end companies getting into the market to get the portable music users. I have heard some great $10 phones and I am not sure it is worth it to get mid-priced phones. I do appreciate the difference in some of the higher priced phones and I have been sucked in. One more point is that a dedicated headphone amp, even a cheap one, makes a big difference in sound quality.

 

Thinking I may pull the trigger

 

Hifi,

What's the best, in your opinion, for the $200 and under market? I'm looking for a new pair. I know you've tested LOTS.

I'm the thinking the HiFi Man new one they have at one of the sites for $249. But have never used HiFi Man.

 

Now add Martin Logan to the list of speaker manufacturers doing headphones/earbuds.

 

Sony made the Walkman. Apple makes the IPod.

Suspect most companies outsource either via another company, country, or simply "tag" I'm selling it.

 

Nope, can't say that I've heard the Shure phones. I just ordered a pair of NAD VISO HP 50 headphones though. After break in I can report on them if you'd like.

 

I have only spent a few hours listening to the NAD Viso HP 50's and in a word WOW! I am very impressed. If they sound this good out of the box and will improve after "break in", oh yes! Connected to my iPod touch with 44.1 files and not the 256k files and it sounds amazing! Connected to my computer with a few HD tracks and woa! Then to my Denon HT 3808- CI and Oppo BD-103 with Close to the Edge Blu-ray and just awesome. I must say, Paul Barton & NAD have a winner in my book. I am one very satisfied listener! I haven't listened to my iPad 2 with the 256k files, that will be the next test. Now...do I do a DAC? If that could possibly improve the sound even more....

 

I have a pair of Shure SRH 840 headphones and for the price they are fantastic. The thing that is so great about headphone audio is you don't need to be wealthy to own a stable of really nice phones. And they don't take up much space. Headphones were my re-entry into the audio hobby. And it just keeps getting better.

 

Still, I don't think any of the new ones beat the Stax.

 

Best of luck with them!