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Post by Zi on Oct 22, 2023 11:22:26 GMT
Pavane mentioned headphones elsewhere but it's reminded me that I'm thinking of getting a new pair and I wondered if anyone has found anything that really works well. I've got some lightweight pretty cheap ones for use with the counting metronome. It would drive anyone else to distraction. I've also got some Turtle Beach gaming headphones but gaming headphones tend to come with a mic which I don't want.
So, has anyone found anything really brilliant that doesn't hurt their ears too soon?
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Post by pavane on Oct 22, 2023 13:08:10 GMT
To start by stating the obvious, if you want headphones that you can use in the same room as someone else so that they aren't disturbed by you, and you aren't by them, the range is smaller than if you just want them for "personal listening".
I've always liked a good pair of headphones, the sound just has a quality and clarity and immediacy that it's hard to get with speakers. I've owned some very good headphones over the years that were aimed at good quality sound without disturbing people in other rooms/houses, so it didn't matter if they were audible in the same room. My preference is very much for the sort that go over your ears, not on (don't like) or in (positively loathe).
I once owned a Stax set and I can almost guarantee that you would not be disappointed. On the downside, they are not cheap I have generally also found Sennheisers to be both comfortable and good to listen to. Both were the sort that would bother anyone else in the same room.
My ears are not up to the likes of the Stax any more, but I still find good headphones very nice to listen to. With the new noise cancelling ones I just bought, I have 4 pairs, and I use them all in differing circumstances. 3 of the 4 are Sony and they do seem to make reliably good quality headphones that are comfortable (for me) and decent value.
The noise cancelling ones are these (different colour) and they are so good to listen to - partly because of the total absence of background - I think I will probably use them more and more. It's like existing in space, just with the music - ok, that sounds a bit fanciful, but it really is rather like that.
The other ones I use are these which I find I can wear comfortably for hours and get very good quality sound at a pretty reasonable price (small change compared with the Stax!). They are just basic: there is a wire and you plug it into a headphone socket, but at least you are not paying for anything you don't need. They are closed back so not very annoying for other people.
I'll end by stating another obvious thing (well, at least it adds symmetry to this post): it would be really good to try before you buy. Assuming you don't live just down the road from a gigantic headphones shop, best to buy from somewhere that will take them back.
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Post by Zi on Oct 23, 2023 8:43:46 GMT
There's no way I'll go to a shop to test 'em out. I haven't been anywhere that isn't the medical surgery for my jabs or the dentist surgery for my teefs since lockdown. I had a look at the ones you suggested though and they look very interesting. I want the headphones for gaming but I single play so a mic is pointless. I figured the headphones people use for keyboards might do very well for me. I need to be able to hear enemy approaching etc etc... The Stax were just a bit more than I think I should pay especially as they didn't seem to do away with the need for any medical treatment in the future nor did they make the toast! I've heard good things about Sennheisers though and I've had some cheaper Sony in the past (still have some in use now). I think my priorities are comfort and lack of distortion because I rely on sound cues in the game (ie footsteps, noises indicating approach etc etc). They also need to be compatible with Linux without too much aggro. This is a very rambling way of saying thank you!
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Post by corenfa on Oct 23, 2023 9:41:49 GMT
I have a Jabra Link 380 at work. It is compatible with Ubuntu 20 and comfortable. Of course, I only know that the sound is good for calls and haven't tested gaming.
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Post by Zi on Oct 23, 2023 18:14:18 GMT
corenfa - thank you! I'm finding it hard to make a decision. It was easier spec-ing the puter...
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Post by pavane on Oct 24, 2023 10:36:25 GMT
I know you're not a keen Amazon shopper, and I absolutely get that, but they often have "warehouse deals" on frequently bought stuff that people have returned simply because they don't like it. So far as I know, they will always take these warehouse deals back again, usually post-free. They've got the Sony MDR-7506 in such a deal at the moment (just under £80). Not sure if you are after wired headphones, but you could try them and, if you like them, send them back and buy them new from somewhere with some ethical values. They'll have similar deals on top sellers from other brands too.
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Post by Zi on Oct 24, 2023 13:54:28 GMT
Nah - can't do the Amazon thing. I have some Sony headphones but they won't work on the PC and I haven't messed around enough to find out why. I'm actually thinking of going down the Razer route because Linux are working with OS Razer... and Razer stuff looks cool... Mr Z now says I don't need headphones as he doesn't mind the noise. He has forgotten that it irritated him. He says it didn't. I've pointed out that it would be difficult for him to complain now that I've brought it to his attention - except, of course, he'll forget... I got very close to making a decision this morning...
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Post by Zi on Oct 25, 2023 13:25:34 GMT
Argggghhhh!
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Post by pavane on Oct 25, 2023 15:27:23 GMT
Would that be a part-of-the-decision-making Argggghhhh???
Just in passing btw, I have been wondering how headphones can not work with Linux?
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Post by Zi on Oct 25, 2023 16:15:37 GMT
It was then but now it's an extra arggghhhh because I got the Sony earphones to work. They would work only on one side. I tried one of my husband's sets too and the same thing but Turtle Beach works perfectly. So, I fiddled around with PulseAudio. This is not a good place to go and suddenly everything worked perfectly. The lead is a bit short so I ordered an extension for it and then went into Skyrim and it's back on one side. It could be Skyrim... when the Anniversary edition came out we had problems with sound on Linux but Glorious Eggroll fixed it... and eventually Steam caught up and fixed it in Proton. I wouldn't be surprised if Skyrim has switched something but I'd have to fix it again (no idea which of the many things I did - if any - fixed it) and then try it on something else.
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Post by pavane on Oct 25, 2023 16:26:59 GMT
I'm not even involved in this and I feel an arggghhh coming on!
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Post by Zi on Oct 25, 2023 16:43:26 GMT
Actually, one of the reasons I game on Linux is because it's a bit of challenge to get it all stable with the zillions of mods I run... I think I've found the problem. I think it's a issue with the connection the headphones are plugged into. I've plugged directly into the screen and it's fine. Just tested it with Erik Bosgraaf and some Vivaldi (gee that guy can play!) and it's fine. Skyrim is fine too. I'm assuming that the new computer will therefore be able to use any headphones at all so the audio variety are back into consideration. I'm going to see how I get on with these cheap Sony ones to start with. And then take it from there. Mr Z won't go near the sound part of Linux - he knows more about it than I do and he sees dragons there. I couldn't care less... ignorance really is bliss sometimes... Anyway, I'm kind of pleased that it's likely the connection because it reinforces how I definitely need a new computer...
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Post by pavane on Oct 26, 2023 9:36:30 GMT
Sound is absolutely the biggest problem with Linux. I used Ubuntu Studio for a while solely because they had sorted out the sound problems (as an aside, you can add some or all of the studio stuff to any Ubuntu installation, so might be worth a try if you do have sound issues). Debian, at least for now, is working ootb with my recording setup so I'll stick with it unless/until problems arise. Maybe I should record some carols while it's still ok!
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Post by Zi on Oct 26, 2023 12:09:32 GMT
Maybe I should record some carols while it's still ok! Oh ye of little faith... I think I'm now going to wait until the new PC is up and running and put recording on my list of things to do then...
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Post by Zi on Nov 1, 2023 11:41:00 GMT
I did eventually buy some gaming headphones as it's the games I feel I need to protect Mr Z from. I'm pleased with them and they work well with Linux. However, I think if I wanted to listen to music, I'd buy audio headphones for that. It's also clear that my hearing has declined so being able to adjust the sound is probably useful. It's made it clear to me why I struggle to understand a lot that's said via the phone - for example.
Thanks for the input folks!
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