What audio gear do you use?

[espire]

We all need something to listen to Alizée's... What do you use?

At home, I use Logitech X-230s (2.1ch, 32-64 watts) as my primary speakers. When it's later at night, I use either my Creative EP-630 ear canal headphones to block out all sound except Alizée's voice, or occasionally my JVC HA-G11s, a rather run-of-the-mill over-ear pair that's comfy, but I need to replace.

Away from home, I use either the Creative EP-630s, or JVC HA-F130 earbuds. The F130s aren't too amazing, but they're super-cheap, so if anything happens to them then it doesn't matter too much.

My audio hardware is either my MacBook or my iPod nano, playing Alizée in a lossless codec, of course!

[riva2model64]

In the computer room I have Paradigm Mini Monitor v.4's and a Yamaha Subwoofer mated with NAD 3120 amplifier. Recently changed speakers to black generic RCA speakers.

In bedroom I have some old Kenwood floorstanders with a bunch of amplifiers to choose from, vintage Denon, new Onkyo, but I'm going to be using the Harman Kardon HK-430 for now.

In basement I have 2-way Realistic two speakers with 8" and 1" I think with old Kenwood receiver.

I've also got Grado SR-80 headphones for night-time and laptop.

I want to get some full-ranges in the near future.

[lefty12357]

Well, as long as you're asking about audio I thought I'd share some photos of my studio. I was doing some rewiring and relocating of equipment, so it really looks like a mess. My near field monitors are Event 20/20's. You can't see the JBL 4411's or the Edens, those are my big reference monitors up higher and off to the sides.

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/8180/studioboardmk0.th.jpg (http://img412.imageshack.us/my.php?image=studioboardmk0.jpg)

These are some of my stringed instruments. I'm really proud of the 1964 Hofner 500/1 Beatle bass. It's the real thing:

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/2016/guitarsbr8.th.jpg (http://img401.imageshack.us/my.php?image=guitarsbr8.jpg)

This is my main keyboard which controls all of my synths:

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/2632/keyboardyf6.th.jpg (http://img401.imageshack.us/my.php?image=keyboardyf6.jpg)

This is one of the synth racks:

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/7330/synthracksgi4.th.jpg (http://img412.imageshack.us/my.php?image=synthracksgi4.jpg)

And these are the main equipment racks:

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/9338/mainrackspc0.th.jpg (http://img401.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mainrackspc0.jpg)

Alizée sounds great coming out of my system.

[marik]

mine is Creative H-300!

[Solaris]

Let The Resurrection Begin!!!! I use these headphones SENNHEISER HD 280PRO. They surpass all other headphones i have ever used and block every last once of sound around me! So Alizée sweet voice is all that enters my nexus!

[espire]

Wow, my gear really sucks :(

At least I'll soon be purchasing some Sennheiser headphones, but I doubt I'll feel like spending the amount of money to get the HD-280. Perhaps an EH-250.

Why do I just let all my money sit there? I must have some stinginess disease...

[Capn]

I use these cheap headphones I got in the drug store and an ipod video so nothing special really don't see the point in going all out for headphones

[AmericanFan]

I have always loved great music and to get the most out of it requires high quality audio equipment. So I build my own. I do have a favorite pair of factory speakers they are Klipsch.
Now if you don't have a billion dollars to spend, find an old mid 1970s or older Marantz tuner/amp and restore it. They can be found on EBay for pennies on the dollar. Connect that to a pair of Bose speakers and you have a winner.
If that still doesn't get you going, send me a PM or email and I'll try to help you out.

[Solaris]

My head phones were only 75 when i got em from Newegg. now they sell em for 99 lol. Plus my headphones give me surround sound quality, I swear best 75 dollars ever! Unless I buy Alizée's love for $75 by some miraculous stroke of magic! You can hear every thing as clear as day and the bass is exquisite on em and they are made for DJing.

[AmericanFan]

Lefty can testify to this... if the rest of you guys heard a "real" system in the right enviornment you would probobly wet yourselves. You can actually feel the music. Really!

[Solaris]

Lefty can testify to this... if the rest of you guys heard a "real" system in the right enviornment you would probobly wet yourselves. You can actually feel the music. Really!

You are making me feel inadequate:( lol. I love my headphones and the are the best in the 150 or less range so there:cool:

[Fish]

These are some of my stringed instruments. I'm really proud of the 1964 Hofner 500/1 Beatle bass. It's the real thing:

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/2016/guitarsbr8.th.jpg (http://img401.imageshack.us/my.php?image=guitarsbr8.jpg)




I feel inadequate.


As to the original question: My sound equipment is nonexistent. :(

[Solaris]

I feel inadequate.


As to the original question: My sound equipment is nonexistent. :(

You dont have a stereo on your computer or any headphones? How do you listen to alizeé!!!!!!!!!!! :mad: :( :blink:

[lefty12357]

Lefty can testify to this... if the rest of you guys heard a "real" system in the right enviornment you would probobly wet yourselves. You can actually feel the music. Really!

Oh yeah, when my friends come over to listen to some tunes we always have plenty of wine, a refrigerator full of ice cold beer and a box of Depends. :D

You have to tame those room modes with the proper amount of bass trapping, absorption and diffusion. A room full of great gear doesn’t sound that great if the room itself sounds bad. One should always include in their budget money for proper acoustical treatment of the listening space if you want a great music room. That's the one thing most people forget about.

[Fish]

I have laptop speakers and some cheap headphones. Its either that or my rather pitiful car speakers.

I'm just not at a point where I can afford sound equipment, I can barely afford music.

[lefty12357]

It took me a long time to get to the point I'm at now. And once you start, it seems like it never ends, and it's always a work in progress.

[Solaris]

Same with upgrading a computer....I always want to add the littlest thing to it...O well. Im glad i resurrected this old thread and learned so much of how people enjoy Alizée!! Keep enjoying that sweet sound cause whether you have cheap headphones about to catch on fire or A home theatre Alizée always finds a way to make your ears die of happiness!

[AmericanFan]

It took me a long time to get to the point I'm at now. And once you start, it seems like it never ends, and it's always a work in progress.

But... it is all worth it right?

[rcs]

Paradigm Signature S2 speakers
Marantz DV8400 DVD w/Monster Cables or Rega CD player w/Kimble Silver Streaks

Blew Up old Receiver...Dreaming of Krell or NAD for new power source:rolleyes:
Protected by Monster Power AVS 2000 & HTS 5100

Still want Paradigm Sub also, so I'm a work in progress.:cool:

[Bandit]

In my car (1991 Pontiac Firebird):

Alpine CDA-D857 head unit
Carver M2120 powering 2 10-inch Kicker subwoofers in rear hatch area.
Carver M4060 powering 2 6x9 speakers in the sail panels and 2 4x6 speakers in the front dash.

Crystal clear sound with plenty of bass that you can really feel in the seat of your pants. The live version of Moi Lolita is awsome with that setup.

[Dylan]

uhhh I use some kind of speaker thingy on my computer to listen to alizee lol

[Capn]

uhhh I use some kind of speaker thingy on my computer to listen to alizee lol
That sounds awesome, I forgot I use these speaker thingys on my pc, and also this thing that wraps around the back of my head with these speaker like earcoverers to listen to her also.

[espire]

So, I'm at this very moment listening to my Sennheiser EH-150 headphones, and they're most incredibly awesome. Even thought they're not nearly audiophile quality (in fact, they're "low-end professional headphones"), I'm still hearing more nuances and details in the sound than before, just as I heard when moving to my KSC-75s', and when moving up to my EP-630s', and when moving up to my HA-F130s'. In fact, this incrementation is making music much more enjoyable for me.


Next I've got to catch up with Lili and get the Beyerdynamic DT-770!

(she was wearing them in the studio on the day of her return)


Well, not really. I suppose I'll be shooting for the Sennheiser HD-595, or perhaps some variety of the very under-rated but about equivalent Audio-Technica headphones.

[Solaris]

So, I'm at this very moment listening to my Sennheiser EH-150 headphones, and they're most incredibly awesome. Even thought they're not nearly audiophile quality (in fact, they're "low-end professional headphones"), I'm still hearing more nuances and details in the sound than before, just as I heard when moving to my KSC-75s', and when moving up to my EP-630s', and when moving up to my HA-F130s'. In fact, this incrementation is making music much more enjoyable for me.


Next I've got to catch up with Lili and get the Beyerdynamic DT-770!

(she was wearing them in the studio on the day of her return)


Well, not really. I suppose I'll be shooting for the Sennheiser HD-595, or perhaps some variety of the very under-rated but about equivalent Audio-Technica headphones.

Get mine!! They truly make Lili's voice delve into your soul!

[kdc300z]

Well, as long as you're asking about audio I thought I'd share some photos of my studio. I was doing some rewiring and relocating of equipment, so it really looks like a mess. My near field monitors are Event 20/20's. You can't see the JBL 4411's or the Edens, those are my big reference monitors up higher and off to the sides.

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/8180/studioboardmk0.th.jpg (http://img412.imageshack.us/my.php?image=studioboardmk0.jpg)

These are some of my stringed instruments. I'm really proud of the 1964 Hofner 500/1 Beatle bass. It's the real thing:

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/2016/guitarsbr8.th.jpg (http://img401.imageshack.us/my.php?image=guitarsbr8.jpg)

This is my main keyboard which controls all of my synths:

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/2632/keyboardyf6.th.jpg (http://img401.imageshack.us/my.php?image=keyboardyf6.jpg)

This is one of the synth racks:

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/7330/synthracksgi4.th.jpg (http://img412.imageshack.us/my.php?image=synthracksgi4.jpg)

And these are the main equipment racks:

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/9338/mainrackspc0.th.jpg (http://img401.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mainrackspc0.jpg)

Alizée sounds great coming out of my system.

Your room is awesome... That is my Heaven. Im running A Harmon Karden AVR635, Polk Audio RTi 8's. Polk Audio CS1, RM67's, Infininty PS12, Polk Audio PSW10, Sony DVP85H, ToshibaHDDVD, Optima HD71 Projector. For my guitars Im running a Vox AC30, A Crate Solid State, and A Kustom Solid State... Saving for an Orange Amp... Guitars are Yamaha Pacifica, PRS Standard 22, Hamer CX, Cort Viva Gold II, Ibanez Hollowbody

[Dylan]

That sounds awesome, I forgot I use these speaker thingys on my pc, and also this thing that wraps around the back of my head with these speaker like earcoverers to listen to her also.

lol the point is, is that why does it matter what kind of speakers you use? people all the time tell me to get these damn $500 speakers because they are better lol uhh what makes a diffrence? they both play sounds and they sound the same lol

[espire]

Well, I wouldn't upgrade to the HD-280, as those are far too bassy for my liking. Also, if I'm given much of a choice, I take open-back headphones over closed ones.

Lefty: You're rig makes me cry on the inside ;) (no, really).

Also, as a general statement to everybody, remember that headphones will always be better than speakers. However, you lose being able to share the audio with your friends, and you don't get to wake up the neighbours! :)

[Solaris]

lol the point is, is that why does it matter what kind of speakers you use? people all the time tell me to get these damn $500 speakers because they are better lol uhh what makes a diffrence? they both play sounds and they sound the same lol


That is why you are retarded. End of story. PERIOD:D

[Amigo!]

Also, as a general statement to everybody, remember that headphones will always be better than speakers. However, you lose being able to share the audio with your friends, and you don't get to wake up the neighbours! :)

I've never had a problem sharing lili's music with the neighbors :D

[Calisto]

Well I'm using a pair of Bose Triport headphones currently. I was never really too concerned with hardcore audio quality as much until I started listening to Alizée, so the Bose is my first upgrade from default Ipod earpieces.

Espire later educated me that I could of bought much better for the 150$ I spent on my Bose, and after some additional research that I should of done before I bought them, I learned he was right...Curse Bose and their relentless marketing hype that I fell into! :p

But I still love them. The quality jump from what I was using before is of course amazing, and because I haven't heard anything better yet, I don't know what I'm missing. :D

It will probably be about another year until I throw down some mad cash and get a higher end pair of Sennheisers.

[Solaris]

"Well, I wouldn't upgrade to the HD-280, as those are far too bassy for my liking. Also, if I'm given much of a choice, I take open-back headphones over closed ones." Espire

First- any real machine you use has bass options
Second- I have heard orchestraic music on my headphones and you can hear the pluck of a violin and nothing is diminished due to bass. (to die for)

PS Just giving you my personal experience. Also they should be allowed a 30 min burn in for good measure.( I think...I just do that with all my headphones:D )

[espire]

First- any real machine you use has bass options
Second- I have heard orchestraic music on my headphones and you can hear the pluck of a violin and nothing is diminished due to bass. (to die for)

PS Just giving you my personal experience. Also they should be allowed a 30 min burn in for good measure.( I think...I just do that with all my headphones:D )

Well, I'm not saying that the extensive bass on the HD-280 Pro makes it a bad pair of headphones, it is quite on the contrary. It is able to put out a lot of bass without muddling up, or interfering with the other frequencies. However, it is just a bit too much for my liking, I prefer bass to be quite low.

Regarding burn-in, I'm of the opinion that burn-in is a placebo which was made so that people could take some more time to decide whether they're comfortable with their investment, but if you do want to burn-in just in case, you should be doing it for about 200 hours, not a half-hour. Also, you don't need to wait while you do it, burn-in is performed simply by using the headphones as they were intended to be used.

[Solaris]

To be honest I threw the burn in remark not knowing what the hell I was talking about. XD

[espire]

To be honest I threw the burn in remark not knowing what the hell I was talking about. XD

Not a problem, I enjoy reading every post on this forum, on the condition that it is punctuated, spelled and capitalized properly. The context itself and its variety is the real gem :)

But I suppose I burn my headphones in too, just only as I listen to them ;)

[Dylan]

That is why you are retarded. End of story. PERIOD:D

no I just dont waste my money on shit I dont need

[AmericanFan]

Well I'm using a pair of Bose Triport headphones currently. I was never really too concerned with hardcore audio quality as much until I started listening to Alizée, so the Bose is my first upgrade from default Ipod earpieces.

Espire later educated me that I could of bought much better for the 150$ I spent on my Bose, and after some additional research that I should of done before I bought them, I learned he was right...Curse Bose and their relentless marketing hype that I fell into! :p

But I still love them. The quality jump from what I was using before is of course amazing, and because I haven't heard anything better yet, I don't know what I'm missing. :D

It will probably be about another year until I throw down some mad cash and get a higher end pair of Sennheisers.

Excellent choice on the BOSE. I don't think you can do much better without spending MUCH more. I agree they are a bit "over the top" with the marketing BS but most of their products are great.

[ZachLovesAlizée]

i just use an old creative zen nano (its what i had before my zen z plus, and what i have to use now that i cant tell where i am on the zen z plus cause the screen died) and some 30 dolar over the ear rca headphones
still trying to get a good mp3 player, think im gonna get a zune 80 for christmas.

[rcs]

Excellent choice on the BOSE. I don't think you can do much better without spending MUCH more. I agree they are a bit "over the top" with the marketing BS but most of their products are great.

I 2nd that. Hey Calisto, your upgrade can make you become an audio junkie like a lot of us if you are not careful. First, it's the speaker upgrade, then cables, power, new house, dedicated room, isolated electric power...etc. Before you know it, you could have bought plane ticket and seen Alizee in concert!

Upgrading is better than where you were. Think of it that way, you got what you paid for. Sounds like you are happy, that's super. You're that much closer to the real thing. :p

I wonder how much it would cost for Lili to whisper Gourmandises in my ear:confused:

[Killian]

I wonder how much it would cost for Lili to whisper Gourmandises in my ear:confused:

Probably your soul, if you found the right dealer.... I think RAM has a few connections ;)


What kind of speakers would you recommend for listen to music out and about? I don't really want overly intrusive giant noice cancelling ones, just something with decent sound quality, so I can hear Lili in the best possible way.

[espire]

What kind of speakers would you recommend for listen to music out and about? I don't really want overly intrusive giant noice cancelling ones, just something with decent sound quality, so I can hear Lili in the best possible way.

By speakers, I'm guessing you mean headphones ;)

In that case, you need to decide what kind of headphones you want, and how much you're willing to pay.

Your choices on types are probably these:
1) Earbuds
2) Circum-aural (go around the ear)
3) Supra-aural (go on top of the ear)
4) In-ear monitors (have foam buds and go right inside your ear canal)

Now you've just got to decide how much money you can shell out for headphones. The giant ones are generally the circum-aural headphones, and supra-aural ranges from small clip-on headphones to ones just as big as circum-aural ones.

A recommendation for very inexpensive headphones starts with the Koss KSC-75, coming in at about $25 USD. They're supra-aural clips, and are world-renowned for being incredible at that price. Another great pair for $50-$75 USD is the Grado S60, another supra-aural pair with a headband. This takes sound quality much farther.

If you make what you're going for specific, I can recommend more specifically as well.