Headphone performance question

jschmitz54 · #1 04-10-2019, 07:39 AM

I have a Steinberg ur22 mkII interface and recently purchased a set of Audio Technica ath m50x headphones. I had tried these in the store (GC) and thought they sounded more than adequate for my purposes. I’m a beginner acoustic guitar player and some singing. When I hooked them up to the interface they don’t seem the same as in the store, not sure exactly how to describe it but less dynamic, less full sounding, maybe thinner. Is there an amp or piece of reasonable priced equipment that will make these sound better or did I get a pair of dud headphones. Id like it to work with a phantom powered condenser mic. Advice appreciated.

KevWind · #2 04-10-2019, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jschmitz54

I have a Steinberg ur22 mkII interface and recently purchased a set of Audio Technica ath m50x headphones. I had tried these in the store (GC) and thought they sounded more than adequate for my purposes. I’m a beginner acoustic guitar player and some singing. When I hooked them up to the interface they don’t seem the same as in the store, not sure exactly how to describe it but less dynamic, less full sounding, maybe thinner. Is there an amp or piece of reasonable priced equipment that will make these sound better or did I get a pair of dud headphones. Advice appreciated.

While there is always the possibility of a defect in any manufactured product .
There is also buyers remorse
There is also the question of different source material (perhaps the source material you are listening to at home is "less dynamic" etc. ? Or depending on which interface you have maybe it is not as dynamic as what was used at GC )
Assuming you got new in the box, from GC (not the demos you listened to ) one quick way to determine possible defect, would be to take them back to GC and A/B against the demo pair. If you can't hear any difference in direct A/B (the only reliable comparison ) then it is something at home in the source or gear.

rick-slo · #3 04-10-2019, 08:12 AM

Their sound reflects what is being listened to. If the music you listened to in the store is different than what you are listening to in at home it may be that.

jschmitz54 · #4 04-10-2019, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevWind

While there is always the possibility of a defect in any manufactured product .
There is also buyers remorse
There is also the question of different source material (perhaps the source material you are listening to at home is "less dynamic" etc. ? Or depending on which interface you have maybe it is not as dynamic as what was used at GC )
Assuming you got new in the box, from GC (not the demos you listened to ) one quick way to determine possible defect, would be to take them back to GC and A/B against the demo pair. If you can't hear any difference in direct A/B (the only reliable comparison ) then it is something at home in the source or gear.

I’ve been listening to mostly guitar backtracks on YouTube mostly. Using my iPad connected to the interface.

paulp1960 · #5 04-10-2019, 10:23 AM

The headphone output on some usb powered interfaces can be a little weak in output. My Behringer UMC HD interfaces have quite a loud and clear headphone output but I found my much more expensive RME Babyface was quite weak for headphone volume.

I haven't tried a UR22 so don't know if it has a powerful headphone output or not.

I'm using mostly Sennheiser HD25 phones (quite easy to drive) and AKG K702 which are difficult to drive.

I recently bought a US built headphone amp called a Schiit Magni 3 and it is probably the loudest headphone output I've ever heard. Cost around $99.

KevWind · #6 04-10-2019, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jschmitz54

I’ve been listening to mostly guitar backtracks on YouTube mostly. Using my iPad connected to the interface.

Ya I would guess that is why the difference in perceived dynamics etc.
neither the Youtube source nor the iPad soundcard are likely up to the level of the source and interface used by the GC sales person

Al Acuff · #7 04-11-2019, 10:17 AM

Sonarworks is currently offering a free TrueFi headphone calibration app for IOS. They provide almost 300 headphone profiles. You can use the TrueFi app on your iPad or iPhone to calibrate the playback for your AT headphones. I have a pair of the same AT headphones and the profile greatly improves the sound IMHO.

I had no problem downloading the app and it's working great on my iPhone. Easy and fun to use. There's even a profile for Apple Air Pods

You can download TrueFi for free from the Apple app store. I expect eventually it will become a paid app but it's kool that it's available now as freeware. Have fun!

jschmitz54 · #8 04-11-2019, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al Acuff

Sonarworks is currently offering a free TrueFi headphone calibration app for IOS. They provide almost 300 headphone profiles. You can use the TrueFi app on your iPad or iPhone to calibrate the playback for your AT headphones. I have a pair of the same AT headphones and the profile greatly improves the sound IMHO.

I had no problem downloading the app and it's working great on my iPhone. Easy and fun to use. There's even a profile for Apple Air Pods

You can download TrueFi for free from the Apple app store. I expect eventually it will become a paid app but it's kool that it's available now as freeware. Have fun!

This looks great. I’m going to try this. Thanks.