Headphones

[Tom in RI]

Getting my first new piece of stereo equipment in many moons. I understand these headphones need to be broken in, other than just using them is there any special routine in breaking in new headphones? Also, I am getting a 25 foot cord, does the length of the cord degrade the sound?

[Man with the Golden Arm]

25 feet huh? Johnny Griffin should do just fine but stuff like Bolero not so much.

congrats ... i have very old Grado prestige 200s and they are grãd.

[Ted O'Reilly]

"Breaking in"? Never heard of such a thing. Take 'em outa the box, use 'em. Cord length shouldn't matter. You don't say what kind they are, but I hope they're good ones -- Sennheiser, AKG, Grado... (And they'll never sound as good as good speakers).

[kh1958]

He says Grado 325s in the heading.

I have Grados also and like them alot. I just listened to them is all.

[CJ Shearn]

Audio Technica ATHM 40FS are good too.

[Tom in RI]

My new headphones came in this morning, just starting to listen. First impression is very positive. I have to make sure to hide these from my son!

Edited February 19, 2010 by Tom in RI

[Ted O'Reilly]

My new headphones came in this morning, just starting to listen. First impression is very positive. I have to make sure to hide these from my son!

Are you going to "break them in"? Or do they sound okay out of the box?

[Tom in RI]

From what I have read online it seems that the Grados do loosen up and sound better over time. I'm not going to leave them connected while not listening but the idea that they will break in doesn't seem unreasonable to me.

[Ted O'Reilly]

From what I have read online it seems that the Grados do loosen up and sound better over time. I'm not going to leave them connected while not listening but the idea that they will break in doesn't seem unreasonable to me.

[Shrdlu]

I just got my Lady Gaga in-ear headphones last week - they put out a special Valentine's edition, which has already gone out-of-print; some shark already has some on eBay.

Anyways, these are actually by Dr Dre (forget Lady Gaga, lol), and sound absolutely amazing. Better than any headphones or speakers that I have ever heard. Dre Dre's "Monster Beats" over-the-ear headphones are said to be awesome. Has anyone tried them?

[Brad]

These headphones look pretty expensive; a quick search came up with $295.

[Tom in RI]

Well, Cadence had a sale and I got mine with a 25 foot cord delivered for just a bit less than that.

[RDK]

My new headphones came in this morning, just starting to listen. First impression is very positive. I have to make sure to hide these from my son!

Are you going to "break them in"? Or do they sound okay out of the box?

While I too tend to scoff at the "breaking in" of audio electronics, there are very real reasons to believe that more mechanical devices like speakers and headphones can sound better with some use. Theory is that the cones and rubber surrounds can be relatively stiff when new but soften up or otherwise break in after some initial use. Whether that results in an appreciable difference in the sound I can't comment on first hand.

[Quincy]

To take this in a slightly different direction, has anyone had problems with the wires from the base of the V to where they connect to the cans twist to ridiculous amounts. Mine are twisting to such levels I'm afraid that the wires are going to break, especially at where they branch out separately where they resemble overly twisted twist ties. I'm tempted to take them in to the shop where I bought them (18 months ago so likely past warranty - though I should look that up) now as breakage seems inevitable. I like the sound, but I'm not overly impressed by what seems like a design flaw to me. Or at least poorly designed for my habits.

[Van Basten II]

Before my neighbors do an Arabian spring on me, will have to get some headphones and cut down on music out of my regular speakers, have an eye on a Grado, hopefully I'll be able to order them from a US store as the price difference is humongous since I don't listen to MP3, should have little problems regarding the sound, here's my dilemna, Grado does sell a 15 feet extension cable, however for the way my house is designed, it's a bit short, if I buy another brand with the proper lenght, will I lose some quality in the process, or the brand of the cable is just an excuse to take more money out of impressionable consumers ?

[jazzbo]

My two cents: the Grado extension cable will probably sound better than some other choices. There may be a longer cord that is just about as good from one of the 'specialty' brands. I'd do a bit of research and see if you can find a place where you can get one 'for home testing.'

This place lists lots of headphone accessories:

http://www.thecableco.com/prodListing.php?cat=38

[CJ Shearn]

The problem I had with my SR60's and I still have them is the "V" wire twisting like what was said above and the left driver got a tear in it. I'm perfectly happy with the Audio Technica's which are fine, no problems. The fact they are closed back eliminates problems like dust, hair, that get into Grado's which is their ONLY downfall.