I think I am turning into an audiophile

[iamlowsound]

I just got my Grados in the mail, and wow, I can hear stuff in songs that I never knew was there before and I wasn't using crappy headphones either. I can hear guitar parts that are mixed real low, background vocals that are there as ambiance and I can pick up the words. I can even hear where the compression is (listening to mp3s ripped at 320kbs).

I am now starting to look at studio monitors to start basing my sound system around, as I have always been drawn to the flat response of monitors for sound listening accented with a good eq. Please tell me that this isn't going to turn into an obsession.

lowsound

ps, is there a way/format in itunes to rip at cd quality?

[Selta]

Originally Posted by iamlowsound

I just got my Grados in the mail, and wow, I can hear stuff in songs that I never knew was there before and I wasn't using crappy headphones either. I can hear guitar parts that are mixed real low, background vocals that are there as ambiance and I can pick up the words. I can even hear where the compression is (listening to mp3s ripped at 320kbs).

I am now starting to look at studio monitors to start basing my sound system around, as I have always been drawn to the flat response of monitors for sound listening accented with a good eq. Please tell me that this isn't going to turn into an obsession.

lowsound

ps, is there a way/format in itunes to rip at cd quality?

Welcome to the real world . Enjoy your stay.
Depending on how much you want to spend, my system is completly Mirage. They're a great bang-for-the buck company. There's better, of course, but it gets out of my price range too.
If it hasn't already turned into an obsession, it will soon. Listening through a good pair of cans versus a nice system are pretty different. The sound stage is so much better outside of headphones, first and foremost.
Good luck .

[Baryonyx]

Nothing beats awesome sound quality.

[iamlowsound]

Originally Posted by Ray Salamon

Welcome to the real world . Enjoy your stay.
Depending on how much you want to spend, my system is completly Mirage. They're a great bang-for-the buck company. There's better, of course, but it gets out of my price range too.
If it hasn't already turned into an obsession, it will soon. Listening through a good pair of cans versus a nice system are pretty different. The sound stage is so much better outside of headphones, first and foremost.
Good luck .

I was looking at a pair of KRK monitors to base my system around, they look good and I have a buddy with them in his studio so I could hear them before buying. I'll have to check out Mirage. What I am thinking is almost building a mini PA. I want to have a 32 channel eq involved (at least). Umm, I think it just turned into the obsession.

lowsound

[EricF]

1. GAS is GAS - it's doesn't matter what the gear is. The obsession is coming and you can't avoid it.
2. Not all studio monitors are "flat" (what's your budget for monitors?)
3. The room itself will often have more to with how accurate you're hearing the sounds than the monitors themselves. If you don't already have the knowledge, spend some time researching studio acoustic treatments (PM me if you need some great links). Mediocre monitors in a good room will serve you better than great monitors in a bad room.

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

The cool thing about audio is that you can actually get great performing gear for reasonable prices (well, good loudspeakers still cost a fair amount to make), if you don't let yourself fall into the trap of magic wires, $$$ for exotic looks, and other BS.

[iamlowsound]

Originally Posted by Bob Lee (QSC)

The cool thing about audio is that you can actually get great performing gear for reasonable prices (well, good loudspeakers still cost a fair amount to make), if you don't let yourself fall into the trap of magic wires, $$$ for exotic looks, and other BS.

I am not falling into that trap. I am aware of how good of sound you can get for "cheap", as I was into car audio/competitions for a few years and I can't tell you how many times I saw guys that had a knowledge and a small budget absolutely destroy the guys with lots of money but no idea on how to use it.

Eric: sending you a PM. I know a bit about room acoustics, but knowing more would be better. I am actually planning on turning my old billiards room into a music room, no one plays pool anymore and it is just taking up room.

lowsound

[Georynn]

I've just bought some nice KRK's... they aren't perfectly flat, but they are not bad. Just know that they are for near field listening... Right triangle and all that...
I started a thread just for good recordings through studio monitors, not too many bites, but some good suggestions...

When you have some suggestions, please add to my list...

Studio Monitor Listening

[iamlowsound]

Originally Posted by Georynn

I've just bought some nice KRK's... they aren't perfectly flat, but they are not bad. Just know that they are for near field listening... Right triangle and all that...
I started a thread just for good recordings through studio monitors, not too many bites, but some good suggestions...

When you have some suggestions, please add to my list...

Studio Monitor Listening

Nice to know, the room that I am setting up will have a table or two, a couch/few chairs ect, so that might not be the best. I am not looking for completely flat, but somewhere near that. I like to eq to taste and there is no better place to start than at flat.

lowsound

[Linas]

what kind of grado cans did you get? I have sr-80 and dont have a bad thing to say. Music FTW!!

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

Look for any articles or other material on small room acoustics by Dr. Floyd Toole. Look for stuff on acoustic treatments by Anthony Grimani.

[MJ5150]

I just ditched these kickin' Coby headphones I got from WalMart for some other ones that cost me nearly $30. I'm moving up to audiophile status too!!!!!

-Mike

[iamlowsound]

Originally Posted by Linas

what kind of grado cans did you get? I have sr-80 and dont have a bad thing to say. Music FTW!!

I got SR-80s with the upgraded ear foam. Got them off of ebay for $80, perfect condition. Which is a simply amazing price, considering that Grado doesn't have any Canadian dealers and refuses to sell to Canada for some unknown reason.

Bob: will do.

lowsound

[Georynn]

Originally Posted by iamlowsound

Nice to know, the room that I am setting up will have a table or two, a couch/few chairs ect, so that might not be the best. I am not looking for completely flat, but somewhere near that. I like to eq to taste and there is no better place to start than at flat.

lowsound

In that environ, you'd be better off not going with Studio monitors...

A good Hi-fi system is not cheap.

[iamlowsound]

Originally Posted by Georynn

In that environ, you'd be better off not going with Studio monitors...

A good Hi-fi system is not cheap.

I needs me some monies.

lowsound

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

Aside from loudspeakers, a good hi-fi system is not necessarily expensive, either. High-quality audio electronics are more affordable now than ever.

[Georynn]

Originally Posted by iamlowsound

I needs me some monies.

lowsound

I like money.






Idiocracy.... See it

[MJ5150]

Originally Posted by Bob Lee (QSC)

Aside from loudspeakers, a good hi-fi system is not necessarily expensive, either. High-quality audio electronics are more affordable now than ever.

Would you suggest a guy does his shopping online for those prices? There are a couple of home audio shops I know of around these parts, and you won't walk out of there for less than $5K.

For me, $5K is a lot of money. Maybe for some of you, it isn't. Some clarification of "affordable" would help too. Not trying to be confrontational, just looking for some extra info.

-Mike

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

You can probably spend at least a grand or so on a pair of loudspeakers, but a good CD player is less than $100 USD, a good receiver could be had for under $700, maybe $900 for a separate tuner and amp, and ~$50 for the cables to connect them all together.

Check out The $ensible $ound and The Audio Critic for reviews of reasonably priced gear, as well as manufacturers like Outlaw Audio.

[MJ5150]

Very cool, thanks for the tips. I just finished wiring up and partially installing a whole house audio system for a client. They started asking me all kinds of questions about what CD player to buy, what receiver to buy, etc. Now, I have some ideas where to send them.

I don't typically do this for a living. It started out as me wiring their house up with CAT5 cable for internet and cable, then it ballooned into all this audio stuff. Next thing I know, I am pulling audio cable all over the house for speakers in the walls and ceilings of nearly every room.

-Mike