My introduction to hifi

What does it mean when someone says a headphone is resolving and what makes an amp good for driving iems?

When someone says a headphone is resolving typically they are saying it brings forth good detail from music and sound. It can accurately resolve the source.

A good amp for iems typically will have low output impedance, a good range of volume, and preform better with more sensitive electronics, but just looking at specs wonā€™t really tell you too much about itā€™s performance tbh

Mind explaining the sensitivity part to me?

So headphones, in ears, and speakers are rated in sensitivity by db per milliwatt, and higher number the less power the unit takes to get loud. A more sensitive iem will be more sensitive to the noises in the amp as it can pick up essentially, so you would want an amp designed to drive these more sensitive loads (impedance also plays a role in this too, among other things, this is a gross oversimplification)

Mostly through headphones and vinyl

Though im starting to believe hifi is pointless to me because unless my m50s are so broken they sound the exact same on everything, whether itā€™s 128 kbps or lossless flac I legit hear no difference, apparently from self done sine wave tests I can only hear up to 13 kHz and I donā€™t notice fidelity stuff (nothing feels gone, nor is it louder or is there any focus on anything else)

Is a more sensitive iem with a lower or higher rating?

Also, when would you say the law of diminishing returns really starts to take place in headphones, if ever?

It would have a higher db per milliwatt

It really depends on the person tbh. It can hit extremely early or extremely late, it just depends on what the person is looking for in the end

Idk what all headphone conventions there are.(If thatā€™s even what youā€™d call them.) What ones do you know of and where are they? I live in Houston, Texas, any there?

I mean, Google is your friend here, since I donā€™t live in Texas (quite the opposite)

What attributes come with the different sound profiles of headphones? Iā€™ve been reading that warmer headphones are more relaxed and brighter headphones usually have more detail.

The link below is a nice glossary of commonly used terminology. :slightly_smiling_face:

Are there any attributes you would recommend for lengthy songs? Songs at 10 minutes +. My one guess is dynamics as Iā€™d assume a song thatā€™s say, an hour long, would need dynamics to keep it interesting.

I donā€™t exactly get what you are asking, but it depends on the person for if a longer track is continuously engaging if I am interpreting this correctly, I donā€™t think I would base it off of a characteristic like dynamics to judge if it will be engaging or not

Iā€™m curious to hear a comparison between the Sendy Aiva, Focal Elex, LCD2C, and DT 1990 Pro.

This is just going off of the headphones you mentioned and not including others

The sendy aiva would be the most intimate of the bunch, with aggressive and quick treble detail that is most likely on par with the elex for pure treble detail, but itā€™s not the most accurately presented treble. The sendy is somewhat v shaped and itā€™s midrange suffers a fair bit, most likely the weakest mid range performance of the bunch, but it still is quick and detailed nonetheless. The bass is slightly elevated, quick and reasonably detailed, but lacking extension and slam for a planar. Imaging is very good but soundstage is mediocre. Timbre is good but not great.

The elex is a neutral/mildly w shaped headphone with most likely the best dynamic range out of the bunch. It is also fairly quick for being a dynamic. The treble is accurate and detailed, with great presentation. The midrange is full and well presented, with plenty of detail while still remaining natural. I would say the elex is the most detailed throughout the entire range of the bunch imo. The bass extends well, is quick and accurate, with some punch, but it doesnā€™t preform well at higher volumes. Soundstage can be intimate or wide depending on the track, and imaging is very good as well. I would say the elex has the best spatial recreation out of the bunch and is the most neutral/accurate for listening. Timbre is pretty good imo.

Regarding the LCD 2 classic, itā€™s going to be the darkest and warmest of the bunch with fair treble detail but not that well extended, it is also wider than most in the bunch, and has the most impact to the bass and midrange. It has a fairly good midrange thatā€™s very thick and warm with a pretty nice timbre. Bass is fairly boosted but it is quick, clean, extended, and impactful, most likely my favorite fun bass response in the bunch. Imaging is ok but it kind of sounds a bit left, right, center (3 blob), with lacking information in the middle of the center and a side.

The 1990 pro is more neutral bright signature with the analytical pads, and kinda v shaped with the balanced pads, but I prefer analytical so I will go with those. The treble detail and extension is good, but it can be a bit much for some (the sendy can get up there too). Midrange is a tad recessed but still prominent enough and it does itā€™s job well, timbre is also pretty good here. The bass is well extended and punchy, but itā€™s not as detailed as the other options imo. I think it has the most exaggerated soundstage and imaging of the bunch, very good for fun.

Overall it comes down to more preference here, I think all of them are solid options tbh. My personal pick in that option range is the elex if you want fun yet accurate and the most refined overall. If you want something warm and wide thatā€™s not harsh and more for just plain fun, the lcd 2 classic is very good. If you wanted a brighter neutral sound with impressive staging the dt1990 is a good pick too. If you wanted something closer and aggressive with a slight v the sendy is for you.

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are you suppose to be able to tell the difference between 320 kbps files and a CD and hi res fileā€¦ because i legit cant hear it and its not like anything is missing in the sound or anything sounds garbledā€¦ i couldnā€™t even tell the difference between dacsā€¦ with vinyl i hear a difference (specifically because my cartridge has a specific sound and nice feeling)ā€¦ but not with digital

It depends on your experience for the most part tbh. Itā€™s really easy to do once you get used to it. Vinyl just has a different sound so thatā€™s not really a fair comparison lol

how do you get used to it and join the premium cool kids club