Sonically there isn’t a difference, but a right angle might prevent strain on the cable in some situations. It’s mainly for convince
Right angle plugs are also useful for OTG applications. They reduce the length the plug sticks out of the jack. That then reduces the amount of torque on both the plug and the jack when you inevitably hit it or snag it on/with something.
Is there such a thing as a mod that can be done to a headphone to affect it’s imaging capabilities?
What are the strengths and weaknesses in general sound characteristics between headphones and iems? For an example, I would assume that headphones would typically have a larger sound stage than iems.
Yes, although it varies with each headphone what that would be. Some mods can either improve or reduce imaging capabilities
What is the sound characteristics of a tube amp compared to solid state? I’ve seen a lot about tube amps but have never once actually heard any them describe the tube sound.
So it would depend on what headphones you use with them, but an output transformer less design (OTL) will have a sound that is smoother and a bit rolled off in the treble and bass (not a ton), a wider soundstage with a bit less precise imaging, but also more reverb and a slower more viscous sound. Think thick and heavy warmer wider sound, pretty pleasing but you are trading accuracy for fun. Different amps will sound different, and also different tubes, so lots of things to consider. Headphones will also take to tubes differently, so that’s something to take into account.
There are different designs though, to oversimplify, OTL tube amps will give you the most tube sound, but you would want to really only use dynamic driver high impedance headphones for it to sound ideal. SET or single ended triode amps are a bit less tubey and also sometimes allow for a lower output impedance mode for lower impedance headphones, a bit more refined tube sound if you will. A hybrid tube amp uses tubes on the input stage but a solid state amplifier to actually drive the headphones, and this can make it more ideal for lower impermanence or planar headphones (planar on a set or otl can be weird and isn’t the best match), but it doesn’t sound as tubey
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There are probably more characteristics to it, but I would say the two things tubes add or change are adding warmth and lengthening the decays. You get very slightly dragged out and relaxed sound. It is more musical, relaxing, and pleasing sound to listen to.
The opposite, solid state, will be quick, precise, accurate, etc.
When a headphone is classified as dark or bright does it just simply mean the frequencies that go along with the term are louder than the rest? If you were able match the frequencies in volume, would it lose being classified as those terms or does that term mean more than just the volume between frequencies?
So a dark headphone is typically lacking treble compared to neutral, and a bright headphone is a headphone with boosted treble over neutral. A dark or bright headphone isn’t bad, you just want to know if it meets your preferences or not
If you reduce the amount of treble on a bright headphone and increase the amount of treble on a dark headphone, they would most likely be not be classified as that anymore. It does mean more than just frequency volume, but it depends on the person.
wow, now im regretting buying the dark voice lol
Why is that?
the way you and veritas describe them. sounds bad
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It’s something to try for sure, one of those don’t knock it until you try it. Some of the highest end amps I have heard have a tube
welp i got my hd600 ready to go, just waiting on Drop
Same advice. Just give it an honest try. Don’t A/B it for 10 minutes and call it a day. Have it as your main for 3 days or so. It is definitely subjective and mood.
A common comment that I will hear with SS is like “wow! I can hear the saliva coming from the singer’s mouth. That’s trippy!” vs. tubes, people will comment about how more emotional and intimate it made them feel. A good tube setup will send shivers down your spine and make you stop listening critically. You just want to kick back and listen to the music.
So back to my point, some want to chase detail 24/7, others want to just chill and listen to music and if you have both, you get to switch back and forth depending on mood.
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I’m glad I got into tube amps so this won’t be something I would say very often : )
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Is there a formula for calculating how hard a headphone is to drive and does anyone know it?
I know it depends on impedance and sensitivity level, but I want the actual formula.
Yes there is, but it’s only for pure volume. That formula will represent how loud it could get but it won’t represent anything in terms of how quality something would actually sound. I really personally wouldn’t bother but here is a site that does the calculation for you