Phil Jones H-850 head phones.?

[bubinga5]

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with these cans. ive heard they are specifically for bass. im looking for a new pair. its either these or some Beyer Dynamic's. I have no experience with Phil Jones's amps etc.

anyone.? [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Headphones.html"]http://www.bassdirec...Headphones.html[/url]

Edited November 16, 2013 by bubinga5

[Dingus]

Well , Phil Jones does have a background in designing hi-fi products, so it may be that the hype has some substance behind it. However , whether these can match the overall sound quality and bass response of something like the Beyerdynamic DT770 , I seriously doubt. The Beyerdynamics have an incredible pedigree and are an industry standard in pro audio for very good reason . The Beyerdynamics are also a very robust and repairable headphone designed to give year after year of good service. The Phil Jones ones are unlikely to be as robust. The only caveat with the Beyer's is that the 32 ohm version sounds crap. You want the 80 ohm or 250 ohm version , depending on how much power you will have available to drive them . A laptop or similar portable device may struggle with the 80 ohm version , and almost certainly will not have enough juice to drive the 250 ohm set.

Edited November 16, 2013 by Dingus

[molan]

I've tried the PJB's and liked them. It was only via my iPhone and listening to MP3s though so not really a great test of quality.

I can have a go next week with a better source

[bubinga5]

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1384634449' post='2279057']
Well , Phil Jones does have a background in designing hi-fi products, so it may be that the hype has some substance behind it. However , whether these can match the overall sound quality and bass response of something like the Beyerdynamic DT770 , I seriously doubt. The Beyerdynamics have an incredible pedigree and are an industry standard in pro audio for very good reason . The Beyerdynamics are also a very robust and repairable headphone designed to give year after year of good service. The Phil Jones ones are unlikely to be as robust. The only caveat with the Beyer's is that the 32 ohm version sounds crap. You want the 80 ohm or 250 ohm version , depending on how much power you will have available to drive them . A laptop or similar portable device may struggle with the 80 ohm version , and almost certainly will not have enough juice to drive the 250 ohm set.
[/quote]i dig your comprehensive replies. ! there is another option . AKG.

[Dingus]

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1384652521' post='2279244']
i dig your comprehensive replies. ! there is another option . AKG.
[/quote]

AKG are also fantastic headphones from one of the most prestigious companies in the business, but, depending on which model you choose, they are finnicky in comparison to Beyerdynamic, generally speaking .

A lot depends on which pair you choose, but their domestic hi fi-orientated cans all share a very disinct sonic signature that is the "AKG sound" . That is they are [u]extremely [/u]precise sounding , to the extent that some folks find them fatiguing after a while, with a very crystalline and finely- etched sound that people tend to love or hate .Most significantly , considering what you intend to use them for, compared to a lot of other headphones on the market , they can seem a bit bass-light to most listeners. Most headphones on the market nowadays have exaggerated bottom end to help them sound more appealing to the typical consumer, whereras AKG are uncompromisingly neutral in their tonal complexion , making them sound a bit thin by comparison to the competition . They do have bass , but what you get is what is on the recording , not what is produced artificially by the headphones.

Some of the proaudio and DJ -orientated AKG's have decent apparent bass response, like the K240, for example , so might be worth a try , but if you were thinking of forking out for some AKG Quincy Jones Signature 'phones or similar , I wouldn't bother unless you intend to use them for home hi -fi listening with a good quality dedicated headphone amp. I've got AKGs and Beyerdynamic headphines myself , and the Beyerdynamic are much more generous in the bass and a bit of an easier listen, whereas by comparison the AKGs are crisp and precise with lots of detail in the sound , so which is best depend a lot on what you prefer, but I'm working on the assumption that most of the music you like relies on having good bass .

Edited November 17, 2013 by Dingus

[molan]

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1384666151' post='2279263']

a good quality dedicated headphone amp.
[/quote]

I'm pleased you said that - reminded me that I have a Fodera dedicated headphone box for bass. Forgot all about it!

Must dig it out, from what I remember it was a bit under-powered, maybe the headphone impedance though?

[oakforest5961]

There is already a review of the H-850s here on Basschat:

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/209580-phile-jones-bass-h850-headphones"]http://basschat.co.u...h850-headphones[/url]

(Mine are scheduled to arrive on Dec. 25th.)

[Dingus]

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1384694486' post='2279509']
I'm pleased you said that - reminded me that I have a Fodera dedicated headphone box for bass. Forgot all about it!

Must dig it out, from what I remember it was a bit under-powered, maybe the headphone impedance though?
[/quote]

If you use some headphones with an impedence in 16-32 ohms range with a sensitivity of at least 100db/mW you should be able to get a decent volume level even with battery -powered portable devices, Barrie. Because of the popularity of things like mp3 players there are lots of headphones on the market now within those specs, so plenty to choose from if you are looking for new pair.

I would be interested to hear what that Fodera headphone amp is like , because excellent as it is , I am on the lookout for a better-sounding alternative to the Korg PX4b for playing through at home with headphones on . I have had my eye on that Fodera unit, or the EBS equivalent.

[molan]

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1384700263' post='2279605']
If you use some headphones with an impedence in 16-32 ohms range with a sensitivity of at least 100db/mW you should be able to get a decent volume level even with battery -powered portable devices, Barrie. Because of the popularity of things like mp3 players there are lots of headphones on the market now within those specs, so plenty to choose from if you are looking for new pair.

I would be interested to hear what that Fodera headphone amp is like , because excellent as it is , I am on the lookout for a better-sounding alternative to the Korg PX4b for playing through at home with headphones on . I have had my eye on that Fodera unit, or the EBS equivalent.
[/quote]

Just tried the Fodera with my Grado SR80's. Still struggling for volume a bit with these. Maybe I need closed ear 'phones rather than the Grados which are very open?

[EBS_freak]

If you are struggling for volume, a dedicated, portable, cheap but great headphone amp such as a FiiO should be able to drive your headphones properly - will give you a little extra if you enjoy listening to music from say, an ipod or iphone too.

[Dingus]

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1384772476' post='2280416']
Just tried the Fodera with my Grado SR80's. Still struggling for volume a bit with these. Maybe I need closed ear 'phones rather than the Grados which are very open?
[/quote]

On paper at least, the Grados should go loud , but their sensitivity is [i]slightly[/i] on the low side compared to some headphones .

A closed back design won't neccesarilly go any louder , as the type of design affects ambient sound leakage rather than ultimate volume. Some people use those headphones with an ipod, so I can't explain why the Fodera won't drive them sufficiently. I am not that familiar with Grados myself- great sound but a little uncomfortable on my ears in my very limited experience of them - but they ought to be an easy load . Try the Grados on another portable device ( phone, ipod ect) and see if they will go sufficiently loud . If they do then it would seem like the problem lies with the Fodera unit.

Edited November 18, 2013 by Dingus

[Dingus]

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1384772684' post='2280421']
If you are struggling for volume, a dedicated, portable, cheap but great headphone amp such as a FiiO should be able to drive your headphones properly - will give you a little extra if you enjoy listening to music from say, an ipod or iphone too.
[/quote]

Massive +1 for the FIIO. Amazingly good-sounding devices at bargain prices.

The FIIO E6 should do the trick if you can't get sufficient volume to drive your chosen headphones from a portable device:

[bubinga5]

There is no point in having a headphone amp, if i run through a presonus sound card ..... right.??

[EBS_freak]

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1384794519' post='2280803']
There is no point in having a headphone amp, if i run through a presonus sound card ..... right.??
[/quote]

Well... that all depends on what headphones you are running.

Some headphones are hard to drive so using a seperate headphone amp can can give you more power to drive your headphones. On top of this, it will lower THD and offer a more controlled, detailed sound.

Edited November 18, 2013 by EBS_freak