Headphones

slartibartfast said:
What type of hearing aid doesn't fit in the ear canal then?
Click to expand...
I take your point. The vast majority of hearing aids do indeed enter the ear canal. In order to create a good seal etc. But there are many options now that are using an "open" design (similar to TWS like Sony open buds and bose ) +/- bone conduction.

At the point when your actual hearing is so bad then I guess the choice of whether or jot to insert somethings into the ear canal is not as clear... 🤔Many/most would probably choose the better seal/performance over the disruption of self-cleaning. Cos what's the point of having clear ears if they don't work for hearing, I guess? Lmao

Keep in mind - all of my above points were from the perspective of people with normal hearing and the absence of other pathologies in their ears... I was making general statements. Not giving specific recommendations
 
BowsAndArrows said:
I worked in ENT/otolaryngology for a while and some of the PhDs in our group were working on the way cells leave the ear canal with wax etc. They sort of flow outwards in concentric circles from the middle of the outer ear (the canal opening) to the outer edge (pinna), with the dead cells/debris getting expelled continuously outwards. This process is super sensitive to almost any physical disruption. 🤔
Click to expand...
Very interesting! I wonder if over ear noise canceling headphones could also have a negative effect on the natural cleansing function. They are very tightly sealed (sometimes it feels like a vacuum is being created) and the sound pressure also works in the opposite direction. However, I think that, if headphones were really so harmful, the manufacturers would have to provide appropriate information... Otherwise they would not be able to save themselves from horrendous compensation claims, especially in the USA...
 
Zap Rekowski said:
Very interesting! I wonder if over ear noise canceling headphones could also have a negative effect on the natural cleansing function. They are very tightly sealed (sometimes it feels like a vacuum is being created) and the sound pressure also works in the opposite direction. However, I think that, if headphones were really so harmful, the manufacturers would have to provide appropriate information... Otherwise they would not be able to save themselves from horrendous compensation claims, especially in the USA...
Click to expand...
It's possible, especially because it gets hot and humid as well - when using over-ears (esp closed back). That isn't a fun environment for the epithelial cells... 🤔

I've often wondered about the pressure effect when using NC... Very noticeable + It's kind of interesting cos if you assume that the NC isn't perfect - then you MUST end up with some moments where "summation of amplitudes" occurs - as opposed to the desired cancellation, right?! So imo that has to be bad for hearing loss - cos you have these momentary spikes in amplitude. Which to me is far more worrying than effects on wax/cleaning imo... kinda scary. 😨 I always turn off NC whenever possible. And generally prefer speakers for music...

The ear tips industry basically created the ear wax problem, btw. Because if you keep disrupting the natural motility processes by removing the wax and rubbing the ear canal - your ear responds by producing more wax. Then you need more tips

So I dunno about your points on compensation claims etc. Firstly you need to prove causality in court, beyond reasonable doubt... who's gonna do that for just an "excessive ear wax" problem?! Also I don't have faith in manufacturers "looking out for us" etc. in general, unless it affects their bottom line significantly 🤷‍♂️t
 
BowsAndArrows said:
It's possible, especially because it gets hot and humid as well - when using over-ears (esp closed back). That isn't a fun environment for the epithelial cells... 🤔

I've often wondered about the pressure effect when using NC... Very noticeable + It's kind of interesting cos if you assume that the NC isn't perfect - then you MUST end up with some moments where "summation of amplitudes" occurs - as opposed to the desired cancellation, right?! So imo that has to be bad for hearing loss - cos you have these momentary spikes in amplitude. Which to me is far more worrying than effects on wax/cleaning imo... kinda scary. 😨 I always turn off NC whenever possible. And generally prefer speakers for music...

The ear tips industry basically created the ear wax problem, btw. Because if you keep disrupting the natural motility processes by removing the wax and rubbing the ear canal - your ear responds by producing more wax. Then you need more tips

So I dunno about your points on compensation claims etc. Firstly you need to prove causality in court, beyond reasonable doubt... who's gonna do that for just an "excessive ear wax" problem?! Also I don't have faith in manufacturers "looking out for us" etc. in general, unless it affects their bottom line significantly 🤷‍♂️t
Click to expand...
No claims for compensation for pain and suffering? So it can't be dangerous or worrying to insert something (in-ears or hearing aids) into the ear canal... 😉
 
@Zap Rekowski - Many Thanks!

Having read numerous reviews as well as your positive comments I decided to try the closed back FiiO FT1s
(....as all my other headphones are open back)

I will have the opportunity to try these with the FiiO K11 R2R balanced output.
(....as all my other headphones are single ended)

I like the look of the pale beech versions so will wait a few weeks for these to be delivered.
(....as all my other headphones are black)

1743441405259.png
- & I will be able to listen to music in my wife's presence!
(....as everything that I listen to is unlistenable for her)
 
MrA said:
@Zap Rekowski - Many Thanks!

Having read numerous reviews as well as your positive comments I decided to try the closed back FiiO FT1s
(....as all my other headphones are open back)

I will have the opportunity to try these with the FiiO K11 R2R balanced output.
(....as all my other headphones are single ended)

I like the look of the pale beech versions so will wait a few weeks for these to be delivered.
(....as all my other headphones are black)

View attachment 19186
- & I will be able to listen to music in my wife's presence!
(....as everything that I listen to is unlistenable for her)
Click to expand...
The potential for a new dream team is huge 👍 Your wife will love you a little more, too 😀
 
wiimamp user said:
Question..how do you think about this Fiio k11 R2R dac?
Could it be Wiim could bring out such an device with this technology?
Click to expand...
I have the FiiO K11 R2R and this technology definitely creates a very pleasant listening experience with smoother but still extended treble frequencies.

It has a great sounding DAC with a pretty good amp section but nothing special hence I use line out to a higher quality headphone amp. In NOS mode the DAC is very analogue sounding, OS mode becomes slightly more clinical but both are extremly listenalble.

By experimenting with OS mode Bit rates/settings* between 16-44.1 & all the way up to 32-384, greater upsampling progressively sharpens the sound to a point where I feel it progressively sounds more unnatural so I'm currently switching between 24-48 or 24-192 as the maximum upsampling rate. I may well settle at 24-48 as the difference between the two is basically undetectable to my old ears. At the highest settings this begins to sound more 'digital' ie a more traditional Delta Sigma DAC.

(*plugging USB directly to a laptop, in my case a Macbook Pro using the Audio Midi interface)
 
wiimamp user said:
👍
How would a open back headphone sound?
Did you tried an open back or a planar headphones?
Those Planar headphones seem to have their own sound..

My next purchase could be the Fiio FT1 pro or the 7HZ timeless 2.
Click to expand...
Have you tried Grado open backed headphones? I have the excellent GW100X which are Bluetooth or wired.
 
MrA said:
@Zap Rekowski - Many Thanks!

Having read numerous reviews as well as your positive comments I decided to try the closed back FiiO FT1s
(....as all my other headphones are open back)

I will have the opportunity to try these with the FiiO K11 R2R balanced output.
(....as all my other headphones are single ended)

I like the look of the pale beech versions so will wait a few weeks for these to be delivered.
(....as all my other headphones are black)

View attachment 19186
- & I will be able to listen to music in my wife's presence!
(....as everything that I listen to is unlistenable for her)
Click to expand...
New problem occurred here now, sory
MrA said:
@Zap Rekowski - Many Thanks!

Having read numerous reviews as well as your positive comments I decided to try the closed back FiiO FT1s
(....as all my other headphones are open back)

I will have the opportunity to try these with the FiiO K11 R2R balanced output.
(....as all my other headphones are single ended)

I like the look of the pale beech versions so will wait a few weeks for these to be delivered.
(....as all my other headphones are black)

View attachment 19186
- & I will be able to listen to music in my wife's presence!
(....as everything that I listen to is unlistenable for her)
Click to expand...
As they are closed back, now my wife is annoying me hearing humming on tracks, a-synchonical.
 
BowsAndArrows said:
Been dying to try the noble FoKus Apollo since they were launched last year.
https://nobleaudio.com/products/fokus-apollo
Most interesting headphone design I've come across in years!! Hybrid planar magnetic + dynamic drivers!! 🤯P Pretty much all the bells and whistles you can think of as well...
Price to match as well, I suppose 😰B
But I would like to experience them - just not enough around in the wild 🤔
Click to expand...
Thanks.. great recommendation. Didn't know them..😮👌👍
QuarryHunslet said:
Have you tried Grado open backed headphones? I have the excellent GW100X which are Bluetooth or wired.
Click to expand...
Thanks ..I want to try some planar headphones( open back) in the future.
Great that a brand like 7HZ took this planar technology to the IEM market.


MrA said:
I have the FiiO K11 R2R and this technology definitely creates a very pleasant listening experience with smoother but still extended treble frequencies.

It has a great sounding DAC with a pretty good amp section but nothing special hence I use line out to a higher quality headphone amp. In NOS mode the DAC is very analogue sounding, OS mode becomes slightly more clinical but both are extremly listenalble.

By experimenting with OS mode Bit rates/settings* between 16-44.1 & all the way up to 32-384, greater upsampling progressively sharpens the sound to a point where I feel it progressively sounds more unnatural so I'm currently switching between 24-48 or 24-192 as the maximum upsampling rate. I may well settle at 24-48 as the difference between the two is basically undetectable to my old ears. At the highest settings this begins to sound more 'digital' ie a more traditional Delta Sigma DAC.

(*plugging USB directly to a laptop, in my case a Macbook Pro using the Audio Midi interface)
Click to expand...
Thanks I really am curious how this headphone amp would sound.
I'm wondering if Wiim would use this technology ( R2R) in the future..😊👍
 
BowsAndArrows said:
Been dying to try the noble FoKus Apollo since they were launched last year.
https://nobleaudio.com/products/fokus-apollo
Most interesting headphone design I've come across in years!! Hybrid planar magnetic + dynamic drivers!! 🤯P Pretty much all the bells and whistles you can think of as well...
Price to match as well, I suppose 😰B
But I would like to experience them - just not enough around in the wild 🤔
Click to expand...
Thanks..
The Aful performer 5+2/7 uses 2DD+4BA+1Micro Planar drivers..so also 1 Planar one

I have the Aful performer 5 now..superb quality.😮😮👌👌👍😮🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶😮👌👍
 
wiimamp user said:
Thanks..
The Aful performer 5+2/7 uses 2DD+4BA+1Micro Planar drivers..so also 1 Planar one

I have the Aful performer 5 now..superb quality.😮😮👌👌👍😮🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶😮👌👍
Click to expand...
Well if you're all about the multiple driver arrays. Then this latest fiio release is prob what you're looking for? 13 drivers per earphone all encased in a solid polished titanium case. Absolutely insane 26 drivers total!! 🤯

Pricey though - $1599
https://www.fiio.com/fx17
 
Talking about a open back and planar headphones..
My choice would be:
Fiio FT1 pro
7hz timeless 1 or version 2.
Aful performer 5+2.
I think for the price they are asking you will get a hell of a lot for your money.
Planar excellency..for little money.
 
Last edited:
BowsAndArrows said:
It's possible, especially because it gets hot and humid as well - when using over-ears (esp closed back). That isn't a fun environment for the epithelial cells... 🤔

I've often wondered about the pressure effect when using NC... Very noticeable + It's kind of interesting cos if you assume that the NC isn't perfect - then you MUST end up with some moments where "summation of amplitudes" occurs - as opposed to the desired cancellation, right?! So imo that has to be bad for hearing loss - cos you have these momentary spikes in amplitude. Which to me is far more worrying than effects on wax/cleaning imo... kinda scary. 😨 I always turn off NC whenever possible. And generally prefer speakers for music...

The ear tips industry basically created the ear wax problem, btw. Because if you keep disrupting the natural motility processes by removing the wax and rubbing the ear canal - your ear responds by producing more wax. Then you need more tips

So I dunno about your points on compensation claims etc. Firstly you need to prove causality in court, beyond reasonable doubt... who's gonna do that for just an "excessive ear wax" problem?! Also I don't have faith in manufacturers "looking out for us" etc. in general, unless it affects their bottom line significantly 🤷‍♂️t
Click to expand...
...one more interesting article:

www.bbc.com

Audiologists raise concern over headphone use in young people

More young people are presenting to audiology teams in England with difficulty processing sound.
www.bbc.com www.bbc.com
 
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