Which Headphones....

[irvine752]

Nice explanation....thanks. I wonder what it does for car audio.

Yep, if you plug into the aux cable from the car it triggers the same impedance level.

The real trick is getting the phone to turn on the high impedance level.

 

[irvine752]

@subguy812

Does it pay to trick the phone into external on a pair of Beats?

It does, the amplifier kicks into 2nd stage meaning you wouldn't have to turn the volume all the way up. You would need a small external aux extension which you would plug into the phone first, then attach your head phones to the extension.

For reference, the DAC software comes with three levels of impedance normal, external & high impedance. With high you get the full blown effect of the DAC.

 

[Mike Dee]

It does, the amplifier kicks into 2nd stage meaning you wouldn't have to turn the volume all the way up. You would need a small external aux extension which you would plug into the phone first, then attach your head phones to the extension.

For reference, the DAC software comes with three levels of impedance normal, external & high impedance. With high you get the full blown effect of the DAC.

You don't need an extension for the beats. It disconnects at the other end.
So if the only real difference is volume and its already loud enough I'm not sure its worth it.

 

[jakebake]

I've been using my Akg q701 headphones.... The change the dac makes is amazing

 

[Kevin OQuinn]

You're still missing the point. The power of the general masses (verified owners) will always be greater than that of a single individual especially when it comes to matters of opinion. I know Tyll (repairman turned editor) & his wall of fame, and I wouldn't call head-fi trusted either. Fact of the matter is that anyone with the right equipment can become a glorified reviewer.

At that price, picking an off shore brand name over a well established brand like Sennheiser is shameful. Don't get me wrong, the Ether's open back or even the new closed back variant are pretty good, but not enough to start poking at the establishment. I actually had a loaner a few months ago (Ether Flow). Right off the bat, the dynamic punch/sound stage is no where near the HD800S or even the T5p, more so close to the HD598 but a little more refined with a mild V shape sound signature to boost the bass & treble.

There's a bunch of kick starter efforts for the headphone market out there, and Mr Speaker are no different. If these were priced closer to the 900-1000 range, they would be something to consider.

I disagree that people should avoid headphones because they aren't from an "established" brand.

Sennheiser is a great brand. They are reliable and make great stuff if you like their sound signature. They are also "safe" in that you almost can't go wrong with them. That doesn't mean they're the best or that other brands should be overlooked just because they aren't Sennheiser.

The same applies to Beyer to a certain extent. I would say that their sonic signature is even more polarizing than Sennheiser. But them existing doesn't mean other brands should be overlooked.

It's a great time to be an audio enthusiast either way. So many great brand and products exist that everyone should be able to find something they like.

I also disagree about head-fi. Are there issues? Sure, but that does not mean all of the information there is suspect and can't be trusted.

 

[UNCMo96]

I have been dabbling in Head Fi and rock 3 headphones:
1. Xiaomi Piston III (they have a few other names) earphones. they're from a chinese company and are under 30 bucks but sound comparable to 100 dollar headphones. Their cable is compatible with android.

2. V Moda M-80s (on ear not over ear). These are small enough to tuck in a jacket pocket. A littler heavier on the bass but good sound (I got these for around 100 bucks) some time back.

3. Audio technica m40x (on ear). When I want to zone out and really listen. Not as bass heavy. Probably my favorite of the 3. These were around 80 bucks or so.

 

[Kevin OQuinn]

I have been dabbling in Head Fi and rock 3 headphones:
1. Xiaomi Piston III (they have a few other names) earphones. they're from a chinese company and are under 30 bucks but sound comparable to 100 dollar headphones. Their cable is compatible with android.

2. V Moda M-80s (on ear not over ear). These are small enough to tuck in a jacket pocket. A littler heavier on the bass but good sound (I got these for around 100 bucks) some time back.

3. Audio technica m40x (on ear). When I want to zone out and really listen. Not as bass heavy. Probably my favorite of the 3. These were around 80 bucks or so.

I have the V-Moda XS (updated M80). I think they're great for portable cans.

I also have the M40x. I like the sound but the earpads are a bit small for me. I need to get bigger ones.

 

[Mike Dee]

It does, the amplifier kicks into 2nd stage meaning you wouldn't have to turn the volume all the way up. You would need a small external aux extension which you would plug into the phone first, then attach your head phones to the extension.

For reference, the DAC software comes with three levels of impedance normal, external & high impedance. With high you get the full blown effect of the DAC.

Why is a that I have fool the unit to get the 2nd stage..,. Are they afraid of blowing out headphones or inefficiency chewing up battery by using the wrong impedance?

 

[irvine752]

Why is a that I have fool the unit to get the 2nd stage..,. Are they afraid of blowing out headphones or inefficiency chewing up battery by using the wrong impedance?

I hate it too, but the output is governed by the FCC guidelines. If this wasn't a phone it would be a different case. It's not too bad, it's only an issue if your headphones have impedance around the trigger levels (around 50 ohms for 1st stage to 2nd stage), and the DAC gets stuck in 1st stage then you would need to turn volume all the way up. If the decibels levels get too high they would get into trouble. They had the same software implementation for DACs on the V10 & the G5.

 

[Mike Dee]

I hate it too, but the output is governed by the FCC guidelines. If this wasn't a phone it would be a different case. It's not too bad, it's only an issue if your headphones have impedance around the trigger levels (around 50 ohms for 1st stage to 2nd stage), and the DAC gets stuck in 1st stage then you would need to turn volume all the way up. If the decibels levels get too high they would get into trouble. They had the same software implementation for DACs on the V10 & the G5.

Odd... I connected beats this morning headphone end first and it triggered high impedance. I could swear I got normal yesterday. Maybe I never did...I know when I connected phone end first I ended up with external mode.

 

[Mike Dee]

If you want serious bass, these are what I use. They are Sony, but only available as Japan imports. The USA market has an extra bass model that is weak, but these here are incredibly deep with larger drivers.

https://www.amazon.com/MDR-XB60EX-B...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU5523918

The XB90 model is cheaper right now on Amazon

 

[irvine752]

Odd... I connected beats this morning headphone end first and it triggered high impedance. I could swear I got normal yesterday. Maybe I never did...I know when I connected phone end first I ended up with external mode.

If you toggle the Wifi On & Off when you plug in the headphones sometimes it triggers high impedance. The impedance detection is a little vulnerable to electronic noise. The best way to keep it on permanently would be to change the xml media file that defines the levels under the system folder. We just have to wait for a bit till the root comes out.

 

[X1tymez]

This might help couple users. They have select reviews from cheapest to expensive.

https://www.cnet.com/topics/headphones/best-headphones/

 

[Maria1979]

Hey there, first time on this forum after reading for a few hours Im ready to give my fist comment. Currently Im using the Pixel XL at work and I have the v20 as private phone. Great to compare the 2. Both are good phones, but the v20 is better on Audio. Since I´m a self proclaimed Audio Enthusiast the audio quality was what got me interested in the v20. Thank you LG for focusing in this direction, must be alot of people like me out there, using the phone as your primary musicsource (atleast if you see to the amount of hours you use it..).

Earphones with Android Support. I have had a few: the Sonys mentioned in the thread (Mine wasnt for Android) Sennheiser Momentum for Android, all the Xiaomi Pistons. Today Im using the Degauss Labs Noir which are phenomenal together with the v20. I must have tried atleast 10-12 different pairs before I settled for these. Very tight sound and a fast responding bass (I have felt ex the Pistons not to kick back as quick as one would wish, especially if I listen a bit louder) but not overwhelming bass thus creating a detailed and "pure sound", as it was meant to sound, or atleast that is what I imagine. To go any better one would need to step up to Quad balanced or more and that is out of my range and a little bulky commuting.

 

[LGman072]

I've been using my V-Moda M100s (With the V-Moda Memory Ear Pad/Cushions) with PowerAmp (Poweramp alpha-build-703/704) and they sound AMAZING!

 

[SupraLB]

The XB90 model is cheaper right now on Amazon

I have the XB90's as well. They have the 16mm drivers. Sound great as well, but the size didnt fit my ear as well. They seemed to want to fall out, only because of the size. So I use my XB60's all the time, but the XB90's are backups. The bass is so great on the XB60's, I just stick with them because they never fall out. They have 13.5mm drivers.

With the DAC in the V20, these sound even more incredible.

 

[skippyg]

Using v20+Audio Technica ATH A500X. Pleasantly surprised.

 

[hou33guy]

Qy12

 

[Tex_Norseman]

I was shocked to learn my Tracks Air when plugged in triggers high impedance mode. The sound is fantastic!

 

[Jewels81]

I bought the lg tone pro bluetooth headset for my v20 since i work unloading trucks at work and putting items away and wired headphones get snagged on stuff alot. So those free headphones we getting will be for around the house etc.